We are 3 ladies (50+) and since our kids have grown up, have always treated ourselves to a week in the sun Feb/March. This year we chose the Island Escape as a bit of an adventure! Having read mixed reviews we were a bit apprehensive about what to expect (I had been on a Royal Caribbean Cruise with my husband last year!)but happily all our expectations were exceeded!Sadly, the weather wasn't all that great with a few rainy days and not that hot, but with lots to keep us entertained on board, it wasn't too disappointing!We booked a cabin with 2 single beds and 2 upper bunks.............Well, that was never going to happen! But we did have a laugh trying to get up and down them. In the end we took the mattress off the bunk and placed it on the floor between the two single beds. Our cabin maid Keila was so kind and took it out of the way during the day, and re-made it at night! Cabins are small but adequate as you hardly spend any time in them anyway. Dining consisted of 3 restaurants. On the top deck was a 24hr buffet style restaurant, more like a cafeteria with plastic plates and cups, but great choice of food, which you could then take out to eat on deck if you wished. The other self-service buffet restaurant was much more comfortable, with waiter service for your drinks and was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could pay a supplement of £14.99 to dine in the Oasis Restaurant which was lovely with full 5 course menu and waiter service, but to be honest, the self service one was fine. The entertainment was average. Theatre shows were fine if they weren't full up, but the entertainment in the Bounty Bar, provided by the Thomson's reps was just a bit too much like Butlins for me, with nightly bingo, game shows, resident band and a bit of dancing! There was, however, lots of choice, with the Casino, The Pub with a nightly singer, The Bounty Bar and the Theatre. There is also a lounge bar on Deck 12 which is open until the wee small hours! We only took one tour with Thomson and that was the Souks and Market tour - complete waste of money! All it is is a transfer service to 2 markets where you are hassled beyond belief to buy things from pushy and sometimes intimidating locals. The trip was £24 but could have got a taxi for £6. All in all, I would highly recommend this Cruise if it's a light hearted informal holiday with friendly staff you're looking for. Oh, and if you book early enough you can get a free all inclusive package which was fabulous!