3-STAR CRUISING from your doorstep

The 22,080grt Bahamian flagged, 800 passenger Marco Polo with her handsome traditional profile, beautiful teak decks and distinctive dark blue hull is a fully stabilised and air conditioned classic ocean liner. Over recent years, she has built up a strong following and reputation on the British market offering a fine tradition of great value destination cruising. Marco Polo operates as a ‘child free’ ship exclusively for adult passengers.

MARCO POLO’S FACILITIES
Her wide range of facilities include the impressive Waldorf Restaurant offering traditional dining at two fixed times, and as an alternative, the more informal buffet style Marco’s Restaurant. There are five lounge areas; the Marco Polo Lounge, for some truly colourful revues from the talented show team; the elegant Captain’s Club, a perfect venue for pre-dinner cocktails with the resident pianist; the relaxing Palm Garden, a quiet spot with wonderful panoramic ocean views; the stylish Columbus Lounge, where the barman will soon get to know your favourite drink; and Scott’s Bar, an ideal spot for late-night entertainment. Other amenities include the ship’s well stocked Livingston Library, the Nansen Card Room, an Internet Café, a shopping arcade and the beautifully appointed Jade Wellness Centre, which offers hairdressing and beauty treatments, fitness and exercise, sauna and massage facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, three whirlpools and in keeping with her heritage, a traditional walk around promenade deck. Cabin amenities comprise of private en-suite facilities including a shower, washbasin, toilet and a hairdryer. All cabins also have television with satellite channels and in-house movies, telephone, two music channels and a personal safe.

The shore excursions leaflet is sent approximately 6 weeks prior to departure.
These are offered at extra cost and are subject to availability.

PRICE INCLUDES
• Door-to-door taxi service
• Return coach travel to and from Tilbury

It gives us great pleasure to announce our 2011 Door to Door Cruise programme aboard Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Marco Polo.

Your holiday begins when a taxi collects you from your home, to take you to meet the coach at one of our usual departure points. It is then a comfortable ride down to London Tilbury Docks where you will meet the Marco Polo.

SPRINGTIME FJORDLAND

Discover the Fjords of Norway

Look forward with anticipation to some wonderful Norwegian scenery on this short cruise to the majestic fjords. Discover dramatic landscapes where mountains rise majestically and waterfalls cascade over rugged cliffs into the deep blue waters below. It’s breathtaking!

After a day at sea heading towards the Scandinavian coast, you awake to find yourself cruising gently along the splendid Hardangerfjord. Your first landfall is at the village of Ulvik where those passengers taking the overland tour disembark and rejoin the ship during the afternoon. Cruise the short passage into the small fjord that bears the name of the village of Eidfjord, your next port of call. From here we journey into the mighty Sogne. Situated at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, Flåm is the terminus of the incredible Flamsbana, the amazing railway line that climbs up a 1 in 8 gradient to Myrdal and ultimately links the district with Bergen and Oslo. The Flam Railway tour this afternoon could be the highlight of your cruise. Originally a Viking Centre, Gudvengen is one of Norway’s oldest cruise ports and centre of the Nærøy area including the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world where nature is at its most spectacular. The delightful old Hanseatic port of Bergen is our final call, where you can shop to your heart’s delight or simply enjoy the ambience of the historic Bryggen district. A final day at sea and, following a south-westerly route, all too soon Marco Polo arrives back in Tilbury.

BANK HOLIDAY BREAK MINI CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM & ANTWERP

A great mini-cruise for first timers

Take advantage of the Summer Bank Holiday to sample the delights of cruising aboard the exquisite Marco Polo with sumptuous dining and stylish evening entertainment included. Visit elegant Antwerp with a tour option to medieval Bruges and historic Amsterdam with its tree-lined canals.

Departing Tilbury, we cruise overnight, arriving at Amsterdam the next morning. Departing Tilbury, we cruise overnight, arriving at Amsterdam the next morning. Enjoy the day exploring Holland’s historic capital city, with its 60 miles of tree-lined canals, countless gabled 17th and 18th century townhouses and thousands of bicycles. Visit some of the superb art galleries and famous museums including the Rijksmuseum and Vincent Van Gogh Museum.

Return to the cruise ship and sail overnight to the next destination, Antwerp, Europe’s second largest port and diamond capital of the world. The magnificent Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame is the largest church in Belgium. The cathedral contains several paintings by Rubens, who spent most of his life in Antwerp. Other landmarks include the town hall and the Gothic church of St Paul, both completed in the 16th century, as well as the many medieval guild houses that still line the marketplace. Returning to the Marco Polo for the overnight sail back to Tilbury Docks.

BRITISH ISLES DISCOVERY

Here is a fantastic opportunity to really appreciate our island heritage by visiting some of the most interesting, but remoter, parts of the British Isles. Our offshore islands are full of appeal with Dublin providing a direct contrast and Honfleur introducing some delightful French flair.

A relaxing day at sea as you head to the Cromarty Firth and Invergordon, gateway to the Scottish Highlands, historic castles,

Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness. Passing Cape Wrath, you reach Stornoway on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, home to pre-historic standing stones, bountiful wildlife and a proud Gaelic culture. The rugged Isle of Mull is next but ‘genteel’ is a more apt description for the Georgian ambience of picturesque Tobermory, the main town. Perhaps, visit tiny Iona or take a trip on the Mull Railway. Dublin is as busy and entertaining a city as you could wish for, full of genuine charm, hospitality and great sightseeing. Then back to Britain’s islands: dropping anchor off St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, with a tour option to Tresco’s Abbey Gardens. Your next call is at St Peter Port, Guernsey’s picturesque main town in our beloved Channel Islands.Wonderful beaches, beautiful scenery and tax-free shopping are a heady combination before Marco Polo sets a course for the delightful town of Honfleur, with its old harbour and marina. Perhaps see Monet’s Garden at Giverny, the Normandy beaches and the extraordinary Bayeux Tapestry. Then all too soon, Marco Polo heads back to Tilbury.

MEDITERRANEAN ODYSSEY

Glorious beaches on the islands of Menorca and Corsica, colourful markets in Tangier, and the fascinating history of Lisbon and Barcelona blend together on this cruise to the Western Mediterranean. Livorno is your gateway to Pisa and Villefranche for the dramatic Cote d’Azur.

Firstly we sail to Lisbon where you wander through the charming historic districts full of narrow cobbled streets, see Moorish buildings and wrought-iron balconies trailing with pretty flowers. Next is Tangier – a fascinating town with gardens, squares and beaches and a lively souk where you can bargain for pottery and leather goods. Port Mahon on Menorca is a friendly harbour town with an intriguing mix of architectural styles and gateway to an island of wonderful beaches. Ajaccio, Corsica offers breathtaking mountains and exquisite beaches combining with chic harbours and ancient hill towns. Livorno in the centre of Italy’s hilly region of Tuscany, is your gateway for a visit to Pisa with its 11th century Duomo Cathedral and world-famous Leaning Tower. Alternatively opt for a tour to the wonderful Renaissance city of Florence where outstanding galleries house works by Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Botticelli. Villefranche is one of the most picturesque harbours on the Cote D’Azur. Shore excursions may take you to Cannes, Monte Carlo, Nice and other legendary highlights of the French Riviera. Barcelona is one of Europe’s leading cities in art and architecture and credited to the talents of Pablo Picasso, Antonio Gaudi and others. Stroll the famous Ramblas with its open-air cafés and street entertainers, explore the ancient Gothic Quarter and visit some outstanding museums. Gibraltar is the famous headland guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Sea. It is dominated by ‘the rock’ that guards the Straits of Gibraltar with Morocco to the south. Take the cable car ride to enjoy the spectacular views and see the famous colony of Barbary apes. In La Coruna stroll along the seafront promenades and discover the medieval churches and baroque palaces of the old town. See San Anton Castle, served to defend the entrance to the city and The Tower of Hercules, built by the Romans in the 2nd century A.D, which is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. We spend a day at sea, before arriving back at Tilbury Docks.