The Cruise

In a follow-up to the series about life on board the Regal Princess, this documentary follows just some of the 1,400 staff and crew of its sister ship the Royal Princess during a busy summer season around the Mediterranean. The ship is fully booked and as the crew races to get ready for departure from Athens, thousands of passengers arrive. New officer Lauren is on the bridge, facing a series of tests before the Captain will allow her to man the controls, while passenger services agent Timothy needs all his charm to deal with a frustrated family whose luggage has gone missing.

On a cruise around the Mediterranean the weather takes a turn for the worse. The Regal Princess encounters a semi-submerged boat, calling upon the captain to make some critical decisions. It's the first time new officer Lauren has had to deal with an emergency on board and she must keep constant watch on the wreck as it threatens to disappear amid three-metre swells, while a rescue team poises itself for action. Elsewhere on board, the adverse conditions disrupt a magic show and threaten to make one young British couple's wedding a washout.

New bridge officer Lauren faces a series of tests as she is called in to help with mooring the 330m long ship in a port built to take much smaller vessels and tasked with launching one of the ship's tender boats, which involves lowering it seven decks into the water below, all with a driver on board. Executive chef David McDonald is on the warpath after receiving a customer complaint about afternoon teas, and services engineer Scott deals with a flood from an ornamental fountain in the busiest area of the ship

Executive chef David faces a staffing crisis that puts the galley under severe pressure. They need to serve the highly profitable chef's table - but with 17 staff members down, it's touch and go whether they will be able to cope. Meanwhile, husband-and-wife magicians Jonny and Trisha revamp their show with a daring new trick, only for rehearsals to bring marital tensions to boiling point. On the bridge, new officer Lauren tries to prove she has what it takes to drive one of the ship's tender boats

Magicians Jonny and Tricia prepare to unveil their risky new illusion to the audience, but the pressure builds when things don't go to plan in the final rehearsal. Junior officer Lauren works her first shift in charge of the bridge, and with engineer husband Mike in the engine room keeping a close eye on the ship's speed, she is keen to let him know who's boss. Front desk employee Emma has the unenviable task of telling several passengers their suitcases have taken a dip in the sea.

As the passengers and the Royal Princess continue on the journey around the Mediterranean, one member of the crew is coming to the end of hers. After 11 years at sea, dance captain Eleanor has decided the time has come to hang up her dancing shoes and with her mother on board to support her, has to get through a final emotional performance. Meanwhile, rookie IT officer Victoria's probation period is coming to an end and her appraisal is looming - has she done enough to impress her boss and retain her rank? Narrated by Hugh Bonneville.