12th March 2016

Although this is the smallest ship in the Costa fleet, currently relocating back to the Mediterranean after its seasonal circuits in the Indian Ocean, its entertainment programme is impressively packed. It’s clear the crew are putting the schedule together ‘on the hoof,’ but they’re doing an admirable job of keeping us all entertained.

The ‘Diario di Bordo’, our daily news and events guide delivered to each cabin in the evening (in your preferred language), lists activities running from 9 am to midnight. With so much happening simultaneously, choosing what to do can be a challenge. For example, at 5 pm, there’s an Amber Fashion Show; at 5:15 pm, a culinary demonstration on making pizza; and at 5:30 pm, Mariano Miranda, the phenomenal Argentinian guitarist, is giving an encore performance after last night’s triumph.

Decisions, decisions… Yes, life at sea can be hell at times!

The ship offers an impressive range of activities to suit all tastes and preferences. There are arts and crafts sessions, dance lessons covering all the popular styles, quizzes on just about every subject, and light-hearted game competitions throughout the day. For those looking to unwind, the Samsara Spa offers a multitude of beauty treatments, while exercise enthusiasts can choose from a variety of gym classes or a refreshing splash in the pools.

For the more indulgent, there are lessons on mixing cocktails, followed by the inevitable aperitif games; you can imagine what those involve. Or, you could simply relax in one of the bars, enjoy live music ranging from classical to modern, and perhaps read a book. The ship also boasts a casino and a busy slot machine area for those feeling lucky.

First-class passengers have their own exclusive section of the ship and itinerary. While they mingle and share many of the general activities, they also enjoy private perks, including cocktail parties, wine and cheese tastings, and even the opportunity to meet the captain. Not bad for a ship so small you can walk its entire length in about five minutes!

After attending a presentation on the Mediterranean ports we’ll be visiting, we faced some tough decisions about how to spend our time ashore. Civitavecchia posed the biggest dilemma. The whirlwind excursions to Rome were tempting, but we decided against them. Instead, we’ll visit Rome in the autumn when we can explore the city’s sights at our leisure. For now, we’ve opted to visit Lake Bracciano and Odescalchi Castle, a unique destination we might never otherwise see. After all, if it’s good enough for Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to tie the knot, it’ll certainly do for us!

We opted to have lunch in the Botticelli today, an error in judgment. As expected, the service was excruciatingly slow, and we ended up missing the first half-hour of the Phil Collins concert being screened in one of the bars. On the bright side, we were seated between two pairs of fellow passengers. The downside? Armed with our school-time smatterings of Spanish (me) and German (Sue), they were disappointingly French. However, one couple was from Mauritius, and both pairs spoke passable English. ‘Entente Cordiale’ prevailed, and conversation flowed amicably, though I carefully steered clear of topics like Trafalgar and Crecy. The main subject of discussion? Fish. Or as they might say, poisson!

Post-lunch, I headed to the gym while Sue took to the top deck, book in hand. The intense heat has noticeably lessened as we continue north along the coast of Somalia, quite a relief.

At dinner, we were joined again by Aylo, who, true to form, dominated the conversation. Tonight’s topic was his daughter and her rebellious teenage years in São Paulo. It made for an interesting diversion, though we almost ended up late for the evening show: a spectacular performance by Latin dancers showcasing their Tango skills. Absolutely breathtaking, if only we could dance like that! Realistically, Sue would probably end up with a fractured limb or two.

After the show, we lingered in the dance bar, enjoying the contrast of the over-70s taking to the floor for a waltz. Let’s just say we’re glad we didn’t join in, I’d likely have nodded off mid-spin!

Meanwhile, I’ve been relying on Jim Hankers to text me live updates from the England vs Wales game. The ship’s satellite TV lacks a sports channel. I repeat, NO SPORTS CHANNEL ANYWHERE ONBOARD. Unbelievable.