We chose this cruise, having been on Marco Polo three times before, for the two new locations, never visited before, of Jersey and Guernsey, on the itinerary. The disappointment that we could not call at either port was considerable, all the more as the alternative berths secured at the last minute were Cherbourg and Rouen. We visited both of these last year and were in no hurry to repeat the experience. Instead of being an interesting cruise it was 'same old same old' and we felt that we had been conned into booking a cruise which turned out to be a different, and poorer, one.

Compounding this I was unhappy the weather in Amsterdam, Bruges and Cherbourg was so horrible: wet and windy. I had a bad cough from almost the beginning, which got progressively worse throughout the six dreary days at sea. Inner cabin, gets very claustrophobic but where you'd think they might upgrade regular customers, who spend a thousand quid in six days, mostly on alcohol and cigarettes, none of which I indulge in, unfortunately it's the non-spenders who get the best treatment.

Having said that, the Marco Polo is a fine ship, the staff are good and the entertainment is not at all bad. Food OK on the whole but I barely ate anything, not feeling too good. We avoided the Waldorf restaurant, deciding after three earlier cruises aboard there was nothing to be gained from sitting at a table with strangers at a set time when instead we could grab a bite in Marco's bistro, at a table for two, when it suited us. Shame they only put one of the soups on available in the Waldorf, but apart from this it's pretty much the same food. Continental breakfast in bed is a nice touch, but after four days I couldn't eat any breakfast anywhere. Room service for other food is available, at a price, and this was OK when we had it before. Read more