Cruise and Maritime Voyages missed 40% of the itinerary on their Easter 'Scottish islands and Emerald Isle' cruise in March 2016. Despite the title of the cruise, on Astoria, the company failed to deliver anybody to a Scottish Island.There was no notice, no contingency and no substitute, no apology, and no compensation of any kind, (for failing to reach Mull, Iona and Lewis), and there was absolutely no recognition of the disappointment i.e. that many passengers choose cruises solely for the itinerary. I think most reputable companies would have offered a partial refund for failing to deliver the service for which their customer had paid in good faith. The company's response is in their 'terms and conditions' (which are sent AFTER paying a deposit) and which apparently cover changes to the itinerary. Bad weather happens of course, but the way in which a firm treats its customers IS in its control and on this occasion CMV left hundreds in dismay, cancelling a visit to Mull (and Iona Abbey) on a sunny Good Friday morning when everybody had tender boarding cards and picnic boxes in hand, ready to go ashore. One passenger was reported to have said this was the third time CMV had failed to deliver to a Scottish island; I would not give them a second chance, let alone a third. We have cruised many times before and have never missed a port, so obviously we were unlucky on this occasion, but I do question the wisdom of the itinerary; is it wise to attempt Scotland in March? Is this the reason other shipping lines do not go there other than in the summer? The cruise cost £1600 and a week's annual leave and turned out to be a very expensive way to visit Belfast, Dublin and Glasgow (which were the three successful stops on the itinerary), as well as Ullapool (which was the substitute for Stornaway, Lewis).

Apart from that boarding was good, the food was fine (provenance felt poor quality), bar service at dinner was so bad people went to the bar to get their own drinks, the staff were lovely, our cabin steward actually was excellent, and the ship overall was not bad. The Christian team (this was Holy week) were wonderful and saved the day. Excursion to Giant's Footsteps was very good. Dublin we wandered around but our trip was cut short because of the weather (bright sunny day, why?). I cannot comment on any other excursions because of course we did not reach the island excursions we had booked for.......