A 70 day cruise around South America on the Marco Polo - EXCELLENT ! OK, everyone can moan about some slight annoyance that didn't meet their own approval but the cruise far exceeded expectations, especially when comparing the value of it to many other cruises available. Yes, it isn't Cunard but for the price it was certainly excellent value ... of course, there will always some people who still expect Cunard quality for CMV prices. The places visited were extremely interesting and varied - major cities; remote villages and islands; scenic passageways and world famous iconic landmarks. The weather ? Only one major downpour of rain throughout the entire 70 days ... at Rio ! The hottest day ? It was a toss up between Buenos Aires and .... the Falkland Islands. Yes, 81 fahrenheit at Port Stanley, the hottest day anyone there could remember. You expect to be amazed by the major places - Rio, Buenos Aires, Montevideo - but it was the smaller ports that surprised many people and made the cruise even more enjoyable by them not expecting such there - Natal and Recife in Brazil, Puerto Montt, Arica and Valparaiso in Chile, Guayaquil and Manta in Ecuador, Ushaia in Argentina and Cartagena in Columbia, as well as cruising through the Chilean fjords and the Panama canal. The on-board entertainment team were excellent and it was obviously hard work for them to provide a varied programme for 70 days while the food was of the highest order. A very well-planned itinerary and would certainly recommend both the journey and the ship itself. Read Less

We booked this cruise because of the destinations and the size of the ship. As Donte states, the Marco Polo has quite a following and we met many passengers who had booked for the same reasons as us and because they loved the ship.. We enjoyed all the ports of call, many were very beautiful and all were very interesting. We too hired a canoe at Boca de Valeria (highly recommended) for 5$ as well as taking a trip in a taxi canoe across to the spit at Alto de Chao which was beautiful and where you can swim in the Amazon. Manaus was very interesting and you can save yourself some money by walking up to the Theatre yourselves and booking on to a tour for the equivalent of £2.50 pp and you can do the same for the evening concert though don’t be tempted to walk at night as it is extremely dangerous! You are advised not to wear jewellery or to conceal cameras. There were those who did not heed this advice to their cost! We were worried that we would become bored during the many sea days but this was not a problem at all. There was much to do including the daily walk around the ship (8 laps of deck 10 is a mile), arts and craft classes, interesting (OK and some not so interesting) lectures, drama club and choir (though only go to this if you don’t suffer from high blood pressure or if you are a practising musician as this was poorly led by one of the entertainments’ crew!), Zumba and other similar work out clubs daily or joining in the three (and sometimes more) quizzes a day, watching the fabulous shows in the evening or the various entertainers or just spending quality time with our many new friends or just sitting watching the Amazon or world sail by. As Donte correctly states, our days were soon filled. Our cabin was very comfortable with plenty of storage space, (low down and in the middle though no upgraded for us) and we were looked after very well by Lwin. Food was plentiful with 3 full meals a day + afternoon tea and supper or the occasional evening food extravaganza. We mainly ate all our meals in the Waldorf Restaurant though we occasionally ait in the Marco Polo Bistro. While afternoon tea was available (including an amazing chocolate feast) we were on early sitting so had no need for this though there were obscene amounts of food available if you wanted it (and some clearly did!) The service by the waiters in the Waldorf was superb and nothing was too much for them and they were always friendly and helpful. We too did a lot of research before the holiday and picked carefully three excursions plus the Belem transfer. All our excursions were good and these particular ones were good value (having checked the cost of doing it independently beforehand) and very enjoyable. At many of the islands we too shared a taxi (or canoe) with friends which was cheaper and more flexible. We couldn't fault the cleanliness on this ship and the service was all very good, the crew all work hard, are polite, friendly and helpful. The only thing that spoiled the cruise slightly were the people who moaned - often about things that, had they read the paperwork properly they would have known about and often you would here comparisons with other cruise companies. Let’s be up front here. You pay for what you get though I think what you get is amazing considering the cost. If you get a chance, especially if you go on this or a similar cruise, read Murder on the Marco Polo. You will meet the same types of people and have a very good chuckle! The cruise was absolutely fantastic and great value for money and one which we too will never forget but as Donte said, if you want a posh, modern ship this isn't for you. Read Less

My husband booked a snorkelling tour through Cruise and Maritime with Starwind cruises St Georges of Grenada .He and others were told to be on board by 45 minutes , he set his Omega accurate dive watch . At 40 minutes when he was 2 yards from the rear of the boat , they started the engines and left . He managed to hold his mask on and not drown in the turbulence . This was 3/4 off a mile off shore with rocks and no buildings . There was 1 other boat with divers he swam 1/2 a mile to it praying that it would not leave , and hoping he would not drown with exhaustion . The rescuer recalled the Starwind , the Captain of which said it dont matter man , and was intent on handing out the rum . The escort from Cruise and Maritime did not identify , help or even ask if medical help was necessary . The tour manager Susan of the Marco polo , was obstructive , lied and failed to help in any manner . Cruise and Maritime have apologised and offered 400 pounds for the distress caused by this potentially fatal incident and are reviewing if they may use this company ie Starwind Cruises again . All of the above is documented and we have statements of other passengers and witnesses to the fact that Starwind cruises did not carry out a head count . I have witnesses to the fact that the Cruise and Maritime staff lied , I had asked immigration officers to help us report the incident as no one was aboard the Marco Polo except the navigational officer , the officers arranged a meeting with the Shore Agent for CMV , at 8.30 pm Susan claimed she had a phone call that he was not attending , at this point he stepped forward and identified himself . Cruise and Maritime are now failing to address the issue at all , that the Tours promoted should be safe and that the escorts have a role to play in head counts etc . The ship is old , faded holes and ragged carpets , poor food , food and drink obviously bought at the ends of their sell by dates so became unavailable during the second half of the cruise . Meat was disgusting . Read Less

We chose this because of the itinery and it was our first experience of Cruise Maritime Voyages. It will be our last cruise with them. If you want a budget no frills cruise with second rate food (in choice, quality and quantity). Food was often served cold and under cooked, when a complaint was made no one wanted to take responsibility. If you want second rate entertainment with a very limited variety ,then this cruise line will suit you. If you want and expect more for your money then it will not suit you. The ship was kept clean, the crew were very hard working but obviously working within very tight budget constraints and there is a disorganisation about with the company coming from the very top. There were no tea / coffee making facilities in the cabin. We had problems with the plumbing on two occasions (which were attended to and fixed quickly) The on board air conditioning was overbearing and too cold). The entertainment was mainly the very hard working in house team and four guest comedians, with two duos in the lounges. There was no other variety and sometimes no shows just the offering of a fil Drinks were expensive. There was no laundrette, which is useful on a long voyage, just an expensive laundry, which according to other passengers ruined some clothes.. Read Less

We booked this cruise because of the destinations and the ship. We have sailed on the Marco Polo before and love the character and friendliness. The Marco Polo has quite a following and we met many passengers who had booked for the same reasons as us. We enjoyed all the ports of call, many were beautiful (the Isles of Salut were amazing) all were interesting. We recommend hiring a canoe at Boca de Valeria, we were taken down some creeks to a nearby village where we were shown around, it gives you a real feel for the place (cost 50 real - £12.50 for 4 of us). I would advise not to pay to take pictures of the anyone with an animal though, keeping wild animals is against the law and will stop if people won't pay. Our only concern about this cruise had been that we would get bored during the long spells at sea. No problem, our days were soon filled with painting lessons, crafts (2 sessions a day), lectures, quizzes and watching for flying fish, dolphins and whales plus our new friends on board. Our cabin was very comfortable with plenty of storage space, (we'd been upgraded again) looked after well by Yulia. Food was plentiful with 3 full meals a day + afternoon tea and supper available. Breakfast and afternoon tea are both self service as is the cafeteria. We found portion sizes to be just right and the salad bar in the restaurant at lunchtime was great. We could rarely manage any afternoon tea, as for supper - no way. We did a lot of research before the holiday and picked carefully just 4 excursions plus the Belem transfer. All our excursions were good and these particular ones were good value (having checked the cost of doing it independently beforehand) and very enjoyable. At many of the islands we shared a taxi (or canoe) with friends which was cheaper and more flexible. We couldn't fault the cleanliness on this ship and the service was all good, the crew all work hard, are polite, friendly and helpful. The only thing that spoiled the cruise slightly were the people who moaned - often about things that, had they read the paperwork properly they would have known about. This cruise was fantastic cruise that we'll never forget and great value for money but if you want a posh, modern ship this isn't for you. Read Less