Marco Polo Reviews

Author: Polly

Summary:  We have just returned from the 8 night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing 17th May. We had a cabin on Columbus Deck (720) which was spacious and comfortable, although the twin beds were rather narrow. We ate mostly in the Waldorf restaurant, food was good but the tables are crammed in. Service is good. The staff keep the ship beautifully clean. Entertainment was good. For what you pay this is good value for money and perfectly acceptable. I have read some of the more negative reviews and feel that they are unfair. One mentions chipped mugs at the coffee an tea 'stations', yes some are chipped, but they are chipped at the bottom of the mug where they are stacked not on the rim where you drink, and it is very easy to choose a different one. We liked the fact that it is a small ship and the embarkation and disembarkation were very easy. Sailing from Tilbury was very convenient saving the hassle of a fly/cruise. We would cruise on the Marco Polo again.

Author: Stephen Rooney

Summary:  We are experienced cruisers, having been on over a dozen voyages with Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Costa. We have been on Marco Polo to Scandinavia, the Balkans and Antarctica. While she lacks the flash and trimmings of all the above mentioned, I have to say she is probably our favourite ship! She is very stable (Drakes Passage was a good test!), solidly and elegantly built. The crew are friendly and efficient. The food is very good, if not cordon bleu, and fellow passengers a sociable, witty and educated bunch. Entertainment has been an enjoyable way to spend an evening. Public spaces are comfortable and relaxing. Cabins are on the small side, but we have always slept well and tend to treat cabins as simply somewhere to sleep anyway. Marco Polo is not aimed at the luxury floating resort market, nor the Cunard White Star experience - all of which we have enjoyed. However, we have always felt we have had a real 'traveller' experience, discovered new and wonderful places, and met great fellow passengers of all ages. I'd recommend the Marco Polo if you are looking for an interesting itinerary and a comfortable, friendly base from which to explore. Next cruise - Crown Princess to the Canaries for some sun and fun, and movies under the stars, but then hopefully Marco Polo to the Amazon in 2014. Variety is the spice of cruising life! Steve Rooney

Author: John Neilens

Summary:  Just back from a cruise on the Marco Polo had a fantastic time in Norway don't miss the Norway in a nut shell trip looks expensive but worth every penny the ship was wonderful great staff in every department nothing was to much trouble for them you won't get better value for money will be back again soon for a longer cruise

Author: Alan Williamson

Summary:  This is an excellent ship even though it is 48 years old. We were on Pacific Deck and it was so smooth going even up the North Sea. The crew were excellent giving good service throughout. The food was very acceptable and plenty of it. In fact, the only criticism I have to make is the state of the fitness equipment, in particular the treadmill, rower and bicycle. The need bringing up to date.

Author: Pat Brownlow

Summary:  16/4/2013 Springtime in the Norwegian Fjords. We recommend both this cruise and the Marco Polo very highly. We had a wonderful trip. It was excellent value for the money, there was a lovely atmosphere on board, attentive and friendly staff and food that cannot be faulted. There was something at every meal to suit most tastes. The cabins are more than adequate and there is a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene throughout. Tips to pass on that you may find useful: We did not do the excursions. We were able to do almost everything we wanted to do independently, within the £100 per person in Kroner that we took with us. Everything in Norway is expensive, we tried the beer, apple cake and the fresh prawns at the Bergen fish market, but its best to avoid eating off the ship if cost is an issue. After some agonising, we chanced discreetly taking a wine box on board and there was no problem. The drinks on board are about the same as London prices. If you ask the waiter at your first meal there is a deal, - you buy vouchers for 6 bottles of wine for £80. Before the trip we thought the £5 per day for gratuities were excessive, in the event we were more than happy that they were fully deserved. We only hope the cabin cleaners and the waiters got their fair share! Gabriela, Natalia, Rocky and Igor, THANK YOU! BEWARE Cases were to be left out at midnight for the disembarkation, We heard a fellow passenger packed ALL his trousers and had to send his wife to retrieve the case before he could go to breakfast! BON VOYAGE!

Author: Diane Norris

Summary:  Ship had everything you needed. The food was excellent and the staff very friendly and worked long hours. They catered for all needs in the event that passengers could not leave the ship due to weather conditions. Travellers need to be warned that the cruise seems to attract people over 75 on the whole and less than 5% were under this age group. If you are not put off by the OAP age group as I was not at 52, I had a lovely time but I would only do this again at the discounted price. The entertainment met the needs of most some evenings better than others but there were alternatives events taking place in bars if you did not wish to attend the main cabaret. If you have particular mobility problems you may not be able to get onto tenders to get to some of the islands for safety reasons. I took the Dutch bulb Easter trip on 31 March. Weather was not its best and had an impact on booked excursions to gardens as the frost delayed the production of masses of spring flowers. However I did not take any trips and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the towns where we could dock. I was very disappointed with Cherbourg - there was so little to see in the town and rather a dull place if you were not booked on an excursion. The weather was so rough that I sadly did not get to see Guernsey, but the Scilly Isles, Amsterdam, Antwerp and particularly Hon Fleur were lovely trips.Well worth the visit.

Author: Margaret Ann Thomas

Summary:  Just returned from Dutch Bulb Fields cruise. Disappointed with the restaurant staff, they need some training in service and MANNERS. We used to travel on this ship when it was owned by Orient Lines and had excellent holidays each time. The Phillipino staff on the likes of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are infinately better trained and more sociable. We only heard the Captain speak once. His bridge announcements were made by the Cruise Director and we never saw him, not even at "his" welcome cocktail evening. Many people doubted we had a Captain on board!. Embarkation and disembarkation at Tilbury were excellent. Food so-so, Better on Olsen but we recognise that this is down to whichever Executive Chef is on at the time, no excuse for having to send back soup twice before getting it near enough warm to eat! If we were to contemplate using the line again it would be for a week maximum to a desirable destination. Ship itself is still fine, it is the crew which leave a lot to be desired.

Author: Vivienne Crossland

Summary:  Steer well clear. I had a dreadful experience on board this ship. Cruise & Maritime are a shoddy company who appear to have little or no respect for their passengers. The carpets in places a showing their threads, the crockery is grey and scored and the table cloths have small holes. This is simply a sample of what you can expect. The ship was overcrowded with little elbow room to eat and when you did you were scurried in and out of the restaurant. You can obtain far better at the same price. The ship used to have a good reputation however now that C&M have taken over it seems to have severley gone down hill. Myadvice also is to see reviews on TripAdvisor because those are published and I wonder if this will be!

Author: Mike Walton

Summary:  Just returned from Northern Lights cruise on Marco Polo. 2nd time on board after a 'Round UK' trip 18 months ago. Entertainment more varied but poorer quality now Richard Sykes has transferred but still fine. Food good and service fine. Itenary excellent but poor support for independent shore excursions. Excursion team solely aimed at ships expensive trips. Tips for independent shore trips: book both railway trips online in UK before departure. Both trains fully booked on day of departure. Bus journeys expensive in Norway but most tickets enable you to stay on for 1 to 2 hrs even if only on same route. Often a days travel pass is available for little more than 1 trip. In Bergen buy a Bergen pass for 200 krs from Tourist Info. It covers travel incl funicular and most museums which are 100krs each. Take spikes for shoes/boots. Streets are leathal and spikes sold on board are poor quality. Ours lasted 1 week and fell apart. If you are lucky like us and see the Northern Lights make sure you know your camera and have the longest exposure possible. The ship is warm inside all the time. Warm weather clothing is only needed outside. Every bus journey we spoke to the driver/passengers in perfect English and found out so much about Norway. The hot tubs on deck are surprisingly warm and plentiful towels mean the icy trip to the inside sauna is not too painful.Take costumes. Ship was very stable. No seasickness tablets taken in 2 weeks.

Author: M N Graham

Summary:  First class entertainment, fine dining, superb excursions, clean comfortable cabin, attentative crew . Our cruise to the Baltic Cities surpassed all expectations, we imediatley booked a return trip. Now looking forward to our third cruise with Cruise and Maritime.