Easy Cruise
Jun 28th, 2005, 11:56 AM
#2
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We have not used it, but about a month ago there there was a fairly lengthy article about it in the Los Angeles Times travel section.
I found it interesting that the ship makes a continuous loop to various ports, and passengers can embark and disembark at ANY two ports over ANY length of time (similar to a hop-on hop-off bus), instead of everyone having the same itinerary.
Woody
I found it interesting that the ship makes a continuous loop to various ports, and passengers can embark and disembark at ANY two ports over ANY length of time (similar to a hop-on hop-off bus), instead of everyone having the same itinerary.
Woody
Jun 28th, 2005, 02:11 PM
#3
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I'm very interested, but apparently too old. The article I read specifically referred to under-40 somethings. I found it strange at the time. Could they really set an age limitation? Was I the only one who saw that age reference?
Jun 28th, 2005, 02:22 PM
#5
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No Julie, we saw it too. Then we went ahead and booked!! And they let us on. Yes, we are well over 40 and thought it looked interesting. I like the idea of being able to get on and off at fun-looking places and not being stuck on a ship with a bunch of people I might not choose to be with. The idea of a conventional cruise turns me right off, but this might be OK. On the other hand, it might be full of British lager louts.
Will let you know.
Will let you know.
Jun 29th, 2005, 04:37 AM
#8
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It all sounds a bit more like an overnight ferry than a cruise to me (and I'm no luxury-lover).
(From memory) I understand that for some reason the portholes have been closed and maybe even painted over. But apparently Stelios has agreed this might need a re-think....
(From memory) I understand that for some reason the portholes have been closed and maybe even painted over. But apparently Stelios has agreed this might need a re-think....
Jun 29th, 2005, 04:43 AM
#9
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I wouldn't touch anything "Easy-". Here in the UK they have a television programme that features the airline EasyJet. The customer service appears to be diabolical, and the clientele tend to be wearing metaphorical "kiss me quick" hats. A couple of hours in an aeroplane with them would be bad enough, but a cruise could be hell.
Money isn't everything, and this is a case where it's better to go without than subject yourself to torture.
Money isn't everything, and this is a case where it's better to go without than subject yourself to torture.
Jun 29th, 2005, 05:51 AM
#11
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I've been on many overnight ferries in the Mediterranean, and Easy Cruise sounds nothing like as good as them. It's a small ship with basic orange cabins and, I believe, no restaurant. The ship just potters around the Riviera, spending a day in Cannes then a day in Nice (even though they're half an hour apart by train). There are cheap hotels in Nice or Cannes which will be as least as comfortable as this ship. There is just one Easy Cruise ship making a weekly cruise so you cannot just hop off and on: if you hop off, you have to wait a week for the ship to come back. There are big ferries every night from France or Italy to Corsica or Sardinia with a choice of cabins, restaurants, etc, and far higher standards than this little orange burger bar.
Jun 29th, 2005, 05:55 AM
#12
Having re read my posting regarding M_kingdom, I realise I had ommitted a smiley, so it looks far more offensive in tone than was intended.
A recent UK newspaper article was quite dismissive of Easycruise, mainly for the reasons already given - small rooms, very orange colour scheme, more Ferry than Cruise.
A recent UK newspaper article was quite dismissive of Easycruise, mainly for the reasons already given - small rooms, very orange colour scheme, more Ferry than Cruise.
Jun 29th, 2005, 06:45 AM
#13
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Anyone who thinks Easy Cruise is "more ferry than cruise" has obviously had no experience of Mediterranean ferries. My last Mediterranean ferry crossing was from Split to Ancona in December: I had a nice dinner in an elegant dining saloon while a pianist played, then retired to my wooden-panelled cabin; I had a shower in the morning, an espresso at the bar, then went ashore. Nothing was painted orange.
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:46 AM
#14
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I haven't been on EasyCruise, and don't suppose I ever will, but to dispel some of the myths – not all cabins are windowless – as on nearly all cruise ships (not that I would call easyCruiseOne a liner) there are internal cabins without windows but it is possible to book cabins with windows and a balcony at a supplement. There is a cocktail bar, a sports bar themed restaurant-bar, and a separate café – these are all franchises and so are not orange. Apparently, once on deck you can’t see the garish colour of the ship!
Dec 30th, 2005, 04:24 AM
#16
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Yes! I have been on the Orange boat!
First: Age: there were more people over 40 than under, on my week on board.
Food: There is a nice 'starbucks' type coffee shop, a restaurant and a bar on the upper deck.
Orange: Yes, there is orange, but it's really not as obnoxious as it sounds. I grew to love it and got the orange towel and watch.
Fun: I met some great people, and had lots of adventures in the West Indies. It wasn't just a party. Like minded people (adventure seeking people who don't mind small rooms, and like to save some money) having a nice time.
Room: I upgraded to a large suite that included a private balcony. It wasn't posh, but nice and modern. I had to move down to the small room for two of the nights and my luggage took up most of the room. Pack very light.
I talked to people that went on the Mediterranean trip and said that they had a wonderful time.
Would I go again? Maybe, if they added some different routes. It was a good way to test what islands I would return to on a regular vacation.
First: Age: there were more people over 40 than under, on my week on board.
Food: There is a nice 'starbucks' type coffee shop, a restaurant and a bar on the upper deck.
Orange: Yes, there is orange, but it's really not as obnoxious as it sounds. I grew to love it and got the orange towel and watch.
Fun: I met some great people, and had lots of adventures in the West Indies. It wasn't just a party. Like minded people (adventure seeking people who don't mind small rooms, and like to save some money) having a nice time.
Room: I upgraded to a large suite that included a private balcony. It wasn't posh, but nice and modern. I had to move down to the small room for two of the nights and my luggage took up most of the room. Pack very light.
I talked to people that went on the Mediterranean trip and said that they had a wonderful time.
Would I go again? Maybe, if they added some different routes. It was a good way to test what islands I would return to on a regular vacation.
Dec 30th, 2005, 05:01 AM
#17
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I have a good friend who lives in Monaco and he's not entirely thrilled at the thought of the ship pulling into harbour and hordes of the Ibiza/Falaraki spilling out, but having read this just the other day, I'd say that it's got a lot going for it.... (depending on your taste, of course)
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001420.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001420.cfm
Dec 30th, 2005, 05:34 AM
#18
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Depending on one's taste...precisely.
The photograph just about did it for me. How naff can one person be? In his oversized polo shirt, wannabe lookalike steel rolex, the off-white (cream?) slacks, and a comb-over swatch of grey. I think that one might find the "kiss me quick" (or the other expression) crowd far more entertaining.
The photograph just about did it for me. How naff can one person be? In his oversized polo shirt, wannabe lookalike steel rolex, the off-white (cream?) slacks, and a comb-over swatch of grey. I think that one might find the "kiss me quick" (or the other expression) crowd far more entertaining.
Dec 30th, 2005, 07:43 AM
#19
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My thought about the cruise is you can be miserable and look at negatives, or you can just enjoy the adventure and let go of your "inner Hilton"...
In the Caribbean, be prepared to know what you want to do on each island, because the staff doesn't really help much with this. The shore events that they planned must have a minimum number of people signed up and when I was on board, they were all canceled.
You can do as much or as little as you want on each island. BUT, bring your own travel guides and books.
In the Caribbean, be prepared to know what you want to do on each island, because the staff doesn't really help much with this. The shore events that they planned must have a minimum number of people signed up and when I was on board, they were all canceled.
You can do as much or as little as you want on each island. BUT, bring your own travel guides and books.
Dec 30th, 2005, 07:53 AM
#20
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m_kingdom2: Haha! No it wouldn't be to my preferred taste but as a way of visiting several cities, most of the time of which would be spent onshore, it's probably good value if you just look at it as somewhere to sleep and a method of transport.
We don't all have the money for 5* lifestyles dahling!
We don't all have the money for 5* lifestyles dahling!
