As a very last minute decision, we booked one of the festive overnight events on Marco Polo a couple of days prior to Christmas. The ship was berthed in Bristol Avonmouth overnight. The blurb stated a welcome on board cocktail, 7 course Dinner with half a bottle of wine per person, Show and Entertainment. Cost £109 pp
We joined up with Wilba and Mrs W and chose inside cabins on the Pacific Deck which seems to house the majority of the cabins. Although both the same grade, there were slight differences in the layout but mainly a two berth (beds not together configuration) with a dressing table/chest of drawers inbetween. I also very quickly spotted the pull out tray in the top of the drawers - something I remember from olden childhood days of cruising - this is what the cabin steward would pull out as he came with the tray of tea ordered in the morning as standard service in days gone by. A double wardrobe housed the safe and lifejackets and a reasonably sized shower to the side. The beds are old, narrow and not something I could endure for a long cruise, but a bed for the night was all that was needed.
Our embarkation time was 4.45 but we decided to turn up at 4 and after filling in a health quiz, the ropes were opened up and we were going through security and on board in a flash. Cabins were ready so we offloaded our overnight bag and went off to investigate the lounge and the welcome on board drink.
This turned out not be a one off hand out as we walked into the lounge but a full two hours of waiters walking around and handing out rum punch cocktail or fizz. This was a pleasant surprise which we made good use of.
At 6 we returned to our cabins to get ready for the evening dinner which was at 7.30pm in one sitting. The meal was excellent - A choice of 3 starters, 2 soups, 2 Salads, 4 Mains, Dessert, and Coffee. The wine was freely poured with very generous measures and freely topped up when required.
The after dinner show which lasted around 40mins was ok, infact very amateurish but nevertheless passed away the evening before we went up to the nightclub lounge for dancing the night away. The singers did Caberet spots to popular dance tunes before turning into a Disco.
Breakfast was included the following morning - the usual buffet fare. A reasonable choice. Disembarkation time was 9.30am
Overall it was a great pre Christmas event and we really enjoyed it. I would definitely consider doing this again next year.
We joined up with Wilba and Mrs W and chose inside cabins on the Pacific Deck which seems to house the majority of the cabins. Although both the same grade, there were slight differences in the layout but mainly a two berth (beds not together configuration) with a dressing table/chest of drawers inbetween. I also very quickly spotted the pull out tray in the top of the drawers - something I remember from olden childhood days of cruising - this is what the cabin steward would pull out as he came with the tray of tea ordered in the morning as standard service in days gone by. A double wardrobe housed the safe and lifejackets and a reasonably sized shower to the side. The beds are old, narrow and not something I could endure for a long cruise, but a bed for the night was all that was needed.
Our embarkation time was 4.45 but we decided to turn up at 4 and after filling in a health quiz, the ropes were opened up and we were going through security and on board in a flash. Cabins were ready so we offloaded our overnight bag and went off to investigate the lounge and the welcome on board drink.
This turned out not be a one off hand out as we walked into the lounge but a full two hours of waiters walking around and handing out rum punch cocktail or fizz. This was a pleasant surprise which we made good use of.
At 6 we returned to our cabins to get ready for the evening dinner which was at 7.30pm in one sitting. The meal was excellent - A choice of 3 starters, 2 soups, 2 Salads, 4 Mains, Dessert, and Coffee. The wine was freely poured with very generous measures and freely topped up when required.
The after dinner show which lasted around 40mins was ok, infact very amateurish but nevertheless passed away the evening before we went up to the nightclub lounge for dancing the night away. The singers did Caberet spots to popular dance tunes before turning into a Disco.
Breakfast was included the following morning - the usual buffet fare. A reasonable choice. Disembarkation time was 9.30am
Overall it was a great pre Christmas event and we really enjoyed it. I would definitely consider doing this again next year.
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