Having travelled abroard on land based holidays, we booked our first ever cruise on the island escape, and WOW what a cruise, forget hotels from now on this ship is fantastic, from the second you board everyone is so friendly, from the engine crew to the captain who you see everyday, no snobbery on this ship, you do and dress as you please, we were on diamond deck outside cabin with full size window, it's worth paying that bit extra for a window, all cabins have aircon and bunkbeds are plenty big enough and comfy, cabin was always kept immaculate by our maid who again was very friendly nothing was too much trouble, it was my wife's birthday while on board and I put her birthday card on her bunk that morning, on returning from breakfast we found the cabin filled with ballons and flowers from the maid (how thoughtfull was that) now the food, the ship has three restaurants all serving fantastic food even the most picky of eaters would be spoiled for choice, you can either sit and be waited on or serve yourself, the 24 hour restaurant which is buffet style is just as good you can walk in at 3.30 am and have a choice of over ten hot meals or salads, a fantastic selection of fresh fruit is always available together with mouthwatering deserts of every kind, and you can go up and help yourself to as much and as many times as you want, they also bake their own bread and rolls, (no sliced rubbish here) if you like your cuppa you will be spoilt for choice as they have every tea bag under the sun, as soon as you go up for another cupper or helping of food your table is cleared of used plates and cleaned by the time you return, one thing we noticed was that baby high chairs were washed (not just wiped) and sprayed with antibacterial spray then wrapped with clingfilm until the next use. as for the ships entertainment you can dress up in all your finery and see a show, visit the casino, or even just go to the pub, no waiting by the bar you just sit down and they come to you, we throught the drinks would be expensive but no more than back home, every evening the ships newspaper is delivered to your cabin so you know what's happening on board the next day and information on trips and the next port of call, if you wish to stay in your cabin you have 24 hour sky movies, news channels, a satillite navigation map channel where you can watch the ships progress, and even a bridge camera so you can watch for icebergs, can I fault this ship NO WAY! would I go again YES YES YES!!!

John Wilkes said:

I joined the Med Discovery cruise on the Island Escape on the 23rd October. The ship appeared a little tawdry compared to the Island Star but the entertainment, cabin comfort and catering were all very good. If you have mobility problems or breathing difficulties, choose another type of holiday. Several passengers just could not cope with the strenuous nature of it all. I could not exchange sterling on the boat the first day so headed off to find a bank in Palma. A Spanish person appeared to ask me for directions. I paused to say I was not local. Two other men turned up announcing they were 'port police' and asked for my passport. That was on the ship. I showed them ID by way of my swipe card and driving licence. They then took my wallet and counted the money in it saying 'Drugs, Cocaine'. Then they searched the other man's wallet and had me open up my glasses case. 'This is my country' said one of the 'policemen'. 'Very nice' I said .... and he handed me back my wallet and I walked on.
Beware, everyone. Once on ship - food and entertainment abounds. The day at sea we had safety drill, a solos lunch and quoits. Cruise staff - if you are reading this - sit in the middle of a table to introduce solo travellers - not at the end.
The ship, due for a refit had faults. Ceilings leaked. Black soot dropped out of some. A public toilet flush failed. The radio did not work in the cabin. First landfall Sardinia. Very wet but a good coach tour nevertheless. Then Civitavecchia for Rome. The half day excursion has no permit to stop in the City but we saw a lot. Excellent shows on board - Comedian Phil Doyle excellent, singer Eve Sherrat excellent, Duo Starlites brilliant - show team dancers and performers very good. Then La Spezia. 30 pond Portonvenere boat trip
which I had booked as a shore excursion cancelled (they need at least 70 takers). Took tender to shore and did exact same trip on a big Italian tourist boat for 4 pounds return also visiting Lerici on the other side of the Gulf. Do not miss visiting
the very pretty port of Portovenere. Maybe go on round to the Cinque Terre villages by local boat. Beware the tender from the Escape. Two people slipped and broke their arms climbing down into it. Next day Nice. Brilliant half day tour to Monaco and Monte Carlo with two walking stops off the coach - Palace Square and Casino Square. Still had time to walk the Promenade Anglais in Nice. Departure was delayed as someone with acute breathing difficulties had to be stretchered off to Hospital. That person received treatment on a drip in Nice and rejoined the tour in Palma - cost 600 pounds. Warning: check your health insurance. After Nice we had a day on Menorca. The approach to Mahon is spectacular. I took the coach trip to San Bou beach and had a swim. I walked around Mahon town and port before we left Menorca. Next morning, back in Palma. Coach with commentary to airport. Two hour flight back to Bristol.
Very stormy weather the first half of the week but on balance an excellent holiday.