This is our 2nd cruise with Princess and our 4th in total. We flew from Manchester to Venice on 9th July for sailing on 10th. Everything went well from start to finish. No delays! We boarded the Island Princess in great time and found our way to our Mini Suite on Baha Deck. First impressions were lovely then about half an hour in I noticed a nasty smell, which I initially blamed my husband's trainers for!!! However, after chucking the offensive footwear onto the balcony, we could still smell this whiff, then noticed a stain on the carpet and a wet patch. This was where the smell was coming from and it was getting worse. We rang the steward who unconvincingly looked surprised about the complaint but happened to look directly where the smell was coming from! However, we were off to Venice for the day so left them to it. When we got back a few hours later, the stain was replaced by a patch of new carpet and the smell was almost gone completely, so fair play to them for getting it sorted for us. The steward then gave us a complimentary glass of champagne, so alls well there.

Not a massive fan of formal night but we got into the swing of things only to be told we were being diverted to go and rescue a boat in trouble. Initially, i wasnt happy as i had visions of pirates and IS attacks!! (Very overactive imagination at times!). Our balcony was on the side of the troubled boat and we had quite an interesting night as it happens. Seeing the flare go up, seeing that the people were a) not terrorists or pirates or b) all ok, was a relief. We then decided to get some sleep as it was announced we would be waiting for the coastguard. However, woke at 5am to find we were actually going to rescue these poor people. 117 Syrian refugees!! All on a 40ft boat probably only fit for half that amount. Babies, children, men and women. We then dropped them off on a Greek isle the next day which meant we would miss Istanbul and go to Santorini instead. Well that was fine with us, we would much prefer that destination than Istanbul so we were happy.

Santorini was amazing. Not deep enough to dock so we anchored at sea and used the boats to get to shore. Read more