Advantages: Relaxing, interesting holiday choice Disadvantages: Internet too expensive, some staff difficulties
Escape on the Island Escape
A beautiful sunset, sailaway music plays, I have the cocktail- of the day firmly in my hand as the ship slowly moves away from the wharf - I am on my first ever cruise.
Island Escape has been the focus of my holiday thoughts for months and months, I've read about it and dreamed of the day I'd start a week on the Mediterannean, with my dearest friend in the world, my partner.
I'm too old to have dreamed of romantic Di ... ...AND INFORMAL... the motto for Island Cruises
For 99percent of our week-long voyage I can say the huge number of staff worked hard to make sure the motto was successfully experienced by the 1600 passengers onboard Island Escape, one of the two cruise ships operated by Island Cruises.
We did a stay and cruise - one week in Majorca before our cruise week and we are glad we did. Neither of us had visited this part of the world before so staying at ...
Writing321 28.10.2007 (05.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Cheap, Informal, Great for First timers Disadvantages: No cash on board, not a lot for kids
...cabin. The Cruise company was Island Cruises, renowned for being 'Informal'. The Cruise title was Med Essence. Now for the full details.
Cruise Itinery: Day 1: Flew from UK to Palma
Day 2: Day at Sea
Day 3: Corsica - France
Day 4: Citavecchia - Italy
Day 5: Santa Margherita - Italy
Day 6: Nice - France
Day 7: Menorca - Spain
Day 8: Return to Palma for flight back to UK.
Day 1: Pleasant flight to Palma, upon arriving at the Airport there ... ...upon arriving here. This lovely Island is a favourite for the rich and famous. A great place for posh car spotting. Being a small port, the ship has to dock at sea, and smaller tender boats are operated from the ship to harbour. These were great, but perhaps if the weather had been bad, it may be a little scary. The waters a crystal clear, with plenty of fish. Once in harbour you can hire a boat for the day if required, or board another tender boat ...
missy23 28.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Cheap and cheerful introduction Disadvantages: Too informal and no all inclusive
...the Mediterranean Spirit itinerary of Island Cruises with flight departing Bristol. We took the details and decided to think about it. I am glad we did as when we decided to go we contacted the cruise company direct and although it was the same travel group by booking direct we go upgraded to an outside cabin four decks up and got a class upgrade on the flight as well and the price was the same as the travel agent quoted (about £550).
What no-one ... ...Here you are greeted by Island Cruises staff who provide you with luggage tags and a selection of documents to fill in and to inform you about life on board. The luggage tags are of different colours. Note DO NOT remove them from your baggage for your length of stay as you will need them when you leave. The tags are different colours to indicate what flights you came in on / will leave on and what cabin you are in. Then it is onto one of the fleet ...
shonegar 18.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
...a more relaxed cruise with Island Escape for 7 days round the Med, billed as the cruise for people who don’t do cruises.
We had a very early start to catch the 8.30am flight from Glasgow to Palma Mallorca. The flight was on time and very smooth so after a very long trek through Palma airport we eventually retrieved our baggage. We were met by a representative for Island Cruises who gave us labels to put on our cases which also now had our cabin ... ...hotel rooms. Each day an Island Chat was delivered to your room telling you what was on and where plus lots of useful information .
The Bathroom
This had a walk in shower with toiletries container and clothes line, toilet ,wash hand basin, a large mirror, lovely white fluffy towels, spare toilet rolls, bin, glasses, shelves for storage plus a basket with shower caps and small bars of soap. Even a hook behind the door what more could you want.
...
elspeth334 22.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Food, Hospitality, Entertainment Disadvantages: Pricey excursions, weather (not what you expect from the Med in August)
...in the Med and with Island Cruises. The ship was the Island Escape and the itinerary was Med Essence; stopping at Ajaccio, Civitavecchia (for Rome), La Spezia, Nice/Villefranche and Mahon.
We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and would have no hesitation in recommending Island Cruises and travelling with them again. Now for the details...
Day 1: Palma, Mallorca
We were on the 6am flight from Gatwick so had landed in Palma and been swiftly transferred ... ...basically the same as the Island but with a lot more chips and biscuits etc. served in the afternoon. We planned to go there quite late at night to see what was on offer but to be honest we were too full from dinner!
The Island is open for mealtimes only and is where we ate most of the time. Its buffet stlye but waiters are on hand to serve drinks and clear plates the miunte you've finished (literally!)
The food is delicious with plenty of choice ...
maria2810 29.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Lets us go places we couldn't normally Disadvantages: See review
...like to cruise aboard the Island Escape if you have some difficulty in walking – This isn’t going to be a review written by someone who is confined to a wheelchair or even someone who needs to use a wheelchair some of the time; it’ll be from the perspective of helping someone who does use a wheelchair some of the time.
We cruised on the Island Escape last May (2004) for our honeymoon. Unfortunately due to health problems my wife (Anne) can’t walk ... ...and about it will.
Well; hope this has helped to clear it up a bit for anyone considering a cruise with Island Cruises who might need to use a chair. If you need it I’d say the pros of using it outweigh the cons.
Happy Cruising.
Dean ...
Calldean 25.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Cheap..Nice ship Disadvantages: more informal than other ships
...one week cruise onboard the Island express on the Mediterranean Essence Itinerary. We joined the ship at Palma 16 days after disembarking from an eleven day repositioning cruise on the My Travel (Airtours) M/S Carousel. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
We flew from Liverpool on an LTE (Palma based - Spanish) Airbus. A good flight arriving about one hour late.
After collecting our cases we were directed to the Island Cruises desk where we were given an envelope ... ...dishes in all restaurants
Island Restaurant Breakfast 7.30 -10.00 Lunch 12.30 -15.00 / Dinner 19.00 – 22.00.
We only used this restaurant for breakfast on several occasions. You did not appear to have the option of waiter service as on other cruises at breakfast although it was available at lunchtime and for dinner. They did not appear to widely advertise the lunchtime waiter service which we, being lazy always opted for. You were ushered to a ...
miketrax 29.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: cheap, casual, excellent service Disadvantages: not all inclusive
...girlfriend and I weon the Island Escape for a week (followed by a week in Palma - i'll review this later). I have been cruising before with P&O and Carnival Cruises - i found them both to be a bit stuffy insisting on formal wear for meals etc.
When i saw the advertisment for Island with its casual style i was interested to say the least. My girlfriend had never been cruising before so she was a bit worried that she might not enjoy it which is why ... ...and follow the signs for Island Cruises. You are given an envelope containing the various bits required to attach to your cases and a swipe card for onboard expenditure. On arrival at the docks your cases are whisked away to appear outside your cabin while you go through the embarkation procedure - this involves swiping your credit card (if you don't want to pay cash at the end of the cruise) and taking your picture. Then off you go to board ship.
...
walt 21.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Great For First Time Cruisers Disadvantages: Not Enough Facilities For Children
...the problems associated with the Island Escape Cruise Ship. As a result of the reported problems I was more than a bit concerned as to whether to go or not as I had never cruised before. All I can say is I am very glad I did go as we had a fantastic time on board. There are two cruises that they run and the one we went on was the Mediterranean Spirit which takes in Palma, Malta, Napoli, Naples & Pisa, Toulon & Menorca.
The First thing I would say ... ...relaxed and affordable cruise. So you need to bear in mind that this ship is not the QE2 or the Aurora!! If You have cruised before with a line such as Cunard, P&O etc then this is probably not a good cruise for you, or you have to remember that it is a no frills cruise, so there is very little Pomp & Ceremony.
Our cabin was an outside one on the sixth deck. Even though it was not one of the newly refurbished cabins it was still very tidy and presentable. ...
chrish24 20.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Clean, good food and trips Disadvantages: Decor needs updating
A friend recommended the Island Escape cruise around the Med. We booked to go in June 2009. As we were first time cruisers we did not know what to what to expect. I had read a number of reviews before going and was beginning to regret our decision. However, in my opinion we had nothing to fear.... On Arrival we were shown to our immaculate rooms, we had booked an outside cabin, which I think makes all the difference. We met a couple that showed us ... ...tip would be to research the deck floors, as some are quieter than others. Decks 5-7 are supposed to be the best decks. We booked before October and received the free 'All Inclusive' upgrade. BEWARE if you book after October you can pay up to £170 per person for the upgrade. The package excludes imports, which most AI packages do so that’s not a problem. The food was of a very good quality in particular the Captain's restaurant (Oasis) where you ...
Legaleagle148 16.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Great way to travel Disadvantages: Food and entertainment
...the hot plate. The Island restaurant was a little better, however again the toast was always cold and rubbery. The excursion was always very well organised and the guides were very friendly. However if you did not sign up to the excursion their was very little information given about how to get around etc. The ports of calls were great, however you did not really have enough time anywhere as they docked early in the morning and also tended to leave ... ...day for a bummer, you had to be out of your cabin at 8.00am our flight was at 6pm. They cashed up your account. As we only had Euro and Credit Cards they would not accept either as it only sterling on board. Reception would not exchange any money for us, so needless to say we could not even buy water on the ship. So beware if you are from Ireland or any European country get some sterling as it ruins your last day. ...
mrbono 17.08.2004 (23.08.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island Cruises
Customer Service on Board
Activities on Board
Value for Money
Quick review of Island Cruises
Food, service, cleanliness and staff - excellent!
drink prices too high - be prepared to pay £1.40 for a small can of soft drink that's been bought wholesale for about 30p - rip off
do not take children on ths ship, it is not kid friendly at all, there's not enough for them to do - the kid's hosts were good but they are made to entertain, take part in pool games and herd you onto coaches for your trips on shore which leaves them very little time to actually run the kids club
the sales pressure becomes very tedious and irritating
everything is rushed during the trips ashore and the boat doesn't spend enough time in port ...
sebnacular 01.10.2007 (29.09.2007)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Informal Disadvantages: Too many to list
...cruise. We sailed on the Island Escape and the holiday was a nightmare from start to finish.
Most of our first day was spent in a Majorca hotel waiting for the ship to arrive. When the ship finally sailed it did so several hours late and did so at 3.20am. We totally missed our third and fifth ports of call due to bad weather. We sailed from Naples and missed Livorno as the Captain stated that it was too dangerous and better for the comfort of passengers ... ...so before the emergency lighting came on, even then I struggled to see my hand in front of my face. Oh and as for all inclusive, there were so many resrictions on what we could have it was ridiculous. I've had my first and last holiday with Island Cruises. ...
dogfox 22.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island Cruises
Advantages: Good value compared to hotel holidays. Disadvantages: limited entertainment
...7 day cruise on the Island Escape. it was the first cruise my wife and I had been on. We found the standard of food on the ship to be superb. The staff were amongst the most friendly and helpful we had ever encountered.
We were in an outside cabin on the ninth floor and the cabin maid Nicol was a treasure. Every night when we came back to the cabin, Nicole had placed a toy on the bed made from the hand towels which had been rolled and formed into ... ...It was a very personal touch and very pleasing. Nicol obviously enjoyed her job and it showed.
The most useful tip we discovered was not to book the excursions. as it was our first time, we booked every excursion there was at a cost of £370.00. We discoverd afterwards it would have been much cheaper and convenient to negotiate with the local taxi drivers who were always at the docks. ...
Tompy 31.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island Cruises
Customer Service on Board
Activities on Board
Value for Money
Quick review of Island Cruises
sailed on the Island Escape in July 2007. Very aptly named. W e were very glad to get of this very grubby and tired ship.
It is a former car ferry which should not be carrying passengers! ...
DISSAPPOINTED 09.09.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Island Cruises
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