The two positives about this cruise were leaving from Newcastle and the ports of call. Marco Polo sells itself on being an old but classic ship, it is old but certainly has no class! Everything about it was a disappointment. We had booked a cabin with an outside view (there are no balconies) and were dismayed to see we actually had two portholes which were so dirty you could not see out of them and they were so high you had to stand on a chair. The cabin was very small and the TV was very old and unwatchable.

The food was quite positively the worst we have ever had-anywhere! When basic items ran out (eggs at breakfast) we had to live without them. Cheese and crackers after dinner consisted of half a cheese slice, a cube of cheddar and 1 cracker. The salads had to be seen to be believed. The Dining Room was packed far too full and our table for eight should have been for four. The service all over the ship was appalling, with some positively rude staff,and most surly and unhelpful. The serve yourself tea and coffee stations were always busy with no seating available and very often, no cups. When staff were asked for replenishment of cups, they just shrugged shoulders and walked away - it was someone else's job. Unlike other cruise lines, mealtimes were strictly adhered to and if halfway through breakfast at closing time, everything was cleared. At breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, all in the Dining Room, you were herded in and the tables were filled up for the convenience of staff, so the option was not there for you to sit in a place of your choice or even without others. Although I have never been to a holiday camp, I imagine it may be like this.

There were never any seats in the bars in the evenings and no assistance from staff to find any, we gave up.The entertainment was mixed, the one and only guest entertainer, a musical funny man, was very good, but only gave two performances. All other entertainment was provided by 3 singers who seemed to be expected to be everyone, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Freddy Mercury, never to a high standard, and a team of dancers. The orchestra were very good, but again not used. The lecturers were good but were not used enough. Read more