Chose the cruise because of the itinerary [St Petersburg] and have sailed on Marco Polo before. Marco Polo looks like a ship and not like a floating apartment block and that's why I like it. OK it has its downside when the ship is full - not enough seating in buffet; insufficient open deck seating; cramped restaurant tables [and bossy waiters at breakfast & lunch - sit where you are told [for their convenience] and not where you want to sit. But Marco Polo has plenty of upside too. No screaming kids or truculent teenagers. Small ship atmosphere. Friendly and hardworking staff - buffet Head Waiter and his staff superb as was our table waiter at dinner in the restaurant. Thank you very much Sanjay. Good food. Reasonably priced drinks. Really good entertainment and a good itinerary although the Captain, speaking from the bridge, had to cancel Stockholm and transit of Kiel Canal because the Germans don't maintain their canal locks properly. Wouldn't happen on a Russian canal Captain! Also the passengers were mainly British and of an age when good manners, courtesy and civility were deemed important educational outcomes which made for a very pleasant atmosphere on board throughout the cruise.

One serious issue is that crew leave passengers to sort themselves out when having to queue for disembarkation tickets and shuttle buses. Not good practice. Queues should be orderly and controlled with clear instructions given by crew. [and to the truculent crew member in future cruise sales - I know what I am talking about having written operational orders involving dozens of agencies and thousands of people so don't try and make me appear to be a moron in front of other passengers. I did not complain about your attitude this time]. Overall a good cruise and excellent value for money.