Marco Polo Reviews

Summary:  Firstly, the ship: Marco Polo feels more like a ship than a floating hotel. We'd previously been on a 3 night mini-cruise to Belgium on Marco Polo and weren't impressed with the atmosphere and service on board. That was 7 years ago. However, we've just returned from a 17 night voyage to Murmansk, Russia and had a fabulous time. The ship was spotless, well presented and had all the features of a modern ship inside. Staff were very pleasant and helpful, especially the Reception staff. We were experiencing severe door slamming noise in our cabin and the staff handled it brilliantly. The noise was investigated and we were moved to a different cabin - 6 grades higher than ours! The entertainment on board was spectacular, better than competitors...and we've been on many cruises so say this with confidence. We were delighted to go on a free tour of the bridge as many cruise operators either don't allow this any more, or they charge large fees. Food was well presented in both restaurants and there was a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. They were quite creative. My only criticism is that the 'cheesecake' was most disappointing. In all our cruising experience we've only encountered one ship whose cheesecake is actually cheesecake (there was a UK Head Chef onboard). All others, including Marco Polo, serve a sponge-based cream slice and call it cheesecake! One disappointment was that there were no elevensies or mid-morning snacks...but you really don't go hungry on this ship! Secondly, the cruise: Cruise of a lifetime. We sailed from Tilbury, up the west coast of Norway, over the North Cape and into northern Russia to Archangel and Murmansk on the White Sea. This cruise itinerary rarely appears in the brochures of main operators, especially if you wish to sail from and return to a UK port. We were travelling in the wake of the Arctic Convoys of WWII and the shore tours reflected this. Passengers onboard included descendants of those who sailed on the convoys and had personal accounts to share with each other and the museums we visited. The Russians looked after us well and we saw some poignant memorials as well as contrasting architecture within cities. Norway offered a lovely mix of wooden buildings, turfed roofs, scenic fjords, beautiful landscapes and interesting heritage. There was plenty to do in each port, even in Bergen where we'd been several times before. We would recommend the Planetarium and Botanic Gardens in Tromso, Sverresborg folk museum in Trondheim and the West of The Moon Art Gallery in Honningsvag, specialising in contemporary collage art.

Summary:  Greenland Expedition July 28th - August 18th 2018 Didnt know what to expect going to Greenland and back on a 53 year old Marco Polo.......however we were pleasantly suprised with cabin 501 on Pacific deck. Only a hop, skip and up the stairs to the Marco Bistro. We had breakfast and lunch their every day and couldnt fault the food. Dinner in the Waldorf was excellent and the staff very friendly. Entertainment was good and always plenty of things happening on board. Big thanks to Eric McVicar we learned alot about Greenland and its people from his series of lectures. Thanks also to CMV for giving us the opportunity to visit this fantastic Island. What amazing places and sights we saw. Great little ship got us there and back. We look forward to our next CMV cruise. John and Gill Green.

Summary:  Just returned from Canada in the Fall. Pound for Pound we got our money's worth. The ship was clean, the staff exceptionally friendly, helpful and caring. The food served was large in portion size although sometimes the vegetables were a little short. The selection on the menu was reasonable and varied. I don't believe however I will be going on the ship again purely and simply in 18ft waves the boat was tossed around like a ping pong ball and we could not get out of the cabin two days going and five days coming back. The staff attended to all our needs. The shore excursion staff went out of their way to assist as we had disability and mobility problems. We could not rate them high enough. The only con was they must either renew their cutlery or get the knives sharpened

Summary:  Have just returned from the mini cruise - Liverpool to Bristol via Dublin and Cobh. Do not stay in cabins on Baltic Deck between elevators. Small, no tea making facilities and the permanent smell / taste of diesel and VERY noisy. My wife suffers from asthma and this did her no good at all. Also took all day to get the air-con fixed - froze the first night. Outside cabin - two dirty potholes - not worth the extra money, Older ship and had a fairly good atmosphere but food service (first sitting) was frantic. Best thing - the entertainment, better than Holland America Alaska cruise.

Summary:  We went on Marco polo from hull June 9th 2017 what a great ship clean and tidy and all staff could not do enough for you and the rooms were kept clean and we had loads of space and could not fault the food and service . We're are back next year same ship from hull 29th June cvm it's a great company greats ships and great staff keep up the good work would recommend cv to all my friends see you all next year.

Summary:  Just returned from cruise to the Faroes , Orkney and Skye. Absolutely fabulous in every way. Food, ship and staff all excellent. Took the all inclusive package which we found well worth the money. Been on quite a few cruises, including the larger ships. This was hard to beat .

Summary:  First time on a cruise ship from the minute we boarded to the last the experience was excellent everything was well presented the ship was spotless the food was lovely the crew were very helpful nothing too much trouble .The entainment at night was excellent the shore excursions were very good in fact could not fault anything next year we will be returning

Summary:  We have recently returned from a 6 night cruise on the Marco Polo and wanted to share our experience. The ship although old has lots of character and ample spaces to sit and enjoy the voyage. We were upgraded to an outside cabin which was an added bonus. The choice of food was excellent. The staff worked extremely hard to ensure that passengers enjoyed their holiday. The ship was clean and well cared for. Whilst away we had severe weather problems which meant the ship could not go to Antwerp whilst this was disappointing we fully understand the reasons and again staff did their utmost to ensure alternative excursions were arranged. We had a very enjoyable break and thought for value for money the cruise was outstanding. Thank you to all Cruise and Maritime staff we will definately recommend and use again in the future.

Summary:  This was our first cruise. I am 64 and my husband a very fit 69. We have always looked at cruises (especially on those floating blocks of flats) with horror. When we saw the 'Highlights of the British Isles' advertised we thought we'd risk it - mainly because of the destinations. We are so glad we did. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff who were friendly and eager to help. The ship has admittedly seen better days but I love its history (google it!). The atmosphere was relaxed but the formal nights were just that. We loved the food in the Waldorf Restaurant and although the portions were small there were 5 courses if you wanted them, and a buffet. And always at least 2 vegetarian choices for main course. Afternoon Tea had a lovely selection of cakes, biscuits and pastries although the sandwiches usually contained meat - not so good for us vegetarians but then I could rarely manage much then anyway. Tea and coffee were available 6am - midnight from the Bistro and was not bad. Our cabin (a standard inner) was fine with plenty of hanging space for our 11 night cruise and the beds comfortable. Our room steward, Ivan, kept the room spotlessly clean and tidy. Unfortunately I did meet people who said it was the worst cruise they'd been on and proceeded to click their fingers at the waitress in the bar and expected them to ignore the people being served and rush to their side. They said they would not travel on Marco Polo again. Hooray! That same waitress knew our names and our cabin number within 2 days and had a smile as wide as the Atlantic as soon as we walked in. But then we said please and thank you and didn't treat the staff like lesser beings. We thoroughly enjoyed the duo playing in the Captain's Lounge every evening with Nadia on piano and Volodymir on violin. They inspired my husband to get his clarinet out of storage. (Thanks - I think). We didn't go to many of the evening shows but did enjoy the Magic Show by husband and wife "Evans plus Evans". My husband had the honour of 'helping' with their human ventriloquist act. I laughed 'til I cried. Great show! If you like pretentious luxury and glittering surroundings and don't mind sharing them with thousands of others then don't come aboard Marco Polo. If you want a ship that's unpretentious, friendly, homely, has classic style then this might be for you Whether we will go on another cruise is open to discussion. However, if we do it will almost certainly be on Marco Polo.

Summary:  Lovely ship with friendly and very helpful staff. Nothing was too much trouble. Embarkation and disembarkation went smoothly and our luggage was waiting for us when we arrived at our cabin. Would recommend this ship especially for first time cruisers.