Reviews of Island Escape Cruise Ship, Island Escape, Island Cruises

Well, having read some of the...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr S Lovekin

Comments:

Well, having read some of the bad reviews, I was dubious about going on the Island Escape. However, I arrived back in the UK yesterday after having 7 fabulous days on board cruising the Med. There were a couple of minor issues, but I will go into those towards the end. Arrival at Palma was a breeze, collected luggage, met the rep, was taken to the check in desk in the airport, given the envelope containing cruise credit card, check in details etc. We were then met by another rep who directed us to the luxury coach outside the door, and then another rep escorting us onto the coach!! They were all UK reps who were so so friendly. Within 20 mins of collecting our luggage, we were on our way to the ship. Our luggage was taken to our room for us our holiday began! Overall, the food was nice, bit bland towards the end, but still very well presented, hot and very edible! The staff were the most friendliest on any cruise ship I have ever been on, all smiles and could not do enough for you, nothing was to much trouble! The ship itself was very clean, drinks reasonably priced, evening entertainment was a little boring to be honest, but there was always plenty going on so there was never a dull night! Now the not so good bits......!!! There is no mini fridge in the room, so the drinks that they offer you in the room are warm and uninviting! The staff in guest relations need to speak English as a first language as it can be difficult to speak to them to get yourt point across! The rooms... I was told that earlier in 2008, Island Escape had a refit, well, I think we were lucky enough to get a refitted room! We were on Deck 4. How do I know? Well, our room was clean, tidy, of a good size, bathroom was clean and tidy, fairly new as well. There were no issues with our room whatsoever. On our day of departure, we paid £30 to get a room all day until we had to depart to the airport later in the afternoon. This room allocated to us was awful, something from a 1950's Butlins Holiday camp, it was grotty, smelly and the bathroom was mouldy and the fittings were ancient. So, if you get a new room, lucky you!!! Overall..... It was a lovely cruise, if I didn't hate flying so much, I would go back next year and try the Island Star as well.... Don't be put off by the bad comments, if you are new to cruising, then give it a go, its a great experience... These couple of small items have not put me off going back on board the Island Escape, enjoy and have a great time!!!!

This was our first ever...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs H Williams

Comments:

This was our first ever cruise.Before we left i read every review going on the Island Escape.I wish i never!!!! there were so bad reviews.Well i can tell you it was the best holiday i have had.The other reviews mention that the staff are so friendly,i totally agree,every member of staff was first class,they looked after you so well.The food was great as you can eat 24hrs a day.We dined in the Oasis restaraunt three times once because we had treat out Mum and Dad due it being there Golden Wedding Anniversary.Then they treat us for taking them on holiday and the third time because we were truly welcomed by all the staff in there.A big thanks to Julian and David our waiters.My Daughter aged 10yrs truly enjoyed it,we never saw her she met so many friends.The entertainment was fantastic you could never be bored something going on all the time.The cabins were very clean,sheets and towels were renewed every day and thanks to our cabin Steward Nilesh he made a different animal out of towels every day my daughter was always waiting to go into the cabin to see what animal it was.We were on the Emerald Deck and i would definatley pick that Deck again,we had a outside cabin so it was amazing to wake up in a different country everyday.Well me and my family are back home now,and we all wish we were back on the escape.

The ship was dirty and cabins...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Itinerary:

Not Specified

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs J Hudson

Comments:

The ship was dirty and cabins extremely small. If you like Pontins in high season this is your perfect holiday, its over run with children who have reps who are having more fun than the children. Carpets had holes in them but don't let a small thing like that spoil your holiday as you need your energy to fight for a sunbed. Entertainment was ok, and food was plentliful. Cleaners and bar staff extremely helpful and jolly.

Returned from a 1 week holiday...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

mediteraenean Explorer

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs LI Holmes

Comments:

Returned from a 1 week holiday on the 8th July. This is the 2nd time we have cruised on the island Escape. We did 2 weeks last year. We love this cruise ship, ALL of the staff are friendly, helpful and genuinely care about you and your holiday, and do their utmost to make sure you enjoy it. The sundowner is brilliant and the staff are wonderful. Entertainment is great and such a laugh. Ross the assistant cruise director is a scream. The food is very very good in all restaraunts. The cabins are in need of an upgrade but they were spotless, the stewards and stewardess worked extremly hard to keep your cabins clean and leave you a different animal every night made with towels. Very clever. I have no complaints at all about the Island Escape. Roll on next year!

Just back from a cruise and...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Not Specified

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Virgin

Submitted By:

Mr E CRUMMIE

Comments:

Just back from a cruise and stay, was on the Island Escape the first week and loved it. I can't for the life of me see why people have been so negative about this cruise and ship. The friendliest staff I have ever encountered, entertainment was top notch, food was superb. The cabin was a bit small and slightly noisy on the fourth floor but hey it's a boat, what do you expect? My advice is ignore these bad reviews, the people must have been either unlucky or impossible to please! The second part of the holiday in the hotel Los Principles was also very good, a genuine 4 star set up, had a most enjoyable stay.

Have just returned from a cruise...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Med Spirit

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Best4Cruises

Submitted By:

Mr R McWilliam

Comments:

Have just returned from a cruise on Island Escape. What a fantastic holiday, the staff are excellent and can not help you enough, very friendly ship Captain even pointed out different things to view while at sea, the food variety was excellent sometimes a bit cold but still enjoyable.

cabins cleaned every day and ship always being maintained and cleaned. Ports of call overhaul very good trips a bit pricey would go on more if they were a bit cheaper.

Entertainment very good something for everyone everyday.

will be going again next year and hopefully taking some of the family. no more hotel holidays for us.

Just got back yesterday from 7...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Itinerary:

Med Spirit

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs A Drury

Comments:

Just got back yesterday from 7 night cruise on the Island Escape. We have never cruised before & actually haven't been abroad for 15 years so were very apprehensive to say the least, especially after reading some of the previous reviews.



From arriving at Palma airport we were completely taken care of. The transfer to ship and embarkation were very well organised, and were in our cabin in no time.



The crew and staff were unbelievably friendly and helpful - nothing was too much trouble, and always smiling. I agree with one of the other comments about the over enthusiastic bar staff in trying to get you to have another drink - but since we were all inclusive that wasn't an issue for us. The ship was clean - the staff constantly wiping and polishing, and finished plates were moved almost immediately. The food was plentiful and always available. We tended to dine in the island restaurant most times - treated ourselves once in the oasis restaurant and just had snacks in the beachcomber.



There was only one time I felt the need to complain - we could not get any hot water in the shower - within an hour it had been fixed. Excellent service.



Yes, the ship does need a bit of money spending on it. The outside chairs and tables and the sunloungers around the pool really could do with replacing - they really have had their day. They seem to have been replaced on the top decks. The pool was very small - but adequate for a quick cooling off. The Beachcomber was little more than a cafe - but again ideal if you have young children or want to eat at anytime.



Overall, I have come back from this cruise feeling completely refreshed, more relaxed than I can remember for a long time. The best thing if you are new to cruising and going on this ship is - just go with an open mind. Don't expect glamour and glitz, just expect cleanliness, friendliness, good service. I would definetly go again.

Just back from a cruise/stay...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

meditteranean discovery

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Ms M Eakins

Comments:

Just back from a cruise/stay holiday on the Island Escape. I can't believe some of the bad comments. I've met people who have holidayed on this boat 7 years running and everyone I seemed to speak to had been on it before. Infact, there was a constant stream of people re-booking on board throughout the week. This was the most fabulous holiday - I had a great second week in Puerto Pollensa but it took a couple of days before I could enjoy it as the first week of the cruise had spoilt us so much! The food is fantastic, staff brilliant and altho' the cabins are a bit small & old fashioned (there were 4 of us in an outside cabin/coral deck) we managed & they were kept spotless! I would have no hesitation on recommending this cruise and I've other friends who have sailed other cruise-lines and prefer the Island Escape/Star for their friendliness! I had a 4-yr old with us and he loved the kids club which was for 3-6 yrs and I couldn't keep him away from it, my 12yr old son loved the cruise so much, he wants to go back next year!



RE: Excursions - we did the Mediterranean Discovery & we paid for the Maddalena Island (Olbia) as my parents had been on this trip before & recommended it, and Monte Carlo/Monaco trips. Don't bother with the Maddalena Island trip - most of it was on a bus/ferry and we only got to spend 40mins walking around the town (had a word with my mum when I got back - however she said that their trip had spent more time on the island but hadn't had a bus tour of it like we had!!!). The full-day Monaco/Monte Carlo trip was really worthwhile, especially with 2 kids and we wouldn't have seen half of it if we had done it ourselves.



Cititavecchia- We took the train (10mins walk from where free shuttle from cruise to town drops you off) to Rome ourselves for 9 euros return and got off at Rome Termini and walked up to one of the open topped buses for a tour (don't use the green bus - we waited 45 mins for a bus at the Colusseum) - but get a red one as they were plentiful which is what you need when you are getting on/off and time is limited. We got the 3.30 train back to cititavecchia which got us back about 5.10 pm as it didn't leave until 3.50 - but that was plenty of time to do the tour and get off a few places.



La Spezia - we took the ferry to Portavenere - the terminal is only 100 yds from where the cruise tenders drop you off and cost 6 euros return- it is gorgeous with a church on a cliff (very Mamma Mia) a castle and lovely views and well worth a visit



Olbia - not much to do, if you want to go to the beach nearby you can get a bus - dont go on the Maddalena Island tour unless you like to sit on a coach, personally I love lots of time to walk about and explore places. We felt afterwards we should have stayed on the cruise ship as there is loads to do!



Mahon - not much there, we got off & walked around the town for an hour then went back on the ship



Nice - we were supposed to dock in Villefranche but docked in Nice - we did the tour to Monaco which was great but I spoke to plenty who did it themselves - but with 2 kids we felt we saw much more and it was value for money and they weren't bored at all.



Facilities - I used the beauty spa facilities on board - they have offers every day and were much cheaper than any at home! e.g. full body massages for £40 for 1.5hrs, facials for £25 - Its well worth a pampering session!



All-in all - a fantastic holiday - I'd be back in a heartbeat! I'm fussy about standards/food hygiene but the food was hot, plentiful and excellent quality. Staff were so friendly, entertainment was top-notch, people could dress up at night or dress down it was up to themselves, mykids loved it. Better still - there were none of the lager louts from the resorts, the passengers all were very friendly, there was none of the cigarette smoke smell that other reviews complained off - we don't smoke & I hate the smell of smoke - the only place that it could be smelt was in the Sundowner bar at night - and it was the same level that you would get in any pub in a holiday resort. We were at the shows in other areas - smoke-free - so there was nothing to moan about! Also, despite all-inclusive packages available, there were no swearing drunks, fighting matches and screaming kids running amok -it was all very civilized! Have a great time on the Island Escape - I'm jealous of you already and I can't wait to go back!

We were virgin cruisers and had...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Itinerary:

Mediterranian Isles

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Ms K Preston

Comments:

We were virgin cruisers and had no idea what to expect! Our booking journey direct with Island Cruises was impeccable considering we booked only a few days before we cruised.

Airport transfers were fairly smooth although we arrived to baggage collection point 12 which is at the bottom point of the baggage collection area. We then had to find our contact at the top end of arrivals at Palma airport - we were then guided to our transfer coach. The journey from airport to port was approx 15-20mins.



Once onboard the ship we were warmly welcomed and shown straight to our cabin on deck 4. First impressions of the corridor and cabin were that it was rather tatty and in need of some decoration - I am however a seasoned traveller used to at least 4* accommodation. The cabin however was extremely clean and tidy - all credit to the steward who looked after our cabin throughout the cruise!



Our next adventure was the lift system which seems to have a mind of it's own - this didn't hinder us though as once you see all the food on offer you soon realise that the stairs are great exercise!!



Onboard we found that eating was well and above catered for - in fact it was almost obscene the amount of food that was available!



Beachcomber Restaurant is open 24hours. We only ate in there for a quick breakfast and for snacks. It's basically a canteen where you queue up for your food. There's no question on the variety of food available, it's definately there however, there is not much pleasure in eating there in my opinion.



Island Restaurant is where we chose to eat - the food is much the same as the Beachcomber but you are shown to your table and the food is presented much better - seems to taste better too! Dining is still buffet style but so much better presented in my opinion. You also get waiters clearing your table and serving water and after dinner coffee/tea. Men need to wear trousers in this restaurant and the ladies seemed to dress up more - we liked this restaurant much more!



Oasis Restaurant - we didn't choose to dine here. The menu is different, not much, and you pay extra - approx £8.50 - £12.50. There didn't seem to be that much difference in menu quality and therefore we chose the Island restaurant all the way!



Bars were all great service - in fact it seemed at times that the service was over and above, almost intrusive. I suspect the waiters are on a basic wage and they get a kick back for the amount of drinks they serve. That said they did seem to calm down when they realised your level of drink ordering. You don't incur a service charge for drinks served by waiter service so relax and take advantage of this I say!



Entertainment was much and plentiful. The party by the pool was something to be missed in my opinion but then it's just not my bag! Throughout the cruise there is a huge programme to keep you entertained if you so wish - we didn't! We were happy taking a cocktail or 3 on the upper deck where it was quiet within either smoking or non smoking most nights.



The Nigh****ch Bar was open for disco and late drinks for those that wanted late music and drinks.



Excursions were organised and plentiful but prob for those that had no confidence to do their own thing ashore. We chose to do our own thing at every port except for Italy where we chose the Rome cycling excursion.



The whole day was excellent from start to finish. It was truly the best way to see all of Rome and we aren't fit or experienced cyclist's! I would sincerely recommend this trip - you cycle through Rome seeing all the sights and you also see the real Rome via back streets. You are guided all the way with either Marcus or Oliver who are so sorted it's untrue! I couldn't recommend this tour enough - it was truly the best way to see a fantastic city cycling by all the best sights but at the same time they took on board all levels of cycling. I am fat and unfit and I loved it!! If you do choose to do a cycle tour I would recommend that you pre book before your cruise - the places are very limited and they soon get taken up!!!

Well where do I start? Having...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr N Evans

Comments:

Well where do I start? Having read the reviews on this site and being cruise virgins we were a little concerned on what to find when we arrived on the docks in Palma.



All right the ship is not brand new and the cabins are not massive but who spends a holiday in your room? Not me! On the other hand it is very clean and the waiting on and cleaning staff not only couldn't do enough for you they were genuinely very friendly and very hard working.



We have holidayed in 4 and 5 star hotels in the past and the food and service excelled anything we have experienced before.



We found the entertainment excellent, not only in the theatre where the shows take place but also in the Bounty Lounge where we joined in the salsa classes.



On the excursions I thought they were very expensive especially the panoramic tour of Palermo in Sicily that we ventured off the boat to take. £28 each for a ride up a hill to a small chapel in a cave and then 2 hours on a coach driving around Palermo looking at the rubbish blowing around the streets and the graffiti on the walls!



Saying that, the highlight of the cruise for both of us was a cycling tour of Rome, a little bit hair raising at times but excellent value for money at just under £50 each, if you can cycle and you are not afraid of city traffic Don't miss out on this tour it's definitely one not to miss, even if you are only going to see Marcus the tour guide in his cycle shorts like my partner, you won't be disappointed. Rome was a lovely place to visit and you get to see a lot more in a day. We enjoyed it that much we tried to go on other cycle tours only to find that they were all booked up, so if it's your thing get your name down early.



Prices on the ship for drinks are very similar to home with a glass of red wine £2.40 and a pint of Boddingtons £2.60.



As for some of the reviews I have read, it's a shame you can't please all of the people all of the time. On our cruise we heard people moaning about not having Tetley teabags on board and the pool was too small to swim lengths - some people will always moan!



Overall we had a great holiday and it was definitely value for money. We would not only cruise again but we wouldn't hesitate about going on the Island Escape.



If you've booked to go, have a lovely time. If you are still thinking about it, give it a try. It's a great way to see different places effortlessly.

My partener and I booked a...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss D Law

Comments:

My partener and I booked a cruise holiday as he was new to cruising so I thought that I would book the Island Escape, and what a great choice we made, as it was absoultely brilliant.

We were all inclusive which ment all locally produced drinks were free, we must have drunk the ship dry beacuse we drinking every night, the entertainment was great, there was something for every one, and my partner smokes and there was even a smoking lounge with entertainment. The meals were great, and you could eat as much a you liked, which made us put on a stone each. We made friends with people who we still kep in touch with, its been a year now and I still rave on about the island escape. The only thing I have to say bad is we were booked as a cruise & stay, and ended up in a terrible hotel for the second week im palma nova, mallorca, but that had nothing to do with the island escape.

I am going cruising again on the carnival glory, with the people i met from the island esacpe, so that should be great, we are going to florida and the bahamas, and if its anything like the island escape experience it will be a great holiday again, i know in the futrure i will be back on the island escape for another great time.

My husband and myself went on...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Itinerary:

Med Discovery

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

winsonic

Comments:

My husband and myself went on the Med Discovery Cruise on 24th June for 7 days.

I went with much trepidation after reading some very critical reports on the Island Escape.

I would say to anyone venturing on this ship do it don't read too much into reports.

We thoroughly enjoyed it, yes it is casual, but I enjoyed this aspect, didn't want to dress up every evening.

The food that is served is second to none, even up in the beachcomber. I was expecting plastic cups and knives and forks, it is nothing like that, they are melamine, I think the reason being people carry food & drinks out to the pool.

The only real complaint is the excursions, they were really expensive for what they were, but then you could always do your own thing which we did most of the time.

Everyone is so friendly, from the cabin stewards to the restaurant staff, and so polite.

Also the shows in the theatre are first class, most of the acts are flown onto the ship the day that they appear. With of course the entertainment staff who are brilliant at their jobs.

So once again, if you are like me and worried about going, dont be, you will enjoy it.

Returned just over a week ago...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Itinerary:

Medierranean Discovery

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs J Savage

Comments:

Returned just over a week ago (wish we had brought the weather back with us ) We booked this holiday as a late deal 3 weeks before and got a cracking deal . We have sailed with Island cruises before on The Star and also with Ocean Village .

As one of the other reviewers said its not the Q E 2 nor does it pretend to be,Yes it wants a lot of updating mainly the cabins we were on deck 6 and it was like a bad 1960s caravan but having said that how long are you in them for! The cabin stewards keep them spotless and cant do enough for you and that goes for the rest of the staff and crew allways smiling .



The choice of food is amazing there is somthing for everyone we had breakfast most mornings on deck , same with lunch we made the most of eating out in the sunshine,

in the evening we had 3 nights in the Oasis restaurant and the food was great,I wasnt keen on the Island restaurant just because the tables were to close together and it was hard work getting in and out for your food and also Im on hoilday and I like being pampered.



The shows are amazing the guest acts are fab and catch the guy in the pub who sings and plays on the piano he does a fantastic blues session .



We had a wonderful relaxing holiday and would certainly do it again if but would wait for a deal .



If you could put all the staff and crew on the ocean village 2 ship you would have the perfect cruise ship.



Hope you have a wonderful holiday enjoy

Hello
My family and 1 went...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Itinerary:

island escape [discovery]

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss Francesca Fennnell

Comments:

Hello

My family and 1 went on the island escape recently , we throughly enjoyed it and are hoping to go back.

The crew are very friendly and helpful and the rooms [even though are abit cramped and need updating] were very clean.Our cleaner came in about twice a day to clean the rooms which he really did.

He also went out of his way and made a swan and monkey out of a towel !!!!!

The dinning was o.k ................. the waiteers really do look after you.

I would definely go back again !!

Well, we have just spent the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Med Discovery

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs J A Lowe

Comments:

Well, we have just spent the last week (24th June – 2nd July) sailing around the Med and it was great fun! This was our very first experience of a cruise and it was also our honeymoon. We were both a little unsure as to what to expect, but we were far from disappointed.



Captain Adrian Hibbert and his crew were marvellous. We were constantly updated on ports, weather conditions and even what time the dolphins were likely to appear on the Port side! The food was constantly flowing, lots of choice and the chef’s, waiters and waitresses all worked extremely hard and constantly round the clock.



Island Escape were very organised, from meeting us at the airport, arranging luggage labels for us, to transferring us by coach to the port, then our luggage was delivered to our cabins for us, what better service could anyone ask for?



The excursions were very well organised and our feet are still aching from our trip to Rome! Great place, but a bit rushed and I feel the need for another trip to Rome coming on very shortly! I understand there’s lots to do in a place like that and that we were restricted to timescales, but very enjoyable and it was a nice taster for a longer visit to Rome in the future.



Jose was our Cabin Steward and looked after our cabin extremely well. We had clean bedding and towels daily and even a swan, a dog with glasses on and a monkey made from towels! We took pictures of these to show everyone at home. Very creative and talented and you kept us entertained each time we returned to our cabin, we found something different!



Gary Rawlings the Cruise Director worked extremely hard preparing for not just the daytime entertainment and the daily run of things, but the evening too! We had the “daily chat” delivered each day which gave a run down of the whole of the ship’s entertainment and detailed information on the port for the next day. Very well prepared and informative.



Mick Dundee was very funny and great entertainment was shown in the Bounty Lounge. There was no chance of getting bored, everything was spot on.



The Sundowner pub was great fun with Al the pianist and Assen (hope I’ve spelt that right) on the guitar, very talented musicians and also Easton who was a talented bar man dancing with a bottle of Courvoisier on his head! Starlite (Claire & Steve) had great voices and kept us entertained, even though we didn’t score too well in the 60’s quiz, but it was fun evening.



The boutique staff were very helpful and I wear my jewellery and perfume with pride.



We will take away many happy memories of our honeymoon on Island Escape and a big thank you to Captain Hibbert, the crew and all the staff on board. We would both like to thank you for making our trip a very memorable one. The Island escape certainly lives up to its motto, relaxed, friendly & informal. We would both definitely recommend Island Escape to anyone and we will certainly be cruising with you again in the future.



Best Regards

Mr & Mrs Lowe

Cabin Number 9007