Island Cruises

MV Island Escape

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Operator: Island Cruises
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1982 / 2002
Length / Tonnage: 607 / 40,132
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 757 / 1,512
Officers / Crew: British / International
Operating Area: Mediterranean
Telephone / Fax: Tel 110 3132 / Fax 110 3132

The Island Escape which most recently operated as the Viking Serenade for Royal Caribbean, was the only ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that was not originally designed and built for the line. She was originally the SCANDINAVIA, built in 1981 for DFDS Lines for deployment on an unsuccessful cruise ferry service from New York to the Bahamas, where passengers and vehicles were transferred to other ship for their intended destinations, North or South Florida. She had accommodation for 1606 passengers and 530 cars....all of them looked after by a crew of 350. In 1984, following the demise of this coastal experiment, she was sent to Denmark for overnight service between Copenhagen and Oslo. That November, she was sold to Sundance Cruise Corporation for spring, 1985 delivery to California. First came an interesting refit by Blohm and Voss yards and she emerged as the STARDANCER, a replacement for the Sundance Cruises stricken pioneer ship, SUNDANCER. She was known as a deluxe alternative to the the Alaska State Ferry System.....she carried cruise passengers and autos or campers as far north as Skagway during the summer.....and as far south as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during the winter.

When Royal Caribbean purchased her from Sundance Cruises in 1990, that young cruise line disappeared from the scene.... many more lines would come under the sway of the big players. Renamed Viking Serenade, the ship began 1991 at Southwest Marine Company's San Diego shipyards, being enlarged to 40,1432 gross tons.... they effected extensive renovations to her interior.....balconied cabins added aft, the line's signature Viking Crown Lounge was constructed aft of her funnel.....and the car decks were built out, replaced by rooms for several hundred additional passengers. Using every bed and berth, her capacity is now 2104, and she has a crew of 610.

She was transferred to Island Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean and First Choice Holidays, in April 2002 and had a disastrous first cruise.

As the Island Escape she is marketed to the British market as a casual ship designed for the young active crowd. She offers Island's own version of "relaxed and informal" cruising where under the "ad-lib" dining approach passengers eat when and where they want to.

Given the right cabin location, you'll sleep comfortably. If you have a choice, avoid cabins too far forward and too far aft, as they have a tendency to vibrate or waddle in a rough sea. Consider that the Island Escape is very light in the water, considering her size, and a few large waves or deep swells will have her moving like a pig. Cabins just below or adjacent to public rooms with musical entertainment can be noisy.....and there's no way to turn off the music until the performers are done.

The entertainment is Las Vegas style.....and it's probable at least one of the musicians will appeal to you. Much of it is digitally enhanced, on occasion lip synced, and in some lounges just too loud....but it's professionally choreographed, it's pretty to look at, and if you're not in the mood to gamble, shop or watch a movie, it's something to do at least. But for the most part, you won't come away from it thinking "Gee, that was really special....I'll never forget it".

The food is banquet quality.....reasonably good ingredients, but prepared en masse and designed to appeal to everyman's taste.....so if excellent food is your priority, try to choose items that sit well on steam tables for hours on end.....the simpler, the better. You can still order anything you desire, and if you don't like what was served the first time around, your server will get you something else. But notwithstanding medical dietary needs, special orders may be more nuisance to you than they're worth.

She looks like a giant shoe box.....she was the first apartment block at sea I'd seen. We used to watch her make her turn south after clearing San Pedro's breakwater.....she would list heavily to port....we'd giggle. But that observation isn't enough to keep me from sailing on her.....because for a three or four day getaway from Los Angeles, she's great! She has comfortable accommodations, capable food and friendly service, and she gives that seven day cruise feel.

The lounges and bars on the Island Escape aren't spectacular, but they serve their purposed capably. Large windows to either side and facing aft are a bonus, as the cruises on Island Escape rarely venture from sight of land. All the public rooms are located aft, stacked wedding cake style.....hopping from one room to another is easy with strategically placed elevators. Island Escape has a show lounge, a large night club, a well equipped casino. In fact, Island Escape has, on a smaller scale, most everything the megaships have except the "requisite" atrium, or as they have dubbed it, the Centrum.

Because space on board has been used effectively, with no gaping holes from deck to deck, Island Escape seems, on first sight, more cramped than her other ships her size.....but once at sea, you'll notice you'll get by just fine without the shopping mall look. Because you'll be on a short cruise, you may find more line ups......more crowding for shows, casino seats, and deck chairs, than on a more leisurely extended itinerary. In fact, Island Escape has just barely enough outside deck space to accommodate everyone. During balmy weather, sunseekers are advised to hope that fellow passengers will find bingo and indoor activities more intriguing....either that or be prepared to homestead outdoors early in the morning!

Under Island Cruises "ad-lib" dining program passengers are encouraged to dine when and where they want in any of the ship's three restaurants. Reports from the initial cruises were not very positive about the quality of the food or the service but things can only improve - we hope.

The cabins.....all eleven grades of standard rooms.....are identical except for size of window, porthole or lack of any view. Each cabin has two twin beds, set side by side but separated by a small dresser, a television, and phone. Of course, each comes with a private bathroom with shower. The cabins are "cozy".....they're but a place to sleep. Whether you select an inside or outside cabin, it's a waste of money to consider any cabin type other than the minimum priced.....some of the highest priced standard cabins are located over a dance floor and bandstand.

Category "D", a superior ocean view "stateroom", has significantly more space....but your choice of view is limited to the promenade deck or lifeboats. There's something wrong with the location of almost all the premium accommodations on the Island Escape....category "C" suites have lifeboat views, category "B" suites, recommended for their private balconies, are situated aft.....a bit of a vibrating ride may jar the occupants....and the Royal Suite, a pleasant enough nest with a living room, wet bar, bedroom, walk in closet, and whirlpool tub, has a most unfortunate location. Only the category "A" owners suites have a good address....as STARDANCER, these were the only two suites on board, and have a living room, king size bed and large windows.

Anyone who wants lots of action, good night life, and doesn't mind living in a shoe box of a cabin....should be pleased with the Island Escape. Most of your fellow passenger will from the UK as that is the target market for Island Cruises although you may bump into a stray American or Canadian as well.

Year round seven day cruises from Palma, Mallorca. The Mediterranean Essence itinerary has stop in Tunis, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Portofino, Villefranche (for Nice) and Barcelona before returning to Palma. The Mediterranean Spirit itinerary visits Valetta (Malta), Naples, Livorno (for Florence), Toulon (for St. Tropez) and Mahon (Menorca) before returning to Palma. Pre and post cruise packages in Palma are also available.

She attracts a crowd in search of a sunny holiday and relaxed atmosphere. Early feedback has not been positive but given the folks behind this venture - Royal Caribbean and First Choice Holidays - things should fall into place relatively quickly. If you are looking for an affordable get-a-away with a British flavor, this ship might be a good choice. Only time will tell.