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Cruise Reviews

Island Cruises

Island Star

Making New Friends!

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Making New Friends!

Reviewed By: Mary Rosina MacPherson, Gosport on 31st Jan 2009
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Island Star	Sailed: January, 2009
Destination: Panama Canal	Age: 65+
Cabin: Outside	Occasion: Annual/regular holiday

I am a single woman, and have cruised a number of times, almost always paying the high cost of travelling alone when there are no single cabins available. Having said that I must add that I am quite happy to travel alone as there are always other single passsengers to meet and spend time with. I have recently returned from a Latin Caribbean Cruise on the Island Star. This was a first time with this cruise company. One huge and much appreciated part of their service to passengers was the fact that once one had checked in luggage at the airport of departure it was not seen again until it arrived...quite quickly...outside my cabin door on the ship.....and the same thing happened on the last night of the cruise...cases were left outside cabins by 2.00am and disappeared into thin air not to be seen again until the end of the flight home, this has never happened to me before and I suppose its because the cruise line has its own planes? The Island Star was a very tired looking ship, chipped paint and worn carpets and horror of horrors ...plastic plates in the self service cafe. I will add that the food was quite acceptable and plenty of it too for those with big appetites! The Island Restaurant was a disappointment in two ways in that although there were waiters they did not serve the food, it was once again self service ....the food was exactly the same as the 24 hour self service cafe on deck 11 deck. The staff on the entire ship were extremely helpful at all times. I met some wonderful people especially the single travellers, and this was due to the efforts of Peter ( Peter was the lead singer in all the ships shows ....and a very talented young man too ) Peter gave his time to getting a group of us together ....eight in all...and each day spent at sea he joined us for lunch in the Island Restaurant bringing along another member of the dance team. Only one of the original eight dropped out while the rest of us met for dinner every evening and also spent some time together when the ship docked. I really enjoyed their company ...one in particular kept us amused with his tales of coping on his own after the sad loss of his wife.....she was obviously a wonderful woman and he missed her so much. I was disappointed to find that there were no ' male escorts for dancing ' a must for the single ladies who love dancing as much as I !! Although I did not personally take any of the tours when the ship docked...I did hear many complaints as to the poor return for the high cost involved. I always find it best to take a local taxi with other passengers....works out less expensive and one sees a lot more.....as long as you tell the taxi that you are not interested in shopping! I heard that the Island Star is to be sold in March......is this true?
Quality of Food
I eat a little and often, so breakfast and lunch afternoon tea...were taken in the self srvice cafe on deck 11 Fruit..Fish..Puddings too!
Entertainment
Peter the lead singer stood out from the rest....though they were all quite good really
Shore Excursions
Did not take the ships excursions....far too expensive for what was on offer.
Staff
Adi....a cabin attendant...though not mine, but he was so very helpful and cheerful.
Children's Facilities	n/a
N/A
Onboard Activities
Very little organised.
Cabins
Cabin was OK. Good size and clean.
Overall Rating

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Comment by MacPherson, ALVERSTOKE (05 Feb 09 08:34) about this REVIEW

I feel I must reply to the email from ' treece in Worcs'. You have misread my comments in that I did enjoy the cruise itself and as stated I met some very nice people with whom I am still in contact, also mentioned were the staff onboard....helpful and cheerful. I have just had a count of the times I have cruised ....a total of 14 ...and I look forward to many more! I am pleased you enjoyed your first ever cruise...keep it up....so many places to see and people to meet, and where better that sailing across the blue sea?

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Opinion: Agree Comment by treece, worcester (04 Feb 09 17:02) about this REVIEW

oh dear thats a shame you seemed to have a sad experience on this ship, I too took this ship in June but it was my first cruise ever and i was shocked to start with as you were but my time aboared ship was lovely due to the staff and other passengers and i have very many fond memoreies to keep.

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Comment by Morgan-Jones, TYLDESLEY (03 Feb 09 22:23) about this REVIEW

The Island Star is leaving Island Cruises in March. I think Royal Caribbean and another Line have an interest. However, the tired appearance is something I noticed and commented upon in my submission following our last cruise on that ship so it could reappear with another name in the Summer! I doubt that the 'old lady' will re-appear without a considerable amount of refurbishment!

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Comment by BLYTH, Dundee (31 Jan 09 17:10) about this REVIEW

Yes from April it will be joining another cruise group Island cruises have been sold off and split up Island Escape will be with Thomsons from 1st April, can't remember where the Star is going too.

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