Island Cruises, Island Star Review

Overall Rating

Relaxed atmosphere - do what you want, if you want (within reason!!).
Food and service in the Island restaurant. Lots of choice; plenty of fresh fruit and salad as well as hot meals.

Excursion prices - especially the bike tours (which we consequently did not go on)

We were first time cruisers and having booked we then looked at the reviews! With some concern we set off and have to say that the whole process ran VERY smoothly with very limited queuing. We were pleasantly surprised by the whole experience and have included some detail below.
For mass catering the food was VERY good - plenty of choice and good quality - and the Island restaurant (formal seating for buffet service) was just right for an informal atmosphere. We were always asked if we wanted to share a table, so we could have sat with just the two of us if we wanted to (but half the fun is to meet new people). We used the beachcomber restaurant once or twice, but that was a bit too much like a works canteen atmosphere and had no advantages over the Island. We did not try the restaurants where you had to pay extra - there seemed little point. The only area of improvement would be a better selection of veg with dinner, but there was plenty of salad and fruit so no problem getting the five a day!
Entertainment was fine - theatre good, some singers excellent, others less so.
Excursions VERY expensive, but the one we did (Monumental Rome) was good, and the 'light lunch' was good, including wine and three courses. I'd have liked to do one of the bike tours, but as that would have been £58 for two of us to potter along on a borrowed bike we gave it a skip! Most of the ports of call had plenty to do and see, with local bus rides getting you further afield at very low costs (recommend the bus ride to Nice.... well worth the couple of euros bus fare)
Drinks were pub prices, and contrary to other reviews we found the regular requests of whether we wanted a drink fine; a polite 'no thanks' was all that was needed if you did not want one, and if you did order you didn't have to move as the drinks were brought to you. There were also plenty of 2 for 1 offers as well - not sure how people can complain at that!
Cabin was fine - only noise was when manouvering as we came into port, but that was minor as we should have been out of bed by then anyway! Cabin was spacious (restricted view outside cabin - budget level!) and well maintained with daily cleaning and bed making all included, along with fresh towels - all of these were in good condition, though old enough to actually dry you (new ones are hopeless in that respect!).
We have zero complaints - we'd do it again. I think many of the complaints I have seen are down to expectations. This is meant to be an informal cruise and to be honest, if you look at the pricing it is very good value for money.

Members' Comments onmarkandheather's Review

• gaelden on 10th Nov 2008

  I disagree with this review because..."look at the pricing"...paid thousands,for a poor standard, you don't expect plastic cups for tea/coffee...I could go on.