| Overview
Built in Germany and christened the Alexander Pushkin in 1965, the ship first cruised in the Russian Far East and later sailed regularly between St. Petersburg and Montreal. Built for long distance cruising, it was designed with an ice-strengthened hull enabling it to navigate Arctic and Antarctic waters. Orient Lines purchased the ship in 1991 and, following an extensive $75 million refit during which it was completely rebuilt, the ship was renamed the Marco Polo and set sail in November, 1993, on her initial voyage from Mombassa to Cape Town. Since then it has continued to span the globe every year on voyages to over 80 different ports of call.
The typical Marco Polo passenger is someone who seeks adventuresome vacations that take them to far-flung destinations but also provide the comforts and ease of a cruise ship. More than 90% of passengers sign up for Orient Lines's popular cruise-tours which range in length from 11 to 25 days and, in addition to the cruise, include pre- and post cruise hotel stays and city sightseeing tours.
At the beginning of the cruise the captain reminds passengers to consider the Marco Polo their home away from home, and the camaraderie between passengers and crew creates a family like atmosphere that you rarely encounter on a ship this size. Exceptional personalized service from a Filipino crew that prides itself on attention to detail sets this line apart from the competition.
Public Rooms
Coming aboard for the first time is a revelation as you are transported back to a time long before the creation of today's gargantuan floating hotels, when a ship truly looked like a ship. You will not find glass elevators or sizzling neon aboard this classic cruise liner, as the Marco Polo's public areas exude a low-key, unpretentious ambiance without a trace of glitz. The ships interior design is built around an art-deco motif enhanced by the extensive use of polished wood, brass, and etched glass.
Most public areas--Polo Lounge, Ambassador Lounge, Lobby, Le Bar, Le Casino, Palm Court, Library, Card Room, and Raffles Restaurant--are concentrated on Belvedere Deck. The only public rooms on other decks are the Charleston Club and the health club and beauty center and the Seven Seas Restaurant. Due to this orderly layout it doesn't take long to get to know your way around the ship, and sufficient separation between public rooms expedites passenger flow.
The favorite gathering place day and night is the Polo Lounge, and it is especially popular during days at sea when passengers settle into the comfortable leather couches and chairs and spend time reading, writing, playing cards, snoozing and/or just gazing out the windows. In the evening the lounge becomes a piano bar and is the preferred place to meet for pre-dinner cocktails.
Adjacent to the Polo Lounge is the Ambassador Lounge, the ships main showroom, which is divided into three tiered sections and furnished with comfy divans and chairs grouped around tables. Especially impressive is the large library, which contains one of the most extensive collections of any cruise ship, including an excellent assortment of travel guides and travel books pertaining to the ships itineraries.
The desks for the purser and shore excursion manager are on either side of the modest lobby situated midships on Belvedere Deck. Just off the lobby is a small room equipped with a single computer that can only be used to send e-mail from the ships address; Internet service is not available so passengers cannot access their personal e-mail accounts. There is a charge of $6.95 for each e-mail sent which is billed to your account (there is no charge for incoming e-mail).
While movement in and out of the public areas is usually hassle-free, crowding may occur on stairways and in the exit area near the gangplank where passengers disembark for shore excursions.
There is laundry and dry cleaning service but no self-service laundry.
Entertainment
The Ambassador Lounge hosts the twice nightly showtimes featuring the Marco Polo Singers & Dancers and performances by a comedian, banjo player and a duo of champion ballroom dancers. Following each show the Ambassador Orchestra played dance music, and the ship's congenial dance hosts accommodated several single women aboard.
At some ports, local entertainers perform here; for example, on my cruise a group of New Zealand Maoris came onboard one afternoon and gave a special presentation of their native dances. Besides the twice-nightly showtime performances, enrichment lectures along with the captain's welcome and farewell parties take place in the Ambassador Lounge. Sight lines are excellent although a few pillars partially obscure view from some seats in the rear.
While the small casino on Belvedere Deck sometimes gets lively at night, it is rarely overcrowded. Most passengers play the slot machines, and there are also blackjack tables and roulette. Tucked into a cozy corner adjacent to the casino is the intimate art-deco style "Le Bar."
There is also live piano music before and after dinner each night at the piano bar in the Polo Lounge, while the other venue for music entertainment is the Charleston Club which has a small bandstand, cocktail tables, banquette seating and an illuminated dance floor. On several evenings during my cruise the musical group Cafe Concerto Springs played dance music here from 9:30 to midnight when the club was transformed into the disco; however, most passengers retire to their cabins well before midnight and are rarely sighted boogying into the wee hours.
Fitness and Recreation
The modest-sized Health Club located on the Upper Deck contains several different aerobics machines including stair steppers, treadmills, stationery bicycles and a rowing machine plus a few weight machines and free weights. It is a very pleasant place to work out since it is rarely crowded and there are panoramic ocean views through the picture windows. There is also a separate room for aerobics classes, which also houses table tennis.
The beauty center adjacent to the Health Club features standard Steiner treatments such as massage, facials and aromatherapy. There are also separate saunas for men and women and three outside whirlpool spas on Sky Deck.
Other recreational facilities include the small swimming pool located just outside Raffles while the Upper Deck has a jogging track that encircles the ship. Joggers and walkers also exercise on the Promenade Deck.
Among the daytime activities available are deck games, aerobics classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, bridge and board game tournaments, and the ever-popular jackpot bingo.
Fellow Passengers
Most passengers tend to be savvy, sophisticated, well-heeled couples age 60+ who have traveled widely and also are likely to have considerable cruise experience. About 30-40% have been on previous Marco Polo cruises. Americans make up the largest percentage of passengers on most cruises, although on some itineraries such as Australia - New Zealand there is a large contingent of Aussies and Kiwis. The ship also attracts a good number of passengers from the U.K and South Africa; there are usually only a handful of passengers from non English-speaking countries.
Gratuity
Orient Lines has recently adopted a "gratuities included" policy, and all gratuities are now included in the cost of your cruise.
Family
Marco Polo cruises are not designed for children and there are no special children's programs.
Dining
The Seven Seas Restaurant serves open-seating breakfast and lunch and assigned seating dinner at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Lined on both sides by floor to ceiling windows and decorated in shades of blue and gray, the rooms crowning glory is the circular art deco ceiling. It is furnished with tables accommodating from two to 10 passengers and there are also two rows of booths on either side of the room next to the windows. Since tables for two are few and far between, couples who prefer to dine alone should ask their travel agent to reserve one of these tables in advance of sailing. Waiters in the dining room and cabin stewards bend over backwards to accommodate individual passenger requests.
Dinner menus feature a choice of three appetizers, two soups, four entrees and three desserts plus a selection of cheeses; there are also healthy choice and vegetarian selections on each menu. While preparation and presentation was very good, some of the fish entrees were rather bland and could have used some additional seasoning. There is also an excellent wine list highlighted by several quality reds and whites from the countries visited on that particular itinerary. The lunch menus in the Seven Seas offer two appetizers, two soups and two entrees plus sandwich and pasta selections along with cheeses and two desserts; this menu also includes healthy choice and vegetarian choice suggestions
For breakfast and lunch many passengers prefer the informal atmosphere of Raffles, a bright and airy bistro-style restaurant surrounded by picture windows located far aft on Belvedere deck. Ample breakfast and lunch buffets are served here and you can eat either indoors or at tables on the deck near the swimming pool Members of Raffles service staff are extremely attentive and will carry trays to tables for those who request it. In the morning, waiters carrying pots of hot coffee regularly come around to refill cups. At lunch an outdoor barbecue (weather permitting) served grilled hamburgers and hot dogs at poolside.
Afternoon tea is served in both Raffles and the Palm Court every day from 4 to 5 p.m. There is no room service menu, and the only room service provided is for continental breakfast, although exceptions are made for ill passengers. In keeping with the trend of cruise ships providing additional dining options, Raffles served as the alternative dinner restaurant on some evenings offering a selection of Oriental cuisine from an a la carte menu. Reservations are required for dining at Raffles, and there is a $15 additional charge covering wine and service.
Cabins
Around 70% (286) of the 425 cabins are outside and range in size from 130 to 150 square feet; there are 365 doubles, 48 triples and 12 quads plus two inside staterooms equipped for the handicapped. The average cabin on the Marco Polo is 130 sq. feet. All cabins feature two lower beds, mirrored dressing table, hair dryer, individual air conditioning, direct-dial phone, remote control satellite TV with in-room movies, two channel music console, personal safe and bathroom with shower. Each has terrific storage space with three large closets plus two dressers containing four drawers.
The two deluxe suites and two junior suites come with a marble bath with tub/shower, refrigerator, walk-in closet and sitting area. Deluxe suites also have a VCR.
Passengers booked in higher grade cabins (category C and above) receive extra amenities including bathrobes and priority for dinner seating requests as well as deluxe and superior first class hotel accommodations on pre and post cruise stays.
The views from most outside cabins on Upper Deck and Sky Deck are partially obscured by lifeboats. You may also experience occasional cabin-to-cabin noise especially if you have neighbors who are loudmouths or keep their TV volume on full blast.
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