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Cruise Reviews

Island Cruises

Island Escape

Try It For Yourself !

Try it for yourself !

Reviewed By: Smalley, Leicester on 20th Feb 2010
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Island Escape	Sailed: February, 2010
Destination: Canaries	Age: 36-45
Cabin: Outside	Occasion: Family holiday

The Island Escape allows people to enjoy cruising at an affordable price. Not everyone can afford to cruise down the Panama Canal or trans-atlantic with Cunard so if you want to try cruising but think you can't, think again, Thomson have made it possible to try this previously 'only for the wealthy' type of holiday. I have just come back from this cruise where the canary islands have experienced some of their worst weather, seas were rough and the winds were horrendous, Force 10 at times! My family had a great time believe it or not, the staff are fantastic, nothing is too much trouble. The food is plentiful and good, the waiters in the restaurants are extremely polite, friendly whilst still taking their profession very seriously. The entertainment was very good, the staff worked really hard during the bad weather to keep the guests entertained. The ship I agree is looking a little tired but the staff keep the ship very clean. I understand that all the cabins are being refurbished in November, however our cabin was as spacious as other cabins I have stayed in (Princess, Royal Carribean) and cleaned to a very good standard by our cabin staff. What I didn't like was a MINORITY of guests who moaned and groaned about anything and everything! These people wanted 5* cruising at 3* star prices, well I suggest they save their pennies up and clear off to a more upmarket ship where the atmosphere is more formal and they can rub shoulders with the more wealthy. Me, well I liked the relaxed, friendly atmosphere, that's the type of holiday that I hope to have and that's what I got. As I said we had nightmare trying to cruise in the bad weather, we had to miss two ports because the ports had to close due to bad weather, the MINORITY actually suggested that the Captain could have got docked but lied to us, I ask you, why would he do that? Did they think he actullay enjoyed sailing in a Force 10 gale! We had to leave 20 odd people in Arrecife Lanzarote who had gone sightseeing because we were in danger of breaking our moorings in port because of the severe swells and had to set sail early because staying could have become dangerous. I understand these people were well looked after, taken to a hotel and flown onto Gran Canaria to meet the ship the next day. I suppose it was irritating but the sea dosen't bow to anyone and the Captain had to leave for the majority's safety. Please don't think this weather is the norm it was exceptional. If you are thinking of sailing on the Island Escape, please don't read too much into the reviews, most of the bad ones have, if you notice been written when the weather has been poor making people look at things very negatively. The bottom line is, if you want a good value holiday, good food and a laugh on a ship that knows its flaws the Island Escape delivers. If you want 5* accomodation with fine dining and art seminars then this ship isn't for you, try P&O!
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions	n/a
We did our own thing.
Staff

Children's Facilities	n/a
No children were with us.
Onboard Activities

Cabins
Clean and comfortable.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Johnson, Broadstairs (20 Feb 10 19:15) about this REVIEW

I do not think that you would have set foot on this ship had you been on the Xmas cruise as I was with my Family. I will not go into detail as most things that have been posted are true and the photos show it to a certain extent. It was so bad that when we were told were going to a hotel for the night in Malaga we decided to stay in Malaga and went home a couple of days later. There were many others too. On getting home I complained to Thompson about our ruined Christmas and sent them the photos and they agreed they were disgusting. We have now had a refund for the Cruise and credit for another Cruise, which we will not be using, and will not go on another Thompson Ship or book with them. I see now that there are offers on this rust bucket for £399. With Prices like this this ship will always be full. Good luck to one and all.

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Question by Leaman, Clacton on Sea (24 Feb 10 19:23) about a COMMENT by Johnson (20 Feb 10 19:15)

A full refund????

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Question by Leaman, Clacton on Sea (23 Feb 10 11:30) about a COMMENT by Johnson (20 Feb 10 19:15)

Well done you. How did you manage to get a refund plus vouchers? Most of us on that debacle have only been offered at most 25% cash. Some have been offered 20% cash OR 25% vouchers. I agree completely with you that Thomson will keep that rust bucket full at those prices. But I wouldn't go on it again if they paid me.

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Answer by Johnson, Broadstairs (24 Feb 10 00:01) to a QUESTION by Leaman (23 Feb 10 11:30)

No idea why, unless someone futher up the Thompson line saw my letter and responded that way.

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Question by price, leicester (24 Feb 10 13:41) about an ANSWER by Johnson (24 Feb 10 00:01)

any idea who it was at thomsons that dealt with your claim?

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Opinion: Agree Comment by flannigan, kirkintilloch (20 Feb 10 18:24) about this REVIEW

I was also on this cruise and totally agree with everything said.Staff on board are exceptional this is the 3rd time my husband and I have sailed with island escape and would go back again.Sailled with Ocean Village Two in August last , though a nicer looking boat not a patch on service or friendliness .Don't go by the bad reviews yes needing upgrade but nothing else can be faulted(except the weather) or as the captain would say you can't help the nature lol.

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Comment by Harris, Leeds (21 Feb 10 19:17) about a COMMENT by flannigan (20 Feb 10 18:24)

You seriously have to be joking that Island is a better ship than Ocean Village. We've done both - Island is a dirty heap of rust, grotty cabins is only the start of it, the food was OK but nothing more, the restaurants were badly maintained, yes the service was very good, outstanding at times but so was it on Ocean Village - the difference being on Ocean Village that the cabins were spotless, well maintained for the age of the ship, large clean bathrooms with no dirty tiles or grout, clean sheets, clean towels, outstanding food, clean and tidy restaurants. Considering we paid more to do Island than Ocean Village we were extremely disappointed with Island - without the staff, they would have truly been diabolical. £4 million being spent on it, I'd scrap it! The only way they appear to be filling it now is with bargain bucket prices which speaks for itself.

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Comment by flannigan, kirkintilloch (21 Feb 10 23:54) about a COMMENT by Harris (21 Feb 10 19:17)

read comment properly!! didn't say island was a better ship what I did say was service and friendliness was better and no I wan't joking .If they appear as you say to be filling it with bargain bucket prices then why did you pay more for this than Ocean Village?Our cabin was spotless as were towels and sheets and bathroom!

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Comment by Harris, Leeds (22 Feb 10 22:30) about a COMMENT by flannigan (21 Feb 10 23:54)

Because we mistakenly booked early and travelled (in mid season) before the Christmas Cruise when after that fiasco and subsequent cancellations, they had no option to reduce prices to fill the ship. We also paid almost full price for Ocean Village for one (in high season) and how you can possibly say that the bathrooms alone were spotless on Island is truly remarkable. Or we just had the misfortune to book one like the pictures on here.

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Comment by Mason, Rochdale (20 Feb 10 18:00) about this REVIEW

I agree with what you are saying however the pictures on this site of the Island Escape -are quite worrying the camera never lies the conditions indicated by those pictures wouldnt even give it 1 star- so come on why through good money after bad- there are other products now on the market that will still offer cruises to the working class- The Island escape should be scrapped.

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