African Safari Club, Royal Star Reviews

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2.6 stars
Average rating for this product is: 2.6 out of 5

From 2 ratings and 26 reviews

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Average Ratings for African Safari Club, Royal Star

  • Food - quality & variety3.1 stars
  • Entertainment on board2.3 stars
  • Value for Money2.7 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings2.6 stars
  • Overall Rating2.7 stars

26 Reviews For African Safari Club, Royal Star

  • Guest1988 3rd Oct 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Both me and my girlfriend found the Nile cruise both enchanting and beautiful.

    The only problems encountered are down, in my opinion, to nothing more than such vast differences in culture and location, and if you can look past this you really can enjoy the trip.

    For one, its going to be hot, its in the desert and you're on a boat. But the cabin is as cool as you want it to be, and there's plenty of shelter on the sun terreace.

    The food isn't to the same quality as you would find in a 5 star restuarant, but neither is the price of the trip. This said there was always enough and if you didn't like something there was always an alternative, including vegaterian.

    The trips where brilliant, the temples sensational. Our guide, Usef, was full of stories and facts and was always willing to share knowledge. I would particularly reccomend the trip to Abu Simbal and the camel ride.

    To sum up the trip was brilliantly organised, the staff extremely helpful and friendly and the country was beautiful, a particulary beautiful time is in the evening with the sun settign while you cruise to your next destination.

    I would recommend this trip to anyone (apart from the distinctly upper class).

    P.s, our boat was the Da Vinci, would recommend middle floor or above, apparently engines can be noisy. Also bring a antibacterial hand gel and if you really are well prepared take probiotics for two weeks leading upto the trip.

  • paolom 18th Apr 2009

    Reviewer rating: 0.5 stars


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    I had very bad experiences with African Safari Club. Customer service before holidays is bad. They do not answer for emails and you can ' t get to many informations before departing. I bought bed and breakfast hotel (Palm Beach Hotel) and on their website, it was continental breakfast. However, I had to pay for the breakfast partly in the hotel. We had coffee or tea, some fruit and bread. We had to pay for an omelette, fried eggs or any kind of eggs. They did not put any information about it on ...

  • Guest 4th Mar 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    The wonderful crew-- they really tried to please.
    The food was good & very nicely presented. The drinks were not overpriced nor were the excursions compared to P&O & others
    The deck steward did not allow saving of sunbeds
    The Entertainments Officer was excellent -- his talks were a high light. The Dance troupe gave 101%. One of the guest artists a singer was very goodOverall we had 9 happy nights. The boat was old & shabby. The cabins were small. The Captain just ignored the passengers. The conj ...

  • MegsDad 6th Feb 2008

    Reviewer rating: 0.5 stars


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    Sure it was cute boat, but that doesnt make up for comfort and the cooling thing, oh yes air conditioning!
    It has been an eye opener to travel with a company with such little regard for their clients, I think they are forgetting who are paying the wages. The whole experience was a joke.

  • Guest 18th Jan 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    As a party of five ranging from 20 to 56 all members had a very enjoyable holiday. Our cruise was the Spice Island tour with a weeks stay in the Shanzu Paradise Beach hotel over Christmas and the New Year.
    Previously, we have travelled with Fred Olsen and NCL cruise Lines and found the Royal Star evening meals excellent in comparison. The staff are first class.
    The ship is small - as expected- but makes the holiday much more sociable than found on the larger liners.
    The second week at the Sha ...

  • Kate Corlett 9th Jan 2008

    Reviewer rating: 2 stars


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    A lot of time was spent choosing our cruise, it's a shame that African Safari Club do not consider thier clients in the same way,
    obviously we humble clients really are a means to an end-namely a good healthy profit.

  • Guest 7th Jan 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    loved the holiday and enjoyed the stay in Kenya after. We stayed at the Flamingo and the rooms were basic but the pool was wonderful. Food was good, especially the seafood restaurant. Did a 7 day safari which was a little too long. Zebra lodge was best accom. And Mara Buffalo camp was the worst. Overall a holiday to remember and would recommend to others.

  • adamsorenson 17th Dec 2007

    Reviewer rating: 0 stars


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    People cruise for many reasons - to celebrate a lifetime, or the end of a life in some cases. And cruises aren't cheap either. Save your money and put it towards a cruise from another company that can actually fulfill your dreams. This cruise was a waste of time, money and most importantly, our effort.

  • OMEGA865 17th Dec 2007

    Reviewer rating: 0.5 stars


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    my advice is don't do it, unless you are used to sub-standard quality and then you will be pleased.
    I am however used to quality and value for money this was not offered by the cruise line.
    the ship is far to old and is due to be scrapped in 2 years [2010] so there will undoubtedly be no improvements.
    I do not expect to be told upon boarding the ship "she is old, but we try to colour her grey to make her look young" this didn't work for me, sure the ship has wonderful charm but needs a com ...

  • lynworswick 20th Aug 2007

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Don't expect large cabins and a large ship. The beauty of this cruise is the smallness of the ship so you make great friends and see people often - doesn't matter if you are a lone traveller you will always have someone to talk to.
    Don't expect action all day at sea - beauty is the relaxation.
    The places the ship can get to is fantastic - small paradise islands.
    Can't wait to save up for the next one.

  • peterfphillips 16th Dec 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Going back through Mombassa airport was a trial but it is a third World country so what else can you expect?

  • Rutherfordxx Rank: Corporal 14th Nov 2006

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    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 ...

  • A R Webb 2nd Oct 2006

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    After reading some reviews, I considered cancelling my holiday. Some people will complain about anything, and they seem to enjoy making themselves miserable. I couldn't fault anything about the Royal Star African Club Safari Mysterious Zanzibar cruise, and nor could any of the friends that we met on-board.

    I highly recommend ASC, and I will certainly travel with them in the future.

  • sherwooh 7th Sep 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    An excellent holiday overall. Couldn't fault it.

    A helpful note - the deluxe package ensured that there were no hold ups with transport from/to ship/hotel/airport, and the gourmet pass is definitely recommended, as the a la carte restaurants in the Dolphin hotel were superb.

  • Jacky Stevens 3rd Sep 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    We thoroughly enjoyed the Royal Star African Safari Club Secrets of the Seychelles cruise (but see comments above regarding the hotel in Mombasa, airport and transfer).

    Yes, it's a small ship, but this allows not only closer anchorage to ports of call, but more intimacy with fellow passengers and crew who all learn passengers' names within a day or so. It is 50 years old, but this can add to its charm - lots of wood and brass work.

    The staff - particularly the Filipino restaurant and ba ...

  • rogerharrop Rank: Lance Corporal 3rd Sep 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    We loved just about every minute of this excellent cruise and the delightful ship.
    The staff could not be more friendly or helpful and the food was excellent.
    The excursions were well selected and organised.
    We will definitely travel on the Royal Star again - a real ship - not a floating hotel and holiday camp!

  • PDERRICK 17th Aug 2006

    Reviewer rating: 0.5 stars


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    The complete holiday from initial booking to finish was a disaster. We were overcharged for the holiday by the travel agent. After boarding the flight from Gatwick, we were ordered off because the toilets were blocked - a two hour delay ensued. During 6 out of the 9 days on-board the Royal Star African Safari Club cruise there were very heavy seas, and consequently a good proportion of the passengers remained in their cabins, as the stabilisation on the ship was non-existent.

    With one ex ...

  • boltbolt Rank: Lance Corporal 13th Aug 2006

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    Having read many reviews prior to taking the plunge we went with expectations that were probably a little low for the money we paid, however we were pleasantly surprised when on board the Royal Star.

    She is an old ship but that does add to the charm and nostalgia. Lots of wood and brass that is lovingly cared for by the mainly Phillipino staff that are a credit to the Royal Star. The food was extremely good and plenty of variety. Tea/coffee on tap whenever required and always served with a h ...

  • Hello Sailor 2nd Aug 2006

    Reviewer rating: 0 stars


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    Additional service on the Royal Star African Safari Club cruise is from wearily cheerful, indentured Filipino staff on micro-wages, superintended by a seemingly Xanaxed Greek misanthrope Captain, incapable of speech. The ship shaking and juddering to the ceaseless death throes of its geriatric engine, you may wish by day two to resort to painkillers and gin cocktails. I recommend dihydrocodeine tartrate, which take the edge off nicely, although you can stock up on Valium in Mombasa.

    Further D ...

  • JIMSS 14th Jun 2006

    Reviewer rating: 1 stars


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    Luckily, the ship was only 50% full, otherwise there would have been a lack of sun beds. There was virtually nothing to do during sea days if the weather had been poor, and there was a lack of sufficient public area seating. Food was adequate on-board.

    The management at the hotels were only interested in their Continental guests. Not even toast, cold meat or cheese was available for breakfast. Complaints were met with a "go somewhere else" attitude. Luckily good food was available in the near ...