Island Cruises, a joint venture from First Choice and Royal Caribbean International, offers a friendly, informal, flexible and very affordable style of cruising experience. Launched in 2002, Island Cruises offers a choice of two ships, previously owned by Royal Caribbean run companies, both operating out of Palma, Majorca and aimed at those wanting to cruise, without all the traditional formality that people associate with of some of the other cruise lines. Now classed as a 3 star cruise line, Island Cruises operates in the Mediterranean during the summer and out of Santos (Brazil) during the southern hemispheres summer, our winter. Following it’s inception in 2002, Island Cruises has continued to offer a relaxed and affordable cruising style on their two ships the Island Star and Island Escape. With Royal Caribbean being the world’s second largest cruise operator and First Choice Holidays a leading European leisure travel company, the Strategic Alliance between the two companies which led to the forming of Island Cruises has proved so successful that a second ship, the Island Star was added to the Island Escape to give Island Cruises two ships offering Mediterranean cruises departing weekly on a Tuesday or a Saturday. The use of Charter flights, often on First Choices’ own planes enable Island Cruises to offer its passengers as many as 17 regional departure points. With this network of flights, guests are able to start enjoying their cruise in the shortest time possible. There are no set meal times or a formal dress code once onboard. Sit down for breakfast, lunch and dinner as and when you want to and with whom you like. Whether you’re dining on the Island Star or the Island Escape, with Island Cruises you’ll find plenty of choice. With fresh ingredients from around the Mediterranean, menus changing daily, dishes designed for all dietary needs and all available 24 hours a day.     * With flights from 17 airports across the UK, you can start your holiday from an airport that’s convenient for you.     * There are no set meal times and dining is available 24/7.     * No formal dress code.     * All basic tips are included in the price.     * Biking trips available on the Island Star (supplement payable). Island Cruises offer a huge variety of entertainment to suit all tastes. From glamorous West-End style musical shows, to cabaret, maybe even a quiet pint in the onboard “Pub,” entertaining features high on the agenda. Island Cruises’ prices are not dissimilar to a package holiday in Spain, particularly if you build in the food and entertainment that is included in the price. Each seven night cruise, on Island Star or Island Escape offers one day at sea then a port a day. Combining two cruises or staying for an extra week in one of Majorca’s hotels, Island Cruises offers so much choice for fourteen night options.