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Welcome Aboard Orient Lines' Marco Polo [top]
Intimate, small-ship ambiance ... big-ship choice and amenities: that's what
you'll enjoy when you cruise aboard Orient Lines' 826-passenger Marco Polo.
This graceful ship combines the classic features of a traditional ocean liner
and the latest in modern seafaring technology, making her ideal for cruising to
just about anywhere in the world.
In fact, her smaller size is perfect for sailing the waters of the world. You
can cruise popular ports with their large harbors, and get up close to remote
destinations that larger liners can't visit - such as Norway's spectacular
fjords. The Marco Polo also boasts exceptional stability and huge
storage areas for fuel, food and water, making her ideally suited for far-off
destinations.
But what you'll experience on board is just as enticing as where you'll go. From
the moment you step aboard the Marco Polo you'll quickly discover why
she's a favorite of discerning travellers with a thirst for exploration.
Classically elegant, with gracious public rooms and intimate corners, the Marco
Polo has been designed to offer every comfort at sea. On board are all
the facilities found on a superb ocean liner - nightclub, health spa, dining,
piano bar, boutiques, casino, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, library and much more.
You'll also find comfortable cabins with a full range of amenities, from a
television with movies and CNN to direct-dial phone and hair dryer ... superior
staff, renowned for their unsurpassed courtesy and attention to detail ... a
health spa offering anything from an invigorating aerobics workout to a
soothing Javanese honey steam wrap ... expansive public decks that are perfect
for admiring the scenery ... and even expert field guides that will teach you
about your destinations.
Dining on board is also a delight. The Marco Polo boasts world-class
dining in the Seven Seas restaurant, featuring five-course Continental and
American cuisine. On many evenings, the ship's second restaurant becomes a
European brasserie serving Italian and Mediterranean specialties. For breakfast
and lunch, you'll enjoy a range of hot and cold buffet choices, even dine al
fresco. And, there's always a host of options for the evening: catch a great
floor show in the Ambassador Lounge ... try your luck in Raffles casino ...
relax in the intimate piano bar ... or take to the dance floor.
On Antarctic expeditions, the Marco Polo sails with a capacity of just
600 passengers plus an onboard expedition team, that includes everyone from
explorers, scientists, historians, and other Antarctic experts, who will teach
you all about the White Continent. Leading the team will be Nigel Sitwell, an
internationally recognized naturalist who was instrumental in drafting the
guidelines of conduct that are followed by all visitors to Antarctica. He also
co-developed Orient Lines' Antarctic program with the late travel pioneer
Lars-Eric Lindblad, who brought the first tourists to Antarctica in 1965.
Additionally, there are Zodiac landing crafts on board which will take you
ashore on Antarctica cruises. These are sturdy, inflatable boats that carry 12
to 14 people and are specifically designed for exploration use. Each expedition
will be led by experienced, qualified field guides who can explain the behavior
and habitat of the abundant wildlife.
Special Cabin Requests
Although the special group rate you have taken advantage of on your Vantage
cruise does not guarantee cabin selection, we will be happy to advise the
cruise line of any special requests. We must receive your request at the time
of booking. Please note that cabins within your category may be located on
several different decks and cabin availability on your deck of choice may be
limited.
Periodically, cruise lines will randomly upgrade passengers for space allocation
purposes. Please keep in mind that these upgrades are at the discretion of the
cruise line and selection of passengers to be upgraded is not in Vantage's
control.
Dining Information [top]
All meals are included on board Orient Lines' Marco Polo. Breakfast and
lunch are served in open seating in the dining room. There are two seatings for
dinner.
Breakfast: Open seating begins at 7:00 a.m.
Lunch: Open seating noon to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: Main seating is at 6:30 p.m., and second is at 8:30 p.m.
Every effort will be made to accommodate your dining seating preference. Should
we be unable to confirm your preference, however, your Vantage Program Manager
will work with the Maitre D once on board to fulfill your request.
Dinner reservations for Raffles, Marco Polo's alternative specialty
restaurant, must be made on board. There will be a $10 per person charge for
gratuities. Attire in Raffles is always casual.
Dinner Attire
Evening attire is often confusing to even the most well-travelled guest. Each
day you will receive a program outlining suggested attire for the following
evening.
Casual Resort wear or "smart casual" clothing is appropriate on casual nights
Semi-formal evenings: A blazer/jacket - with or without tie - for men; and a
dress, skirt, or pant/trouser suit for women
Formal evenings: Formal nights are a gala affair: men opt to don a tuxedo,
dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie, while women wear festive apparel, from a
cocktail dress to an evening gown.
Note: For cruises of more than two weeks, there are three formal nights. Cruises
that are two weeks or less will have two formal nights.
Cruise Line Special Meal Requests
The ship will be able to accommodate a variety of special dietary requirements,
provided requests are received at the time of booking. Most cruise lines offer
alternative dining menus with reduced sugar, sodium, calories, fat and
cholesterol, or kosher meals. Please confirm any dietary requests with your
Vantage Program Manager once on board.
Money Matters On Board [top]
The Marco Polo sails with the tradition of a "cashless society."
Passengers will receive a personalized Marco Polo cruise card which can
be used to "charge" shipboard purchases (wine, drinks, optional sightseeing
tours, photo orders, gift shop items, and spa services). You'll then settle
your account with one convenient transaction at the end of the cruise with
American Express, Diners Club, VISA, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, traveller's
checks, or cash.
For your convenience, the ship has an ATM on board that dispenses US currency.
The ATM accepts bank debit cards on the PLUS and CIRRUS networks and the
following credit cards: American Express, Discover/Novus, MasterCard, and VISA.
Please note that there are transaction fees and you must know your PIN
number(s).
Currency Exchange
The Front Office does not handle foreign currency exchange on board. U.S.
dollars can be exchanged at most ports of call, and traveller's checks and
major credit cards are generally accepted.
Gratuities
Tipping on board is an individual way of saying "thank you" to the personnel who
serve you. The amount given is totally up to you and, naturally, should reflect
the quality of the services rendered. Most cruise passengers tip at the end of
the voyage in either cash or traveller's checks. As a guide, Orient Lines
suggests approximately $9 per passenger per day to be divided between your
cabin steward, dining room waiter, and busboy. For your convenience, a 15%
service charge is automatically added to all bar and wine orders, as well as
salon and spa services. Additional tips are at your discretion.
In addition, the suggested gratuity for your Vantage Program Manager is $3 to $5
per person per day.
General Information about the Marco
Polo [top]
Air Conditioning
All cabins and public rooms on board are fully air-conditioned. Individual cabin
temperature can be regulated by passengers.
Electrical Current
The current on board the Marco Polo is 110v and 220v. Hair dryers,
electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers, and other small appliances
can be used in your stateroom. For safety reasons, travel irons are not
allowed. Also, keep in mind that each bathroom is equipped with a built-in hair
dryer.
Keeping in Touch
All cabins have a telephone for inter-ship calls. Reception will provide the
desired connections (depending on the ship's location). Please keep in mind
that ship-to-shore telephone calls can range from $12 to $15 per minute. Please
refer to the instructions provided in the information packet in your cabin.
Email and Fax facilities are also available on board ship. You will receive
further details in the final mailing approximately seven days prior to
departure.
Laundry
Complete laundry, pressing, and dry cleaning facilities are available on board.
Medical Facilities
The Marco Polo features a well-equipped medical center staffed by a
British or American-trained physician and licensed nurse. The center dispenses
American pharmaceuticals and participates in a London-based medical network
which enables the ship's physician to communicate with specialists 24 hours a
day.
Net.Center
The Marco Polo offers a computer center where you can send emails to
family and friends. The charge is $3.95 per email plus a $.75 per minute usage
charge which will be billed to your shipboard account. There is no internet
access available from your cabin.
Special Occasions at Sea
If you will be celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon during your
cruise, the cruise line will be happy to honor the event with a special cake in
the dining room. Please advise Vantage of such occasions at time of booking. We
will forward the information to the cruise line. Please verify the arrangements
with your Vantage Program Manager once you are on board.
Shore Excursions [top]
Orient Lines' "Shore Excursions" booklet will be mailed with your final
documents. This booklet will provide detailed descriptions of the excursions
offered by the cruise line, including degree of difficulty, meals, and tour
highlights. You will have the opportunity to purchase these tours from the
cruise line while on board ship. Your Vantage Program Manager will be happy to
offer insights on the ports of call you'll visit during your cruise.
The optional shore excursions on the Marco Polo are offered solely by the
cruise line and must be reserved directly through them. Orient Lines does not
offer pre-booking of shore excursions.
Special Note: On Antarctica itineraries, shore excursions in Antarctica are
included in the price of your cruisetour.
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