After a great flight and very easy and quick embarkation we boarded the ship to find our cabin (5582) was in a great position on the 5th deck near the customer relations desk. Yes the cabin was small, and simply furnished but it was quite adequate for the amount of time we would be spending in it. The single beds were narrow but we slept very well. We had read derogatory reviews about the bathrooms - admittedly it wasn't luxurious but spotlessly clean and there were fresh towels each day. We were very glad to have paid extra to have an outside cabin it being exciting to wake up and see where we had arrived at, what the weather was like and to see the rolling seas. The size of the ship was about right for us. We soon got our bearings and got about very easily. When docked at Funchal we were next to an MSC ship which made the Island Escape look tiny!

There were 3 restaurants- but we opted for the, open 24 hours a day, Beachcomber. The quality and choice of food was excellent and we enjoyed the informality. If we wanted to take our food on deck to admire the view while we ate - we could. My pre-cruise intentions of not succumbing to afternoon tea didn't last long. At 4 o clock we enjoyed the delights of freshly baked scones and cakes which we ate in the sunshine. People have sniffily commented on the 'plastic plates' - they were actually melamine and no way made our lovely meals less enjoyable. We had paid for the drinks package which was expensive at £378 between us. The bar prices were comparable to home and I don't think we really got our moneys worth. It was our first time so we weren't to know.

The entertainment was excellent. We went to the Ocean theatre most evenings and the production, costumes and vocals were of a very high standard. Most of the shows were musicals but there was also a comedian and tribute act which were excellent too. Quizzes and game shows were often on in the Bounty lounge and a selection of singers in one of the bars. We were spoilt for choice. Read more