african safari club, royal star review

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By Rutherfordxx on 14th Nov 2006

Rutherfordxx's Ratings

Date of Cruise	October 2006
Nights on board	9
Itinerary Name	Mystery of the Mascarenes
Cabin Type	Outside B Deck
Group description	Group
Food - quality & variety	9/10
Entertainment on board	4/10
Value for money	5/10
Overall value	7/10
Rutherfordxx's recommendation

Good Points

Atmosphere on-board.
FOOD - fabulous!
Competent and friendly crew who couldn't do enough for you.

Bad Points

Dolphin hotel - a holding pen before embarkation
Transfers to and from Mombasa - disgusting coaches
Queues at Mombasa airport, with no African Safari reps to be seen
Entertainment on-board

General Comments

The African Safari Club, Royal Star cruise ship was wonderful, and the staff were excellent, from the cabin boy to the cruise director. The best entertainment was the crew's evening - what talent! There was plenty of information about the places we were visiting. The itinerary was good - we loved Madagascar, Mauritius and Zanzibar, but you can keep Reunion and Mayotte - too French and lacking in local colour. We loved our time on the ship, including the days at sea, where you could either chill out or take part in the various talks and activities offered.

As for value for money, the cruise initially seems very good value, but with all the extras - excursions, drinks, tips, fuel surcharge and visa costs, the initial price was more than doubled.

The whole experience was soured by the Mombasa experience, however. We had to spend 2 nights in a hotel where the rooms looked rather like an army barracks, the bedspreads and balconies were dirty and we showered in sea water and had to pay for loungers and towels. This, coupled with dirty coaches for the airport transfers, chaos and a near riot at Mombasa airport, with no sign of the promised African Safari reps, would certainly make me think twice about travelling with them again. Some of our fellow passengers had been offered the deluxe package, which seems good value at £4 per person per day, giving you towels and minibus airport transfers. We were not offered it. Surely this should come as standard on what is, after all, an upmarket holiday.

Total Respect: +1