I have seen some quite good deals on Island cruises recently but know very little about them.
Can anyone advise me on this subject.Any general advise would be welcome
Thanks

Hi woody,

Its hard to give general advice without some details on what type of information you're wanting. Best time to travel for great deals? Best itineraries? Favorite ships or cruiselines? Cruising ingeneral? Some things I find help narrow down a search when someone is looking to cruise for the first time are as follows...

1. What is your budget expectation for your cruise?
2. How long do you want your cruise to be? (The nicest ships and itineraries will be on 7 day or longer itins. There are quickies that run 3-5 days that are very budget oriented but are not generally the same experience as a 7 day. Different demographics, usually older ships and over before you get comfortable with the layout of the ship and get comfortable with the routines of cruising that make it so relaxing and enjoyable.)
3. Were do you want to go? Common cruise locations that are affordabe are typically sailings from Florida (more ships and more competition than from other ports) to Bahamas and Caribbean. If you live on or near the left coast sailings from LA or San Diego to Mexico are also a great choice for fisrt time or budget minded cruisers.
4. What type of accommodations are you hoping for? Inside (no window), Oceanview (be careful of selection, the lowest cost cabins on many ships start at either obstructed view, behind a lifeboat or porthole cabins, little 12" round window instead of full sized window.) Balcony (very few ships have obstructed balconies but some Carnival and Cunard ships do so ask.) Suites (think balcony but bigger)
5. When do you have available vacation? Flexible schedule or set dates you can go?

Once you go through these steps, finding a cruise that is right for you becomes really easy. At least it gives you a starting point so you're not looking at 15,000 cruises. Narrowing down the choices that you're focusing on is the key to finding the right one.

Cheers, Neil

Are you referring to the cruise line Island Cruises a UK company? If so, not many of us would know anything about it. However; Raoul might know them. Hopefully he will see your post and answer.
Welcome to cruise chat.

Aha, didn't think of that posibility when I read the post. Makes total sense now. Sorry for the misguided answer to a question you didn't even ask Woody.

Cheers, Neil

Jan,

no, unfortunately I have no first-hand experience with Island Cruises as the cruise line is marketed almost exclusively in the UK. Island Cruises operates the former Celebrity "Horizon" and the former RCI "Viking Serenade".

Looking at their website and the pricing in pounds, if you do the conversion to dollars the pricing doesn't look all the attractive compared to comparable mainstream choices. Perhaps there is something that sets them apart that would make it a better value than it appears on the surface. Hopefully someone on here has had 1st had experience with them. I hadn't even heard of them before this thread.

Cheers, Neil

Hello
We have taken 2 Island cruises, both on 'Island Escape.'

This is the oldest of the 2 ships and I understand that the Island Star is a bigger ship.

Island Escape
The (standard) cabins are not big, but adequate, with shower/loo etc and a bit 'dated' even though it has been recently 'updated'.

They make you pay for the use of the in-cabin safe.

There is no tea/coffee facility in the cabin
(but room service is quick & reasonable)

No hairdryers in the cabins (but available
'first come first served' from reception)

On the 'day at sea' there are not enough sunloungers.

The balconies (if you want to pay a large premium) are just about big enough to take 2 chairs and a small table.

The excursions offered are a bit overpriced but I guess that is true on most cruises.

Those, I think are the negatives out of the way and I understand they may be different on Island Star.

The collection/return to/from the airport is quite well organised.

This ship offers a good selection of food, something to suit most tastes.

There is a 24 hour 'cafe' which offers cooked breakfast/morning/lunch/afternoon menus along with the usual burger & chip type items.

A self serve restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner with waiter drinks service which offers a good selection of well cooked food.

At an extra charge they have a waiter service
restaurant which offers a good selection of food and good service. (best to pre book)

They say you can drink the tap water and we have done so without any problems.

All The crew are great, really helpfull and friendly.

Your cabin steward/ess really looks after you.

The entertainment is mostly good, the resident teams/artists are really good and 'guest artists' usually good.

The reception staff are really helpful.

This is an informal ship which allows you to dress up or down and does not stand on ceremony.

It offers a varied program of activities to suit most people.

There is a casino, gym, beauty salon and childrens club also deck games and a small
swimming pool.

If, like us, you want to 'wake up' somewhere different each day and enjoy being looked after, well fed and entertained each night then give it a try.

This is not a 5 star ship but the welcome, care and service are.

These are, of course, only my opinions based on experience.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Devonpoppy