marco polo

[mrsmurphey]

We are considering the round UK cruise on Marco Polo next year. Would like to hear from anyone who has done this trip/

[jake-the-peg]

I don't know if it was that boat (I think it might have been) but my mother and step father did an around Britain cruise this year. I think it was May.

It was a disaster - sea was rough, on a few ports too rough to dock so they missed those ports entirely.They were shuttled in to some calls like Dublin on small tender boats that took forever.

I think there was a technical fault as well.

They were *not* happy on their return.

[Meg]

I'd love to do a round Britian cruise, but the weather can be very iffy.

Did a transatlantic one, Southamptom to New York, via Dublin, the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland. Was looking forward to seeing the west coast of Scotland on the way through but it was so misty we didn't see anything.

Had a quick look on the reviews of Marco Polo, will not comment any further.

Is this a first time cruise? Why not consider a round trip Southamptom to somewhere south?

[mrsmurphey]

e were hoping to see quite a lot of the country from the ship without disembarking (disabled) as we did on our only cruise to the Norwegian Fjords several years ago on the Van Gogh ..which was superb. Money is also a very big consideration. Been saving for years for my husband;s 80th in 2010

[glenbar]

Dont know about the round Britain trip, but the Marco Polo is a lovely friendly ship if thats any help, with fantastic service. Have been on much larger newer ones but the Marco Polo is really nice.

[mrsann]

We went round Scotland and Ireland as part of a long cruise a few years ago and saw absolutely NOTHING of the country while on board ship although we had hoped to see the mountains of Scotland as we approached land, also to see some of the Irish coast but again nothing Why not think of a cruise a bit farther afield they are sometimes cheaper that around Britain and the weather is almost always better.

[Prudentia]

I tried their mints once, they were rubbish

[Toffee]

I've been on 2 Marco Polo cruises, this year the North Cape cruise (just before the norovirus scare, which was odd because it's the cleanest ship I've been on! Probably passenger imported). Last year we did the round Britain cruise and enjoyed it despite the rough weather round the top and inability to land at Stornoway. It was an ideal opportunity to see in one hit all those places in the UK which would otherwise take you years to visit (Invergordon and Glenmorangie Distillery, Orkneys, Stornoway (if you're luckier than we were!) Dublin (OK not UK) Channel Islands, Scillies). However I'm intrigued how you know it's happening next year, because it's been uncertain whether the tour operator was to use the Marco Polo. I now understand that they will use this ship (and another) and will have the ship all year. The cruise schedule is about to be published.

[mrsmurphey]

thanks toffee for your reply. Did you see any wild life from the ship? as we will be unable to disembark at the ports ( both disabled, one wheelchair!), so hoped to see a lot from the ship as we did a few years ago on a short cruise to Norway. Glad to hear from you again.

[Toffee]

I was hoping to see wildlife too, but was disappointed. If our experience is anything to go by you would have to disembark and go on a wildlife trip. But these were, I think, by boat so would be at least difficult for a wheelchair. Even on the Norwegian trip the only wildlife we saw (apart from some small distant seabirds) were stuffed and in Hammerfest museum.

[mrsmurphey]

thanks toffee, thats what I wanted to know. I think e will have to reconsider, as money is tight we cannot waste it. Just thought it would be nice for my husband's 80th after saving for years.

[mrsmurphey]

toffee, forgot to say Marco Polo is now being handled by CRUISE AND MARITIME SERVICES UK, 274 Main Road Sutton-at Hone, Dartford, Kent 01322 863928 and their brochure is due out this weekend.