We booked the 8 day Olives and Ouzo Cruise aboard the Island Escape departing 30th October 2012 through Cruise Deals, and arranged Special Assistance at the airports by telephone with Thomson, although done individually it is all part of the TUI Group, and this being our 5th cruise with TUI and another one with P&O we had an idea of the standard to expect. Our outbound from Cardiff Airport was OK, but when we reached Palma Airport where the people responsible for Special Assistance refused all but one request for a wheelchair (although there were ample hidden behind a screen) and forced disabled passengers to hobble through the airport, with very few company representatives to direct or assist to waiting coaches. On arrival at the port terminal again help was sparse and passengers were unsure where to go to label their baggage, and then to board the ship. The cabins were somewhat a disappointment very small but very clean, with two under standard size beds against either wall (which were uncomfortable) and a small table between, plus hanging space and a dressing table with hairdryer, also a shower room with wc and hand-basin which was quite adequate. Our cabin had a small outside deck over part of it and we were woken daily by staff dragging sunbeds across it as they put them out for the day. This is the tiniest cabin I have encountered and I and others nicknamed them the shed, some passengers found even more derogatory names. The safe in the cabin cost an extra £15 to use where on when we went on P&O Ventura there was no charge.

The restaurants, The Beachcomber and Island Restaurant were both buffets which we thought would be ideal because and it made a change from having to dress up for formal nights as on other cruises. The Island restaurant although a buffet you had to wait to be seated, then queue for

the buffet, on one night we entered the restaurant at 6-15 and finally got to the buffet at 7'o'clock the ship seemed absolutely full. The Beachcomber buffet had its own problems and seating there at meal times was at a premium. Although there was plenty of food on offer there wasn't a lot of variation as everything seemed to be covered in some sauce or other, there was very little that wasn't covered in some sticky mess that tasted very bland. The food was generally luke warm and time you got to your table and ate half the other half was cold. Fortunately there was a very good selection of fresh fruit. Hygiene in the restaurants and the ship was good, everywhere was clean and staff made sure you used the antibacterial dispensers when entering the food areas. Read more