After a good night at Spice Island - it's time for breakfast and then a walk to the Metro Centre.

The Khalid Bin Al Waleed station is a 2 minute walk from the Excelsior Hotel. Purchase your tickets Gold or Standard and we were going to the Burj Tower and Dubai Mall, which meant we had to go to the Jebel Ali platform for the Metro to the Dubai Mall station.

Gold travel tickets are 5 AED each way (£1) or you can buy standard at 2.50 AED

Its quite wierd because there is only 1 small carriage for Gold, so you probably won't get a seat..!! But it is quieter and not rammed which it can be in standard (similar to London Tubes).

On arrival at Dubai Mall station, there is a free shuttle bus or you can walk the short distance (less than 10 minutes).

You get a great understanding of just how tall the Burj Khailifa really is as you walk beneath it on your way to the Mall.

This will prepare you before your journey up to the viewing tower. You can purchase tickets in advance which will avoid a longer queue if you simply turn up on spec. No doubt you will take a stroll around the Dubai Mall before or after your trip to the Tower's viewing platform.

Inside, Dubai Mall is huge but be warned it is fairly expensive. But well worth a look around and the food hall is massive! Emirates Mall is probably better priced for Mr Average.

Back to the Metro Station for the journey back to the hotel to collect our bags, and then a 15 minute taxi ride to Port Rashid.

Costa Cruise Experience starts here.

It is now 8pm and our tickets stated check in from 8pm, but we were given a piece of paper at check in that stated we could have embarked at 3pm and cabins would be ready for 6.30pm for British Guests.

To be absolutely honest, I would avoid the potential queues and check in from 6.30pm. Our 8pm arrival was great. It was quiet, everyone had time for us, we were well looked after and because we had completed Costa's online check in - there was nothing else to complete. It took approx 10 minutes from arrival to boarding..!!

Our luggage actually beat us to the cabin - now that is a first for me..!!

Costa also have a great facility to register your credit card. They have small machines placed around the ship where you simply swipe your key card - then your credit card - and that is it....done..!! No waiting at guest relations etc.

You will also find touch screen technology around the ship which enables you to book excursions, dining and other services including the Formula 1 simulator.

So I just had to book this - €15 for 10 minute race. Cool..!!

Looking forward to tomorrow...