I had to put pen to paper after reading some of the reviews slating the Island Escape. I am not a person to except rubbish, but I realy dont know what planet some of these people are on, or it moaning for the sake of something to do. My wife and I went on a cruise on this ship, we aer not experiened cruisers although have holidayed a great deal.
Firstly the reports of cleanthiness, the ship was immaculate in all areas, i served on ships for 25 years sometimes as an inspecting officer, and this ship was to a very good standard, he upper deck condition was also good with only the specks of rust any ship has. The complaints about the food, I realy dont know what people want, it was not repetative. it was hot, nicely presented and well cooked. The salads available were superb, and they even had signs to say that they would cater for any dietary wishes, if someone could not satisfy their hunger in either of the ships resturants, where the staff were brilliant then I am sorry you need to get a life. Entertainment, again what more could you want after a lovely evening meal that see one of the excellent standard shows, they were superb, as was the ships entertainment generally, there was always something for you. Now to quantify what I have said, I met some great people and couples on this trip, a particular reasonably wealthy couple and nice people, and they along with everyone else I met and done cruising said exactly the same thing and that was they have done the P&O, the Cunard and the Holland America etc, but for them the informality of the Island Escape and the value for money and feeling comfortable was why they would far sooner cruise on this ship, although they were wealthy enough not to. Would I go again without doubt, do I think its Butlins at sea, no I dont, do I think its a great value way of seeing places every day, yes I do, champagne tastes and lemonade pockets spring to mind when I read some of these reports