We booked cruise P329, Amsterdam & Ghent Break, departing from Tilbury on October 3, 2013 and returning October 6, 2013 aboard the Marco Polo. Two days prior to departure we received an e-mail stating that due to an outbreak of norovirus on the previous cruise, extra time would be needed to clean the ship properly before our cruise was meant to depart. As such, our embarkation time was pushed back from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. At this point we weren't told anything further regarding how our cruise would be affected due to the norovirus, outbreak.

It was not until once we got on board and after it was too late to get back off the ship did we read the daily cruise program and realize that several amenities and services were canceled during the cruise due to said outbreak of norovirus. Such amenities included the Library, Marco's Bistro, all public toilets, the gym, the sauna, the swimming pool, the jacuzzi and the Net Centre. We also came to understand that Afternoon Tea, which we were looking forward to, was canceled as well.

Breakfast the following morning was a disaster as we all had to line up in the Waldorf Restaurant for 20 minutes just to eat some rather disappointing food. I do find it interesting that all of the bars and the chargeable health spa managed to stay open but the non-revenue generating parts of the ship were closed. Every surface except those in the rooms were covered in this unattractive film due to the ongoing cleaning during our cruise. There even managed to be a BLOOD STAINED PILLOW left in our cabin (see enclosed picture). Suffice it to say, it was a miserable cruise and one that should have been canceled given how many amenities and services were unavailable. Read more