Buffet Breakfast and then out to the main outdoor pool to the aft of Luminosa.

At was 9.30am and I expected it to be a struggle finding a sunbed. Not true - most were NOT taken.

What I did like as the morning went on, was the pool attendant kept taking towels off sunbeds that were not being used, therefore as people turned up most managed to walk to a bed throughout the day.

In view of my up-coming sponsored bike ride to Southampton in June, I had the best incentive to use the gymnasium. I set a daily program of 50 minutes on the bike every day.

Buffet lunch was now needed after the exercise. There was a good choice of food which you expect on most moderm cruise ships.

With Costa catering for so many nationalities I quite enjoyed trying some food that I wouldn't normally have at home. Please don't ask me names of food, its not my thing..!!

Time for the Formula 1 simulator.

I really enjoyed this but finished wanting another 10 minutes on the track.

What the simulator did do was give you a real insight into how fast formula 1 actually is and how much power is readily available to these cars.

You could spin it on a sixpence. Once you got used to the realisation that you do need to use the break and where the hairpin bends were on the track, you were then in a position to complete a lap. Shame this usually happens about 8 minutes into your race..!! 

Time for the lifeboat drill and then chill out before our evening meal.

Dress code was casual but everyone onboard made a real effort. It was great to see this.

Our dining time is 8.45pm. We were immediately shown to our table for 5 and our waiters took our order for the evening. You are expected to order all courses including your desert at this point. That said, if you wanted extra of anything, it was absolutely no trouble and even when my Godson went for a restroom break before the main course, the waitress took Paul's lamb away and brought a fresh hot meal when he returned with Christian. Good service!!

I took advantage of Costa's drinks package - not the fully inclusive - just the drinks with meals. I have found this to be very good and at the dinner table we never went without wine at any time. If you do drink - I think you should seriously consider this option, especially as a bottle of beer is €4.50. So take the package and your overall drinks across the week will work out very good value.

Time for bed - Muscat tomorrow.