island cruises island escape

What Happened to the Island Escape Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

The Island Escape Cruise Ship was a beloved luxury cruise liner that sailed the Caribbean Sea for over two decades. It was known for its lavish amenities, impeccable service and breathtaking views of the ocean.

Unfortunately, in 2020 the ship had to be retired due to a series of unfortunate events.

The Island Escape Cruise Ship first set sail in 1998 and quickly became one of the most popular cruise liners in the Caribbean. Guests enjoyed spacious staterooms, multiple restaurants, pools, spas and plenty of activities onboard. The crew was known for their friendly demeanor and helpfulness in making sure all guests had a wonderful time.

However, in 2018 the ship ran into some trouble when it encountered mechanical issues during a voyage from Barbados to Jamaica. The ship’s engine malfunctioned and had to be towed back to Barbados where it was forced to remain docked until repairs could be made.

This wasn’t the only issue with the Island Escape Cruise Ship though. In 2019, the ship encountered another mechanical issue during a voyage from St Thomas to St Maarten which caused it to lose power for several days while stranded at sea. This incident led to an investigation by authorities which revealed numerous safety violations on board including overcrowding, lack of emergency procedures and improper maintenance.

These issues combined with rising costs associated with operating such an outdated vessel led to the decision by its owner company, Carnival Cruise Lines, to retire the Island Escape Cruise Ship in 2020. The ship was officially decommissioned in April 2020 and sent off on its final voyage as a farewell cruise before being sold off for scrap metal later that year.

The retirement of the Island Escape Cruise Ship marks an end of an era for Caribbean cruises. For many travelers who experienced its luxurious amenities and attentive service first-hand, it will always be remembered fondly as one of the best ships ever built.

In conclusion , what happened to the Island Escape Cruise Ship is unfortunate but inevitable given its age combined with various technical issues that occurred over time. Despite this, its retirement will always be remembered fondly by those who experienced its luxurious amenities and attentive service first-hand.

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Cruise Ship   Island Escape

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Island Escape Cruise Reviews

By Rebel Rouser , May 10, 2012 in Island Cruises

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Above expectation 10 / 10   May 2012, Valerie G Have just come back from a brilliant 7days cruise on the Island Escape, Have read some of the previous reveiws, i was a little apprehensive, but WOW how wrong i was to beleive these. Fron stepping on board ship i could not have felt more like royalty. Our cabin steward William was brilliant and was always there asking if there was any thing we needed, he kept our cabin spotless and each time we returned back to our cabin our towels had been made into a different animal. The food was really first classs with plenty of choice and as much as you wanted 24hrs a day The waiters went out of there way when serving you even carrying your plates to the table. Entertainment was as good as any show i have seen in London some even better.The only fault i could find with this cruise is that i had to come home after 8 days. So please don,t take notice of the reveiws go on the ISLAND ESCAPE and i know you will not regret it. This was my first Cruise and if i decide to do another it will definately be on the Island Escape. Thankyou to all the Crew and Staff for making my Cruise and Holiday so Perfect.

loved every minute 8 / 10   May 2012, Jackie G my husband and i have just returned from a weeks cruise on the island escape, we were a bit apprehensive because we had read some bad reviews....we absol loved it, no complaints at all, would def recommend..we cannot wait to go on another cruise next year!! possibly back on the island escape. staff very friendy, food fantastic, we had an outside cabin, very clean! 10/10

First Timers 10 / 10   May 2012, Fiona E 4 readers found this review helpful We had never cruised before and booked the Island Escape on the basis that we didn't spend too much so couldn't lose too much! Some of the critical reviews scared us a bit, but how wrong we were! We absolutely loved it. Sure, she's a little old and creaky (aren't we all), but there were so many positives! The crew were fabulous, we had an outside balcony on deck 9 , cabin 9072. It was small but spotlessly clean with excellent service from Akash our steward. Nothing was too much trouble, including laundry and ironing. Embarkation was a breeze, smooth and straightforward. We were taken to our cabin and luggage arrived moments later. The food was great. We didn't like the large table seating in the Island so had most breakfasts and suppers in the Beachcomber ( the food was generally much the same). The Beachcomber Afternoon Tea was outstanding! We also had a few meals in the Oasis where for a modest supplement you could have outstanding food and service. The entertainment was first class, superb vocalists including the super talented and charming Ben Gillham. Ross the entertainments manager was a whirlwind and excellent at his job. Good advice however, to get to the theatre well in advance of the shows. As for it being rocky, well it's a ship! The gentle rocking actually helped me sleep, tho the comfy beds probably helped too. Two tiny gripes, Internet access was expensive and poor, and the orange juice at breakfast was horrid. That's the only negatives I can think of! We had the drinks package, believe the ship will be all inclusive next year which makes it even better value. So, don't hesitate, go...but let us book our return trip for 2013 first!

The Great Escape 10 / 10   May 2012, David T 13 readers found this review helpful Firstly if you are expecting the glamour of the QE2 then don't bother, if you are the sort of person that always has to write a critical review because in your mind thats the only way to improve things, then stay at home and review that, but if you are the sort of person that accepts not everything in life is 100% perfect 100% of the time and are prepared to make the best of it,BOOK A CRUISE ON THIS SHIP NOW. Firstly the ship itself, yes its getting on a bit. It started life as a cruise ferry running a regular service between New York and the Bahamas so we are not talking about the Isle of Wight ferry here, in fact when launched it was the biggest cruise ferry ever built. Later it was bought by Royal Caribean and refitted as a true cruise ship. The cabins - we were on deck 6 outside cabin 10th - 17th April 2012. The cabins are not large and are designed for 4 people, this would be a squash but as there was just the 2 of us they were fine with enough storage space. The beds and bedding at first glance appear very basic with just a simple quilt but in fact were very comfortable. The cabins were kept spotlessly clean by our super effecient cabin steward (Artha)who tidied them at least twice a day plus a bed turn down in the evening. The worst thing was the bathroom which again, although spotlessly clean was certainly dated in appearance with a wash basin in a strange pinkish orange colour(sorry being a man thats the best I could do to describe the colour). On some reviews people were complaing about the noise and shuddering of the ship during a gale- all I can say is that I had the best nights sleep ever and on other nights it was that quiet I had to look out of the window to see if we were still moving. The food- We tried the Beachcomber once (this is the simplest of the 3 resturants - self-service with the option to eat outside on the rear deck) and decided it was a bit of a "bun fight" but by definition a lot of people preffered it. Our choice was the Island Restuarant, again self service but you are shown to a table by a friendly and attentive waiter like Jobert. The breakfasts are about the best I have ever had with every taste catered for. I like a cooked breakfast when on holiday and everything was freshly cooked to perfection even the fried eggs. The lunches and dinners were plentiful and varied with again plenty of choice for every taste. My only gripe and its a small one is that in my opinion the food was presented in the wrong order i.e. you collected your plate then chose the vegetables then the potatoes,rice and pasta section before finally the meats so if you wern't careful you could easily end up with a strange combination, but this was easily resolved with a peep at the end first.One evening we dined in the Oasis restuarant (there is a sucharge for this and you have to book in advance)the food was superb, cooked just as we like it and as it was a special occasion we were even presented with a small cake with candle and serenaded by the multi talented waiters! The entertainment- The evening shows were superb and very professionally done but get there early as the theatre fills up quickly(there are two sittings per night). There is other entertainment going on around the ship throughout the day some great some not so good its down to you. The staff- we found all the staff extremely friendly and effecient and never had to wait for a fresh drink - take the all inclusive option it costs the equivalent of 2 drinks a day so will save you a fortune and covers all house drinks with a small surcharge if you want something special i.e. I preffered Captain Morgans rum and that was 20p extra, if you are a whisky drinker there were several well known brands listed as all inclusive.The beer was Boddingtons and lager was San Miguell. The trips -there are plenty of options i.e. fully escorted or drop you off and pick you up, even bicycle tours. The trips are not that cheap but then again nothing is in Italy. We chose the Rome and Florence drop off options and did our own thing in the cities, unfortunately in rained solidly on both days but we still enjoyed them.On the other stops we simply walked ashore and again did our own thing. Town maps are supplied with the daily news letter to your cabin. In conclusion this cruise did everything it said on the tin - It was relaxed, friendly and informal and I can strongly recommend it.

Great time 10 / 10   Apr 2012, PE JACKS 5 readers found this review helpful Booked the grand suite for my Wife's 50th Birthday(April 17th-24th 2012) and it was worth ever extra penny, two double rooms both with double beds,big shower and bath room, walk in wardrode,6 seater table and chairs, bar area, 17 metre long balconey it was just wonderful,our house-keeper Hugo could not do enough for you,did our ironing and brought us Breakfast in bed at no extra charge as this is in the room price this is not advertised on the web site,the food on the boat is perfection great choice, well cooked and tasty, the boat itself is a little tired looking due to its age but not a problem you expect this on an older boat, staff second to none all very friendly, look out for a head waiter called Julian he is very helpful when requesting tables in the resturants.No need to book any trips on the Med Cruise we went on all ports had things to do with very little distance to walk from the boat with the exception of Rome,Cant wait to book my next Thomson island escape cruise we had such a great time.

Island Escape - What a surprise! 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Wendy W 3 readers found this review helpful After reading the reviews after we booked our cruise we were very apprehensive to say the least! But we have had a fantastic cruise 17.4.12 - 24.4.12. Room on deck 8 small but clean only criticism was the bed was too hard for me - but the other half didn't mind. Glenn did a great job cleaning very day. Rest of crew also fantastic nothing was a bother and as said previously they made a point of remembering peoples names and were very curteous at all times - especially Rolando in pub. Food was good, ok we had to have plastic plates but that didn't bother us too much, I agree that they should have spoons and not straws. But overall we had a great time. Shows great, Uk comedian excellent. Wet in Rome and also there was a strike on but that was something no one could control. Pisa is well worth a trip. If you want a posh cruise don't bother as this is a 3* cruise but if you want laid back and friendly go for it you won't be disappointed.

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stevedeccaman

Good News for all on forthcoming cruises on the old ship :)

Looks like Island cruises have upped there Game, Jenny I have hilighted one post just for you :)

Great again 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Basement Al   5 readers found this review helpful Just had yet another great week on board the Island Escape, returned 17/04/2012. We all know it is not the most modern of ships but is more than adequate for the service it provides. The weather wasn't the best but this didn't dampen our enthusism. Ross and his entertainment team are brilliant, both UK act's were great, especially Josh Daniels. The food and bar experiences are great, I always expect and recieve great service and treatment. Hope it continues so that we may enjoy more trips on board.

bazandang 9 / 10   Apr 2012, Angelica R 3 readers found this review helpful have just returned from our first ever cruise and what a fantastic time we had from the moment we stepped onto the ship to the moment we stepped off. every crew member made us feel so welcome nothing was too much trouble. entertainment especially the resident singers and dancers worked so hard in sometimes quite bumpy conditions. a special mention to danny and ben keep up the good work you both deserve the best. as mentioned in quite a few reveiws the ship is getting a little tired but has a heart of gold. thankyou so much once again.xxxxxxxxxxxx

Fantastic value for money 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Bjzzer 1 reader found this review helpful As per previous reviewers, I was a little apprehensive about Island escape, even to the point of not letting my wife or daughter read them before we arrived. Thankfully everyone had a thoroughly great time and want to return. We went with my Mum and Dad who are hardened P&O cruisers but even they were amazed by the value and standards of the Island Escape. the rooms are basic but clean and the staff are tremendous - helpful courteous and very hardworking. they have been given the time to talk to the guests and do genuinely enjoy playing with the kids and telling you about their home life's and experiences on board. We travelled on the spirit of the med cruise from 10 th April '12 and the only downr was a v wet Rome and Pisa. We didn't do any organised trips but explored independently (6 buses and 2 trains to get to the Leaning tower but quite an adventure). Barcelona was fantastic on the bus stopping at Parc Guell. The food was excellent with huge variety and my daughters loved it - as did I. island restaurant was wonderful and the staff are very attentive and entertained the children and adults with puzzles and napkin models (ESP Ari ). Staff always remember your drinks and we even had the same table kept for us all each night. Entertainment was great, even for me who doesn't like west end show music - loved the opera numbers! Only down side was one of the photographers who got a bit snooty with me. The coffee in the beachcomber is very chicory laden and the tea weak - go for Darjeeling as much tastie brew. These are very minor points as we all had a fantastic time but felt we paid the right price.

Something for everyone 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Alison W 2 readers found this review helpful We were a little apprehansive after reading a range of reviews but thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Island Escape. The staff were fantastic - friendly & helpful, going the extra mile at all times. The entertainment team were excellent, from shows in the theatre to quizzes,masterchef, fruit carving & napkin folding demonstrations. My 7 year old daughter loved the pool & kids clubs & my 11 year old son was happy to join in with the many activities on offer. My husband spent many hours in the gym & I was quite happy to chill on a sunbed near the pool. We found the food to be of good quality, tasty & always hot. There was always a good selection & we never failed to find plenty for all of us. The hot puddings especially were lovely. We ate in both the Beachcomber (cafe style) & Island restaurant & found both to be equally nice - yes, there were melamine plates in the Beachcomber, but as these could be taken outside did it matter? The ports of call were all interesting & the excursions reasonable value. We did 'Rome on your own' & 'Easy Pisa'. We had 2 cabins next door to each other on Bronze deck. These were adequately sized & had enough storage for the clothes & other possessions we took. The cabin steward, William, did a great job of cleaning & made some fantastic towel model animals every day which my husband, myself & the children all loved. I consider myself to be quite fussy & really enjoyed every aspect of this cruise. Yes there were shabby areas of the ship, yes the bathrooms & showers were small, yes you couldn't always find a sunbed in the exact spot you wanted one, but overall we couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable week & we were all sad to leave. We'd love to repeat the experience next year with different ports of call.

brilliant week 10 / 10   Apr 2012, bankie 8 readers found this review helpful Just returned from a week and both had a great time.Just cannot understand the negative reviews as this is our second year in a row and if anything was better this year.Met some brilliant people and can't wait to return.Our cabin was basic ,but for all the time you spend in it is fine.Just go for it and have a brilliant time.Entertainment and all staff are excellent.

Loved every minute of being on board 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Debbie L 5 readers found this review helpful Food was excellent, Staff exceptional, We loved every thing about this cruise, I went with my partner, brother, sister and sister-in law It is our first cruise. Our cabin was on deck 5 with an outside window, The room was bigger than I thought and the bed very comfortable. Air conditioning worked well, shower was powerful, our housekeeper was great. Honestly it was so much better than I had expected for the price we paid (Approx £800 including the drinks package). The only downside for me personally was the size of the swimming pool.

Good Value For Money 9 / 10   Apr 2012, Karen L 2 readers found this review helpful We were very worried when we arrived due to reading some poor reviews. However our fears were unfounded. The ship is fine, the cabin was bigger than we expected and comfortable and all aspects of the cruise were good. The entertainment is very good and the food is basic but acceptable. The service, from every member of staff, was truly excellent and the attention to detail was better than we have experienced in some five star hotels. In summary this is certainly a three star cruise in terms of accommodation and dining but with five star service. Fantastic value for money and we would return.

excellent ship!!! 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Margaret C 3 readers found this review helpful just returned from a week on the island escape. had the most amazing time. the staff are very friendly and cant do enough for you, food was excellent and entertainment was fab. julian, cruz & vitrok were our waiters in the island restaurant and treated us like royalty. i was with another 4 members of my family and are looking forward to booking up for next year.

exhillerating 10 / 10   Apr 2012, Joyce N 7 readers found this review helpful the service is exceptional. No other way to discribe it. A greatendly service from every single member of staff from bar and catering to domestic and entertainment. The service you recieve from the bar staff especially. They remember each and every person and their likes and dislikes. You do not have to move an inch. They attend to your every need with a curtious professionalism. The liner is dated and need of decorating but it caterers for every need. At the end of the day you only go to the cabins to sleep. They are comfortable and warm. Have a good shower though small.Plenty of storage space and t.v. The evening shows are great. Something different every night. Casino small but inviting. Restaurants fantastic. Loads of variety to choose from. Themed nights, english and continental foods. Open twenty four seven. Excellent for those urges at three in the morning after the nightclub closes. Lively pub with friendly people. Great place to meet new mates. There was nothing i didnt like. Everything about the escape is fantastic. Shore excursions are very good. There are those with activities for the more health consious person. i.e bike riding, walking tours and for those less able a lot of choice of coach tours too. Family friendly. Although there were many children on board they were rarely seen as they have their own areas. Internet available for those who wish to stay i touc with family and friends.h

Happy campers x 10 / 10   Mar 2012, Moira P 10 readers found this review helpful We went on the best of the med cruise on island escape in 2010 ,it was our first cruise and we loved it ,it was clean ,the staff were all lovely the food was excellent ,the pub was very lively and just like a local pub where everyone all sang along got up to dance and chatted to each other .the buffet restaurant had a theme every night aswell as all the other choices of food ,others were waiter service and nicer to eat in ,but we ate mostly in the buffet one .the afternoon tea was great the only thing that lets it down is the coffee ,you should be able to get a nice latte at any of the bars as you can on other ships when you are all inclusive ,,but no so take a jar of nescafe with you .the whole ship has a lovely relaxed atmosphere .there were good shows on every night and in the family bar it had good entertainment for all the kids were involved ,they had talent nights ,karaoke ,quizzes ,and the bingo was great £1000 for a house ,there was a good choice in all the shops on board and good prices too ,all in all it was an excellent holiday , we were on the destiny in feb this year it was also very good, And the coffee was plentiful and good .but we had just as good a time on island escape .I'm going on island escape again on 15th may this year so I'm hoping the coffee has improved but I will take my own anyway .I will let you know if it was as good or bad when I get back Happy holidays everyone Moira from Edinburgh x

Thanks again RR. these reviews are such a joy to read. They're putting daughter #2 at ease as well as she was not really looking forward to going on the good ship.

My Pleasure Jenny :)

really excited now!!!! :-D

I bet you are. I'm excited and I've still got 37 days

Really should start the holiday diet, perhaps tomorrow :o

I must start writing some more reviews :p

Thanks for posting those reviews RR....lots of favourable comments which is good to see!

We're really glad that Ross Roberts is still on there he was excellent last year!:)

Silverheaded skier

Have booked a back to back for September and having gone on and read the the reviews wished I hadn't, but having read this post am very releived.

We are used to Thomson cruise ships, Our first was the wonderful old tub the Topaz, we don't expect the Ritz, just hope for pleasant service, and friendly tolerant travelling company.

SS you wont be dissapointed..Fingers crossed :D

• 2 months later...

Not sure if this will work...but we have not long returned from two weeks on IE and this is my honest review.....

http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/island-cruises/island-escape/read_review_43312/

JW..spot on ;) of course the IE CC company was good :p

Of course...that goes without saying !!!:D

You seem to get a better class of people on the IE these days ;)

Not sure if this will work...but we have not long returned from two weeks on IE and this is my honest review.....       http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/island-cruises/island-escape/read_review_43312/

Hi Jenny wren

Fantastic review. I am on 35 days and after reading your review my trip cannot come soon enough.

It will soon be here! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :)

• 2 weeks later...

Been cruising for many years, been on P &O, RC, but why am I choosing Island Escape for a third time? Like luxury -yes. But even better is the ultra friendly Island Escape. Also being a smaller boat means docking into ports you are more likely to be overlooking the port, not in the outer area, RC you had to pay 10 dollars for a coach to take you to the port eg Barcelona, a ship so large was moored in deeper waters, or was it because everyone paid 10 dollars to get to the port, no comment! On IE I stood on deck overlooking the beauty of Barcelona as the ship pulled away - a sight not to be forgotten. Also RC cancelled about 10 active excursions due to out sourcing and they need a minimum number to run eg canoeing. IE have bikes run by Star Bikes, fab, and in Naples the guide took 1 passenger on tour (think it was a harder one for me to try!) but what ship would do at a personal bike tour. No you will not get facilities of large RC ships, but it is the adventure, the staff, the passengers, plus it is what you make of it, have the right attitude and it will be a fab holiday. Off to join the ship again mid August.:)

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Island Escape Super Yacht Cruises of NZ

• Posted on 22 December 2021
• 2 Minutes to read

Breaking News! Island Escape Cruises have received New Zealand Government permission to operate their luxury Super Yacht cruises in New Zealand this summer 

Island Escape will arrive in New Zealand on the 31st of December ready for her first cruise departing Auckland 12 January 2022

The brand new Super Yacht Island Escape holds just 32 guests who travel in All Inclusive luxury style looked after by 14 crew

The Island Escape is complete with all the essential items you would expect on a luxury Super Yacht including: * Two Passenger Tenders * Two Zodiacs * 100% Egyptian Cotton Linen * Luxury Towels * In Suite Hairdryers * Daily Turndown service All food, drinks, scheduled activities, unlimited Wi-Fi and services are included in your fare.

Get in quick to be one of the lucky guests to enjoy luxury cruising in New Zealand this summer. Note; All guests must be double vaccinated against Covid-19

Auckland to Nelson, 12 January 2022, 8 Nights Auckland, Mt.Maunganui, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, D’Urville Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Learn More  

Ultimate Fiordland, 01 February 2022, 12 Nights Cruise the hidden Sounds & Fiords in Fiordland National Park.  This extended journey is hosted by  Peter (PJ) Montgomery, the noted NZ Americas Cup Sailing Guru Learn More  

Fiordland Northern Passage, 19 February 2022, 8 Nights Explore the lesser known Fiords on Fiordland’s Northern Passage with a maximum of 32 guests. Also operates 19 March 2022 Learn More

Fiordland & Stewart Island Southbound (Fiordland to Bluff) 25 Feb 2022 Discover the scenic wonders of Fiordland plus the stunning birdlife and remote wilderness of Stewart Island (Rakiura) & Ulva Island Learn More

Fiordland & Stewart Island Northbound (Bluff to Fiordland), 06 March 2022 An amazing journey to discover the remote wilderness and birdlife in this untouched part of New Zealand while travelling in ultra luxury with just 32 fellow guests Learn More

Southern Fiordland , 26 March 2022, 9 Nights Escape from the crowds and your busy life as you experience the sound of silence in the remote wilderness of Southern Fiordland. Space is now limited on this itinerary, also operates 12 Feb & 12 March 2022 Learn More

To celebrate the arrival of Island Escape Cruises in New Zealand, we are pleased to offer the first 3 bookings a flight credit of $400 per booking towards your connecting domestic flights

These are just a sample of the amazing cruises on offer this summer.  Talk to our team to check availability and for details of other departures 

Freephone: 0800 99 44 88

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Island Escape Cruises NZ being investigated over whether it engaged in 'insolvent trading' before collapse stranded tourists

By Tallulah Bieundurry

ABC Kimberley

Topic: Travel Preparation and Advice

The Island Escape Cruises NZ was seized off the Kimberley coast last year. ( Supplied )

The directors of a luxury cruise company that left customers thousands of dollars out of pocket after going bankrupt may be forced to repay more than half a million dollars of illegally accrued debt if any insolvent trading occurred.

Key points:

The directors of a cruise company could be liable for around half a million dollars

Island Escape Cruises went into receivership last year, after it cancelled cruises with little notice

A report from an administrator reveals an investigation into whether the company was insolvent trading

Island Escape Cruises NZ advertised voyages along the Kimberley coast before cancelling in mid-2022 with little notice, leaving customers devastated — and without a refund. 

Its Australian counterpart went into voluntary administration late last year after creditors voted to wind up and sell assets.

The multimillion-dollar superyacht Island Escape was put up for sale in an attempt to recover funds and pay off debts incurred. 

The company's finances are under review by administrator BCR Advisory. 

Its most recent report, seen by the ABC, outlines potential claims against directors if the company was trading while insolvent.

The helipad onboard the Island Escape. ( Facebook: Island Escape Cruises )

In the report, administrator Dane Skinner said directors could be liable for the debt incurred if insolvent trading occurred.  

"Based on my investigations, my best estimate is that the company has been insolvent since May 2022 to August 2022, when the vessel was arrested by the Federal Court of Australia," he wrote. 

"I believe that insolvent trading can be established at this time with a potential claim against the director, shadow director or parent company of up to $586,820."

It is unclear how the debts were incurred. However, Mr Skinner said reimbursements could be required. 

"The director and shadow director may be liable to compensate the company for losses incurred when trading the company while it was insolvent," he wrote.

University of Western Australia legal and business expert Richard Winter said directors could be in breach of their legal obligations even if they did not know a company was insolvent.

Richard Winter says directors could be held liable for the debt if there was any insolvent trading. ( Supplied )

"Being a director,  you don't get a free pass," he said.

"It's irrelevant that they don't actually know [they were insolvent]. It's what a director in their position should know.

"If you're not going to reach that standard of care, that's your problem."

Mr Skinner's review is also investigating whether the company made any unfair preference payments.

These are payments to an unsecured creditor with an advantage over other creditors and can be voided in some situations.

"My limited investigations have identified to date potential unfair preference payments totalling $12,500," he said.

Investigations are still ongoing and Mr Skinner's findings will be submitted to ASIC for further review.

Is It Worth It To Visit Disney Cruise Line's Private Island? We Have Visited

D isney has its own private island called Castaway Cay which is reserved specifically for Disney Cruise Line Guests. Similar to the ship, there are places to have fun, relax, eat, and be entertained on Castaway Cay. Today we're going to look at all of the different offerings that are available to Disney Cruise Line Guests on this island paradise.

Disney Cruise Line is known for its excellence. The staterooms are spacious and designed with families in mind. The dining options are endless with 24-hour room service, poolside snacks, casual dining, and upscale restaurants. There is marvelous entertainment to enjoy such as Broadway-caliber musicals, character experiences, and fireworks at sea. Children can visit youth clubs that are themed and geared towards each age. Adults can enjoy alone time at nightclubs and lounges. The pools and waterslides provide fun in the sun while you're still on the ship. 

Add in the perk of Disney's own PRIVATE island just for Disney Cruise Line guests, this makes the possibility of booking a Disney Cruise even better. You can already begin reviewing the 2024 Disney Cruise Line and 2025 Disney Cruise Line trip dates now. Keep reading for our full guide to Disney's private island Castaway Cay. Our Content Director recently experienced Castaway Cay during her recent Disney Dream cruise and this guide provides an overview of the island plus tips and photos from her experience.

Disney's Island Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is a tropical paradise that's reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line Guests. There is fun for all ages at Castaway Cay.

Guests ages 18+ can escape to the adult-exclusive beach, Serenity Bay, for peaceful relaxation.

Guests of all ages can enjoy the Castaway Family beach, snorkeling, watercrafts, fishing, parasailing, youth clubs, biking, and so many more activities ! A barbeque lunch is provided for Guests on their day(s) at Castaway Cay. If you're looking for a specialty drink, cocktail, or beer to enjoy, you can head to one of the bars located on the island. Shopping locations are also available for your beach needs or Castaway Cay exclusive merchandise!

Disney Cruise Line makes a strong effort towards island preservation including work to restore the health of the coral reefs and protecting endangered loggerhead sea turtle nests. There is also an active commitment towards environmental sustainability with the use of solar panels and recycling efforts. 

Disney Castaway Cay is one of the most famous Disney Cruise Line stops since it is pretty extraordinary that Disney has their own island! 

Castaway Cay Tram

After the ship docks and you get off, you will have the option to walk or take a tram to your desired location. Castaway Cay provides trams from the ship docking area to the beaches. The trams run 8Am to 4:45PM and come every six minutes. 

We decided to take the tram on the way to the beach but walked on the way back since so many guests were lined up at the end of the day. The walk really isn't too bad! The trams are convenient if you have smaller children as your day at Castaway Cay may include some walking especially if you plan on renting any equipment or going back and forth from the beaches to other areas. 

Castaway Cay Beaches

There are two different beach areas at Castaway Cay: Castaway Family Beach and Serenity Bay.

Castaway Family Beach is for all ages and there are plenty of chairs, loungers, and hammocks for everyone to enjoy. If you plan on renting any kind of equipment later in the day, you might want to grab a spot thats on the end closest to the ship as this is also where the rentals are located. This way you're not walking back and forth! 

Serenity Bay is an area that is exclusively for adults (Guests ages 18+) for those that wish to enjoy the beach child free. 

Dining on Castaway Cay

With all of the food that's available on Disney Cruise Line ships, it's understandable to wonder what your food options will be for your day(s) at Castaway Cay. Don't worry! You won't have to head back to the ship for your food. Lunch is provided on the island for you to enjoy. Better yet, this food is included in the price of your Disney Cruise! Besides dining locations for lunch, there are also spots where you can purchase specialty drinks, cocktails, and beer.

There are three locations where lunch is served: Cookie's BBQ, Cookie's Too BBQ, and Serenity Bay BBQ.

Cookie's BBQ is located at the family beach near the snorkeling area and Cookie's Too BBQ is located at the family beach near Pelican Plunge.

Serenity Bay BBQ is located at the adult-exclusive beach, Serenity Bay. As a reminder, Guests must be 18+ to visit Serenity Bay and must also be in this age range in order to dine at Serenity Bay BBQ.

At each location, lunch is served buffet style in an open-air dining location. The buffet is all-you-care-to-enjoy so you can have as much as you'd like from 11:30am to 2pm. On the buffet you'll find fresh fruit, salads, cooked vegetables, bread, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, BBQ pork ribs, chicken, and fish (Cajun-spiced Maji Maji).

Guests who are 18+ and dining at Serenity Bay BBQ also have the opportunity to enjoy ribeye steaks!

For dessert, there is a dessert bar with various pastries as well as a soft serve ice cream machine. Inclusive drinks for your meal are located at the drink stations, which have a variety of soft drink options.

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Specialty Drinks on Castaway Cay

Not only are there drinks on Castaway Cay that are inclusive to your cruise price, but there are also specialty drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available for purchase at a variety of locations.

Olaf's Summertime Freeze – This location sells smoothie specialty drinks and souvenir cups. Usually the souvenir cup is an Olaf sipper, but we've also seen a Sven sipper before! Water and soft drinks are also available. Here's a look at the specialty drinks that are on the menu.

• Worth Melting For – Fresh Passion Fruit, Pina Colada and Blue Curacao (non-alcoholic syrup)
• In Summer – Zico Coconut Water, Pineapple Juice, Fresh Lychees and Ginger
• Let It Go – Strawberry, Mango Puree and Orange Juice
• Olaf's Flurry Freeze – Odwalla Bar Sweet and Salty Almond, Vanilla Yogurt, Orange Passion Juice, Tropical Citrus Vitamin Water
• Frozen Heart – Orange Passion Juice, Tropical Puree, Zico Coconut Water and Blue Curacao (non-alcoholic syrup)
• Ice Palace – Fresh Banana, Pineapple Chunks, Mango Puree and Zico Coconut Water
• Sven's Carrot Delight – Core Power Vanilla, Coconut Cream, Orange Passion Juice and Bolthouse Carrot Juice
• Kristoff's Ice Harvest – Odwalla Natural Lemonade, Tropical Puree and Zico Coconut Water
• Warm Hugs – Llly Mocchacciono, Fresh Strawberry, Coconut Cream and Vanilla Ice Cream
• Arendelle Water – Llly Cappuccino, Coconut Cream and Salted Caramel

Sand Bar, Conched Out Bar, Heads Up Bar, Castaway Air Bar – These bars all sell frozen specialty drinks, cocktails, and beer. While Castaway Air Bar is located at the adult-exclusive beach, Serenity Bay, you can find the other bars at the Castaway Family Beach.

There are also Cast Members that walk along the beach who can take your order and bring your drinks right to your beach chair.

Castaway Cay Kid Recreation

There is ton of fun to be had by kids on Castaway Cay, but there are some areas that are designed with them specifically in mind. Some of these areas are JUST for them.

Spring-a-Leak  – This is a splash pad water play area that's full of fountains and misters.

Scuttle's Cove – Scuttle's Cove, one of the two youth clubs at Castaway Cay, is for ages 3-12. Your children will be under the care of trained Disney Cruise Line counselors during their here. While at Scuttle's Cove, children will be able to participate in activities, play in the water, and dig around Monstro Point. They'll dig their way through whale bones to find other fossils and treasure.

Pelican Plunge – This floating platform provides fun for both kids and adults. Children must be at least 38 in. tall order to play here. On the platform, you'll find two waterslides and a giant water dump bucket.

Teen Hideout – The second youth club on Castaway Cay is the Teen Hideout. This is a beach area that's exclusively for 14-17 year olds. During their time at the Hideout, teens can play games or relax with their peers.

One of the fun things about Castaway Cay day for the kids in the youth clubs is that it's tradition for the tween youth club (Edge) to surprise the teen youth club (Vibe) with a surprise “teen camp invasion” at one point during the day. 

Castaway Cay Family Recreation

Most of the activities on Castaway Cay are ones that can be enjoyed by the whole family. While some are geared a bit more towards the younger crowd and others exclusively for adults, these activities are here to please cruisers of all ages.

Character Meet and Greets – Just like at the Disney Parks and the Disney Cruise Ships, character meet and greets are available on Castaway Cay! The Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy) will be around in their beach attire. You can also see Chip and Dale, Captain Jack Sparrow, and more. Characters aren't only out for photo ops, but they are also there for dance parties on the island! Characters also come out for a send off when it's time for you to return to the ship.

Make sure to stop by the iconic Mount Rustmore for a picture!

In Da Shade Game Pavilion – Take a break from the sun and enjoy some fun in the shade at In Da Shade Game Pavilion. Here you'll find a variety of games such as basketball, pool, ping pong, and foosball.

Sports Beach – For more active things to do, you can head over to the Sports Beach! Organized sports such as volleyball, tetherball, and soccer take place here.

Snorkeling Lagoon – The snorkeling lagoon is split into two different trails: Discover Trail and Explorer Trail. Choose which trail you want to follow based on your experience and comfortability. There's lots to see during your snorkeling adventure, so keep your eyes peeled! Not only will you be able to enjoy beautiful sea life, but there's also a lot of hidden (in plain sight) Disney treasures. While you're snorkeling, look for the statue of Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, ride vehicles from Dumbo and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a Mickey Mouse statue, and so much more!

Equipment Rental and Activities

Castaway Cay has a lot of equipment and activities that are available for you to rent and enjoy. There is a wide variety of activities for you to choose from for both the land and the sea!

Marge's Barges & Sea Charters Dock – Parasailing, Fishing Charters, and Jet Boat Tours

Gil's Fins and Boats – Multiple watercrafts are available for your enjoyment here such as Kayaks, Sailboats, Paddleboards, Paddleboats, Aqua Trikes, and even a Banana Boat! You can also rent snorkel gear here.

We experienced paddle boarding during our last cruise on the Disney Dream for Marvel Day at Sea and this was one of our favorite experiences from the cruise. The water is so still and beautiful. While you are standing on your paddle board, you can see the water clearly beneath you. We saw a few starfish out on the water and enjoyed just paddling around the area by the boat. 

This is a dedicated water space marked with buoys for guests to paddle in and there's no swimming allowed. 

Bike Rentals – Enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride throughout the beautiful tropical island of Castaway Cay. This activity is great for the whole family. Cruisers ages 3 and up are able to participate.

Castaway Cay Stingray Adventure – This adventure gives you the opportunity to swim with, feed, and pet stingrays. You will be able to spend about 60 minutes with these gentle giants.

Flippers and Floats – Here you can rent Inner Tubes, Snorkel Masks, and Fins. You can reserve these floats in advance but they have an abundance of floats so they honestly will not run out! 

Castaway Cay 5K

There used to be an organized group race on Castaway Cay that was very similar to a runDisney race. The 5K race course still exists, but rather than being an organized group race, it is now an activity that you can do at your own pace.

You can choose to walk, jog, or run the 3.1 mile course. After you finish, you'll receive a Castaway Cay 5K medal. This is a free activity and Guests of all ages can participate! The course does allow you to see corners of the island you wouldn't normally which also includes a lookout tower you can climb. 

Cabanas on Castaway Cay

Cabanas are available to rent on the beautiful island. They are located in more secluded areas so you can be away from the hustle and bustle of the busier areas. There are three different types of cabanas that can be rented. All cabanas come with unlimited soft drinks and bottled water, fresh fruit, chips, and granola bars. To relax, there is both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a hammock. For your fun in the sun needs, there is sunscreen, towels, damp wash cloths, and a freshwater shower.

Castaway Family Beach – These cabanas come with sand toys, snorkel equipment, float and tube rentals, bike rental (one hour), a call button for Cabana Service, and a safe for your valuables.

• $797.50 for up to 6 Guests
• $50 plus tax per additional Guest (10 Guests maximum)
• $1,127.50 for up to 10 Guests
• $50 plus tax per additional Guest (16 Guests maximum)

Serenity Bay – These cabanas are for Guests who are 18 years of age or older and do not come with additional amenities.

• $493.90 for up to 4 Guests

Castaway Cay Shopping

There are two shopping locations on Castaway Cay: Buy the Seashore and She Sells Seashells and Everything Else. At these shops, you'll be able to find Castaway Cay exclusive merchandise, sand toys, and beachwear. Available merchandise includes hats, clothing, and pins.

There are also two locations selling Bahamian arts, crafts, and clothing. 

The apparel store has a wide variety of clothing items especially if you need a last minute item for your trip.

Sea Ya Real Soon

Castaway Cay is such a fun part of Disney Cruises. As you can see, there are so many things to see and do on Disney's private island. Cruisers of all ages are sure to enjoy their day(s) at this tropical paradise with all of the adventures and activities that are created with everyone in mind.

Don't forget to head over to Get Away Today for the best rate on all of your Disney vacations. Let their agents take care of planning your vacation while they save you money at the same time.

Castaway Cay Q&A

Not just anyone can go to Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is Disney's own private island and is reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line Guests.

Personal preference would come into play when deciding if Castaway Cay or CocoCay is better. However, Castaway Cay is the perfect location for cruisers of all ages. Whether you're with your family, little ones, or are on an adults only trip, Castaway Cay is sure to give you the fun (or privacy and relaxation) that you're looking for.

There was more than one movie filmed on Castaway Cay. Both “Splash” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” were filmed on Castaway Cay.

There is food on Castaway Cay that is free. Free meaning inclusive in the price of your Disney Cruise. When you're on Castaway Cay, you will be treated to an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet style barbeque lunch as well as fruits, salads, desserts, and soft-serve. There are also beverages available. While your lunch is included in the price of your cruise, there are also other snacks and specialty beverages on the island that are available for purchase.

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• Island Escape cruise ship arrested in Broome WA, unable to...

Island Escape cruise ship arrested in Broome WA, unable to restart sailings

Island Escape Cruises' 32-passenger superyacht Island Escape was arrested in Broome (Kimberley, Western Australia) after a warrant was put out by the Bank of New Zealand and Export Finance Norway.

The vessel was on a bareboat charter from Seasons Shipping Co Ltd (Jongno-gu/Seoul, South Korea-based shipowner, 2020-founded, registered in Hong Kong China ).

Island Escape sailed from New Zealand to Broome in May 2022 and was due to make a series of 12-night ‘ Wild Kimberley Coast ’ roundtrips from Broome WA, but canceled 3 voyages .

The vessel was arrested after failing to operate the scheduled Kimberley cruises by order of the Federal Court of Australia and the Court Marshall is currently in control of the superyacht.

Island Escape Cruises’ founder Peter Bissett resigned earlier this month. Sales coordinator Nikita Smith also left, leaving director Erik Helseth as CEO.

Due to the arrest, the NZ-based company is unable to resume trading the Island Escape business. This means that future voyages cannot go ahead and the company cannot pay any refunds.

Island Escape Cruises Ltd is a New Zealand-based small cruise brand company that currently operates only Island Escape (2021-built, IMO 9903994,  Marshall Islands - flagged , LOA-length 54 m) which entered service in 2022 operating in the Kimberley since May.