Tell us about Easy Cruise

[webecruzin2]

Okay we've just booked the 7day Greek Islands and Turkey cruise for next May. As I've said before here, we are experienced cruisers with the usual cruise lines but we're also adventurous and willing to try new things so that being said, can anyone out there tell us what to expect on Easy Cruise. I see there aren't very frequent posts on this thread but not sure where else to go to find past Easy Cruisers. So any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Eileen and Tom

[sceptic]

Really, I do think that the easyCruise posts on cruisecritic might be the best overall source of info about what it's like. There used to be a website called bigorangeboat, but it's down now, and has been for a few months.

Just dig through all the threads and posts to get a "feel" for the experience. If you then have specific questions there are several easycruisers here (like moi) who will be happy to help. I haven't done Greece, though. Only the Caribbean twice.

[Stitchman]

We are experienced cruisers. Went on the little orange lady august bank holiday 2006. Expected nothing and had a fantastic time. Total party atrosphere. Loved it!
Couldn't wait til the following year and found a boring somber changed ship. Stellios was on board and we complained to him about the rubbish music, the changed sports bar is now called fusion on 4 and has no atmosphere. We bigged it up to everyone and ended up bitterly dissapointed as did many other repeat guests.
I wouldn't bother with it again, but 1 mans meat is another mans poison. The greek isles were nice though.
I hope stellios took our complaints on board though
Take it easy
Stitchman

[webecruzin2]

Just curious, what your complaints to Stelios about? Was it just that the atmosphere was more sedate or was it the crew that changed?
What kind of music do you think is rubbish? I'm wondering if they're trying to appeal to a wider range of ages/types. Can you tell me more, please?

[Stitchman]

I'm really sorry it's taken so long to reply to this thread however below are my reasons for disappointment with Easy Cruise One last year:

The whole concept of Easy Cruise One seemed to have changed since we went in 2006 in the French Riviera.

It appears Stelios is aiming more at the Greek market with sombre, depressing music playing like Cold Play (I like Cold Play but not when partying on a cruise ship)!!!

The majority of the crew were the same and even they seemed to be a little bored with the new concept. There was a new cruise director (some American guy who looked like a Greek adonis and spoke fluent Greek) eye candy for the ladies but he didn't have much of a clue on how to keep us British guests entertained.

Stelios was on board with his yes men and they were all having meetings about what was going wrong with the profits with regard to on board spend as it had slumped significantly since the ship moved to Athens.

In our opinion, this was largely due to the fact that it was so boring on the ship, that most guests were spending as much time as possible ashore and so spending no money in the bar on board.

Stelios arranged a happy hour for us on our last night onboard and he sold so much alcohol in that hour that he extended it for an additional 1/2 hour. When we complained about the music, Stelios was informed and the music was then changed and we all had a brilliant night on board and what we expect from Easy Cruise (a big party up on top deck).

There is no point Stelios aiming the ship at the Greek people as they all speak the lingo and will get off at every port to enjoy the local restaurants at local prices and just use the ship as a bed for the night, whereas the Brits, Ozzies and South Africans all come to party and drink which equals profit for Stelios.

The shop is no more so even though one is not allowed to bring food or drink on board, there's no shop to buy snacks like crisps, chocolate or nuts to enjoy with a drink in the bar or if you forget your toothbrush or shampoo, it's tough luck until the next afternoon when you arrive at the next port.

The coffee shop is no more (to make way for 3 more cabins) which was a big shame because it was a lovely relaxing place to enjoy a real coffee and panini after a hard night partying. The most ironic thing is that people that get put in these 3 cabins all complain about the noise as they are right above the engines and when we were onboard, the guests had to be relocated to other rooms for this reason.

The menus have changed in the restaurant and they were much nicer and more reasonably priced before. It used to be like good, honest pub grub at pub prices but now it's gone more upmarket with a more fancy menu at much higher prices but it is not a P&O Cruise and generally guests want a quick bite to eat.

The food used to be served in the Sports Bar where there were TV's showing sports and it was like an American diner with booths and a really good atmosphere. Now it's Fusion on 4 and it's very clinical as it's all white and pale blue and all the spirit has gone.

In 2006, the entertainment included Karaoke in the Sports Bar and it was the best night's entertainment of the whole trip. It's fair to say that 99% of the guests on board participated that evening. We requested a karaoke night in 2007 and was told we couldn't have one as it wasn't popular with the Greeks!

When Stelios approached us to ask for our opinions, he didn't appear to want to embelish our constructive criticism. We told him this was our 2nd time on Easy Cruise and that after the 1st trip, we had recommended Easy Cruise to all our friends and family but that on this occasion, we wouldn't be doing this as the new format was not working for us. He quickly moved on to ask other passengers their views instead.

Having said all of the above, we are going to give them one last chance this August Bank Holiday to see whether they may have learned from last year's mistakes as despite all the criticisms, we still had a great time and really enjoyed the Greek Islands themselves so if worst comes to the worst, we'll do as the Greeks do and use the ship as a bed for the night and spend all of our time ashore.

[avfcok]

Went on Easycruise 1 for the first time in June last year.Not having previously easycruised had nothing to compare to , but we had a fabulous time. We met dozens of really good people.I can remember a group of us singing on many evenings , joke telling ,quizing , and even occasionally the Easycruise people organised a good night. On the evening of the "Women drink for free" promotion ,several guys , braver than I , turned up in drag and enjoyed copious amounts of alcohol. I promise you , you will have a good time. We're back again in June - cant wait.

[Stitchman]

Went on Easycruise 1 for the first time in June last year.Not having previously easycruised had nothing to compare to , but we had a fabulous time. We met dozens of really good people.I can remember a group of us singing on many evenings , joke telling ,quizing , and even occasionally the Easycruise people organised a good night. On the evening of the "Women drink for free" promotion ,several guys , braver than I , turned up in drag and enjoyed copious amounts of alcohol. I promise you , you will have a good time. We're back again in June - cant wait.
Hi chuck.... Glad you enjoyed it. We really enjoyed it the first time too and believe me if we had had a ladies drink for free night during our greek island cruise i would have donned a mini skirt myself but alas we didn't.. I actually think things may have been toned down as the big man was on board....

But I hope the next one is good for you and I look forward to hearing your next review.

But as i've already written, despite all i wrote in my review previously, we are still probably going back on in august.;)

enjoy

Stitch x

[Hantsman1205]

Hi chuck.... Glad you enjoyed it. We really enjoyed it the first time too and believe me if we had had a ladies drink for free night during our greek island cruise i would have donned a mini skirt myself but alas we didn't.. I actually think things may have been toned down as the big man was on board....

But I hope the next one is good for you and I look forward to hearing your next review.

But as i've already written, despite all i wrote in my review previously, we are still probably going back on in august.;)

enjoy

Stitch x

I must admit having seen the prices for the boats food and drink, i wont be overdoing it, :rolleyes: They are just a bit OTT IMHO

[superdrews]

I hate to say this as I'm probably the biggest cheapskate on the board, but for the prices most of us our booking our cabins at I can't believe everything on board isn't twice as expensive as it currently is and when you put the whole thing in perspective, the drink prices are a bargain.

[SaylorGirl]

I must admit having seen the prices for the boats food and drink, i wont be overdoing it, :rolleyes: They are just a bit OTT IMHO

Actually the prices are not out of line. If you purchase the meal plan that they offer it is a real bargin! They also have their happy hour drinks every day.

[Hantsman1205]

Actually the prices are not out of line. If you purchase the meal plan that they offer it is a real bargin! They also have their happy hour drinks every day.

Im not sure its a bargin esp if the food is not up to scratch , im not after posh food by the way :rolleyes: I do also think they have to make their money. However we are a savy bunch and although we like easycruise we also like value for money, I still think its just a tadge over priced! ;)

[Stitchman]

Actually the prices are not out of line. If you purchase the meal plan that they offer it is a real bargin! They also have their happy hour drinks every day.
Hi there saylorGirl.. So i take it you've been on before... and Hantsman.

Was this before the change in look and appearance of the old girl ?

[Hantsman1205]

Hi there saylorGirl.. So i take it you've been on before... and Hantsman.

Was this before the change in look and appearance of the old girl ?

Hi Stitchman, no not been on a EC cruise yet, but going on EC1 June 17th - 30th 2008, 9 nights and four nights. Wish I had been on other EC cruises, but having done alot of research re EC on the net, i think prices are on the way up :rolleyes:

Also sounds like the other cruises were a bargin :D however plan early use discount codes ect and get a cheap Easy jet flight ;) and its still great value IMHO

Neil

Uk

[Stitchman]

Hi Stitchman, no not been on a EC cruise yet, but going on EC1 June 17th - 30th 2008, 9 nights and four nights. Wish I had been on other EC cruises, but having done alot of research re EC on the net, i think prices are on the way up :rolleyes:

Also sounds like the other cruises were a bargin :D however plan early use discount codes ect and get a cheap Easy jet flight ;) and its still great value IMHO

Neil

Uk
We're probably going again in august bank holiday weekend. Yes the prices have crept up but it is still a cheap way to see some beautiful islands. Just don't set your standards too high and you won't be disapointed.

We're doing a carnival weekender in july , 3 nights and thats about the same price as 4 nights and flights to the greek isles.... then again its a different thing altogether.....

Enjoy

Stitch :)

[SaylorGirl]

Stitchman - I will be on Easy Cruise in September for my third Easy Cruise. As a very seasoned cruiser I have fallen in love with the concept of Easy Cruise.

My first one was in the Mediterranean, loved the itinerary and the ports. This was back when the ship was bright orange and had the orange head boards in the cabins with the "Easy Cruise" stenciled on. It did make the ship very easy to find in the ports! They did have a wonderful coffee shop and she made the best cappuccinos in the morning. We had an amazing time and enjoyed the extra time in the ports.

Last September we had two cruises scheduled we spend a month in Europe and we were planning on going on the "Easy Cruise II" and then a couple weeks later we were back on Easy Cruise I in Greece. Unfortunately Easy Cruise II was canceled due to a problem on the lease for the ship. Easy Cruise was very helpful and great to work with. We just changed our itinerary around and made it work.

We then of course were on the ship in Greece. There were some changes good and bad with the ship. The first was that our favorite coffee shop was gone, which took away some of the seating when you were not in the cabin. The good changes outweighed the bad. They removed a lot of the orange from the ship both on the exterior and interior. The sun deck was updated and they added a sauna to the ship, which we loved. There was now a shower curtain in the bathroom, which was a great addition and hooks on the cabin walls to hang clothes with hangers.

They did change the restaurants around but the menus really looked great and I heard no complaints from anyone regarding the food choices or quality. I think that this years addition of a "meal plan" will be a great option.

I had no problem with the music choices and the one night they brought in Greek dancers and that was a huge hit with everyone.

I think Easy Cruise does a great job at "fantastic prices". I am one cruise away on both RCCL and Princess from being platinum, but I am having a hard time going back to the mega ships now. I really enjoy the smaller ship, extra time in port, not being "nickeled and dimed" to death. And the incessant announcements being made constantly and the "bingo" games!! Easy Cruise is what it is!

I noticed in one of your earlier posts that you were unhappy with some of the changes. I am glad to see that you will be giving it another try and maybe you will have a great time. I don't remember if they had a Karaoke night on our sailing, but being a horrible singer, I probably would have been thrown overboard! It appeared that everyone was enjoying the DJ.

The ports in Greece are amazing and it is a good way to get to some many Islands. We are looking forward to this cruise, it will be about halfway through our travels through Europe so it will be a great way to re-charge.

Are you going back on Easy Cruise 1 or the new ship??

[Stitchman]

Hi saylorgirl.

Thanks for your really in depth reply...brilliant.

Yes I loved the orange concept and i'm afraid it will be on EC1 again.

And i'm always one to give the benefit of the doubt regarding music etc as i pointed out it may have had somthing to do with Stellios being on board.

If you dont mind me asking... are you from the UK?
And are you on facebook?

Not important but I re-started this thread by accident and its got big again and we (myself and mandy) like to put a face to names.

Glad you agreed about the coffee shop though and loved the input.

enjoy

Stitch :)

[SaylorGirl]

Stitch - from the US! I do fancy the UK though and we usually spend a few days there while in Europe. And sorry not on facebook! What is your sailing date?

[Stitchman]

August the 21st to the 25th i think...sorry i'm the man. I don't book things I just turn up at the airport!!!:D

[SaylorGirl]

August the 21st to the 25th i think...sorry i'm the man. I don't book things I just turn up at the airport!!!:D

ahhhhhhh . . . you have the easy job!!

[Stitchman]

ahhhhhhh . . . you have the easy job!!
you are right of course ! But Mandy my better half is so good at organising.....a bit too good really , that i just take a back seat and just let her get on with it.

Still respect to you for nearly being a platinum Princess!!!

We are doing the Emerald for christmas and new year, have you done her ?:D

[SaylorGirl]

you are right of course ! But Mandy my better half is so good at organising.....a bit too good really , that i just take a back seat and just let her get on with it.

Still respect to you for nearly being a platinum Princess!!!

We are doing the Emerald for christmas and new year, have you done her ?:D

I have not been on the Emerald! I always have wanted to do a Christmas - New Years cruise. Formal night on New Years Eve would be spectacular. I love the champagne waterfall that Princess does.

[Stitchman]

Can't believe you haven't done Christmas and new year !!!

But you are making Princess sound more appealing by the minute

We have done every christmas and NY since 2003 and love it.....no family arguements or drama...just loads of people loving the winter sun in the caribbean.....Handsome !

Stitch x

[SaylorGirl]

Can't believe you haven't done Christmas and new year !!!





Too much of a traditionalist I guess. Yuletide greetings, hot mulled cider, snow, cookies, more snow! But now that I think about it the sun and fun does sound like a good time!!

[Stitchman]

Too much of a traditionalist I guess. Yuletide greetings, hot mulled cider, snow, cookies, more snow! But now that I think about it the sun and fun does sound like a good time!!
To be honest I wasn't too sure, but I was sitting up on top deck at lunchtime in 28 degrees and all that I could think was " I cant believe its Christmas".

Feels like a culture shock really. One of our best experiences was after transiting the panama canal and heading up toward Accapulco it was xmas day and we were being followed by a school of dolphins. We were all cheering and they kept doing flips for us.... now thats a gift that's priceless !

Please don't miss out !