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Cruise Reviews

Island Cruises

Island Escape

Another Great Criuse Aboard Island Eccape :-)

Another Great Criuse Aboard Island Eccape :-)

Reviewed By: flannigan, kirkintilloch on 21st Feb 2010
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Island Escape	Sailed: February, 2010
Destination: Canaries	Age: 46-55
Cabin: Outside	Occasion: Wedding anniversary

Having just returned on 19th Feb 2010 had a great time(although storms and high winds ) was still a great cruise.We have cruised twice before with the escape and have had no complaints.THe only difference with being taken over by thomsons being they seem to have cut down on their choice of foods Although still a varied choice not as much as when owned by first choice!Staff were their usual oustanding selves with nothing too much bother and everything delivered with a fantastic smile.Cabins large had one this time on deck 8 right at front of boat overlooking bow so had more than double the room as on previous trips when the cabine were on deck 5( but still more than adequate for the amount of time spent in it).Yes the boat is in need of an upgrade but the cleanliness of the boat cannot be faulted.No staff passes you without a smile and a good morning from maintanance to the crew.Food great with a really good choice from fresh fruit to custard 'salad to really good main meals altough choice has lessened since Thomsons take over.Travelled with OV 2 in aug 2009 and although a better boat decoratively ,service was minimal to say the least with staff surly and not interested.food ok if you like rice with everything.and wanted to go hunt the waiter if you wanted a drink,not so on the escape where they couldn't do enough for you.Unfortuneatley weather was against us and we had to miss 2 ports La Pama and Agadir in MOrocco but the Captain had to take into account safety of passegers and crew and at the end of the day you can't fight Mother nature. This was a disappointment but you just have to make the best of it not alot you can do about the weather unfortunately. please don't any one be put off from going on this ship as you will have a great time .Make up your own mind and don't listen to others who like to put it down especially if the have been on as they put it "bigger and better boats" let them stick to their bigger and better boats and pay for all their extras.if they think its that bad why go on first place,GO AND ENJOY the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.You won't get a better Welcome on any other ship and will be sorry when you have to Leave .HAPPY CRUISING :-)
Quality of Food
Beachcomber most of time Oasis for our Silver Anniversary
Entertainment
Bounty Lounge most evenings
Shore Excursions	n/a
Did own thing
Staff
Anna in Sailway was fantastic
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by cheetham, stoke on trent (08 Mar 10 21:33) about this REVIEW

we were on the boat the same week as you,we had a great time!the staff are brilliant and the ship is spotless.Yes it is a bit tired in places but dont let it put you off.A holiday is what you make of it!

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Opinion: Agree Comment by McBlain, Stirling (08 Mar 10 20:29) about this REVIEW

I have made up my mind and have to say there is a lot better out !I mean lot better!!! We were on board the week after you on the Island Escape with "Escape "being" the operative word!!! We wished we had escaped this old tired bucket with repetative food no better than a Naafi Canteen, after the second day!! I you sure you were on this cruise as it beggars beleif that you actually enjoyed it!!! I will gladly stick to my "bigger and better boats"

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Lee, Cleckheaton (02 Mar 10 21:05) about this REVIEW

Yes we were there on the same week and agree totaly. Our first cruise it was fantastic pity about the weather but was good value. Definatley do this ship again. Kath & Graham Westyorks

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Comment by Leaman, Clacton on Sea (22 Feb 10 12:07) about this REVIEW

How can you possibly give this rust bucket 5 stars????????? If you are paying cruise ship price - you should at the very least expect a cruise ship. As to why go on it? Thomas Cook Direct (phone booking) thoroughly recommended it. Shame on them and Thomson. We put our trust in names like these and they let us down big time.

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by wellsbury, weston super mare (21 Feb 10 22:00) about this REVIEW

glad to hear you had a good time but maybe if you had been on there in january when noro virus was rife you would not have been so impressed, by the way the other tomson ships are smaller far better and similar price. so maybe you should try one of the other ships and then make your comparisons

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Comment by flannigan, kirkintilloch (22 Feb 10 00:10) about a COMMENT by wellsbury (21 Feb 10 22:00)

Maybe so and if you experienced this on the ship i feel really sorry for you.Can't blame staff as they were doing everything possible to make sure everything was spotless.Passengers are a lot to blame as we witnessed ourselves ,on more than one occasion ,picking food out with their hands instead of tongs provided and having to be told repeatedly by staff and other passengers to use the utensils provided.Yes hopefully we will try other Thomson ships in the future and have just as enjoyable time as we did on Island Escape.

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Comment by wellsbury, weston super mare (22 Feb 10 17:44) about a COMMENT by flannigan (22 Feb 10 00:10)

i am sure once you have been on other thomson ships you wont go back to island escape again as for the passengers being to blame, what utter rubbish, you could nt even use tongs to serve yourself let alone your fingers, food was served to everyone including tea and coffee and everyone onboard in january was only to aware of the virus not to sanitise, sanitise, sanitise. staff only upped there game at the end of our first week when the ship had to be cleared of passengers while they fumigated it, this still did not work and the process had to be repeated one week later, what a cruise, being followed around by crew members in masks and white coveralls spraying corridors and stairwells with some type of chemicals to fumigate the ship while we were onboard, but glad you had a good time

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Comment by brooker, willenhall (23 Feb 10 07:59) about a COMMENT by wellsbury (22 Feb 10 17:44)

Actually we went on new year and everyone was sopposed to use tongs that were provided(not that everyone did ) Also they were so strict that they made sure no one went back up to the buffet with the same plate . The staff was right on the mark where hygeine was concerned! We had a good time the week we went and yes I have been on more luxurious ships but we went determined to have a good time and did!

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