[1] The company operated in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America, aiming its products primarily at markets in the United Kingdom, Brazil and Argentina.

In 2008, Royal Caribbean sold its stake in the company to TUI,[3] and the cruise line's only fully owned ship, the Island Escape, was transferred to TUI's Thomson Cruises.

[2][4] Initially, Island Cruises had planned to operate in Europe during the summer season (Northern Hemisphere), and out of California during the winter.

[5] During 2002, the Island Escape was featured in the reality television series Cruise Ship, commissioned by ITV.

Island Escape's sailings were unaffected, but sold under TUI's existing Thomson Cruises brand.