Around 800 visitors sampled the delights of MARCO POLO’s restaurant and gala shows over the weekend before the ship sailed away from Tilbury Landing Stage on Monday morning and anchored off Southend Pier in order to allow her sister ship, OCEAN COUNTESS, to land crew through Immigration at the London Cruise Terminal for shore leave.
MARCO POLO operated a variety of cruises from the historic Grade II* listed Terminal at Tilbury during the year including Baltic Capitals, Round Britain and Fjords whilst OCEAN COUNTESS ran similar cruises from Hull, Newcastle, Leith, Greenock, Liverpool and Plymouth before coming to the Port of Tilbury to lay up and refit during the winter months. With precision timing, as OCEAN COUNTESS left the landing stage to sail into the Port through its Panamax lock, MARCO POLO sailed back alongside to take stores on board prior to departing to Bremerhaven for a month’s refit. MARCO POLO will be returning to the landing stage on 30th November when there will be a further opportunity to book for Christmas lunches or evening dinner, followed by gala entertainment with an overnight stay on board. Passengers will then be embarking for a cruise to the European Christmas Markets on Friday 3rd December.
Richard Bastow, Director of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, who market both ships, said: “We are delighted with the success of the season resulting in 95% of our MARCO POLO passengers enjoying their cruising holiday. The main reasons for booking were: itinerary, price and value and the convenience of Tilbury as a port. The team at the London Cruise Terminal do a great job in ensuring that our passengers receive an efficient start and finish to their holiday.”
Capt Richard Exley, Port of Tilbury Harbour Master, said: “An interesting day with last minute changes and delayed arrivals, endorsing Tilbury as an excellent location to disembark crew promptly from both ships to catch flights around the world from the principal London airports. Stores and equipment were transferred between vessels and both ships departed on schedule to their respective refits”.
To reserve a cruise or table at any of the functions please contact Cruise & Maritime Voyages direct on: 0845 430 0274 or book online at www.cruiseandmaritime.com
