Island Escape Review

4.0 / 5.0
0 reviews

Don't do it unless it's very cheap!

Review for Canary Islands Cruise on Island Escape
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palmeyra
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Jan 2010

First of all, this is our 24th cruise, and the first one we have ever complained about. We are taking into account that we paid very little for this cruise (250 pounds each for a seven day cruise, no flights) GOOD POINTS the staff are excellent, although they need more training and lack finesse. Entertainment staff are perfectly OK: Quite good dancers, singers and a funny comedian. TIME IN PORT. On several days the ship leaves port at 11 or even midnight. this is good, and gives plenty of time to explore, and also allows dinner to be eaten with no fear of sea sickness., OASIS RESTAURANT. There is a cover charge in this restaurant which is around 34 pounds per couple, including wine, 26 without drinks. they do charge you for water as well. the food is of typical cruise-ship standard, and the desserts are delicious (at least the creme brulee which I tried.) However, we made the mistake of not booking for several nights, and by day two there was no chance of getting a booking as it was solidly booked for the week. so if you are prepared to pay extra to eat well and be served, do it as soon as you get on the ship. VERY bad points. Cleanliness. This ship is not clean. Shabby, rusting, broken in parts . .all that is understandable in a converted ferry, but that does not excuse absolute filth on the dining room chairs, broken rubber on the outside steps to deck 11, stained and dirty carpets, and WORST OF ALL smelly, grey sweat sodden bed linen and quilts. this was the biggest problem of all and we had to buy our own pillows and quilt at the first port because it was totally unacceptable. This ship has several smelly areas. I can't quite be sure what the smell is . .maybe just the accumulation of dirt. Not brilliant points. You need not starve on this ship. there is twenty four hour dining, and there is always something edible . .salads, fruit salad, imitation chips. At dinner time there is also a roast and all the usual things available in a buffet restaurant. None of it is wonderful. You will not look forward to meals with that pleasant anticipation usual on cruises, but you will be able to eat. the desserts are quite indifferent. Coffee from the machine is horrible, and from the coffee shop costs extra if you have an all inclusive deal. there are no little touches to pamper you . . no chocolate on the pillow, no mint after dinner, no Captain's Gala night. However, you do get very nice towel arrangements by your cabin steward- In all, I would not recommend this cruise to anyone. To experienced cruisers it will be a real disappointment. First-time cruisers will probably never cruise again, judging the industry by this ship. But if the itinerary interests you, you are prepared for the bad points and get a really cheap price, OK. Oh, forgot to mention that the Norovirus was rampant, and you will be asked to sanitize your hands at least twenty times a day . . That's a good point! AGADIR which is not in the list of ports to review. If you end up here, either take a cruise ship excursion or prepare to meet thy doom. Agadir is a horrible city, and the local taxi drivers seem to be intent on taking you to a perfume factory, leather shop or anywhere where they get some commission, and you will have to be a strong customer to avoid this. It's really not worth the hassle, as the souk, or market, is really horrible . .like most of this town. We took an excursion to Taroudant. At least you see some of the countryside, the typical market etc. Better choice than the long trip to Marrakesh, which is not worth it in our view. When they finish the motorway in July (optimistic I think . . ) it will only take two and a half hours to get there instead of the more than four now . . .

Cabin Review

Cabin 4

4580 is the last cabin to the stern on deck four. Although it's an outside cabin, when the sea is rough (and it often is) the steward closes the hatches over your two portholes, so it is the same as being in an inside cabin. it is not easy to open them, believe me. Bed linen filthy, beds quite comfortable, carpet stained and dirty. Quite small, but there are four drawers, adequate wardrobe/closet space. Shower curtain drives you mad. Water alternately freezes and scalds you. Water from the tap is often brown. Toilet refuses to work sometimes. Deck 5 is better, as there are proper windows.

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