nikkijbriggs

finally, ive booked my cruise hooray. decided to go with island for our first cruise, ive read lots of different reviews but have decided to go with this company as its informal. im so excited. il worry about being on a boat for a week nearer the time

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ive done it and loved every minute

first cruise to celebrate birthday and anniversary Cruising in: yay off i go! cant wait

Ally

Congratulations on booking your cruise

I have shifted your post up to our Island Cruises roll calls so that if there are any other passengers registered on this site, they can make themselves known on this thread

Which ship have you gone for...Island Escape or Island Star?

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

Flying to Houston for Enrique and Lauren's wedding!! Cruising in: 32 day(s), 22 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

alphakitty

Congrats Nikki! It's not easy to decide, happy to hear you did.

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Mary

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Cruising on Oasis of the Seas
1/23/2010

Carnival Destiny Cruising in: 163 day(s), 23 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

nikkijbriggs

thanks ive only been looking forward to it since last year. i decided to go with the escape i liked to july itinery, and because i work in a school i only had a choice of dates. the one ive chosed includes my birthday which is reason for trip that and wedding anniversay!!! cant wait

__________________
ive done it and loved every minute

first cruise to celebrate birthday and anniversary Cruising in: yay off i go! cant wait

Ally

The Escape was a very popular ship under her formal owners, Royal Caribbean (who have a significant financial interest in Island Cruises). She is a nicely appointed ship, not too big and perfect for a first time cruiser. Having your birthday and anniversary on board will make it very special too...you should be able to arrange celebratory cakes for both events ahead of departure, which usually means the wait staff singing to you etc

I am sure that you will have a great time, although you have seen mixed reviews of the ship, don't let that put you off, go with an open mind and just enjoy the experience as much as you can

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

Flying to Houston for Enrique and Lauren's wedding!! Cruising in: 32 day(s), 22 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

alphakitty

1st cruise and special occasions....great! You should let the cruise line know it's a special occasion, most will do a little something special for you, such as have a cake or champagne.

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Mary

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Cruising on Oasis of the Seas
1/23/2010

Carnival Destiny Cruising in: 163 day(s), 23 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

Ally

A little bit of history of 'Island Escape'....

Originally she was built as a car ferry in 1982 for DFDS...hence her box like stern...her name was 'Scandinavia'. She remained with DFDS until 1985 when she was sold to Sundance Cruises/Admiral Cruises and renamed 'Stardancer'. In 1989 she was bought as part of the takeover package by Royal Caribbean and renamed 'Viking Serenade', she continued with Royal Caribbean until 2002 when Island Cruises was started with Royal Caribbean financial support and she then was christened 'Island Escape'.

Attached Images

	Scandinavia02.jpg (74.8 KB, 37 views)
	Stardancer03.jpg (49.1 KB, 37 views)
	VikingSerenade03.jpg (28.3 KB, 37 views)
	escape.jpg (49.2 KB, 37 views)

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights

Flying to Houston for Enrique and Lauren's wedding!! Cruising in: 32 day(s), 22 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

John

Don't forget to let your TA and cruise line that it is a special occasions. They may provide a treat or something.

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John

Past cruises:
Apr 03 Norwegian Sun - W Caribbean
May 04 Norwegian Dream - Mediterranean
Nov 05 Radiance of the Seas - E Caribbean
Nov 05 Radiance of the Seas - W Caribbean
Oct 06 P&O Arcadia - Spirit of the Caribbean
May 07 Fred Olsen Braemar - Dutch Weekend
Oct 07 Norwegian Gem - Shakedown
Oct 07 Vision of the Seas - Mexican Riviera
Nov 07 Monarch of the Seas - Baja Cruise
July 08 Queen Elizabeth 2 -Holland & Belgium

Going through the Panama Canal on The Artemis Cruising in: 77 day(s), 19 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

middy

Congrats on booking your first cruise, sure it won't be your last

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Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso. NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Upcoming cruises

Artemis Nov 2008

Thomson Calypso Greece Cruising in: 16 day(s), 17 hour(s), 52 minute(s)

nikkijbriggs

thanks for all the info guys its all really helpful, im certainly going with an open mind because i know everyones opinion is different. i dont think il be disappointed whatever happens....

__________________
ive done it and loved every minute

first cruise to celebrate birthday and anniversary Cruising in: yay off i go! cant wait