Name: Arlene Brown
Email: bbob@pacbell.net
Age: 46
Occupation: ins. underwriting & systems analyst
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Orient-MarcoPolo
SailingDate: June 2, 1997
Itinerary: Mediterranean - Turkey to Barcelona
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 10
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino: 70
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Jun 1997
Time: 19:31:52
Remote Name: 206.170.26.79
Remote User:

Comments

The most negative aspect of the trip was the food. The morning and lunch buffets didn't change much. My husband enjoyed
the fresh fruit and I enjoyed the smoked salmon. The rest of it wasn't very good and there wasn't a lot of variety. The dining
room food ranged from poor to very good. The soups were too salty in general, but had good flavor. The presentation of the
food was beautiful, but reminded us of 'California Cuisine'. We were really hoping for local dishes from the wonderful ports
we visited, but didn't have any to chose from - not even pizza or gyros for lunch.

We had two different tables in the dining room. The first was right in the middle of the room, in front of the Captain's table.
There was a very low solid ceiling, so it was very difficult to hear (we had a table for 10). Two of the couples changed tables,
and the remaining 3 couples changed the following week to a smaller table near the edge of the dining room. This was much
better in all respects. The waiter at the first table was not nearly as accommodating as the waiter at the second table. Both
busboys were good. The second waiter would even suggest items not on the menu for appetizers, and would recommend the
entree. He was never wrong. Also the second head waiter was much more attentive.

Our cabin was great. It was on the main deck/aft, at the very end of the hallway. We had an inside cabin that was bigger than
two outside cabins we saw, one of which was on the upper deck - with a lifeboat in front of it. The beds were soft and you
could feel the indentation, but surprisingly it didn't hurt my sensitive back. Our cabin steward was consistant in providing 3
large towels, and only once did we surprise him while he was still making up the room. The room was very quiet as far as
neighbors and hallway noise, although it did have a few squeeks that we eliminated by banging on the light fixture or whatever
it was that was making the sound.

Besides the food, another disappointment was the activities offered while we cruised. Besides in-room movies, which were
several years old, there was only music at night after the main show. My husband and I don't enjoy live music, so we only had
the card room to enjoy. This was also the case during the day. I didn't think there was much variety of any activities that were
provided. Twice they did have first run movies, but that was while most of us were on a shore excursion and the movies were
not offered again.

The excursions were basically very good. We lucked out and got wonderful guides most of the time, others weren't so lucky.
Two of the tours were very disappointing for the money or time involved. Self tours would have been fine instead.

Overall, we're very glad we took this trip and felt we got a great deal. We booked with a travel agent who dealt directly with
Orient Lines. Half of the passengers booked through Renassance (sp) and if you talked to 20 passengers, you got 15 different
packages and prices. We felt ours was one of the best.

Also, the weather was perfect! It was in the 70's and 80's the entire trip. And the cruise itself was very smooth.

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