The field lenses are not near the image plane so dust and dirt does not come into focus and there are few elements to scatter light and reduce contrast. Use a Barlow lens to increase power rather than very short focal length eyepieces. Cut down the light intensity with neutral density filters. The adjustable Orion moon filter is very good for bright objects like Mars and Venus. Having too much light is detrimental to good observing.
Color filters are important for bringing out certain kinds of features and enchanting contrast.
Clouds are usually seen on the eastern limb as the Martian sunrise thaws ice into water vapor. Ask for extra brightness in order to see orbits. High magnification might well be advisable as it darkens the sky and actually allows one to see fainter objects. It might also cut down the glare from the planet. If you can rig up an occulting bar, try that or keep the planet out of the field of view.