Eclipse and Northern Lights cruise. Bad start as embarkation involved a long queue, despite being told that it would be phased to avoid queuing. The ship is 67 years old and had been 'refurbished' but was very basic.

Originally booked in July 2014, the main attraction being the possible viewing of the Total Eclipse near the Faroe Islands, we were disappointed to be advised of changes to the itinerary a few weeks before setting sail.

On the excursion briefing, it transpired that all port dockings were far away from those originally planned, whilst an overnight stay in Iceland was cut short, with an extra day 'at sea', whilst the Faroe Island port was changed from the Capital at Troshaven to a small ferry terminal miles from anywhere. We missed the Shetlands due to bad weather, a cruising hazard, but spent a welcome extra night in the Orkney's at Kirkwall. It would have been helpful if we had been told that the berth was a purpose built cruise terminal, as we had expected to berth in the harbour, not another 20 minute bus ride from behind the shipping containers (again!). Read more