Island Cruises is a U.K.-based cruise line now owned by Thomson Cruises. It was started as a joint venture between Royal Caribbean International and First Choice Holidays, Island Cruises offers casual cruises to travellers on a budget. With two ships, the Island Escape and the Island Star, the line attracts travellers who are at the budget end of the cruise market, offering such good value for money that its passengers certainly appreciate. Onboard, the ambience is casual and simple. Because the ships are older models, they do lack many of the amenities of today’s modern vessels, including lots of balcony cabins, along with the high tech recreational facilities such as rock climbing walls and water slides. However, the Island Cruise passengers don’t seem to mind since they are getting an excellent value for their cruising pound; far better than they could get on some of those other, mega ship lines. “Who needs a rock wall anyway?”
Island Cruises appeals primarily to British passengers, as well as to those cruise travellers who appreciate the bargain basement prices of the line. In fact, about 50 percent of its passengers are “cruise virgins” who were encouraged to give cruising a try by Island’s prices. 30% are veterans of budget cruising, who moved over from the first group to become Island Cruises’ repeat passengers.
Island Cruises serves a niche market of passengers who are not impressed by the glitz and glamour of the mass market ships plying the U.K.’s waters. Island Cruises ships suit this type of passenger just fine since their first priority is to get good value for their money. In fact, passenger satisfaction questionnaires given to Island Cruises passengers suggest they like exactly the amenities they find on an Island Cruises ship, and about 96 percent of those surveyed rated their cruise experience as “good” to “excellent.” Interestingly enough, while 95 percent of those surveyed rated the food in their top approval category, over 99 percent gave a top rating to the friendliness of the multinational crew. This just goes to show that the level of service you will receive onboard frequently has very little to do with what you paid for the cruise. In fact, it often has more to do with the quality of the onboard staff.
Island Cruises operates seven-night fly-cruises priced from £599. Children’s prices run from about £199. The Island Escape was originally marketed in the U.K. for its Mediterranean sailings out of Palma, Mallorca. Then, come wintertime, the ship would go to Brazil to offer cruises in the local South American market, but now under the control of Thomson Cruises the Island Escape will sail the Mediterranean and Canary Islands for its winter interaries.
Island Cruises other ship, the Island Star, originally followed the same sailing pattern, but has now been handed back to Royal Caribbean International, following the purchase of Island Cruises by Thomson.
Find out about all the ships in the Island Cruises fleet
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