Island Cruises | The Island Escape | Great Staff, Shame about some aspects of the ship.

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Great Staff, Shame about some aspects of the ship.
Reviewed By: Curran, Hull on 23rd Nov 2008
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: The Island Escape	Sailed: October, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 36-45

Have to say that although we will be going on another cruise for sure, I cannot see it being on the island-cruises-summer-holidays/">Island Escape (or whatever Thompson will call it). I would agree with all those that have expressed disappointment with the size and standard of cabins. We we on deck 5 in an outside cabin. The size seems to reflect the ship's origins as a ro-ro ferry and we were very disappointed to see an obviously worn cabin well past its best and in need of a refurb. No more than 3 stars (at best) but clean and functional. Romeo looked after us very well and the kids loved the towel animals he left every day. As everyone has said, the staff were excellent and did much to redeem my opinion of the whole experience as my 4 year old daughter and 7 year old son were made to feel the centre of the world at all times by most of the staff (especially Dino at the Sailaway/Champions Bars and Jobert in the restaurant). Very hard to find anyone who would not cheerily greet you (my daughter ended up saying hello and waving enthusiastically to everyone in sight which the customs staff at Manchester Aiport found very funny when we flew back in). Meal times were made much more enjoyable by Jobert's napkin folding and friendly treatment of the children. Kids club staff were good and ours had a great time in their care although we fell foul of the no more than 30 at any one time rule once or twice due to it being half term and there being 260 odd children on board. Having said that Kat and Leticia (sp) made a point of making sure that if a child missed out on one session they had first choice of the next one. Food of a reasonable standard considering the number of people to be catered for but very much aimed at the typical British palate. I suppose that has to be the aim. Having said that, there is plenty of choice and there was only one night where I found myself with only one thing I liked the look of. Kids menu is available, but in most cases ours were happy with the main menu. We mainly ate in the Island restaurant but it was a disappointment that circumstances meant were were not able to try the "a la carte" (which in all honesty really published a table d'hote menu) which other people told us they enjoyed. I really did not like the Beachcomber though as it was crammed at busy times and was the scene of the least pleasant part of the holiday when I saw a woman in her 50s push my 4 year old out of the way to get to some food. Considering how great the mainly Phillipino/Asian and Brazilian staff are you cannot help but think they will not get the best impression of the British - especially at meal times. The pub was a nice setting but so quickly filled with smokers meaning that the whole area really stank of smoke. The Sailaway Bar was my favourite (even though the weather made it impractical) quickly followed by Champions and Lookout. We went all inclusive, but it took some time to work out what was and was not actually included (despite the list handed to you at Palma airport). We were ok as we were happy with beer, house wine, the basic spirits and soft drinks. If you are a fan of cocktails or plan to start at the left of the optics and work your way over you will be disappointed. It did irk a bit that all inclusive did not mean Coke, but an own brand Cola but you live and learn and I will definately ask more questions of the Travel Agent about this type of thing again. All in all we had a good time despite the weather and mainly because of the staff. We would definately look to cruise again, just probably not on this ship - which is a shame as they have the informality right but seem to have equated that with a lower standard of accomodation, an opinion confirmed to me one lunchtime by a very experienced cruise couple who told me that Island Escape was 3 star compared to their usual 4/5 star on P&O, Royal Carib etc. Awful and snobby as it may sound, I did not want starched shirts and dressing for dinner with Major and Mrs Fanshaw, but neither did I want outdated, worn decor and Benidorm at sea. Have been looking at Disney for next year and can only hope their staff are as good.
Quality of Food
Breakfast very popular in my family - which is hard to do considering I love my fry ups, daughter loves her fruit, wife into cereals and son changes daily. Everyone likes doughnuts though.
Entertainment
Forget the comedian's name, but he was the best act.
Shore Excursions	n/a
Expensive if bood through ship. We did our own thing and I was really surprised that it really was that easy to get a train to Rome. Gave us confidence to do our own thing elsewhere.
Staff
All great, but special thanks to Dino (bar), Jobert, Lucy, Carlo (Restaurant) Romeo (cabin)
Children's Facilities
Kat & Letitia were fantastic and we had no problems leaving the kids as we knew they would be happy and entertained. Best reports from the kids for the Halloween disco, Pizza and Movie night and model making competition.
Onboard Activities
Spoiled by the weather, but you would have to be very dull not to be able to find some way to pass the time.
Cabins
old, worn and from what we have been told smaller than many.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Kennedy, Dublin (23 Nov 08 16:05) about this REVIEW

I was unfortunate enough to be on the Island Escape for two weeks in June 2007 - my mistake. I thought that "relaxed friendly and informal" meant what those words usually mean. Instead I encountered a ship where the crew and staff seemed to be unable to control the "yob" element. The food was so bad that I booked the Oasis for dinner each night during the second week and that was not worth even half of what I paid. There was huge resistance by passengers to using the hand sanitisers and (despite being informed that it was forbidden) a number of passengers clearly smoked in their cabins. I enjoy my cruises and this was the only one in the 20 or so to date that I was happy to end. I certainly will not be cruising with Island Escape when Thomson takes it over. I don't think even Thomsons can get it up to any standard without massive expenditure.

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Terry Aucott, Warrington (23 Nov 08 15:02) about this REVIEW

You get what you pay for and although the ship is old the staff make up for everything, as for the size of the ship, cant you understand tonnage, that directly relates to size. I for one will miss the Escape and wont be going on a Thompson cruise. The food was fine and if your 4 year old was pushed out of the way by another passenger, where were you! Surely you didn't send your child for a meal by itself. The staff are there to serve the food not babysit your child.

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Comment by Curran, Swanland (30 Nov 08 14:18) about a COMMENT by Terry Aucott (23 Nov 08 15:02)

Quite where I mentioned size of the ship I do not know - I mentioned the size of the cabins and how that seemed to be influenced by the ship's origins as a ro-ro ferry (which I am well aquainted with having used Hull - Zeebrugge overnight as number of times). I said the food was fine. As for where I was when my daughter was pushed aside - I was standing next to her. The woman in question just shrugged when I mentioned it to her. Somehow I don't think people would take so kindly to a 36 year old year old six footer starting on a women in her fifties so had to leave it there - just a little surprised to see that you think her pushing aside a four year old (accompanied or not) is ok, maybe I should have pushed her back after all? As for the staff being there to serve the food rather than babysit - where on earth did that come from? (especially in a buffet restaurant). Starting to get the impression that you may be out to defend Island Escape etc at all costs without bothering to read the actual comments or realise that the whole venture has failed for a reason - just calling something informal and having good staff does not give carte blanche for a poor standard of accomodation. You are right, you get what you pay for and I won't make the mistake of spending 3 star money on a cruise again. I could have got 4 star all inclusive hotel holiday for the same money - and that would not have been in Benidorm either.

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