Island Escape Cruise Reviews
Educational - June 2008 - Heather Cooper
I had the pleasure of staying on board the Island Escape for 3 nights on 21st June 2008, sailing from Carrara in Italy to Palma, Majorca.
I flew from Manchester airport with Jet2 to Pisa airport and had a 45 minute coach transfer to the port of Carrara. On arrival at the Island Escape it was an easy check in at the reception desk on Diamond deck, and I was shown to my cabin on Bronze deck by a very helpful steward.
Island Escape has a tonnage of 40,132 with a passenger capacity of 1,740. It has a superb choice of dining options on board, the Island Restaurant is the main dining area, buffet style, and the Beachcomber offers 24 hours buffet, alternatively you could dine in the a la carte Oasis restaurant with waiter service at a supplement of £15pp. There are 8 different bars on board including café Brazil and the Bounty Club which is also the Night Club.
Island Cruises is great for families with 24 hour dining options, great child prices and excursions for children. They have a range of different age groups for kids on board with Palmy’s Kid’s Club (3-6 years old), Palmy’s Crew (7-11 years olds) and Action Zone Arcade for teenagers.
Other amenities on board include a cyber café and library, Island Boutique shops where you have a selection of perfume, jewellery and a wide range of clothes and souvenirs. You can take a dip in the pool, workout in the gym or indulge yourself in a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation at the ships Salon and Spa.
They have the usual choice of accommodation on board Inside, Outside with porthole or picture window, Disabled, Balcony or Suites.
There were free shuttle buses organised by the port authority to take you to from the port to the town centre of Cararra . There were also organised tours for those wanting to visit Florence or Pisa. Carrara is famous for it's marble quarries which distribute marble worldwide.
The entertainment that night was on deck 10 at the poolside where we were taken back to 1969 for a special New Years Eve party with 60’s and 70’s music played by the entertainment staff. We were also treated to a special appearance from Captain Adrian Hibbert and the Island Escape Officers.
Our next port of call was Toulon, France which is 40 miles from Marseille. This is one of France’s leading naval ports. The port was a 10 minute walk away from the town centre where there were plenty of shops and markets. As it was a Sunday, unfortunately the majority of shops were closed. However at the cruise terminal there was a train that cost 6 euros to take you on a round trip tour of the town centre, it also stopped at the beach where there were lots of café’s and restaurants. Alternatively you could book one of the ships excursions to St Tropez & The French Riviera.
We then sailed to Barcelona, Spain arriving early in the morning we had the full day to explore the city. The famous Las Ramblas area is only a 10 minute walk from the port - it is fantastic with lots of street entertainers, bars and cafés. You can also view The Sagrada Familia Cathedral with an entrance fee of 8 euros.
The next day we arrived in Palma, Majorca. It was a 15 minute transfer from the port to the airport for our first choice flight back to Glasgow.
I would certainly say this cruise is for people of all ages who like to relax and do not like to be restricted to set meal times or dress codes. You will definitely find the cruise staff the friendliest of the cruise industry.
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