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jamie18month
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09-02-2008 05:57 PM
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 18
My Profile
| Due to go in Nov 2008,If anyone went last year would like to give me their views i would be grateful. We are on coral deck, cheers bob
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cruiseaddict13
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28-03-2008 12:28 PM
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Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Hi, after reading these reviews, I am getting a bit worried as I have just booked island escape for my 50th birthday, so does anyone know if she has had a refit???
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escape
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29-03-2008 03:20 PM
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Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
| Like you I have just read the reviews from those that went to the Med recently.
Its just unfortunate that the weather was very bad,that we cannot control.
My concerns are the condition of the ship especially as I was assured by Island Cruises themselves that the ship was having a refurbishment,
it helps to take names. I hope that this was not a ploy to get you to book the cruise. Being ardent cruise fans we have been away with other companies. In a few months time we will be sailing away with a company we have been with before and cannot fault them, it was a shame that they had nothing coinciding with a special date in Nov that is why we booked with Island Cruises. There is a saying," in this day and age you only get what you pay for". We fell into this trap some years ago on a River Cruise Holiday. Glorified barge. That company is no longer in business.
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cruiseaddict13
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08-04-2008 04:36 PM
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Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Hi escape ( Like the name by the way)!!! yes it is a bit worrying as I only booked this cruise because it co-incided with my birthday, I am going in June though so I'll have to report to you when I get back, but I'm sure its all going to be ok. Is anyone else going on the island escape in June???
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jamie18month
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08-04-2008 06:30 PM
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 18
My Profile
| After reading the reviews on the Escape, I feel that a letter to the Company regarding the state of the ship may be in order. Did it get the facelift that was promised or is it still in poor repair, comments please
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escape
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09-04-2008 02:17 PM
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Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
| to Jamie 10mnths and Cruise Addict
After contacting the company I have been informed that the ship has indeed had a "refit" The Oasis Restaurant has had work done on it, also the theatre has had new carpets and furnishings, The Beachcomer has been extended, and something has been done to the casino what I donot know, and SOME cabins on deck 9 Golden have had new carpets curtains and other things unfortunetly they donot know which cabins have been done. we will have to wait and see.
The recent reviews do sound horrendous but they are problems caused by the weather, which is out of anyones control. The flight delays to Palma are there again due to unforseen circumstances. The condition of the ship is another matter and is the responsibility of the cruise company, they do have control of this. It does sound as if they are doing the refits in dribs and drabs, a vicious circle, by the time they finish it it will be time to start again.
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cruiseaddict13
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09-04-2008 03:19 PM
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Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Hi escape, thanks for that info, just hope that its my cabin that has had a refit!!!!! Only another 9 weeks and I'll be on there so I'll be able to see for myself.
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escape
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09-04-2008 03:52 PM
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Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
| Cruise addict 3
I like you hope its our cabin thats one of the refurbs.
We will be up the Baltics in May no worries about this one as the company we are going with we have been with before the ship is small put good been on it before, good cabins, good service, excellent food and excertions.
Hope you have a good holiday and all these bad reviews are exagerated. I will be waiting with baited breath for your comments
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cruiseaddict13
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09-04-2008 03:57 PM
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Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Hi escape, hope you to have a good cruise, I usually cruise with thomsons, but because its a special birthday for myself I wanted a balcony cabin so this is really the only reason I chose to go with island, hope I made the right choice!!! What company are you going with in may then???
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tenpin
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10-04-2008 10:11 AM
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Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1568
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Hi All on this Cruise.
I have read all the March 08 reviews and while some remarks were aimed at the cabins, I think that most of the complaints and moans were in most part due to the appalling weather, which is beyond IE controll.
We did a similar cruise on the Sea Princess where rough weather produced a huge influx of bad reviews on most cruise sites, which to be honest were not justified.
Go and enjoy your cruise, it's what you make it.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
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cruiseaddict13
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10-04-2008 10:23 AM
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Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Well said tenpin, I'm sure some people jst enjoy moaning about everything and I DO intend enjoying my cruise!!!!
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Questions
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04-05-2008 03:24 PM
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Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 4
| Hiya All
I am new to this forum and new to cruising.
I have just booked on cruise from Palma to Brazil onboard the Island Escape and wondered how many others are taking this trip?
I have lots of questions for anyone who has already taken this cruise but as we are not going till Nov 08 I have plenty of time to quiz you all.
1. Obvious question..Whats it like?
2. How much do the trips onshore cost?
3. How expensive are the drinks?
4a. Do the cabins have electrical sockets?
4b. If so what type?
I will probably have lots more to ask but thats all for now.
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tenpin
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04-05-2008 10:32 PM
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Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1568
My Profile
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Hi welcome to the Cruise forum and Holiday Watchdog.
I personally have never done this cruise but there are several members who come in that have. so you should get some replies.
The drinks are roughly the same as your local at home.
Cruising in itself is very addicive, although I'm not too keen on ICL
You should be selective with choosing ships tour as they can be expensive. Most can be done by taxi cheaper.
Not sure about sockets on board now, my memory is not what it was, but expect 110 with maybe the televison socket as a 240.
Just keep calling in sure someone will help, check the cruise forum if not on main page, you can also go back several pages to look at other posts.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
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Questions
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05-05-2008 12:15 PM
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Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 4
| Thanks tenpin.
I have read some of the other posts that say its cheaper to take trips by taxi. You seem to agree with this, so I have another question (hence the name ha ha) how do you order a taxi or are they waiting at the dock?
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Questions
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05-05-2008 12:33 PM
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Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 4
| Hi everyone
I've just booked to go from Palma to Brazil Nov 18th 2008. So its been really helpful reading all your posts. I am going to keep checking back so keep the info coming. Thanks
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tenpin
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05-05-2008 02:02 PM
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Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1568
My Profile
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Hi Questions,
Taxis and mini-buses (cheapest) will be waiting either just where ship docks, or just outside dock gates. mini-buses will wait to fill up (9/11 seaters) but are slightly cheaper.
With all tours you get what you pay for, if you want detailed information about what you are about to see use a ships tour, if you just want a look, perhaps to decide if you want to come back another day. Then taxis, local buses are great.
Be guided by the tour brochure left in your cabin, this will give you further insight about how far sights are and, how long it takes to get there, hence the approx cost of useing a taxi. (roughly 60/75%)
Just a word of warning, be sure any taxi you use covers you for mishaps etc. some are not insured.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
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gee em
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06-05-2008 09:54 PM
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Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 2
| Hi Jamie - we did the Rio to Palma crossing last year and enjoyed ourselves but be aware that the average age of the passengers must have been 80+ I'm being totally honest - we had an 87 year old playing the spoons one night in the Talent Show which was the entertainment for that evening. Someone by the name of Godfrey was employed by Island Cruises to recruit a choir from the passengers, who then practiced daily to present a show before we berthed at Palma - good job Simon Cowell wasn't on board.
We were told that that was the norm for transatlantic crossings as 'older' passengers are the ones with 19 nights to spare. Younger couples don't get that much time off work and families don't take children out of school for so long.
That apart, the cabine, crew and food were all good, the weather and crossing were okay and as I said, overall we thought it was good value for money. Drinks were on a par with bar prices in the UK but coke was £1.40 a can!
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Questions
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09-05-2008 07:21 PM
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Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 4
| Hi got another question.
Do they sell cigarettes on board the Island Escape?
If so are they really expensive or is it best to buy some before I leave?
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jamie18month
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03-08-2008 09:52 AM
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 18
My Profile
| Does anyone know who we are flying back with (airline) cheers bob
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jamie18month
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15-08-2008 09:22 PM
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 18
My Profile
| Just found out flying with lufthansa, anyone flew with them before, cheers bob
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HW John
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16-08-2008 02:33 PM
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 1118
My Profile
| Yes they are a very good long haul airline, i flew with them from frankfurt to cape town and back to munich.
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My Latest Review: Oct 2007 Las Torres Apartments, Benidorm (9/10)
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