island escape - past its sell by date or not?

[gran2b]

Has this ship past its sell by date or not? Word is it is getting a refurb or is this just a quick clean up, should this ship still sail or should it be replaced? I know they offer a cheap all inclusive deal or it just cheap and cheerful with basic cabins etc

[gillhalfpint]

Has this ship past its sell by date or not? Word is it is getting a refurb or is this just a quick clean up, should this ship still sail or should it be replaced? I know they offer a cheap all inclusive deal or it just cheap and cheerful with basic cabins etc

 

Had our first cruise on her 29 Oct 13 and loved the ship, the crew and itinerary. Would go on her again.

[Rebel Rouser]

Gran2B, Have you actually been on the Island Escape?

[Stevio]

Has this ship past its sell by date or not? Word is it is getting a refurb or is this just a quick clean up, should this ship still sail or should it be replaced? I know they offer a cheap all inclusive deal or it just cheap and cheerful with basic cabins etc

 

To be honest I think all the Thomson ships are past their sell by date. The angular shape of the IE does tend to give it the look of a floating skip, but I would say that the inside would compare favourably with any of the rest of the fleet. I wouldn't hold out much hope of any great refurbishment over the winter months, but the last time I was on her my inside cabin had new carpets & its shower relined & given a new tray so maintenance on the old girl is pretty much on-going & to a decent standard... The attraction of a Thomson cruise is the product, from the Brit style food through to the entertainment. In my opinion the Island Escape has about the best of the Thomson product all in one place... From its entertainment team under the now famous Ross Roberts through to about the best choice of buffet food at sea... Ok sit in the wrong place in the theatre & you will only see the cast when they come out from either side of the pillar in front of you, & if you want anything other than buffet it will cost extra... But they gotta keep the IE 'cause you know if they try to transplant what's special about that ship it'll get lost.

Plus the IE has the only casino that's given me a decent win (Or rather rebate) so I suppose that fact may colour my view. :D

[Cappers]

Annnnd, it does some fabulous itineraries!

[Rebel Rouser]

Only 49 days cappers ;)

[Cappers]

:D:D yep,,only 49 days RR,,tick tock goes the clock. Am so looking forward to it but then again maybe not cos I'll be flipping 50 and I'm dreading it but don't really know why. :rolleyes:

[CRUISIN LINDA]

:D:D yep,,only 49 days RR,,tick tock goes the clock. Am so looking forward to it but then again maybe not cos I'll be flipping 50 and I'm dreading it but don't really know why. :rolleyes:

Cheer up Cappers, I was 65 last week :eek::eek::D

[campolady]

:D:D yep,,only 49 days RR,,tick tock goes the clock. Am so looking forward to it but then again maybe not cos I'll be flipping 50 and I'm dreading it but don't really know why. :rolleyes:

 

I am now 54 Cappers - and loving my 50s. SOOOO much better than my 40s.

 

Enjoy your sdpecial Birthday - and the decade ahead.

[Rebel Rouser]

50s are the best, later this year I will let you know about the 60s :D but I can tell you this the 50s were definitely better ;) no Mortgage, kids all left home = more Holidays and grandchildren you can hand back at the end of the day.

 

RR

[Little Nell]

50s are the best, later this year I will let you know about the 60s :D but I can tell you this the 50s were definitely better ;) no Mortgage, kids all left home = more Holidays and grandchildren you can hand back at the end of the day.

 

RR

 

Exactly the same as me RR, except we don't have the grandchildren yet ;)

 

Hope the 60's are as good :cool:

 

Enjoy your birthday, Cappers :)

[Cappers]

Ahhh thanks peeps:D I'm seeing it as a time for reflection! Looking forward to grandchildren as well at some point ,,if only I could get my 2 kids married off! More holidays sounds alright to me;)

[geomagot]

have always loved the ie...it used to be called 'the friendliest ship' and that is what it is

 

yes it used to be a car ferry but I think the interior was nicely converted and it has a sky bar:cool:

 

its all very laid back, buffet dining, no dress codes, casual, relaxing and friendly a home from home imo, very difficult to replicate that

 

I remember when it was island cruises with a brazilian crew (wow...that brazilian crew! what they didnt know about a party wasnt worth knowing) and captain john brocklehurst and later captain guy lockwood both great guys to talk to and always seen about the ship...and the captains dance!...it really was a great cruise product right from the start:cool: long may it continue

[Langtoncouple]

Cappers same here, I am 55, husband is 61 but still have 2 daughters at home with no plans to move out or get married age 21 and 24 (let alone give us grandchildren). Each time we go on holiday, they sigh and wish they were coming too! Yes we are spending their inheritance but they can have the house when we are gone!!!!

[Cappers]

Last Easter there was a lady who had done cruises with all the big names and 23 on the Escape! When RR asked her why she kept coming back she said "cos it's the only ship I know with a heart" :) I thought that was lovely!

[geomagot]

ie used to sail around brazil in the winter and they used to sell the ta to the british market...I always fancied that itinerary but thomsons took over the ship (quite suddenly) before i got to go...really regretted that:(

[Mrs Bob]

Last Easter there was a lady who had done cruises with all the big names and 23 on the Escape! When RR asked her why she kept coming back she said "cos it's the only ship I know with a heart" :) I thought that was lovely!

 

Thanks for this, I'm really looking forward to my first cruise on her now! :)

[Rebel Rouser]

Glad this has resurfaced :D

 

Pity the original poster hasn't commented though :confused:

[heathstockton4]

We were on Island Escape last April for what was our first every cruise (my wife and i with kids and a grandparent)

 

We really enjoyed it, i am sure there are far bigger and more elegant ships on the seas but for us it was perfect. We like good food and a drink and no complaints here from us and the itinerary was also good for us. We found the ship very clean, staff superb and the entertainment also good and varied

 

Would have booked again but the itinerary on Spirit (2nd April) was more appealing so the Spirit will be our second cruise in 10 days time

 

Hope all on Island Escape this year have a great time

[gran2b]

thanks to all who have replied regarding cruise, island escape now booked for july:)

[Rebel Rouser]

Well done gran2B on your choice. You wont regret it ;)

[dogsbowlucks]

Hi All,

 

Just booked a last minute cruise on the IE for a 'Taster' of the cruising world.

 

I know its not the most luxurious cruise ships you can go on but i truly believe it is what you make it.

 

I have paid for a balcony cabin as i am not sure what i'm going to be like at sea.

 

I was wondering what is included in your cabin please?

 

Tea and Coffee making facilities would be great but a travel kettle would have to do if not.

 

Thomson's website are saying they now have T&C in all cabins but the travel agent is saying not on the IE.

Edited July 29, 2015 by dogsbowlucks

[skioncruises]

Hi All,

 

Just booked a last minute cruise on the IE for a 'Taster' of the cruising world.

 

I know its not the most luxurious cruise ships you can go on but i truly believe it is what you make it. I have paid for a balcony cabin as i am not sure what i'm going to be like at sea. I was wondering what is included in your cabin please?

 

Tea and Coffee making facilities would be great but a travel kettle would have to do if not.

 

Thomson's website are saying they now have T&C in all cabins but the travel agent is saying not on the IE.

 

Hi dogsbowlucks

 

Although Thomson has upgraded their ships, Island Escape has not been included as it is operated under the Island Cruises brand and as it stops sailing at the end of October there is no way they will spend money on it now.

 

Travel kettles and irons are not permitted for safety reasons.

 

We always take a thermos flask (one of the stainless steel ones which keeps water hot for 12-18 hours). We top it up with hot water at bed time and it is plenty hot for a cuppa in the morning. Teabags/sugar/milk are available in the buffet plus mugs which can be taken back to your cabin. We also take our own insulated mugs which are handy for on deck.

 

You say it is not the most luxurious but it is smart casual and very friendly, just no "dressy up" formal nights. Still the same operating format as Thomson's other ships.

 

Enjoy - you will come back for more in the future.:)

[dogsbowlucks]

Hi dogsbowlucks

 

Although Thomson has upgraded their ships, Island Escape has not been included as it is operated under the Island Cruises brand and as it stops sailing at the end of October there is no way they will spend money on it now.

 

Travel kettles and irons are not permitted for safety reasons.

 

We always take a thermos flask (one of the stainless steel ones which keeps water hot for 12-18 hours). We top it up with hot water at bed time and it is plenty hot for a cuppa in the morning. Teabags/sugar/milk are available in the buffet plus mugs which can be taken back to your cabin. We also take our own insulated mugs which are handy for on deck.

 

You say it is not the most luxurious but it is smart casual and very friendly, just no "dressy up" formal nights. Still the same operating format as Thomson's other ships.

 

Enjoy - you will come back for more in the future.:)

 

This may sound silly but how would they know if i committed the ultimate sin and "smuggled ' a travel kettle on board please? I would love a iron but have been told this is a no no also!

Although i have been told there is 24hr room service available.

Edited July 30, 2015 by dogsbowlucks

[dogsbowlucks]

This may sound silly but how would they know if i committed the ultimate sin and "smuggled ' a travel kettle on board please? I would love a iron but have been told this is a no no also!

Although i have been told there is 24hr room service available.

 

Ignore my last question as i have just researched the reason behind NO kettles or Irons. I don't wish to be the cause of any fire on board ship!