Firstly I have not personally been on this ship but am posting this review on behalf of my parents and nephew who did this trip. Between the three of them they have been on several ships with many different cruise lines including P&O and Fred Olsen this is the second time they have been on the escape.

Firstly the island escape is a more casual type of cruising compared to the likes of Fred and P&O but they knew this and was one of the reason for choosing it.

Food was buffet style and they said it was always nice with plenty of choices. My nephew prefers buffet type meals to sit down waiter service as he finds it easier to choose what he wants if he sees the food in front of him. Also dress code for Restaurants in the evening was smart Casual where the only stipulation was no shorts in the restraunts. Therfore no need to dress up. There was also a table service restaurant but this was charged for

Cabin was only a basic inside but it was more than adequate for what they wanted it for and very clean. Couldnt rate the cabin steward highly enough and the cabin facilities.

The shore excursions they did Rome on your own at the last minute as all the public transport in Rome was on strike the day they went they initially planned on getting the train. The trip was a little expensive they felt.

My nephew did one of the bike trips and he said it was great fun and he was glad he did it and was worth the money but he found it tiring and that was supposed to be the easy trip. He says unless your reasonably fit you ay have trouble completeing the trip. He goes swimming 3 days a week and regular cycles and goes to the gym and he found it very tiring.

Ships facilities where good and they enjoyed the entertainment and said it was good. Although the shows where that good that to get a seat near the front you had be there early. My dad for some unknown reason always wants a front row seat second row isnt good enough

They didnt use the kids facilities but they appeared to be well used as there where loads of children on board but they hardly seen them