CMV Marco Polo

MS Marco Polo cruise ship was last owned by Global Maritime Group and operated under charter by the UK-based travel company Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV). The vessel was previously operated by Transocean Tours (Germany). Built in 1965 in East Germany by Mathias-Thesen-Werft Wismar (now Lloyd Werft Wismar GmbH), she was originally named "MS Aleksandr Pushkin" and operated by Baltic Shipping Company (USSR/Soviet Union).

History - Construction and Ownership

In early June 2017, it was reported that Marco Polo would leave CMV in May 2018, as the shipowner (Global Maritime) put the vessel up for sale. Her last cruise for CMV was scheduled for September 19, 2019.

While operated by CMV, the vessel (IMO number 6417097) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308693000) and registered in Nassau. Her final drydock refurbishment was completed in January 2020 by CMV.

On July 20, 2020, CMV's parent company, SQTL (South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd), filed for bankruptcy. SQTL, trading as "Cruise and Maritime Voyages", had entered emergency talks with potential investors in June. However, efforts to secure funding during the Coronavirus crisis failed.

All CMV ships were listed for sale on the secondhand market. In October, they were auctioned by CW Kellock & Co Ltd (London-based ship auctioneers, brokers, and valuers), with the following results:

• October 8: CMV Vasco Da Gama (27 years old) was sold to Mystic Invest (Portugal) for USD 10.187 million.
• October 12: CMV Columbus (31 years old) was sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece) for USD 5.321 million.
• October 15: CMV Astor (33 years old) was sold for USD 1.71 million to an undisclosed buyer intending to scrap her.
• October 19: CMV Magellan (35 years old) was sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece) for USD 3.431 million.
• October 22: CMV Marco Polo (55 years old) was sold to undisclosed private investors for USD 2.77 million. Initially offered for charter (as a cruise or hotel ship), she was later sold for scrapping at Aliaga, Turkey.

On November 20, 2020, Marco Polo departed Bristol bound for Falmouth (Cornwall, England). AIS later showed her destination as Dubai. On December 3, she arrived and anchored off Port Said (Cairo) for about 9 hours. On December 4-5, she transited the Suez Canal. She remained anchored off Dubai until January 3, 2021, when she departed for Alang, India to be scrapped. AIS listed "AWAITING ORDERS" and later "ALANG" as her destination. On January 9, she anchored off Port Dahej (India, northeast of Alang). Her AIS signal was last received on January 14, 2021 (00:57 UTC), showing her off Alang.

The 820-passenger Marco Polo was a top choice for small-ship cruise vacations from the UK. Her clientele included affluent, middle-aged, well-traveled, and mostly repeat guests. The ship had a classic profile with a traditional dark hull and teak decks. Her deep draught and stabilizers ensured a smooth ride. Refit projects kept her accommodations, public rooms, guest facilities, and navigational systems up to date. Thanks to her compact size, Marco Polo could access ports not reachable by larger vessels.

She was refurbished in November 2014 at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (Vlissingen, Holland) with works including hull washing and painting, lifeboat maintenance, valve overhauls, and gangway platform repairs.

In November 2015, Marco Polo celebrated her 50th anniversary with themed voyages. When launched in 1965, she was named "Aleksandr Pushkin" and was one of five Poet-class vessels built at Mathias-Thesen Werft (Wismar, East Germany).

The vessel was extensively refurbished in 1975. In 1984, she joined CTC Cruises Australia, offering 18-30 Holiday cruises. In 1991, she was purchased by British entrepreneur Gerry Herrod and taken to Greece for a 3-year rebuild.

She reemerged as Orient Lines' MS Marco Polo, specializing in expedition cruises in the Far East. A helicopter and helipad were installed for wildlife observation. In 1998, Orient Lines was acquired by NCL Norwegian. In 2008, Marco Polo was sold to Greece’s Global Maritime Group Inc (Global Cruise Lines), but continued operations under CMV.

In late 2015, Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV), part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC), completed her 10th special survey and general maintenance. The 5-week project included exterior repainting, interior repairs, propeller and shaft servicing, engine bearing reconditioning, and air-conditioning unit maintenance. Life rafts and safety equipment were also serviced, and minor steel works completed. Marco Polo arrived on November 3 and departed on December 14, 2015.

In February 2017, Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm), also part of DSC, completed maintenance on CMV's Magellan and Marco Polo. Both ships were operated by CMV (part of Global Maritime Group).

Decks and Cabins

MS Marco Polo had 425 staterooms in 15 categories, with 70% being oceanview (including 14 Suites, no balcony cabins), 281 Oceanview and 128 Inside. Only 2 staterooms were wheelchair-accessible (on Amundsen Deck 9), and there were no connecting cabins.

The ship had 11 decks, of which 8 were accessible to passengers and 7 had cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

The Waldorf Restaurant had a pleasant decor and featured two dinner sittings. Meals generally exceeded expectations given the price level, especially dinners. Afternoon tea and late-night snacks were served in line with traditional cruising customs.

Marco’s Bistro, located on the pool deck, offered open-seating informal dining with outdoor seating available when weather permitted. No surcharge applied for dining here.

The Captain's Club and Columbus Lounge were popular for pre-dinner cocktails. Columbus was clubby and adorned with maritime memorabilia, while the Captain's was elegant with modern decor.

The Palm Garden offered ocean views through large windows. Its decor combined lacquer-red walls, bamboo-style furnishings, and greenery, creating a somewhat eclectic atmosphere.

Scott’s Bar (nightclub on Amundsen Deck) featured a large dance floor and hosted live late-night entertainment.

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

Marco Polo offered a traditional, child-free British cruise experience with excellent value. Public spaces were well-appointed with high ceilings, creating an airy, spacious ambiance. Although not outfitted like modern resort ships, she provided ample open deck space, a small swimming pool, and three whirlpools. None of the bars or lounges offered forward-facing views. Facilities included:

The Jade Wellness Spa Centre with a gym and two saunas, offering body treatments, massages, facials, hairdressing, and salon services at fair prices.

A small library (Livingston Lounge), the Nansen Card Room, a photo gallery, and an Internet Café. The duty-free gift shop offered cigarettes, liquor, fragrances, cosmetics, and souvenirs—items were delivered on the final day of the cruise.

Evening entertainment included performances by the show team, dance events, craft workshops, guest lectures, quizzes, golf practice, bingo, and fitness classes. Live music was featured in multiple venues.

Itineraries

MS Marco Polo's itinerary program was based on UK roundtrips (homeport London-Tilbury), visiting destinations in Europe including the Baltic Sea (Russia, Scandinavia), Norway (Fjords), the British Isles, and Iceland. During winter 2017–2018, she sailed to France, Spain, and Portugal from Belfast, Bristol, and Liverpool. Her 2018 program began March 31 with a cruise from Bristol to France.

In 2020, CMV Marco Polo offered a 78-night "Grand Africa and Indian Ocean" world cruise departing January 2 from Bristol Avonmouth, visiting 31 ports across 3 continents.

• Early booking rates started at GBP 12,000 per person (double occupancy).
• The itinerary featured two Equator crossings and one Suez Canal transit. Countries visited included Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Israel, and several Mediterranean ports.
• Shore excursions included Table Mountain (Cape Town), safari overnights, Taj Mahal (Agra), and Mumbai.
• The outbound route visited Lisbon, Cape Verde Islands, Casablanca, and St Helena Island. The return leg from India included Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Holy Land, Malta, Gibraltar, La Coruna, and Cobh, ending in Bristol on March 24, 2020.

You can view the full CMV World Cruise 2020 port list in the ship's Wiki section.