From the 1993/94 Orient Lines Marco Polo travel brochure...

Marco Polo

A World of Difference

There are many different kinds of cruise ships, each with its own style and market appeal, and each with its own merits. The most well-known ships, those advertised on mass-market television, are the mega-liners that carry as many as two thousand people. They're resorts in themselves, with an emphasis on gambling, Broadway-style entertainment and a never-ending whirlwind of shipboard activities. They offer wonderful value for this type of vacation, but are very limited in the number of places they can visit.

On the other end of the spectrum are the small, yacht-like ships, some very luxurious, and all quite expensive because of the limited number of passengers they carry. They create an intimate, clubby atmosphere that's quite appealing, but naturally can not offer the entertainment or facilities of a large liner. Perfect for cruising inland waterways, rivers, and areas with calm seas, they do offer a wide range of destinations. But with their relatively slow speeds, they take longer to travel between ports of call. And you'd have to think twice before choosing one to sail across the Drake Passage or other unpredictable seas.

The Best of Both Worlds

The Marco Polo falls into the medium size category, and is the first ship of its kind to be designed specifically for destinational cruising. As such, it offers the best features of the other two styles, without the disadvantages.

On board, you'll find all of the facilities you'd expect on a superb luxury liner: a nightclub, health spa, two restaurants, piano bar, broad sun decks, a swimming pool and Jacuzzis, boutiques, a small casino, library and more. Yet traveling with just 800 fellow passengers -- and on some itineraries only half as many -- you'll never feel as if you're just part of the crowd. The level of service we provide, both on board and ashore, is every bit as gracious as on a smaller vessel. While at the same time, we can offer the considerable price advantages and seafaring comfort of a larger ship.

Built for Global Cruising

The Marco Polo has many features which make her ideal for cruising to far-off destinations. A ship of exceptional stability and autonomy, her huge storage areas allow her to travel for thousands of miles without the need to take on additional fuel, food or water.

Her ice-strengthened hull and environmental protection systems are particularly important when traveling to Antarctica. She carries Zodiac landing craft for use in the most remote destinations, and two high-speed tenders for other intimate ports. There's even a helicopter landing pad on her top deck. And she conforms completely with the latest international safety standards.

Deck maps and floor plans of the Marco Polo are available.


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