Cheap Cruise Holidays & Latest Cruises Deals

Friday 10th Feb 2012

www.cruise.co.uk - Cruise Deals, Cruises & Cruise Holidays

0800 408 6200

Cruise Reviews
120,938 Opinions Cruise Answers
182,439 Q&As Cruise Photos
14,140 Real Photos Cruise Videos
1,448 Real Videos Shore Excursions Our Cruise
Consultants Cruise Info
Guides Cruise Forum Get a Quote Special Offers Last Minute Cruises Luxury Cruises Tailor Made Cruise River Cruises Family Cruises Free Brochures Make a Payment

Cruise Reviews

Island Cruises

Island Escape

Western Mediterranean With Island Escape

Western Mediterranean with Island Escape

Reviewed By: Walker, Goole on 23rd Jun 2010
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Island Escape	Sailed: June, 2010
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 46-55
Cabin: Inside

We returned to the Island Escape after a three year absence, so this review is going to be a kind of 'then and now' comparison. We had an early flight into Palma so were relaxed about getting on board. The luggage transfers were, if anything, better organised than previously, now following the standard practice on the other Thomson ships. We had booked an inside cabin on deck 8. The plus points were that it was much quieter than the outside cabin we had previously on deck 4, most mornings, we wouldn't have woken up until we were alongside if we hadn't set the alarm! On the downside, nothing appears to have been done to the interiors in three years, so the decor and fittings are looking more tired than ever, but we did hear the ship was due a refurbishment this winter, don't know how true that is. By the way, I wouldn't consider booking a balcony cabin, as there are all aft, directly below the Sailaway Bar and appear to be bolted on to the side of the ship, so no privacy and a distinct risk of having cigarette ash dropped on you from above! Public areas were well maintained and the crew were their usual cheerful selves, even when we suffered a Norovirus outbreak, sensible precautions were put in place and the crew worked extra hard to limit its spread. Entertainment was good, if perhaps not quite up to the standard of three years ago. The timings seemed to work against you, so you might end up missing a show you wanted to see, or eating very late in order to fit in everything. We ate mostly in the Island Restaurant but late on in the cruise realised that the Beachcomber Buffet, which was hot and frantic during the day, became an oasis of calm at night and served exactly the same food as the main restaurant. So our new mantra is: eat early:Island Restaurant, eat late:Beachcomber. We took three excursions, to Monte Carlo, Florence and Rome. This cost us around £300 for the two of us, so its not cheap, and I would certainly consider doing more of my own thing the next time. It was worth it to see Florence though, although our visit was on a Sunday when many of the museums etc are shut. The guides were helpful and professional, but I would take their recommendations for a lunch stop with a pinch of salt. We ignored them in Florence and had a delightful meal for two for 20 Euros. In Rome we followed their recommendation and paid 50% more and nearly got left behind because the service was so lax. The food was nothing to get excited about either. Value for money? Hmm, we booked in advance and paid up to £200 more each than some cruisers who had booked a the last minute, so if I was one of them I would definitely say 'yes'. I may well cruise with Island again, but their product is overdue a refresh to make it competitive with some other cruise holidays, even those which don't involve flying.
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions

Staff

Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

Was this review informative to you?

Report this review

Question by Smith, Wigan (15 Jul 10 08:45) about this REVIEW

Hiya We due to sail on 12th Aug. Have paid £300 for drinks package....I know seems mad now as not heavy drinkers. Are drinks prices on board reasonable? May be cheaper to cancel and lose £100 than try to drink our way through £300 worth. Any thoughts?? Someone suggested buying drinks when on land and taking them aboard....are you frisked for booze and pop when returning to ship??? Thanks

Report this comment

Answer by Gowing, Norwich (16 Jul 10 11:25) to a QUESTION by Smith (15 Jul 10 08:45)

We have just come back off this ship ( 15 th July). A pint of Lager is £3.10 and a Can of Coke.Spriteetc is £1.60 for a standard 33cl can. We brought drinks that we purchaed on shore with no problems, both Spirits and soft drinks. You may have problems keeping the drinks cool as not all cabins have fridges. Andrew

Report this comment

Answer by Byrne, Durham (15 Jul 10 21:37) to a QUESTION by Smith (15 Jul 10 08:45)

Prices on Board are about the same as in pubs /hotels in Uk ie £3.10 a print of stella and £2.80 John Smiths - House wine for £3 ish a glass. Not a good idea to take lots of booze on board as you will be picked up although they turn a blind eye to "bottled water" so need I say any more. No restrictions though on bringing on soft drinks for the cabin and I would put a couple of half botts of spirits in your cases if NOT all inclusive. I would advise you to stay on the drinks package and then you wont loose £100 PS See my reply below and I am STILL waiting for a reply to my complaint I made on the ship about selling the LIFEBOAT DECK as outside cabins.... NO REPLY THOMSONS it must be in the bin now.

Report this comment

Opinion: Agree Comment by Byrne, Durham (24 Jun 10 18:55) about this REVIEW

Was only Escape in May 2010...Yes its good that you pointed out booking a few days before if your ready to travel and do it on line on Thomsons website. Watch out for the "Outside Cabin con" deck 7/8/9/ because we did the same and had a lifeboat stuck in front... so we should have booked an inside one and get what you expect. Island Escape is good value and having just returned from two weeks med out of Southampton on RCI Independence of The Seas ( Little V Large) we thought ESCAPE was better for Entertainment, Bar Prices and Atmosphere and won on value for money. BUT Independence was better for cabins, food and facilities especially for families. We thought Escape was in pretty good condition considering is 30 years old....

Report this comment

Opinion: Disagree Comment by mcguire, dunfermline fife (24 Jun 10 14:37) about this REVIEW

HIYA you say were on escape 3 years ago .We also were on in 2007 in may .What you said about few days into cruise you said about beachcomberthis has allways been there so why did you not see it before when were on 3 years ago .Also they do have balconys at back of ship as well beloe the beachcomber if you look down .THE ones at side were added on were not allways there we done escape in 2003 04 05 .WE we nt on island star in 2006 when first came out then back on escape 2007 liked escape better out both .We love to go back on escape might wait till gets refit which it is getting.

Report this comment

Comment by Walker, Goole (24 Jun 10 21:13) about a COMMENT by mcguire (24 Jun 10 14:37)

Of course, we were aware of the Beachcomber first time around. We just dismissed it as a suitable venue for dinner, but changed our minds this time.

Report this comment

Comment by G , Glasgow (24 Jun 10 16:29) about a COMMENT by mcguire (24 Jun 10 14:37)

Pardon?

Report this comment

Comment by mcguire, dunfermline fife (24 Jun 10 20:22) about a COMMENT by G (24 Jun 10 16:29)

ME IT WAS NOT ME IT WAS MY FOOD ?

Report this comment