The best holiday of my life |
| Reviewed By: Coppell, Southport on 13th Aug 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Island Cruises |
Times cruised before: 0 |
| Cruise Ship: Island Star |
Sailed:
July,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 26-35 |
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We booked on their website 3 weeks prior for £569 each (2 adults, early 30's).
The passengers were all ages and not that many 'oldies' at all! When they say you can wear jeans, theyre not wrong. It was very informal and casual, no dressing up, no bow ties etc; All your purchases go on a card in sterling and you pay on the last day.
Docked at Palma, Mallorca, the 'ship' didnt set sail till the last passengers arrived after midnight. There were a few delays from England airports with First Choice and Thomsons.
When you put your case on the coach at Palma airport you dont see it again till its outside your room in an hour or two. The inside cabin, no6158, on the diamond deck 6, was larger than described in the brochure. Terence, the cabin steward sometimes popped in twice a day to empty the bins, make the beds, hang the towels. There is a selection of drinks in the room and a price-list. He was very friendly and also filled your ice-bucket every day. Towels are provided to sunbathe on. The tv had a channel showing the camera on the front of the ship so you dont have to get up early to see the ship arriving at a new place.
All the crew, waiters, entertainment staff were amazingly friendly. They'd do anything for you. The waiters are constantly walking around asking if anyone wants drinks. We liked the cocktails of the day and the BUY ONE GET ONE FREE drinks but they come in smaller glasses so i reckon you dont actually get one free! Theyres plenty of sunbeds to go round on different decks. It says not to save them with your towels and they will move them and your belongings to lost property if theyre left there too long. Theres no rules about eating by the pool area. Kids are not allowed in the jacuzzi but they were constantly in there and no-one stopped them, so that was slightly annoying. Even 'pool patrol' didnt tell them off. The entertainment was good and the Jongleurs club, we had Bob Mills and an American and Australian who all went the casino afterwards. Go early for a seat! The ship does a lotto which is drawn on the last night at midnight so if youre in bed by then check the results in the morning as the prize cannot be claimed once you have checked out and are heading home.
The food was great and im really fussy! The Grill bar did burgers (the best ive ever had) toasted sandwiches, hotdogs, chips, beans, pork chops, grilled chicken, salad etc; The 24hour Beachcomber i felt was more friendly than the Island Restaurant. The Island has the same food choices but slightly posher so no shorts or vests for the men at the evening sitting. We didnt try the other 2 restaurants that you pay for. The breakfasts had the usual bacon, beans, sausage, scrambled or fried eggs, apple or orange juice, home-made hash browns (more like stodgy potato cake), wedges, omelettes to order, tomatoes, fruits, croissants, cakes, jams, mushrooms, cold meats and cold fried bread and cold toast. Shame they dont have one of those revolving toasters to do it yourself. Lunch starts at 12 and each evening had a different theme, British, Caribbean, Italian, Oriental, Indian. Typical food was different rice, fries, jacket potatoes, tuna pasta, cous cous, tacos, pizza and pasta to order, quiche, pittas, chicken, beef, pork, fish, croquettes, cottage pie, creme caramel, cakes, hot puddings, custard, ice-creams (not tubs), fruits, salads, cheese and crackers. Tea, coffee and water is available all day for free but they say dont fill your bottles with the water. We did. We just filled 2 large glasses and poured it in outside before we went out on a trip.
It was exciting going to a different place every day. We booked 2 trips and wish we'd just got the train instead! Monday:Olbia, Sardinia, not much to see so just had a walk round the town and a drink in a cafe. Tuesday:Civitaeveccia for Rome, we paid £55 for a very rushed day not giving us enough time in the Colloseum or Roman Forum and it was boiling - take a hat. Wednesday:La Spezia for Pisa, we waited upto an hour just to get off the ship as it is tender boats taking us to shore. We picked the £35.50 tour. Again we were rushed and had no time for lunch after taking photos of Pisa and then had a tour guide show us the 3 buildings. To go up Pisa would mean booking 3 or 4 hours in advance so none of the trips could cater for this. Thursday:Villefrance for Nice or Monaco, tender boats again took us to shore and the tourist information point you to the right for the station. You can go up the steps to the back streets to the station or just stick to the prom. Buy your ticket inside 5euros return for Monaco/Monte Carlo and GET IT STAMPED at the yellow machine before boarding the train and the same coming back. No-one checked our tickets so could have gone for free. The train was modern and had an upstairs! Ten minutes it took. Monaco was amazing, Ferraris everywhere. If you want to have a go - you can be a passenger for 45euros or drive it for 85euros. We ate at a cafe on the prom which served the best Croque Monsieur ive ever had. It was confusing to know which train to get back, platform A i think. Friday:Mahon, Menorca. Get up to watch the ship arriving, its worth it. Mahon was nice but was shocked at a drink we had 3euros30 for a soft drink and always say 'small' or you get a pint for probably 6 euros!? Got some good photos of our ship here.
The last day: Friday night you need to put youre cases outside the door by 2am and they are stored for you till you get your coach. Vacate the room by 8am Saturday morning and wait for the announcements for your coach - you get a leaflet through the door also and your bill in the middle of the last night. I kept all the receipts and both cards were correct - theyd even split the prices of the trips to each card even though only one signs. I wouldnt bother with the free trip they offer as its to show you some mattresses for an hour. We didnt we explored Palma as coach wasnt till 4.30pm. we got a cab to the cathedral and walked all the way back. You can still use all facilities on board and eat till you leave. People kept their cabin towels to sunbathe on, so leave them in lost property when you go.
Overall, a great holiday, good food, saw some great places, good shows, well organised, friendly, efficient staff and id definately book again with them!
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