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Orient Lines

MV Marco Polo

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Joy Brittle
# previous cruises: 2
Date of Trip: May 8, 2005
Itinerary: Mediterranean

This cruise had a lot going for it, that other ships don't provide,do not be put off by the age or the size of this ship. The itinerary, of Italy and the eastern mediterranean, was good, and you felt really looked after, and they attended to your needs, as if your presence there was valued.

All the public areas were fine, clean and attractively decorated, there was a walk around promenade, an adequate casino and outdoor pool.

The main dining room had an attractive decor, the waiters were attentive, friendly and did their job well. The food was excellent, varied and well presented. The wine was a little expensive, but compensated by the fact that after six bottles had been purchased, you presented the receipts, and got a free bottle. The alternative self service restaurant was very good. There was a superior small restaurant, with an extra charge, which we saw no need to use. Good food was also available outside on deck.

Our standard inside cabin, though adequate, was small, wardrobe and drawer space was fine, as was the bathroom, with large, free shower and shampoo dispensers. The cabin was near to the prow of the ship, and the raising and lowering of the anchor was extremely noisy, and there was considerable engine vibration, better to choose a more central one, though we got used to it

The theatre entertainment, was good and varied, not just the usual Vegas style dance troupe every night, Jugglers, comedians, Jazz quartet, classical trio and local performers came onboard from the ports of call, to entertain, and the Filipino crew put on their own talented evenings entertainment, which went down well.

Childcare was available, but it was not really a children's ship, though some effort was made to entertain them. We did the usual lounging around, on the deck, but mention should be made, of the sooty particles from the funnel, which could mark, pale clothing, although after a complaint about this, they were laundered for free. We used the Gym and took part in Deck games. There is a golf putting competition, and puzzle sheets to fill in and Trivia team challenges, Films and lectures about ports of call. We went ashore at Corcula in Croatia, birthplace of Marco Polo the explorer, after who'm the ship is named, and there was an interesting ceremony, when local dancers came on board, together with the Mayor and presented our captain with a copy of the original flag of Marco Polo. Shore excursions were a reasonable price, and advice and assistance was freely given to those who wanted to go ashore and explore on their own. When we went on an excursion, we were given a bottle of water each, and a cool drink was waiting for you on your return. When a port of call required us to go ashore by tender, this was a smooth operation, and all help and care was taken to get anyone with a disability down the steps and into the tender, even those in wheelchairs were catered for with little problem, and both wheelchairs and their occupants, made it into the tenders, nothing was too much trouble. The ports of call were interesting and the trips offered were varied, and marked according to the amount of walking required.

The majority of passengers were American, the British coming a close second, with a sprinkling of other nationalities,and the standard of service on board was of the high quality demanded by Americans and us Brits benefitted from this. Mostly there were couples, and groups of friends and family, though very few children were on board, without exception all were friendly.