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Orient Lines

MV Marco Polo

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: B. R.
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: May 27, 2006
Itinerary: Europe

Barcelona to London, doctor and staff trying to control spread of virus aboard. Some passengers confined to cabins, others sent ashore to hospital, buffet service by gloved waiters only, walls sprayed with disinfectant. Ship officers/crew just kind of whispered about it. But every day more became ill. CDC has no record of inspection, maybe because Polo never docks in U.S. We left in Dover. It's en route now to Scandinavia. I doubt we'll sail her again unless public health policy changes.

Teak promenade deck great. Palm Court nice quiet reading area. Too much smoke circulating from smoking to non-smoking sides of Polo Lounge and Charleston Club evenings. Seven Seas dining needs noise abatement. Raffles fine except now with virus aboard. Health club good. Pool small, good for a dunk, that's all. After deck around pool great for dining. relaxing, making friends, etc. C minus overall

Food freshly prepared and fancier in Seven Seas formal dining but noise level HIGH. Raffles buffet much like cafeteria food:- mostly reheated already cooked meats, fish, pastas. Salads better. Desserts good. Breakfasts good. All food good but not excellent. Service always personal and friendly. B minus

Cabins all small but adequate including ours except that we had no bolsters on berths and no chairs as alternative for sitting. We travel light so no problem with limited bureau/closet space. Shower snug but efficient. Adequate sink/counter space, Our luggage fit under twin berths. Everything thoroughly maintained by steward. B overall

Group of 8 young singers/dancers superb for a small ship like the Polo. Very talented with outstanding productions . Excellent orchestra and string trio as well. Jonathan Neal does an exceptional job of providing first rate individual entertainers as well as supervising the above and lecturing himself on British naval history. A plus

Destinations are the key on the Polo. This time we spent time ashore in these ports:-Barcelona, Alicante, Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon, Leixoes, Bordeaux, St. Peter's Port, Le Havre, and then London.(We became ill ourselves as we left for our post cruise in London hotel- a real downer! see above) Ship's shore excursions were much more expensive than doing them on our own. Many passengers complained about it and inadequate provision for getting into town from where ship was tied up except in one port. No provision for children on this ship.

Most were Aussies, Kiwis, and Europeans. About a third U.S. and Canadian. We enjoyed making new friends as always when we travel. Ages varied from 40's to 80's. Most above 50. All looking for value and all we met were experienced travelers who have begun to enjoy destination cruising. The unresolved public health issue may affect that choice however in the future.