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Island Cruises

From: European Cruise Guide

ABOVE: The Island Escape at sea. INSET BELOW: A twin stateroom with balcony.

Update: In 2009, Island Cruises was acquired by the holding company that owns Thomson Holidays, and its Mediterranean cruises are now sold under the Thomson brand.

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Island Cruises is the UK's first low-cost cruise line, offering Mediterranean cruises from its home port of Palma de Mallorca from spring through fall. Passengers can choose from a variety of 7-day itineraries (plus one 8-day cruise in 2008), and the cruise calendar is designed to allow 14-day back-to-back voyages that avoid duplication of ports.

The company has two ships:

Island Escape, a 1,512-passenger vessel that began its life in 1982 as the cruise ferry Scandinavia and was converted into a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Viking Serenade, in 1990.

Island Star, which was formerly the Horizon of Celebrity Cruises. The ship joined Island's fleet in 2006 and carries 1,700 passengers.

Photos copyright © Island Cruises. Used by permission.