Mighty Ships - Cruise Ships

[Dark Knight]

We have found it an enjoyable series and it has given some insights into other types of cruises, at least it wasn't a glorified avert for any particular line
Hope C&M is as good, as we keep looking at them for a cruise

[Silver_Shiney]

C&M weren't bad, DK, but we found that Discovery didn't handle the waves very well. The cabins, although small and comfortable, were very dated, especially the bathroom fixtures. Food was okay, and the show in the theatre was as good as any we've seen (actually better than the shows we saw on QM2 in 2009). Tea/coffee facilities were minimal and if you wanted one before bedtime, you had to go the bar and buy one.

[poole boy]

I think it depends what you what you pay on c&m we found Discovery handed on our first cruise with them up to scotland rough seas very well as we had a force 11 for 5 days on the cabin front we had an inside and it was small but on our second cruise with them we paid another £300 each and had a really nice cabin on prom deck far bigger than anything we have had from p&o

[Silver_Shiney]

We just had an el-cheapo inside cabin for a one-night taster from Plymouth to Liverpool and even the Lady C felt quesy going Down the Channel and up the Irish Sea.

[Manoverboard]

We had a Junior Suite on Discovery and wanted for nothing.

The itinerary included eight of the Black Sea ports plus a number of Turkish coastal Ports and Greek Islands plus Alexandria in Egypt ... 24 days and deffo one of the nicest cruises we have ever done.

This ship sails transatlantic to the Caribbean and rounds the Cape(s) of South America and South Africa, she is imo very stable in the roughest of conditions but it may be advisable to avoid the pointy end cabins.

[Kenmo1]

We thoroughly enjoyed last night's programme on the Marco Polo. It is a good looking ship and seemed very sturdy. We are back to the Baltic in June on the Caribbean Princess and it brought back a lot of memories of places we had previously visited and are looking forward to seeing again. I bet the cruisers were very disappointed not to go through the Kiel Canal as not many cruise ships go through there - I would like to do that. I'm glad we are going to the Baltic in June/July as we were lucky last time with the weather at that time of the year and I didn't fancy that force 11 they sailed in.

Maureen

[jay-ell71]

Once again an excellent programme and super insight into the parts of a ship/cruise you don't normally see. Agreed Kenmo.
The voyage seemed doomed from the outset! Delays, terrible storm, lost coaches in St Petes and worst of all, missing the Kiel Canal; even a absent Pilot!! The crew seemed to take it all in their stride, I thought the Captain was very calm, nothing phased him.
I am afraid this wouldn't be a ship for us. No balconies, and portholes are not appealing. Certainly going to the Baltic states in the winter would not attract. Much of the time would be spent in the dark!! We visited that part of the world one September, and it was a heat wave. We had a wonderful cruise that time.
What ship is it next week?

[Kenmo1]

Jay - I think that was the final one in this series.

[jay-ell71]

Oh, how disappointing! It has really been good. J

[GillD46]

We enjoyed the Marco Polo episode too. They wouldn't do for us, either, with no balconies etc. We though the Captain extremely arrogant.

[Gill W]

The thing I found most unbelievable was when the tour buses were late back, the excursions lady apparently didn't have a clue where the coaches were or when they'd get to the ship.

Surely in that situation, the tour company and the ship would keep in contact?

[Silver_Shiney]

Fred Karno's Circus?

[Capt Black]

We both enjoyed watching this especially as we sailed on her for a long weekend just before Christmas. She certainly looked bigger on the TV!

[Frank Manning]

Its a pity this is the last one because it has taken me this long to get to see one. Those old ships are much better in a rough sea because of there hull shape, but they dont have the facilities which the modern ones have. On my last ship we did that piston job about 200 miles East of Newfoundland, not easy with the ship rolling about. We did the Kiel canal on Adonia last summer and it was the highlight of the cruise, then a night and a day in Kiel with all the Kiel week celebrations going on. We didn't like Adonia much but couldn't fault the itinerary. (the trouble is that the P&O itineraries on the other ships are so predictable, and they are putting in more and more sea days cruising at slow speed between ports.)

Marco Polo is an old ship and we would be wondering what sort of fire risk she is at that sort of age.

[Manoverboard]

Fire risk !!!

Surely they need a Fire Certificate to ensure that the ship is safe, complete with regular compliance inspections for insurance purposes if nothing else ?

[Frank Manning]

Yes they have port inspections and have to comply with SOLAS regs, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they have the latest fire suppression or fire detection. I am definitely not saying that Marco Polo is unsafe, just a personal feeling that the older the ship the greater the risk. She may be fine, and at least she looks like a ship.

My son was killed abandoning ship after a collision then fire. They could not get the lifeboat away due to smoke. Newer tankers had quick launcing covered boats, but SOLAS was not back dated, hence his ship complied with the rules as they were when she was built. it has affected my views on ships ever since. A pity because I am a self confessed ship anorak.

By the way no messages of sympathy needed guys, we have come to terms with it as best we can. I just dont fancy older ships.

[Stephen]

Frank, before I read your post and having just watched the program my mind had already been made up. I wouldn't touch Marco Polo with a barge pole. I'd rather sail on the local ferry.

The ship looked like a Fred Olsen throw back, and the ship and crew just didn't fill me with confidence. Others may well have no issues with the ship or crew, but no not for me

[barney]

Finally got round to watching Marco Polo last night.

An enjoyable program again but ... err ... not a ship for me.

My mum used it many times both as Marco Polo & the Pushkin but I'd like something a bit more modern myself.

I have however found the whole series interesting.

[Manoverboard]

Yeah, we watched the repeat last night.

The Marco Polo was made for rough seas and is far more stable, imo, than the latest blocks of flats but I would have expected her to sail into lesser known Ports than was the case.

I wouldn't rule her out but would deffo require an unusual / small Port type itinerary.

[Stephen]

Re-runs of the series start tonight at 8pm on Quest if anyone missed it.

[oldbluefox]

Thanks Stephen. I'm out tonight but I'll record it.

[Dancing Queen]

I only saw the one last week ( Marco Polo ) so will watch the others, does anyone know how many programmes there were ?? I think Celebrity has been mentioned.

[Silver_Shiney]

I think there were only four or five, Jo.

[Dancing Queen]

Thanks Alan.

[Manoverboard]

Well, there was Marco Polo of course + Celebrity + the one that did the Cape + Azamara + the posh one that started it all off .... so that's 5 unless anybody knows better ?