We chose this cruise for the itinerary and a continuation of our British Isles cruise. We are Elite category of Captain's Circle and avid trivia players, especially on sea days. There were so many Elite members on this cruise that the daily cocktail party had to be moved to Club Fusion which left the Explorers Lounge for trivia. It was so packed that passengers were actually stealing chairs from each other and arguing over space. We heard there were many complaints to the Cruise Director's staff and they responded there was no other way. That was an unacceptable answer, as were the many times when the CD staff insisted their trivia answers were correct when they clearly were not. The entire room booed when told there was no "special sauce" on a Big Mac. That was not the only time, but is the one that comes to mind right now. With the exception of Kaylee and Krissi, most of the CD staff were viewed by many guests as arrogant bullies in the trivia department.

We were disappointed to miss visiting Lerwick (Shetland Islands) because of the wind, and a bit nervous about the inability of the ship to leave Reykjavik. While the Captain reported some mechanical trouble requiring a late departure, he never did come back to report the repairs had been completed. Although the ship seemed to sail under its own power, we did notice a total lack of air conditioning in the cabin and throughout the ship. Luckily, the outside air temp was between 50-65 F, so we could get some relief by opening our door occasionally.

We booked Princess tours in every port but found them to be much more expensive and much less exciting than in cruises past. We were definitely disappointed to have missed the puffins on Vigur Island, but Mother Nature keeps to her own schedule. The highlight of the trip was viewing the Northern Lights in the early hours between Isafjordur and Reykjavik. We just happened to wake and look outside at 2:30 a.m. and there they were! I heard a rumor afterward that some people had the opportunity to request a wake up call if they occurred, but we and most guests we spoke to had not known that was an option. Read more