first ever cruise . island escape

[trap5]

hi there folks ,

i have never been on a cruise before ,have booked for 2 weeks 14th august on island escape glitz & glamour. any advice would be great.travelling with wife 2 boys 17&11 plus sister in law and partner.what way do you book trips?

[Rebel Rouser]

My only advice..enjoy it and don't expect to much :)

 

Trap5, The Island Escape IMHO is the most laid back Cruise ship in/on the Med so much so this year will be our 11th & 12th time on the good ship.

 

Right down from the Captain to the cleaners ...they all give that extra mile in trying to give you a holiday to remember.

 

The Show team are brilliant (had to say that as Jenny's daughter is in it) also all around the bars there will be different types of musicians to cater for all tastes (my favourite is the bar) :D

 

Also they have on some nights tribute acts and Comedians.

 

Anything else don't be afraid to ask..we are the most friendly forum on Cruise Critic..enjoy the banter ;)

 

 

RR <<< not Ross Roberts :p

[WoolyBully]

Im onthe glitz and glamour as well but on the 21st August!

[jengef]

Trap5. I'm sure you'll love it. Danni my daughter is on it as one of the lead singers. We've taken her on 2 cruises before as holiday on princess ships which are very big and very posh so I was a little concerned she wouldn't like the island escape, especially her cabin as previously she had had cabins with balconys. She absolutely loves it she says everyone is so friendly from crew to passengers, the food is good , the panne cotta on a Saturday are to die for she says as well.

Thanks toRR for the comment :D

[trap5]

really looking forward to it. what is the best way to do the excursions?

[ekco]

really looking forward to it. what is the best way to do the excursions?

 

There will be a welcome meeting on your day at see where all the excursions will be presented and you can book then or at other times if there are still places, the popular ones sell out quickly so do your homework before you go. I'm not sure about the IE but I know that Thomson are selling excursions before sailing. Details of the excursions are on the website if you haven't already seen them. If you have any problems finding the page just ask.:):)

 

Jan

[gingernick]

Hi, as Ecko says there will be a welcome meeting with a film showing what excursions are available for each port of call, there should also be a leaflet that you will find helpful in your cabin. If your sons fancy doing an escorted bike ride then book as early as you can as they will sell out quickly. We enjoyed our week on the good ship and will do another cruise on her.

 

You can get an idea of what excursions are available if you click this link.

 

http://www.thomson.co.uk/cruise/itineraries/glitz-and-glamour-itinerary.html

[trap5]

will i recieve a pre cruise imformation pack from thompson cruises ?:confused:

[Rebel Rouser]

Conflicting reports on this one T5, travel agent said we were still getting a booklet but Thomsons said "e" tickets :confused:

[ekco]

We got e-tickets but I know some people who booked months ago through a TA get the booklet. You will never be short of info onboard though as you will bombarded with newsletters, excursions lists and all sorts of stuff through your cabin door, it never stops. I even find stuff under the door if I get up to the toilet in the night, I think they have an army of people prowling the ship posting papers everywhere they go. By the end of the cruise you will have enough to put in a lever arch file, lol.:):)

 

Jan

[MallorcaChap]

Hi, Thomson seem to be sending eTickets now - there is a link on the email that you can click to book excursions in advance. Sometimes it pays to book early as there may be limited places.

[trap5]

Hi, Thomson seem to be sending eTickets now - there is a link on the email that you can click to book excursions in advance. Sometimes it pays to book early as there may be limited places.

thank you i will watch out for it

[Armitage Shanks]

The Island Escape is a great ship for first time cruisers. It really gives a good insight into what cruising has to offer and it has a fun, laid-back atmosphere. As for expectations, it's essentially a floating 3 star hotel. With that in mind, it is typically not suitable for experienced cruisers or for those expecting a 5 star ship, but for those who have only ever been to 3 star hotels but have never cruised before, the Island Escape is a great choice for a first time cruise.

 

The choice of food is very good and the entertainment is far superior to what you get in most 3 star hotels abroad.

 

The major plus for me is that Thomson really do know how to do excursions, it has to be said. I've been on quite a few cruises now and from what I've seen & heard, nobody does excursions like Thomson.

[jenny wren]

I would say that we are experienced cruisers (having done over 20 with 8 different cruiselines) and we loved our week on Escape last year, so much so that we have booked two weeks this year!!!

 

The itineraries are what attracted us in the first place....just a bit different than the 'norm'...entertainment excellent, food good, excursions good, cabins clean and comfortable, all we need really!!

 

We noticed last year that they did a 'family' excursion for £10 (I think) which was a treasure hunt type thing in the local town...given clues to find....we thought this was an excellent idea and if its still available might have a go (just the two of us!) We also got excellent maps of Rome from desk when we decided to do our own thing...so it is not essential to do ships trips and they do encourage you to do your own thing if you want to. :)

[Rebel Rouser]

I remember the family treasure hunt, but as we were part of a big family with a babe we could'nt really go, Mrs Rebel was so disapointed...I drowned my sorrows :D

 

I have tried the Spirit and Destiny (only because Thomsons cancelled the IE) but the Escape wins every time ;)

 

Marmite = love or hate :p

[Rebel Rouser]

Just been informed my e tickets are in the post :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: were sent on the 31/5/12

[jenny wren]

Pheww! so you will be able to go after all !:D

[Rebel Rouser]

Yes ...but why put "e" tickets in the post unless it is in booklet form? :D

[jengef]

Especially just before a bank holiday weekend, they will take longer to get to you

[jenny wren]

Yes ...but why put "e" tickets in the post unless it is in booklet form? :D

 

I know....weird isn't it? :confused:

[moto9]

Yes ...but why put "e" tickets in the post unless it is in booklet form? :D

 

Hi. My 'e' tickets came by post also - just an A4 sheet of paper! They said they could not get me on my email address, yet they had already sent me other emails!

Mo.

[sunniside up]

hi. we are going on our first cruise on the 14th august with 2 children aged 11 and 15 on the same cruise. we are booking our trips in advance. if you go onto the thompson web site and click on excursions and then type in your reference number you can plan your two weeks. we are going to do this is the next 4 weeks. read some really negative views but the same happend last year and we had a fab holiday.

[brufen]

Ignore the negative reviews, the holiday is what you make it, don't expect the Queen Mary 2 and you'll not be disappointed, expect a relaxed and fun filled holiday and that's what you will get, unless you are miserable of course, then, hey that's life :)

[Lynn's sister]

We're booked on the same two weeks and can't wait.

 

We're Thomson cruise fans already, we've been on Celebration, Destiny and Dream and thoroughly enjoyed each one. So we'll ignore the negative reviews about IE and go expecting to enjoy it just as much.

 

For us it's the friendliness, good food, great entertainment - and of course the ports of call - that make the cruise, not whether the cabins are cramped or the furnishing is tired.

 

Must admit I was a little bit worried about banging noises that some have complained about. I've booked 7548 on Emerald, does anyone know if that should be OK please.

[Rebel Rouser]

Oh no!! not 7548 :D

 

 

Don't worry it's just off midships and right near the pub for a short stagger "home"

 

The banging only happens where there is a slight swell and the waves slap against the side of the ship.