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terries
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16-03-2008 09:58 AM
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Joined: 16 Mar 2008
Posts: 1
| hi all this will be our 1st cruise and also our honeymoon!! read alot of reviews and dont really know what to exspect? can you upgrade to ai on drinks ? is it worth doing that ? we are booked on the golden deck but reviews say this is the worst deck to be on ie sleep can anyone give me an insight as to what to really exspect ty
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John
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16-03-2008 12:23 PM
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 1121
My Profile
| Well island cruises let us down quite a bit with having to pay extra for things that are included on other ships for no charge.
To eat in one of the full service restaurants you have to pay for most dishes which i find is totally disgusting as its included on the rest of them. However if you dont mind buffet service all the time then its not too bad but most of the food we found was pretty cold a lot of the time which is always the hazard. The escape is a former passenger ferry which did runs down the american coast and she is very sturdy, but the higher you are the more you feel the rocking in rough sea.
Our last trip with island you couldnt upgrade to AI as we enquired but they didnt do it. Times may have changed now though. If you can and you drink a lot then its definately worth it.
Its probably best to start off with island cruises..as your opinion of different operators and ships most of the time just gets better and better.
In my eyes i wouldnt go back with them again simply because of having to pay extra on top. Could not fault the ships though, just the company.
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My Latest Review: Oct 2007 Las Torres Apartments, Benidorm (9/10)
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nanabo
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16-03-2008 04:44 PM
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 564
My Profile
| I would reather pay that little more and sail on a decent ship. The Escape is Ok for 1st time cruising, but when you have tried a few you realise what a difference a few quid makes. You will enjoy yourself as everyone is so laid back and friendly with plenty of noisy games around the pool ( if thats what you like) If you require a more softer ambience go for Princess, Royal Caribean or Holland America you will see the difference.
Bo
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My Latest Review: Jul 2007 Renaissance Harbourside Hotel, Vancouver (10/10)
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Livi08.x
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28-06-2008 09:27 PM
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Joined: 28 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
| Personally as island escape was our first cruise, i really enjoyed it. We also booked to go on it again the next year and once again enjoyed it. It wasnt as big as some other cruises that we have looked at for this year but apart from that was , it was very good. The Cabins were all Very Clean and staff very very Friendly. It had a nice atmophere on board and the food was nice. Action ashore was good but we have decided to not go on the trips again as you can go to all the places on your own and it is cheaper that way. Hope This Helps. =)
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mtek
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29-06-2008 05:50 PM
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Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 43
My Profile
| The IE was very friendly but that was because most of the bar staff was n commission. I hate the idea of all inclusive because all you see is people trying to drink their body weight in alcohol. Smoking rules were totally ignored when I was on IE last June and the cabin stewardess even told me to smoke in the bathroom. Food - not great. The Beachcomber looked not at all clean and the Island - well the food was cold no matter how many new trays they brought out. The Oasis (which I booked for the second week for dinner as I could not stand the food in the Island) used very cheap oils instead of butter and olive oil, the waiting staff were excellent but again appeared to be expecting tips. Cabin- well I was in a dingy hole on the same deck as reception and kept (even in the second week) finding used cotton buds - not belonging to me. There were a lot of children on board and that is fine if their parents take the time to look after them but in June 2007 on several occasions the cruise director and captain announced that parents and guardians had to be responsible for their children. Ports of call were great but anyone can cruise on a better ship. This one seems to be the favourite of those who just want to drink, smoke and ignore their responsibilities for a week (or 2 - unfortunately I had to endure this for 2).
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