Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Today, MSC Cruises announced a major new order for four next-generation cruise vessels and two additional options from MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, Germany, marking the launch of its “New Frontier” platform—a brand-new class of ships. The order will secure full capacity at the shipyard well into the next decade. The announcement was made today at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin...
Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line today announced the arrival of Norwegian Viva to the Port of Galveston in Texas, marking the beginning of her inaugural sailing season from the Lone Star State.Norwegian Viva kicked off her first official Galveston-based season on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, establishing Galveston, Texas as her new homeport for the Winter 2026 cruise season through April 2026. ...
Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line today announced the next wave of its 2027/28 deployment plans, including Carnival Firenze’s new series of itineraries from New York. Before heading to the homeport, Carnival Firenze will offer a special Carnival Journeys voyage from Miami connecting the two cruise ports. Carnival Splendor will further expand Carnival’s global deployment footprint by introducing four new sailings, including two round-trip sailings from Sydney,...
Recently though I have been reading some on www.cruise.co.uk that have sounded truely awful, today I have seen a good number of photos posted on the site site that absolutely confirm the comments, look for yourself.
IMHO this ship needs to be taken out of service pronto, even with toilets working the condition of the ship looks horrid, dirty, broken, uncared for, even though she charges lower fares I do not believe she is fit for purpose. Obviously Thomson have onlu owned her for a relatively short time, it is clear that the previous owner (RCI/First Choice - RCI was responsible for the ship itself) has seriously allowed her to rot.
A very good example of a truely horrid ship that does the whole industry a dis-service.
Michael
[ 01-08-2010: Message edited by: Michael534 ]
i understand what you're aiming at
but then again i think there is alwaysprice/quality issue
personally i don't see any problem
as long as they keep it clean, i'm not to worryif you travel around the world in budget accommodation...then this cruise ship is budget class to me
so nothing remarkable at all..
best regards and happy travels to you
b. Joe
Personally, I think Thomson passengers are fully prepared to overlook a tired ship if the fare is good and the food, service and entertainment are good (which they normally are). After all Celebration (which I've cruised on), Spirit, Calypso and Destiny have all been reported as being 'tired'. That's probably how Thomson offer some low fares, by not spending millions on refits.
However toilets not working, rusty showers and poor/dirty linen is obviously not acceptable. They certainly need to get their act together!
[ 01-09-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
The No1 ship for Kids, is ARCADIA; also note ARTEMIS is in 8th place.
There are indeed some good reviews on the site, but be aware many are purely posted to take advantage of the free Berlitz Guide and it is obvious from the above examples much needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
As far as ISLAND ESCAPE goes, she has had poor reviews everywhere since she ever began sailing for Island Cruises with blocked toilets, cold food, poor cabins, being the main points. I have often seen such pictures as shown above. One may think perhaps they are of a one off cabin, but it appears not. The fact she actually has 'repeaters' must speak for something - or maybe the poor passengers have never sampled anywhere else or another ship.
Pam
There is no reason Island shoudn't be either, and I agree if the price is lower you shouldn't expect gourmet food and 5 star surroundings etc. However this is just filth, algae ? Mould of course is a major health risk as it gives off spores which can cause extremely unpleasent and even fatal illness.
It is clear that she never visits US or UK ports for one good reason - if she did she would clearly fail any Health inspection and would be barred embarking pax. God forbid what the galley looks like.
Having spent 9 years on cruise ships this obvious failure to implement proper cleaning says one thing to me - its management need urgent firing and the ship needs an extensive and urgent deep cleaning. Old - ok, cheap - ok, FILTH is never ok at any price.
Given the amount of press etc she has now had I am surprised that travel agents would not be liable should they continue to sell her.
quote:Originally posted by mike sa:its management need urgent firing and the ship needs an extensive and urgent deep cleaning. Old - ok, cheap - ok, FILTH is never ok at any price.
Exactly. That cabin needs a complete detailed cleaning and the shower a good scrubbing down. The worn cabin and bath fixtures will still be worn but at least they'd be clean. Poor housekeeping and maintenance is'nt only a lower priced cruise line problem. In the 1970s and 80s, QE2 suffered from it.
I think it was made during her first year of operation as Island Escape.
quote:Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:A series of cruising programmes on UK TV featured this ship when she had sewage pump troubles amongst other things ! I think it was made during her first year of operation as Island Escape.
Yes and the TV publicity increased the bookings - go figure!
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...