Both in our 70s, with experience as group travel organisers for over 60s.We were spoiled perhaps, last year we travelled the full Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten on their smallest ship, Lofoten. Less than 100 return passengers, plus local port to port traffic, first class food, individual attention from the Chef to a diet need. Hurtigruten also have swish tower block ships if you like that.
But this is about Marco Polo.
Judging by the literature, and a full review here, its a cut price play at being the Queen Mary 2, with the smart atmosphere being the main game. We wanted just a relaxed fortnight going to interesting places, without calling in at Moss Bros on the way. In fact, though some drag the kitchen sink to Tilbury, and in the main restaurant some dress like a Traveller wedding, and the waiters and guests are hard to distinguish, this can be avoided. Service in the restaurant is appallingly slow and the food no better than in the Marco Polo lounge, a self service facility with no dress code, the chance to view and select your meals, and an excellent barbecue most nights. It adjoins the pool deck, which means open air (sorry Newmarketl al fresco)dining when the summer allows.