suzyqholidaygirl Posted October 27, 2009 #1 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hi we are on the Island Escape on 27/11/09 too. It will be our first time on this ship. We have been on Ocean Village twice and loved the freestyle cruising. The All inclusive drinks package was what clinched it for us as the bar bill can be a bit of a shock. We know the ship is old and that the cabins are smaller than on Ocean Village but from what I have found out the other aspects of the cruise more than make up for it and it isnt as expensive as some cruise ships. Also the tips are included in the price. (you can of course give an extra tip to favourite members of staff). We have cruised the Med and the Caribbean but the Canaries will be a first for us. We are looking forward to seeing Madeira in particular but not sure we want to go on shore in Morocco having been to Tangier and Tunisia. We hated the experience there so may stay on board that day. Anyone cruised the Canaries end of November? Are the seas rough? Is the Island Escape a big enough ship to give a smooth ride? One other thing, Is it true that Island Escape dont provide Tea and Coffee making facilities or hairdryers in the cabins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted October 27, 2009 #2 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hi Suzy, We're doing it in December, it will be a 1st time in the Canaries for us. My colleague in work did it last December on one of the other Thomson ships. She said the weather was warm enough for strappy tops in the day and even though she had taken cardis to cover her shoulders for the evenings she didn't need them, it was that warm. There are no hair dryers in the cabins, but they have them at reception on deck 5, or you could take your own. As far as tea making is concerned it's available 24 hours in the Beachcomer. We've got those aluminium thermal mugs with lids you can get cheap in ASDA etc. if you fancy an early morning cuppa in your cabin. Lots of people did that last time we were aboard. We were worried with Morocco, but reading the stuff on the Thomson's board from those that went last year. Most recommend an organised excursion If you look here you can get an idea of some http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/cruise/viewPortDetails.do?portCode=002112 Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzyqholidaygirl Posted October 27, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted October 27, 2009 thanks for the tips. I will get the thermos mugs you mentioned. Do you fill them the night before? Or does someone have to go to the restaurant first thing in the morning and bring it back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted October 27, 2009 #4 Share Posted October 27, 2009 No Joe Muggins here has to nip up the stairs for it :( But lucky for us we're on deck 9 right under the Beachcomer :D It's safer than carrying the ordinary mugs down that some people were doing Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwin2009 Posted November 1, 2009 #5 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Did you book excursions before you went or on the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 1, 2009 #6 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Did you book excursions before you went or on the ship? Hi Darwin, No you can't book until you are aboard now Thomson's have taken over. There should be a newsletter with a list in your cabin when you board. You can see some of them here on the Thomson Ports of Call page http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/cruise/viewPorts.do?portCode=&seasonCode=W2009&countryCode= Just scroll downand find the port you want. Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 3, 2009 #7 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Tickets arrived today! Yey! Couple of questions to those of you who have done this ship before... Is it true you use cash on the ship on your last day? At bars etc? Oh and did you guys get all the cabin details, and stickers for luggage before you get on your transfer coach? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Crew Posted November 3, 2009 #8 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hi All Our tickets have also arrived...hoo rah:D. Good questions Crinkle as I had read this as well. A question I would like to know is on disembarkation day our flight does not leave till 4.20pm, what time do you have to be the ship for or can you use the facilities until your transfer to the airport?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwin2009 Posted November 3, 2009 #9 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thanks for all the replies we are off on Friday 13th on Island escape - colourful coasts cant wait thanks forum friends for all your friendly comments:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 4, 2009 #10 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Hi Crinkles and Wilma, Last time we were aboard we didn't leave till late and we went ashore and before and after used the ship's facilities. Beachocomber was open all day for food and drink. We didn't spend anything on the ship Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 4, 2009 #11 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Hi Crinkles and Wilma,Last time we were aboard we didn't leave till late and we went ashore and before and after used the ship's facilities. Beachocomber was open all day for food and drink. We didn't spend anything on the ship Berwyn Well that's what I thought it would be like, but on our tickety-book thing, it does say 'during your last day, drink can be purchased for a selection of bars using cash only'. Strange, you'd think as long as they have a scan of your credit card, you'd be fine to use your account card, and they'd just bill you. Ah well, we'll make sure we have cash just incase. Our flight doesn't leaveTenerife till 19:50, so pretty much a full last day on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 4, 2009 #12 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Hi Crinkle, We were something similar last year and were still on board for afternoon tea about 4p.m. The waitress thought we were staying aboard for the next cruise. No such luck Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 4, 2009 #13 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Hi Crinkle, We were something similar last year and were still on board for afternoon tea about 4p.m. The waitress thought we were staying aboard for the next cruise. No such luck Berwyn Oh how nice would that be! Well we did last yr.. back to back colourful coasts cruise.. yes we really do like it that much :) Nice feeling watching everyone leave, and everyone arrive.. and us just sat watching people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 4, 2009 #14 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Oh how nice would that be! Yes, we could have had a 2 week cruise for just £400 as they hadn't filled it up.. It was a one off across to Greece and Turkey Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 4, 2009 #15 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Yes, we could have had a 2 week cruise for just £400 as they hadn't filled it up.. It was a one off across to Greece and Turkey Berwyn Wow! Impressive price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 4, 2009 #16 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Yes, they kept sliding offers under the door each evening with ship's paper. And closer it got to end of cruise the cheaper the prices. Of course there was no need for airfare in that as all they would have done is rearranged our return flight. It would have been great if we'd been retired and no dog at home waiting for us. Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 4, 2009 #17 Share Posted November 4, 2009 god i hope my parents don't get such offers, they may never return from hol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 4, 2009 #18 Share Posted November 4, 2009 :D yes, neither would we. I'm off to work now. When i get back in the morning we will both be 1 day nearer our cruises :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simples Posted November 5, 2009 #19 Share Posted November 5, 2009 We got tickets today with luggage labels and confirmation of booked cabin, and yes the last day you will be using cash at the bar according to the ticket booklet. Although last June AI was good until you left the ship, Not so this trip. Had I have know that I would not have paid for AI this time. We slipped up there is no way we can drink enough to break even. But we will try, Ha Ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Crew Posted November 5, 2009 #20 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Don't think we would break even Simples.. therefore all inclusive...lol;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinkle Posted November 5, 2009 #21 Share Posted November 5, 2009 We aren't AI this time, cos it wasn't worth the upgrade price for us. So the using cash on last day is more of an inconvenience than anything else really. I'd not be very happy if we'd opted for the upgrade though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 6, 2009 #22 Share Posted November 6, 2009 We slipped up there is no way we can drink enough to break even. But we will try, Ha Ha You'll have to stay on board the while week, go on no excursions and drink the most expensive drink on the A.I. List all day, every day. :D ...Hic!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simples Posted November 6, 2009 #23 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Don't think we would break even Simples.. therefore all inclusive...lol;) Maybe in my youth but not now. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simples Posted November 6, 2009 #24 Share Posted November 6, 2009 You'll have to stay on board the while week, go on no excursions and drink the most expensive drink on the A.I. List all day, every day. :D ...Hic!! We live and learn. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymro1953 Posted November 6, 2009 #25 Share Posted November 6, 2009 We live and learn. LOL We're just lucky here. One of our local T.A.'s is part of Thomson's group and do offers that as well as early booking included A.I. we got half price cabin upgrade and they give us free return escorted coach transport to airport. Berwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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