Island Cruises | Island Star | Review of a great holiday

Wednesday 3rd December 2008

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Review of a great holiday
Reviewed By: McAdam, Penrith on 20th Aug 2008
Cruise Line: Island Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Island Star	Sailed: August, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 65+

We have just returned from a week on the island-cruises-summer-holidays/">Island Star which was our first cruise. Having read numerous reviews I was a bit apprehensive, so I thought I would do my own review which might help fellow first timers. The checking in procedure was efficient and although there were long queues it didn't take long and by the time we got to our cabin our luggage was there. As we arrived around lunchtime in Palma we were able to go into Palma for a couple of hours. We got a taxi as there were four of us but we could have got a bus. We were on Sapphire in an outside cabin which was fine with plenty of space and wardrobe and drawer space. It would have benefited from a touch of paint but that's all. The staff were all very friendly and always spoke if you met them anywhere around the ship. We had all our main meals in the Island Restaurant which was very good. You sometimes had to queue for a short time but this was not a problem. Our favourite waiter was Rio who was very attentive and showed us tricks each night. We went to the Beachcomber for afternoon tea when we were on the ship at the right time and also for late night drinks and snacks. We are not sun worshippers so the sunbed issue did not affect us but we could always find somewhere to sit outside when we wanted. The entertainment staff worked very hard and we enjoyed the shows in the Theatre and also the game shows in the Bounty. The Jongleurs comedians who had been given a big write up were absolute rubbish and the midnight adult show was not worth staying up for. The games around the pool were good fun with the crew, including the captain JC, joining in. We only went on one excursion which was from Olbia to the Emerald Coast. We felt this was worth the money and very enjoyable and probalby could not have been done on your own. There is nothing in Olbia itself, it is very industrial. We did not go to Rome as we have been before but just went into Civitavechia which is quite a nice place and we had a paddle in the sea then back for a late lunch. La Spezia is a lovely town with a lot of beautiful buildings. From there we went on a boat trip to Portavenore which was very easy and cost 6.5 euros return. The area around Villefranche is very nice and we went to Monaco by train which again was very easy. If you get your tickets out of the machine it is about 3.5 euros return (for over 60s) but if you get them inside it is 5 euros return. We liked Monaco and went to see the Palace and the Casino. It was a bit confusing coming back. You need Platform C but Villefranche did not appear on the screens. After walking around Mahon in the morning and back for lunch in the Island Restaurant we took a trip on a glass bottomed boat which was very interesting and stopped off at a little fishing village for 20 minutes. Overall we really enjoyed our first cruise and will probably do another sometime but not on every holiday. There were a lot of children but they didn't bother us, probably as we didn't use the pool or jacuzzis. Hope this review is helpful.
Quality of Food
Island Restaurant for main meals, Beachcomber for afternoon tea and late night snacks
Entertainment
Most enjoyable - Hollywood and Broadway shows Least enjoyable - Comedians - awful
Shore Excursions
Costa Smeralda, Sardinia - only one we did but very good
Staff
Waiter - Rio in the Island Restaurant
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities	n/a

Cabins

Overall Rating

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