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). It was previously operated by Transocean Tours (Germany). The 1965-built vessel was constructed in East Germany by Mathias-Thesen-Werft Wismar (now Lloyd Werft Wismar GmbH) as "MS Aleksandr Pushkin" for Baltic Shipping Company (USSR / Soviet Union).

History - construction and ownership

In early-June 2017 was reported that Marco Polo leaves CMV in May 2018, as the shipowner (Global Maritime) puts the boat for sale. Marco Polo's last cruise for CMV was scheduled for September 19, 2019.

For CMV, the vessel (IMO number 6417097) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308693000) and registered in Nassau. Its last drydock refurbishment (by CMV) was conducted in January 2020.

On July 20, 2020, CMV's parent company SQTL (South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd) was placed into administration / filed for bankruptcy. The UK-based SQTL traded as "Cruise and Maritime Voyages" (trademarked brand). In June, SQTL-CMV entered into emergency talks with potential investors and lenders. Unfortunately, the company's efforts to secure funding and stay afloat during the Coronavirus crisis failed.

All CMV ships were placed on the secondhand market and open for sale. In October was planned the vessels to be auctioned via the London UK-based company CW Kellock & Co Ltd (Ship Auctioneers, Brokers and Valuers). Biddings (deadline in brackets) opened for Vasco Da Gama (Oct 8), Columbus (Oct 12), Astor (Oct 15), Magellan (Oct 19) and Marco Polo (Oct 22).

• (October 8) The 27-year-old CMV Vasco Da Gama was sold to Mystic Invest (Portugal) for USD 10,187 million.
• (October 12) The 31-year-old CMV Columbus was sold to Seajets Ferries Greece for USD 5,321 million.
• (October 15) The 33-year-old CMV Astor was sold to an undisclosed buyer (sales price USD 1,71 million) who intends to resell it for scrap metal.
• (October 19) The 35-year-old CMV Magellan was sold to Seajets Ferries Greece for USD 3,431 million.
• (October 22) The 55-year-old CMV Marco Polo was sold to an undisclosed buyer/private investors (sales price USD 2,77 million) who reportedly offered the vessel for charter (cruiser or hotel ship). Eventually, they sold it for scrapping at Aliaga Turkey.

On November 20, 2020, CMV Marco Polo left Bristol en route to Falmouth (Cornwall England). The ship's AIS later transmitted as destination port DUBAI. On December 3, the vessel arrived and anchored off Port Said (Cairo) for ~9 hours. On December 4-5, it transited the Suez Canal. In December, the ship remained at anchorage off Dubai. On January 3, 2021, the vessel left its anchorage and headed to Alang India to be beached and scrapped. The AIS transmitted as port destination first "AWAITING ORDERS" then "ALANG" (since January 6). On January 9, Marco Polo anchored off Port Dahej (India, northeast of Alang). The boat's AIS transmitted for the last time on January 14 (at 0:57 UTC) showing her off Alang.

The 820-passenger ship Marco Polo is among the top choices for small ship travel vacations out of the UK. Fellow passengers are affluent, middle-aged, well-travelled and mostly repeat guests. MS Marco Polo has a classic profile, traditional dark hull and teak decks. Ship's deep draught and stabilizers give a comfortable ride. Marco Polo refits have kept accommodation, public rooms, guests' facilities, and navigational technology up to date. The compact size of the vessel helps access smaller ports, in which bigger vessels do not venture.

Marco Polo was refurbished in November 2014 at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (shipyard in Vlissingen Holland). The work was done by Damen (ship-repair and vessel conversion company). Drydock 2014 featured an extensive survey and regular maintenance works - hull washing-painting, lifeboats maintenance-recertification, valves overhaul, gangway platforms repair.

In November 2015, CMV's Marco Polo celebrated its half-century with a couple of 50th-anniversary voyages. When debuted in 1965, the boat was named "Alexandr Pushkin" (after the Russian poet) and was one of the five Poet-class vessels built at Mathias-Thesen Werft docks (Wismar) in former East Germany.

Marco Polo was extensively refurbished in 1975. In 1984 the ship joined CTC Cruises Australia's fleet with 18-30 Holiday cruises. In 1991, "The Alex" (as Aussies called the vessel) was purchased by the British entrepreneur Gerry Herrod, who took it to Greece to be re-built over the following 3-year period.

Emerging as Orient Lines' ms Marco Polo, the cruise ship specialized in expedition voyages to the Far East. A helicopter was available on the purpose-built helipad deck to observe whales and wildlife. The line was bought In 1998 by NCL Norwegian. Eventually, in 2008 Marco Polo was sold to Greece's Global Maritime Group Inc (Global Cruise Lines, current shipowner) but continues to be operated by CMV.

At the end of 2015, Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV), part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC), said farewell to ms Marco Polo, which was in for her 10th special survey and general maintenance and refurbishment. The project took around five weeks to complete. Marco Polo had a full schedule of works during her time at DSV. These included an exterior repainting, interior repairs, and maintenance to bring her back up to her usual high standards. Other actions included work on the propellers and propeller shafts, reconditioning the bearings on the main engines and servicing the air-conditioning units and gen sets. The life-rafts and other safety equipment were also removed and serviced, the cranes and winches overhauled and various minor steel works performed. Marco Polo arrived at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen on the 3rd of November and departed on the 14th of December, 2015.

In February 2017 DSAm (Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam), part of DSC (Damen Shiprepair & Conversion), completed maintenance works on the CMV ships Magellan and Marco Polo. Both vessels are currently operated by British based CMV (part of Global Maritime Group).

Decks and Cabins

Of all MS Marco Polo staterooms (425 total, in 15 grades), 70% were outside (including 14 Suites, no balcony cabins), 281 Oceanview and 128 Inside. Only 2 were wheelchair-accessible (all on Amundsen Deck 9) and no connecting rooms.

The boat had 11 decks, of which 8 passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Waldorf restaurant's decor is pleasant, however not quite remarkable. It features two sittings, dinners are good and usually exceed expectations for the price level, prepared with much more finesse than breakfasts. Afternoon tea and late-night snacks are also offered on board according to cruising tradition.

Marco's Bistro is an open-seating informal alternative dining venue on the pool deck and guests can eat outdoors, whenever the weather conditions permit so. No additional charge is applied for eating here.

Captain's Club and Columbus Lounge are popular venues for pre-dinner cocktails. The Columbus is classy and clubby, with maritime artifacts on display. The Captain's is elegant and spacious, with contemporary decor.

Palm Garden has big windows affording great ocean views. Its surprising decor, however, combines lacquer-red walls, bamboo-and-conservatory style furniture and green plants, delivering an altogether less tranquil message.

Scott's Bar (disco nightclub on Amundsen Deck) has a large dance floor and live late-night entertainment.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Marco Polo offers great value-for-money and child-free traditional British experience in cozy surroundings. The public rooms are all smartly furnished and feature high ceilings giving an airy and spacious feel, with plenty of space for relaxation. Don't expect expansive leisure options as Marco Polo is not like the modern floating resorts and her passengers are not expecting them. You will find plenty of open decks, with a small swimming pool and three whirlpools. Unfortunately, none of the bars and lounges offers a forward view. The list of onboard facilities includes:

Jade Wellness Spa Centre features a sizeable gym and 2 saunas. It offers body treatments, facials, massages, hairdressing, and the usual salon services, sensibly priced by duration.

The small library (Livingston Lounge) offers a decent selection of books, magazines, playing cards or other games. Nansen Card Room is the spot for card game lovers. The photo gallery to order pictures from the cruise and the Internet Cafe are among the other amenities.

The Duty-Free Gift Shop is open while the ship is at sea. It stocks on cigarettes, liquor, fragrances, cosmetics, local souvenirs. The liquor and cigarettes that you buy will be delivered on the last day of the sailing.

Each evening the boat offers different entertainment programs, ranging from performances by the ship's show team to jive/boogie, ballroom dancing, craft sessions, guest lectures, quiz programs, golf sessions, bingo and fitness workouts. Live music is offered in several venues.

Itineraries

MS Marco Polo itinerary program was based on roundtrips from the UK (homeport London-Tilbury). The ship visited popular destinations in Europe, such as Baltic Sea (Russia, Scandinavia), Norway (Norwegian Fjords), North Sea (British Isles), Iceland. In winter 2017-2018 Marco Polo sailed to France, Spain and Portugal leaving roundtrip from Belfast, Bristol, and Liverpool. The first voyage in 2018 started on March 31 (Bristol to France).

In 2020, CMV Marco Polo offered a 78-night "Grand Africa and Indian Ocean" world cruise itinerary departing on January 2, 2020, from Bristol Avonmouth. The voyage visited a total of 31 ports on 3 continents.

• Early booking prices started from GBP 12,000 per person with double occupancy.
• The itinerary includeed two Equator crossings and one Suez Canal transit. Among the visited countries are Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Israel, Mediterranean points.
• Shore excursions options included Table Mountain (Cape Town), overnight safari, Taj Mahal (Agra), and Mumbai.
• The outward itinerary leg visited Lisbon, Cape Verde Islands, Casablanca, and St Helena Island before reaching Africa. The return itinerary leg (from India) visited Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Holy Land, Malta, Gibraltar, La Coruna, Cobh before returning to Bristol on March 24, 2020.

You can see the CMV world cruise 2020 ports list in the ship's Wiki section.