On Thursday I will be boarding Cruise and Maritime Voyages, Marco Polo for a 3-night cruise to Ghent in Belgium and Amsterdam in Holland. I am joining the ship in Tilbury so it’s going to be a very early and very long day for me. My train leaves at 7am so if someone can set their alarm to wake me up at about 5am that would be great! 😉

I am quite looking forward to this trip, Marco Polo will be the oldest and smallest ship I have ever cruised on and I can’t wait to really feel that small ship atmosphere and motion hopefully! She has a gross tonnage of just 20,080 and space onboard for a maximum of 800 passengers. I have been more used to 115,000 GT with over 3,000 passengers so it’s definitely going to be something new.

This is what the Cruise and Maritime Voyages website says about her:

The 22,080grt Bahamian flagged Marco Polo cruise ship with her handsome traditional profile, beautiful teak decks and distinctive dark blue hull is a classic ocean liner. She can accommodate up to 800 guests within a warm and friendly atmosphere that reflects a truly intimate cruise experience. The ms Marco Polo is fully stabilised and air conditioned and has eight passenger decks serviced by three main lobbies and four lifts.

Our first port is Ghent and I have never actually visited Belgium at all before so this will be a new and exciting experience for me. There is a wonderful day planned that will include a guided walk and then a relaxed lunch. Following this we will begin the “Start Nibbling Tour” which surprisingly will also include food, chocolate to be more precise, yum!

Our day in Amsterdam is also looking like it will be a lot of fun with a canal tour aboard Stan Huygens followed by lunch and a visit to Gassan Diamonds and Museum Van Loon, one of the finest houses on the Keizersgracht. My previous visits to Holland have included a visit to Anne Frank’s House and then a trip into Haarlem so again, all new sights for me to enjoy and then share with you!

I won’t forget the ship, don’t worry!

Author: Danielle