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

Me my husband and 89 year old...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Med Spirit

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs GA English

Comments:

Me my husband and 89 year old dad went on this our first cruise. We wanted something informal as at 89 my dad does not want to be trussed up in a dinner suit to eat. We booked a premier outside cabin with a restricted view so we could all share and after reading the reviews I must admit I went expecting to find the cabin a shoe box. This however was not the case the cabin was plenty big enough for the three of us and had plenty of storage space. Yes you dont get QE2 standards but then again your not paying QE2 prices. The entertainment was fantastic and all the staff from the captain down to the maintenance staff worked so hard and were all extremely friendly. We went on an all inclusive deal and I would recommend this to anybody (No huge bar bills to pay) We found the food to be of a very good standard and thought the Island restaurant was very good. The Beachcomer was great for lunch when you did not want to change out of your bathing suit very relaxed. My dad has not stopped talking about this holiday since we returned on 24th June 08 and would like to do another next year!!! Maybe were easily pleased but I dont think so. We all like good food and enjoy a decent drink with good company and good entertainment and that is exactly what we got on this cruise. Just one bad comment the cabins could do with tea and coffee making facilities. It was a bit difficult carrying 3 cups back from the beachcomer on deck 10 to our cabin on deck 9 each morning.

It was our first time on a...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs H Clifford

Comments:

It was our first time on a cruise and didn't want a formal cruise. We found this ideal as we felt we did not have to dress up if we did not want to. The crew were very friendly. The entertainment was great, with a good variety, for all age groups. The food was excellent with a good variety to choose from. The cabin was kept clean and tidy with fresh towels every day. Talking with other passengers we found out that this was one of the best ships around. The excursions were well organised and even though we had a change of port they seem to take it in there stride. We would have no hesitation on recommending it to our friends. We are looking forward to going again.

Please be under no illusion this...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr K HOWELL

Comments:

Please be under no illusion this is NOT a cruise ship it is FERRY the cabins are no larger than the Pride of Hull P/O North Sea Ferries.If you pay ten pounds a night to dine in the Oasis it is a good experience, if you dine in the Island it is not ,it is like dining in the motorway sevices.

Staff are excellent and make a bad situation bearable, the tours are expensive and not value fro money ex CAPRI you only get 4 hours on the island and 45 mins is taken up on a boat trip around the island ,did not have time to go Anna Capri please be aware a day trip is not a full day but a ship in port day, which may only be 7 or 8 hrs including re-embarking.,

Got back last Tuesday(17/06/08)...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

the east man

Comments:

Got back last Tuesday(17/06/08) after a wonderfull 2 weeks on the Island Escape. Reading all the reviews so far on this ship, the main concern seems to be the state of the ship. It's not the Oceania, QM2, or the QE2, and it dosen't pretend to be. I would class it as a good 3/4star hotel. With the friendliest crew and staff you are ever likely to meet. In fact, for the last 2 years it has been voted the friendliest ship on the Med. The food isn't Gordan Ramsey standard, but still of a pretty high standard, with a good selection, and plenty of it. Yes, some of the cabins probably need a refurbish, but they are very comfortable, and very clean. Having talk to other passengers who have cruised before, not one had a bad word to say about the Island Escape. Yes, they have been on better ships, but none have the atmosphere of the IE. Many passengers on board where returning passengers, which also says a lot.

The entertainment was excellent, from the great musicals and star guests in the Ocean Theatre, to the hilarious TV game shows and crew entertainers in the Bounty Lounge. Myself and my wife are not the sort to really get involved with are look to get up on the stage, but like to sit back and enjoy the shows, but the crew entertainers deserve a special mention as they absoulty work their backsides off from morning to night. Ross, Gary, Mick, Danny, Vicky, Cynthia, thankyou for a wonderful fortnight.

Just a wee update on the state of the ship. From watching the video in the cabin and talking to other passengers this is the improvments since the start of the year. Decks 12 and 11 have been recovered, in artificial grass and looks really smart. The sundowner bar, and it's surronding deck was completly taken down and rebuilt. The Beachcomber resturant flooring has been replaced, and new food workstations installed. The whole pool area has been refurbished including new decking, and looks pretty smart. The casino was fully refurbished, but made smaller to allow for a the new Champions Bar. The Ocean theatre has had all the upholstry replaced, and new carpets through out most of the rest of the ship. Over all I thought the ship looked pretty smart.

Anyone going on this ship, please just go and enjoy the experience. The ships motto is Relaxed, Informal, and friendly, and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

P.S. if anyone wants to contact me with any questions about the ship or tours, or anything else about the Island Escape, please email me at garthglens@hotmail.com I will only be to happy to help.

Overall experience was good...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Itinerary:

Full Board

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss I O'' Brien

Comments:

Overall experience was good staff and people very friendly.



I am writing this review to warn people about the very bad exchange rate given if you pay your bill in EURO the rate given is .54 pence sterling to 1euro which is a complete rip off considering the bank are giving above .77 pence per euro. My advice is to exchange your money before you go or else get off the boat at any of the stops and change it in a bank.



ALL CHARGES ON CRUISE ARE STERLING £££££££

We loved our first cruise.The...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs D MANN

Comments:

We loved our first cruise.The staff on the ship were fantastic and couldn`t do enough for you.We had our 13 year old son with us and they had a teenage club for him which he went to every night from 8pm-11pm he thought it was great and it meant we could watch the different shows that we knew he wouldn`t be interested in.Our son has asked us to book up next year as he liked is so much.The food was also great and I loved going up to the Beachcomber at 4pm and getting my hot fruit scones every day.

For first time cruisers we...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S Kiddle

Comments:

For first time cruisers we looked at every review before we sailed, how i wish we hadnt. was feeling really apprehensive about whether we had done the right thing. I wish i hadnt wasted my time worrying we have just had the best week ever! From the very first moment we were thoroughly spoiled by the staff and the entertainment on offer. All shore stops except marseille were excellent. Will definately return to florence and barcelona. thats the beauty of the cruise it gives you chance to see different places.

A must to go see is Ross doing his own caberet act, we havent had such a good laugh for so long. Our cabin steward Mari was excellent, and we really enjoyed the company of Maria and Jerome in the casino.

All i can say is that we have already booked for next year so that speaks for its self. so if you are first timers like us stop worrying you are in for a right treat.

We had a lovely week cruising...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs M Sullivan

Comments:

We had a lovely week cruising the med (although first day or so the sea was a bit rough) wonderful excursions at a fair price. As usual on cruise ships, the staff were great always smiling and polite, even at the end of a long shift. Airport transfers were fine. The downside was the state of our cabin, it was very well worn. The shower room was dreadful with the vanity unit being chipped - some of the chips had been partially repaired and some had not. There were too many people for the facilities, and most meal times there were quite long queues outside the restaurant. Comments I overhead about the 24-hour 'restaurant' (which we only used once) were 'it's like a holiday camp' and 'better service in prison'. Although the food was plentiful, there was not much variety, and it was obvious that leftover food was being recycled the next day. Which may account for the fact that I picked up a stomach bug towards the end of the holiday -I only drank coffee whilst ashore, so it must have come from the ship!

What can i say,The best holiday...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship spirit

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S GLOVER

Comments:

What can i say,The best holiday ever, I was very worried when i read some of the reviews on this cruise ship especially one i read about the cabin we had pre- booked. Someone had wrote that the cabin we had booked vibrated that much they had to move to a different one because they had no sleep. I have never slept better. The ship is fantastic it was like being in a five star hotel,the food was great and so much to choose from,the staff are outstanding,and their is so much to do. I could not even start to say just how good this cruise was because everything about it was just great. It was our first cruise and wont be our last,We booked again for next year while we were on the ship. Please try it and ignore the reviews, To put the cruise into one word FANTASTIC......

having just returned from my...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

med spirit

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr J A FOSTER

Comments:

having just returned from my first ever cruise. i cant wait to go on another.i spent weeks looking at reviews for the island escape.. and i must admit i was a little put off. however DONT BELIEVE ALL YOU READ,(accept this) so anyone who. like me is thinking about going on a cruise. this is an exccelent choice. from the very first time my wife and i stepped on board we were looked after, our cabin stewardess.NIOMI was a diamond. she kept our cabin spotless for the whole week we were there. we were entertained every night (something diffrent) and during the day. games/shows/comedy/quizes/... you name it they did it. for those who wanted to go on excursions. they were available.and fully organised.. even though me andthe wife did think they were a little expensive. but if you didnt go on any tours theres plenty to do on board. with the excellent daytime activities, or simply do your own thing ashore. or maybe you just want to laze around..eating and drinking in one of the many bars and resturants.. the choice of food is great the waiting staff who are excelent cant do enough for you.. i must say at this point that the resturants are really on the ball when it comes to food hygiene..there is only one fault i can say about the food is that it could do with bieng kept hotter..as the hot meals i had were never quite hot enough..drinks prices are what you pay at home.. bar staff again excellent service..cant fault them..so i can definately recomend .. ISLAND ESCAPE. to anyone who wants to cruise even if its your first time.. you wont be dissapointed.even our captain and his crew interacted with the passengers..we met some marvellous people on board..everyone so friendly.to sum up we found the whole experience of our first cruise in a word..MAGIC..so anyone..(who like me) is looking for an informal and friendly cruise. then i cant fault this one...

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ignore...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Not Specified

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs S Baker

Comments:

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ignore all of the negative comments. This cruise ship is brilliant.



We have just come back from our first ever cruise and all I can say is I was very impressed. I was extremely worried before going because every review I read made it sound awful so to be honest my expectations were a little on the low side. The staff are so fantastically friendly and honestly couldn't do enough for us. The kids club Emily, Cat and Rafael were absolute angels and so good at thier jobs.



The days flew by there was so much to do.



Yes I admit the cabins (we stayed on deck 5) could do with a bit of a makeover, but honestly how long do you stay in your cabin for.



Food in restaurants was excellent lots of choice (somebody said about surviving on chips, thats really not the case in the week were aboard I never once saw chips in the island restaurant. Yes they were in the Beachcomber but that was more like a cafe). I can't believe that there could possibly be anybody who couldn't find something they liked.



So all in all a brilliant holiday that I would reccomend infact I got brochures today for my next cruise!!!

We landed back off our cruise...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Itinerary:

mediterranean spirit

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss K Andrews

Comments:

We landed back off our cruise yesterday. I wish i was going on holiday to get over it.

Feel like i havent been away.



The arrivals at palma were bad, waiting over an hour for our suitcases, rep was by the exit doors, so couldnt ask what was going on, or to make sure they hadnt gone without us while we waited.



We finally got to the ship, all excited to be let down by our cabin. We were on Deck 5, midship with window. Opened the door, and stopped an looked in shock as it was the spitting image of the retro 80's caravan we were unfortunate to stay in in Wales last summer! Bathroom was clean, however, also very retro. Beds very uncomfortable, i am still aching from sleeping on it, matress hollow, big dip in it and you can feel every spring! However, cabin steward was brilliant, always checking were were ok and did we want anything.



The food is ok if you arent fussy, I have never struggled on holiday before, but i lived off chips for the week, and sometimes they werent served at meal times, so then i had bread wooooooo woooooo



The ship has been referbished just before we went on, you can tell where it has been done up, and everywhere else looks tired decor wise. Otherwise ship is always kept clean and tidy, staff always cleaning up and taking care of everything.



Loads of entertainment on in the evenings and on sea days, but on port days if your back from a trip early or decided not to get off, there is bog all to do apart from eat, drink and bake yourself (if its hot). No problems getting a sunbed.



Ports of call were excellent, We did half day excursion to Pompeii and it was fab. tour guide very thourough explained everything, thoroughly recommended.

Toulon in lovely, take your swim kit and go to the beach, it is clean and water crystal clear.

We did observe that if you are disabled or have walking difficulties, there isnt much choice in excursions.



We did enjoy our holiday, but felt the ship did let it down. If you have already booked, i really really recommend buying enough sea leg pills or getting vaccination against it, as it does rock loads and i was poorly a couple of nights, even my partner who is normally fine was feeling it.



I really recommend cruising to anybody, we paid £1,500 for this holiday, and we could of been on a much beter ship for this price.

where to begin, ship dirty and...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Itinerary:

med discovery

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

cruise 1st

Submitted By:

Mrs S Camm

Comments:

where to begin, ship dirty and fuel smells on the stairs when in port, a really bad smell of sick at both entrances of the theatre, strong smell of cigarettes in the lounge and the pub, freezing cold in the lounge in the evenings, the cabin was dirty and i was able to write my name in the dust on the tv, lights and tannoy not working correctly, in the bathroom the toilet seat was broken and the vanity unit chipped, unable to see out of the window, the window seal was rusted. would not sail on that ship again.

Hi
Just returned from my...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Itinerary:

Island Escape Cruise Ship

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr DW MacLeod

Comments:

Hi

Just returned from my second cruise on the Island escape and yet again was very pleased with overall experience.

We were very impressed by Olbia,Nice and Mahon.

The onboard facilities were excellent from the food to the staff and yet again very impressed with our cabin and Stewardess Michele.

I have two critisisms,the flight out with 1st choice was horrendous,I am 6'2" and apart from being crammed into my seat I was concerned for my safety,I would never have reached my lifejacket in an emergency and as for the brace position my face was virtually touching the seat in front,the stewardess was unconcerned and very condescending ,they thrust their safety down your throat but do not practice what they preach.We flew with Futura last year and they were excellent.

The smoking policy is ignored by the smokers and needs to be tightened up,but hey what do you expect from them they do not care about polluting other peoples spaces,they know who they are,perhaps a non smoking cruise would be advantageous and I am sure non smokers would flock on board,judging by other reviews the smoking is a bone of contention.

Do not be put off by my little gripes this did not let them spoil a very memorable experience on board.We will be back!!

went on cruise for the first...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Itinerary:

med discovery

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr J Millar

Comments:

went on cruise for the first time as it was my honeymoon.everything about this cruise was perfect for what we had expected.the ship was clean and comfortable,food was brillant so much to choose from.night life aboard was superb different acts every night,casino superb if you like a freindly relaxed flutter.staff aboard the ship are so polite and considerate,will do anything for you and always with a smile.it was great to wake up in a new place every day.went on 3 excursions rome,pisa and nice all were well organised and well coordinated throughout,will definetly be cruising again in the near future and would recommend this ship if your looking for a relaxed friendly holiday with that something different.mr @ mrs j millar