The MS Marco Polo called in at Leith on Monday morning to pick up some passengers and also allow some to reluctantly disembark after a short trip to the north of Scotland. She is on her Jubilee round Britain cruise at the moment and by tomorrow Friday she will be halfway round the British Isles calling in at Cardiff. She will be visiting various other ports including London’s Tilbury on the way which is regarded by the ship as another home port.
This vessel is small by cruising standards, but big enough to get yourself lost. The Reporter certainly tried quite deliberately to wander off and stay on board, but the crew would have known as they take your passport for safekeeping at the top of the gangway. There is also an airport style scanner to go through, but the voyages are sold very much on the basis that the security which airport passengers endure is not an integral part of boarding the Marco Polo.
We enjoyed a very tasty and beautifully presented lunch, served in the main restaurant by accomplished waiters and waitresses, some of whom have been on the Marco Polo for a number of years. We were royally entertained in sight of the Royal Yacht Britannia by Paul Foster representing Cruise Maritime Voyages who run a full programme of cruises.
There is a small swimming pool, a gym and a beauty salon as well as all the food that is constantly on offer throughout the day. Paul explained that there are some cruises where formal dress is required for many of the nights on board, but generally cruise wear seemed to be shorts and T-shirts.
This is our video of our tour on the Russian built ship:-
One of the other visitors who accompanied us on our tour of the Marco Polo was Gary Donaldson from Edinburgh based Pickncruise who gets some really good late deals On Marco Polo. He had a couple booked in the top suite onboard and managed to sneak a quick look round before they came onboard – seperate livingroom , bedroom and a marble bathroom – champagne chilling and complimentary hors d’oeuvres!
For anyone tempted the 10 night North Cape & Land Of The Midnight Sun cruise on 26 June has just been reduced to £549p/p – alas the suites are sold out though!
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