Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 by Peter Knego
MV MARCO POLO. Photo courtesy of Cruise and Maritime Voyages.
U.K.-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV), operators of the 1965-built, 22,080 gt, 800 passenger MV MARCO POLO (ex ALEXANDR PUSHKIN), is promoting a special seven night cruise from Tilbury to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the TITANIC. Departing April 10, 2012, the cruise will follow a portion of the TITANIC’s ill-fated maiden voyage with calls at Cherbourg in France, Cobh in Ireland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and Liverpool in England. The MARCO POLO will also cruise off the Old Head of Kinsale where the LUSITANIA was sunk by a German U Boat on May 7, 1915.
In Cherbourg, an exhibition commemorates 231 passengers that joined the TITANIC. Cobh was the TITANIC’s final port of call before steaming onward towards North America. Belfast was home to the famed Harland and Wolf shipyard that built the TITANIC and a whole roster of important 20th Century passenger liners including the SOUTHERN CROSS and CANBERRA. A tour in Belfast will visit the Titanic Quarter where local authorities are preparing special activities for MARCO POLO’s passengers. Liverpool was once the British hub for transatlantic crossings — tours there will visit the Titanic Memorial, the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the former White Star Line headquarters.
Aboard ship, there will be special exhibits, lectures and menus to celebrate Britain’s maritime heritage. MaritimeMatters’ co-editor Peter Knego will also be joining the cruise and will be posting a series of Sea Treks reports.
The handsome MARCO POLO is the last survivor of a quintet of East German-built vessels named after famous Soviet writers for the Soviet state-owned Black Sea Shipping Company. As the ALEXANDR PUSHKIN, she followed the 1964-built IVAN FRANKO (scrapped in 1996) and was joined by the 1967-built TARAS SHEVCHENKO (scrapped in 2005), the 1968-built SHOTA RUSTAVELI (scrapped in 2003) and 1971-built MIKHAIL LERMONTOV (sunk off New Zealand in 1986).
Although vastly rebuilt in 1991 for Orient Lines as a deluxe expedition style cruise ship, the MARCO POLO still retains her classic profile with pronounced sheer, camber, teak decks and an ice-strengthened, raked bow. She is fully stabilized and air conditioned and has eight passenger decks serviced by three main lobbies and four lifts.
The ship’s public facilities include the Waldorf Restaurant which offers two fixed, traditional dinner seatings in addition to the informal Bistro restaurant. There are five main lounges, from the mainstage theater of the Marco Polo Lounge, the Captain’s Club piano bar, the Palm Garden with its sea vistas to the stylish Columbus Bar. Other amenities include the Livingston Library, the Nansen Card Room, an Internet Café, a shopping arcade, photo gallery and the Jade Wellness Centre, which offers hairdressing, beauty treatments, fitness and exercise equipment, and sauna and massage facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, three whirlpools and a medical center. In addition, and in keeping with the MARCO POLO’s ocean liner heritage, the Amundsen Deck offers a traditional, fully-encircling promenade.
Cabin accommodation ranges from standard to deluxe, with 70% of staterooms having an ocean view. Prices for the cruise begin at £499pp.
For more information, please contact Cruise and Maritime Voyages.
Kenneth Eden
February 20, 2012 at 5:38 am
Talk about a ship that was obscure and of humble roots, this is one for the record books.
As the PUSKIN she was not really in the first class league, say for a few elite suites reserved for high ranking Soviets, and yet look at her today, MARCO POLO, a treasure saved and loved looking for all the world a regal lady of the sea.
There needs to be more of these presereved “diva’s” sailing.
Will
February 20, 2012 at 9:20 am
Quite a beautiful ship. At least there are a few Classic ships still sailing. Although its sad to see the vast majority killed off so suddenly by SOLAS. Its sort of like the railroad industry. With new federal regulations (mainly the 1472 inspections for steam locomotives) many operators simply cannot afford the expensive maintenance and rebuilds, but its all in the nature of safety. And last year, my railroad recently leased a locomotive from a railroad that is not covered under the federal regulations, and it showed….the locomotive was not safe to operate (although they were operating it) and has required a huge amount of money to rebuild. But, now, its going to be a safe and reliable locomotive to operate.
Mark Finnigan
February 20, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Tell all the story of this beautiful Ship, Was She not the same Ship off S. Africa where an Italian Master ordered abandon Ship and was one of the First to leave the Ship. I think of Concordia and Italian Captains. Pray I never have to sail with Masters that lack Spirit…..
Peter Knego
February 20, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Not even close! That ship was Epirotiki Line’s OCEANOS and that particular captain was Greek, not Italian. Best to not incite ill will towards any person (or ship, for that matter) without having all the facts handy. –Peter
Peter Newall
February 21, 2012 at 1:42 am
ALEXANDR PUSHKIN is a fabulous ship although unlike some of the other vintage ships, virtually nothing remains of her original interior.
She was also the first purpose-built Russian transatlantic liner and has a ice-strengthened hull. That is why she has lastest so long and is a great seaboat.
Peter
PS She was the best cruise director I have ever sailed with.
Kenneth Eden
February 21, 2012 at 4:39 am
Thank you Peter>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I read a missive above and was shocked beyond pale. I almost fell off the chair!
That is akin to “The man in moon is a lady”, thank you Bea Arthur.
Peter Newall
February 21, 2012 at 4:52 am
I think I better repost this as I obviously had too few wake up cups of tea when I wrote it!
ALEXANDR PUSHKIN is a fabulous ship although unlike some of the other vintage ships, virtually nothing remains of her original interior.
She was also the first purpose-built Russian transatlantic liner and has an ice-strengthened hull. That is why she has lasted so long and is a great seaboat.
Peter
PS She has the best cruise director I have ever sailed with.
PPS I agree with PK’s posting above as the crass remark was totally out of order.
Patrick le Bihan
April 8, 2012 at 12:12 pm
The ship was in Brest Saturday the 07 April.A tresor in this world of sh.. !
Peter Knego
April 8, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Boarding her Tuesday morning, Patrick — can’t wait! –Peter
Brian Kelly
April 18, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Just back from the ” Marco Polo “, and the Heritage cruise. Wonderful week, great crowd, fine food, interesting intinerary, good weather, and the nicest people you could meet ” in a month of Sundays ” It was wonderful to sail home, on entering Cobh harbour. Brought a lump to my throat. The Marco Polo, a lovely lady to meet on the high seas. May she sail forever. Yours, Brian Kelly.