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Name: Noreene Nagle
Email: nnagle@worldnet.att.net
Age: 66
Occupation: retired
NumberOfCruises: 20
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Orient-MarcoPolo
SailingDate: various
Itinerary: most of Marco Polo's itineraries
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 99
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon: 95
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 May 1997
Time: 18:58:09
Remote Name: 207.147.169.160
Remote User:
Comments
What makes the Marco Polo super special is it's crew, Cruise and
Hotel staff. The Filipino dining room, bar and
cabin stewards are probably the happiest people in the world.
They have phenomenal memories and the broadest
smiles no matter what the situation, and they know their jobs,
backwards and forward. The Cruise staff are
multi-national as are the ship's crew, and they too are friendly,
efficient, well-versed in their jobs, and wonderfully
capable.
My husband and I have sailed on her on over 5 cruises,
including Antarctica (magnificent!), Vietnam,
Bali-Sydney, and Java Sea. Our most recent trip, New Zealand to
Australia via Tasmania, is among our most
memorable! After we left Milford Sound (NZ), we entered the
'Roaring Forties'. We found ourselves in the midst
of....what? A low pressure system? A cyclone? A typhoon? A gale?
Whatever it was, it was a helluva STORM!!! At
first it seemed just an adventure (for my husband and I are both
good sailors), but as the hours turned into days, it
was obvious that we were in a dangerous situation. At no time,
however, were we frightened or concerned, because
the Marco Polo is a magnificent ship with a strong, capable,
experienced captain and an entire crew whose actions
were exemplary. They were well-trained and efficient, carrying
out all their normal duties, but always cognizent of the
safety and well-being of the passengers. We encountered 50 foot
seas and 90 knot winds over a period of three
days, limiting us to 4-5 knots instead of the normal speed of 19.
Ian Vella (Food and Beverage Manager) and his
staff were beyond belief! How these people were able to clear the
damages, find unbroken dishes and glassware,
assist passengers in getting to their tables, stop up leaking
windows, pick up fallen dishes -- and passengers -- from
the floor, and serve full course, delicious meals during the
entire length of the storm is remarkable.
Everyone, from the
restaurant and bar managers, the maitre de and wine stewards, the
waiters and bus boys, the bartenders and cocktail
waitresses to the chefs, cooks and kitchen help, acted far beyond
the call of duty. The Cruise Staff was another
matter! David Lawton (Cruise Director) and Kirri Adams (Social
Directress) became the 'father' and 'mother' of the
ship. I doubt they got much -- if any -- sleep over the entire
course of the storm. They dreamt up many ways to keep
the passengers happy and occupied, and SAFE! Nicky and Adam
Derrick (musicians as well as assistants to Lawton
and Adams), David Diamond and Angelique (Magician and
assistant-wife), David Perry (Piano Bar entertainer), John
Jeung (Origami specialist), the Irving Davies Singers and Dancers
and the Amar Orchestra -- bless them, they were
all there, performing and helping wherever necessary. When the
Commodore Lounge and Charleston Club became
too dangerous, they did their acts in the Polo Lounge amidships.
In addition, they played the games and gave the
quizzes, helped passengers get across open spaces, calmed the
nervous, sympathized with the seasick, and still kept
smiling. These are not just entertainers, they wear many hats, in
good weather and foul, in port and at sea. They are
nannies, guides and first-aiders on tours, advice givers,
shopping experts, restaurant advisors, spirit-lifters and
friends.
On this trip --- as on every other trip on which we've
encountered them --- they earned every penny of their pay, and
more!
We have sailed in 'A' category on Sky Deck, Junior Suite
category on both Sky Deck and Main Deck, and for
the last several cruises, have booked the Mandarin Suite on Upper
Deck, a delightful home away from home. This
features a walk-in closet, small bedroom and a magnificent living
room with comfortable overstuffed furniture, many
cabinets, refrigerator, bar, tv and vcr.
On the down side, many of the Sky Deck cabins have partially
obstructed
views, and very small sitting areas. Of course, Marco Polo is not
absolutely perfect. There are some problems.
Viewing shows in the Ambassador Lounge is not the greatest unless
you are lucky enough to get in the first few rows.
The low ceilings limit the entertainment available. (No
jugglers!) The Boutiques are really not appropriately stocked
for the itinery; it's really more like a Dduty Free shop in the
port, with nothing unusual. The casino is very small, with
only a few slots and just 3 tables. The decks in the Junior
Suites are slanted, and you find yourself walking uphill to
get to the bathroom. Also, twin beds there cannot be moved to
become a king or queen size. There are no 'two for
one' or other discounts (other than early booking) for the Suites
or Junior Suites, nor are there any upgrades in these
categories. But where it matters -- the staff and crew and the
ship itself -- you can't beat Marco Polo!
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