Island Escape Cruise Ship

28 readers found this review helpful

Wife and I just returned from our very first cruise. We late booked a week on the Island Escape on the Mediterranean Discovery itinerary. After reading some of the comments we were a little apprehensive but we had a fantastic time. The food is worth a special mention, it was excellent with plenty of choice, catering for all tastes. There are two buffet restaurants, the Beachcomber (open 24 hours) which has plastic plates and mugs but this is to allow meals to be taken out on deck and the Island restaurant which is more formal, being shown to your seat next to other diners, however you can request to be on your own. The third restaurant, the Oasis is a la carte and meals are extra at around £15 per person for four excellent courses. Drinks prices are reasonable considering the location and there's entertainment to suit all tastes. There were always sun loungers available (towels provided) with plenty of non-smoking areas. Yes the ship is in need of a refurb and the pool is small but the cabin was clean with shower gel and soap provided. Hygiene is prominent with hand sanitizer dispensers all over the ship and at entrances to restaurants (and they make sure you use them). The staff cannot do enough for you. We went on several well organised excursions with good guides the only complaint being refreshments aren't included even on the full-day ones. Asking other passengers how this cruise compares they all said it was excellent value for money and we agree. We were warned we'd be hooked on cruising and this has been an excellent introduction.

20 readers found this review helpful

we were on the island escape in 208 and we have booked again for june 24.we had a real good time on her.the cabins were kept clean,the food good,friendly staff,and the entertainment is better than some of the cruises we have been on.ok,she is getting on abit but is having a refit later this year.thomsons ,island escape owners must be congratulated on bringing those brits back to falmouth.well done. so our final words are ,you hear the moans,but we say ,try it yourselves,we had a good time.ann derek. penzance.

26 readers found this review helpful

We booked this holiday a while ago but after reading some of the reviews we were a little worried. Well we certainly had NOTHING to worry about. This was a FAB holiday. (we know the ship is due for refurbishment and is a little ready but is isnt a problem at all, unless you are extremly picky!). This was a bargain priced cruise holiday for myself my hubby and two sons aged 12 and 15 years. The places we visited on our Colourful Coasts Cruise were lovely. The ship had FANTASTIC entertainment.Ross excels himself as cruise director and his collegues too. (We loved the Cinderella show and the Pool Olympics). The whole entertainment staff are amazing. The shows in the Ocean Theatre were fabulous musical shows. Lorren,Chris and Ryan have amazing singing voices. The dancers are also amazing. Well done to you all. The food is fantastic, there is so much choice and 24 hours a day. The hand sanitisers are always attended by a member of staff so they are used properly (even though some still walk past espically lone children, but thats up to adults to sort)and we never heard of any problems. We also loved the beautiful fruit,Vegetable and ice carvings too.The variety of entertainment was fab espically when the weather wasnt as good as expected there was plenty to do inside. The pub bar had fantastic entertainment too with Assen, Bobby or the Butterfly Collectors. They were SO worth watching and listening too. Our cabin wes on deck 6 and was ample for how much time we spent in there. It was kept extremly clean and tidy constantly (we love the animal towel decorations thank you) Our cruise was extended by a week and we were never asked for an extra penny. The same super service just carried on.It was due to the Icelandic ash cloud and the way we were looked after was totally amazing. Huge thanks to Captain David Bathgate who kept us informed constantly. The entire staff on the Island Escape were great. We had extra shows made for us as the staff were as always so happy and friendly. We got to know a few of them and want to thank them for there true friendly manner. Mary(Maryina) and Julius helped to make our holiday more special. We got into Falmouth and the staff were all helpful in a stressful time (thank you) and all the coaches were there to bring us all back to our airport carparks. Even the bus driver was fab!! We arrived back at EMA and we couldnt believe a Thompsons rep was there waiting (we honestly didnt expect that). She shown us to the carcark assistant to sort that out too and even that wes a week free of charge, amazing....... We want to thank Thompsons and Island Cruisers Island Escape for EVERYTHING you did for us. THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!!

18 readers found this review helpful

I have travelled on island cruises since 2004 and did 5 cruises, 4 on the Island escape and 1 on the Island Star, I must strongly state that following the drastic changes to the 23/04/2010-06/05/2010 I would never or even contemplate another cruise with Thompson, I by far is the worst experience I have encountered on a much waited for holiday, 25% is an insult to the passengers that cruised with myself and my family. Thompson should be ashamed of how they treated their costumers who paid alot of money for the cruise. Since Thompson has taken over, the standards has dropped and I strongly advise future customers to think about this when booking their next cruise.I have never wrote a review before, but I wanted to warn future customers who have worked hard in this recession to save for their holiday, not to through their money away on a Thompson cruise. I would strongly suggest that you should go with a company who will look after ther customers and who also, if needed have a good after sales customer relations to deal with problems that you may encounter.I paid almost £3,000 pounds for the cruise from hell.

23 readers found this review helpful

We would strongly agree that Thomsons are offering inadequate compensation for the severe disruption, discomfort and disappointment which we passengers experienced on the Island Escape from 23rd April to 6th May. We are taking steps to recover a more substantial amount and also feel that the Island Escape should have a total re-fit before taking any further bookings. The staff were great, they deserve a better ship on which to work.

16 readers found this review helpful

after reading the reviews before our holiday we were concerned that we had made the wrong choice and tried to change our holiday, due to short notice this was not possible however we were glad we didnt. agreeably this ship needs updating in places but it was kept spotlessly clean and also had hand sanitizers all around the ship but is it any wonder that norovirus and other infections occur when the odd few people wont use them.food was of excellent quality with a large choice allday everyday.we booked a meal in the oasis restaurant for a special occasion and this was first class.lots of entertainment to choose from and the entertainment team worked very hard puting on the shows even on the third week when they had to come up with fresh shows because of no guest acts appearing . we booked a two week cruise but due to the volcanic ash we had another week the captain and his crew did everything to make this a very enjoyable holiday and they didnt disapoint.everyone who worked on the boat was always very polite and helpful. tours were a little expensive but your choice if you go on them or not its easy to get taxi or bus.arrived back in falmouth on the friday .....WHAT A WELCOME!!!well done thomson

24 readers found this review helpful

just come back from cruise worst experiance of my life
ship broke down on first day we were at sea for six days
will not go onn ship again .they have given us 25% back.
i want at least 50%back .
A VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER.

23 readers found this review helpful

my wife and I were on this ship in april of this year.It was our first cruse.
I can only say its the best holiday we have ever had .The cabin we were in was spotless.and kept tyhat way by the cabin crew. the food out if this world staff could not do enough for us.everone on board were friendly and in holiday mood . I would recomend this type of holiday anyone.

What a horrendous time we had on board this ship. Have cruised with Thomson and loved every minute of this, but this ship was something else. Norovirus was active, everyone in my party got ill, we even got kicked off the ship for one night in a hotel so they could spray it. What was the point when staff handling food didn't wear gloves?
Hygeine appaling, food cold. Entertainment ok. One person died on board many others seriously ill. I'd be hear all day moaning but its mpointless. This ship needs major changes!

19 readers found this review helpful

We cannot thank Captain David Bathgate, his crew, Ross Roberts & his team & everybody involved with this ship, enough for the excellent care and hospitality shown to us throughout our holiday, especially when it was extended due to the Icelandic volcanic ash incident. We had a fantastic time. It was our 4th cruise in 2 years and compares just as well in entertainment, food & cleanliness to the Island Star, Thomson Celebration & Thomson Calypso and don't forget it is getting a major refurb this October. You get what you pay for!!!