I am sorry you had such a bad experience,(Homann of Wellingborough & Lemetti of Glasgow,) but I stand by my original review. Although this was our first cruise and had nothing to compare it too, I found the Crew courteous and the ship on the whole clean and tidy. I witnessed the staff working throughout the night carrying out maintenance to the public areas, ensuring that they were in tip top condition for the following day. The noise from the engines was a very loud, but that would be my single complaint. My wife and I are looking forward to our cruise next June. Horses for courses I think......don't you? J.Guy South Wales

I fully agree with your comments as we were also on the ship when it broke down and were not informed as to what was happening. People were taken off on the Wed & Thurrs and we were unfortunate enough to be in the last group to be removed in the dark at 10pm in a tender boat and eventually put up in a horrible hotel in Nice. We were then taken to the local airport unsure as to where we were going. Glasgow passengers were the last to be dealt with and left to the end. It was a totally frightening experience.... drifting from Italy to France overnight with no power... no lights, toilets, air con etc We went on the Coral Princess to the Carubbean this year and the standards are so much higher, first class in comparison.

hiya when last year did you have problems on island star i never read about any one else having these problems.the resturants are ok as pools maybe not to po standards but think your overreacting a bit maybe

Hiya I think It was Sept/Oct time we did a late booking It was cheap so thought we would go for It, The first thing I did after looking at our room was to go to the swimming pool area I sat down and thought I was In an old holiday camp the chairs and tables were very very tatty and the carpet (not a proper pool area one) was absolutley filthy and It was covering the drains so when It rained It smeltand the water was over our shoes in the area where the wicker sette's are, but we though Oh well we got it cheap just make the most of It, we had water coming up through the floor tiles in the resturant the staff were constantly mopping It but it was coming up, we had to step over the water, I found the windows In the resturant quite old with paint coming off mould quite off putting for a resturant, the Lifts and Theatres were lovely, like being on a different Ship, has It all been refurbished yet ? I have some friends who had been on I.S. five times now and love It having said that they have not been on another one whereas my first cruise was on Princess Star - I think I got spoiled - I have been on Oceana, OV1 with my grand children and after the disaster with I.S. got a late deal with OV2 for under £1000 for 3 weeks so I think I.S. is way too expensive for a second or even third)rate Ship I am going on Royal Caribbean Independance Of the Seas Tomorrow I'm taking my 3 Grand Daughters to Ireland from Southampton for 5 nights and I have the Ventura to look forward to next year - Island Star - NEVER AGAIN - sorry for those who like the Ship but i do ask - have you tried the nicer ones ? .... xxx

Have we all tried the 'nicer ships?' as you called them? Well, yes we have actually. We were on Royal Caribbean in Feb, and had returned to Island star for the 4th time for a 'friendly 'cruise 3 weeks ago. What a snob you must be, and splashing money around is stupid just to be able to bore the pants off people at parties etc! The Star is going in to dry dock in november for a major refit, and the pool area is also being refit. If you were such a cruise expert as you claim to be them you would have known that!!!!!!!!!!!

Anne of Skipton, I agree that the Island ships are a happy friendly place to take a holiday. We too have relations who consider we are taking a third rate cruise as it isnt what they call a "Formal" cruise line so it must be rubbish. They treat us as though we couldnt possibly enjoy it as we didnt get the opportunity to parade around in glittery gowns and dickie bows (Their words not ours incidentaly!) sat with people talking about themselves all night - "What do you do for a living DAHLING?) My son aged 12 went with us 2 years ago on the Island Star and had such a good time - the staff were great with him and he has some lasting childhood holiday memories. We went on the star again in July and it was lovely. No its not a extravagant ship but no one can really argue they dont do the upmost to make your holiday a happy one.I cant believe how much snobbery there is out there with regard to which ship is bigger , which destinations are better, the size of the soap in the cabin bathrooms blah blah blah. The important thing is that you enjoy the experience and you find the ship thats right for you. In my opinion there are a number of die hard cruisers who have taken this holiday for years and are a little irritated that it has become affordable to more everyday hardworking folk. My message to these die hard cruisers is please let people enjoy themselves, give them a chance and relax yourself and you might find you would actually get even more from it.

Excuse me, SNOB - NEVER and I feel very upset with your comments as all I was doing was giving my honest opinion,I'm just a single struggling hard worker, am I not allowed to take my 3 grand daughters on Holiday ? I actually booked It a Year ago as Christmas and Birthday presents for them.The reason Ventura Is booked for next October Is - My Son aged 37 Is getting Married on this Ship - would you like me not to take my granddaughters away and miss my Sons wedding??? My first Cruise on Princess Star was bought for My Birthday by my Son a few years ago, you seem to presume I waste money and am a bore and I don't have money to splash around,If you knew me you would not say that, by the way just got back from a lovely time with my grandaughters aged 12 11 and 8 whom loved the Independance Of The Seas but I found It a bit too big and It was very cold for me sitting whilst watching them do all the things they wanted to do which this Ship does offer for them, Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Board Surfing ... xxx

Hi all . sorry its been getting a little heated about the original review. The idea of this website is for cruisers to say how they rate the experiance of a cruise on the Island Star. (by Guy of Wales) I though it was a good reveiw because even thoug they had problems with engine noise they still gave it four stars. And then went on to say how good everything else was. Then we have other "pipeing in" about this ship and that ship which still they are entiled to do . The worst of the lot are the people who drag up a terrible experiance of the ship breaking down and the nightmare that followed . Well why not write the review last year. We have been on ocean Village when it lost the anchor at Monte Carlo so had to miss out the next port . Other times when we sailed past Tunisia due to bad weather .. quite a bonus really if those reading this have been to La Gullette. The Comment about the "nicer ship" as they are called are also a bit over the top. Formal Fixed table dining and captains gala diners we find "boaring" and being stuck with the same people every night making "polite conversation" even worse. Been on 12 cruises, Big, Small, casual,formal, new, old etc and insnt it great that we have such a good choice. !. Beware though... the guy with the beer belly, trainers, vest and shorts is probably the one in the Best Mini Suite on board ship ie the one with the money who is down to earth. We are going on Island escape for two weeks on 6th of September and like 99% of the reviews for I.S. we will have a great time.... alway do.