ORIENT Lines’ 30-year-old ship Marco Polo may not have the high-tech facilities of newer vessels, but what it lacks in on-board attractions is more than made up for in quality of service and range of itineraries.
The 850-capacity ship has an intimate, friendly feel which is often missing from many other ships which carry 2,000 passengers.
The ship’s size also allows it easy access to many ports of call that the bigger ships can’t reach. This style of small-ship cruising comes into its own on a Greek Island itinerary.
Marco Polo’s eight-night Aegean Odyssey cruise begins with either an overnight stay in Istanbul, or Athens, depending on the direction of the cruise. At their city of embarkation, passengers get a free city coach tour included in the price of their holiday.
In Istanbul, the tour includes the bustling Grand Bazaar, consisting of 4,000 stalls selling gold, spices and cloth; and the Blue Mosque, the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets, built by Sultan Ahmet in the 1600s.In Athens, the Acropolis is the most popular attraction.
At the port of Kusadasi even people not interested in history could not fail to be impressed by a visit to the former Roman town of Ephesus.
A wealthy trading centre 2,000 years ago, its citizens lived in centrally-heated houses. Among the more memorable parts of the ruined city are the almost-intact public lavatories where the men of the city used to go to catch up on the local gossip. If the weather was cold, they would send their slaves to warm up the stone seats beforehand.
Another reminder of the city’s seafaring history is on its ancient walls. Etched in the the stones are the signs which directed visiting sailors to the local brothel.
Other ports of call include the small island of Delos, the ancient birthplace of Apollo; Mykonos, featured on many picture-postcards; and Rhodes.
On Santorini, visitors can take a trip to the top of the island for spectacular views across the ocean. There’s a choice of returning down the cliff to the shore by cable car or donkey.
On board the ship, the main dining room serves excellent food, including a good choice of vegetarian dishes.
At lunchtime, a buffet serving hot dogs, pasta and salad operates on deck as an alternative to the main dining room.
Each week the Filipino crew perform their own show of songs, dances and rituals from their native Philippines. Many passengers say it is the best show of the whole cruise.