This morning we awoke to find ourselves at sea, there was quite a wind and this was how it had been throughout the night but best of all there were clear blue skies. I can’t think of a better way to start your morning by looking out to sea while on a ship.
Finally getting the chance to read through our literature we have spotted a sheet giving an itinerary change, nothing major as all they have done is swap Santorini and Mykonos around because of what they describe as heavy traffic on the day we were due to port in Santorini. From what my quick calculations tell me we have gained an extra hour in Mykonos and are there during the day now and not afternoon and evening.
Our steward is a young lady from the Philippines who is called Sonia and on the times we have encountered her to date has been very smiley. While we were out at dinner she had delivered a few extra hangers that we had requested so now we have enough for all of my shirts.
Back to this morning, we eventually went for breakfast which today we sat out at the back on deck 9 in the open area of Muscadins which is the name of the buffet on this ship. It was quiet when we arrived just after 9:00 but by the time we left there wasn’t a table free. For my first breakfast on board I took the healthy option with 2 doughnuts (1ring + 1 custard), a fruit tart and several pieces of melon washed down with a couple of Americano coffees which come as part of the all inclusive drinks package. If you require a cooked breakfast I gather you need to go to the main dining room for your breakfast.
There are a few noticible changes since our last Costa cruise and the breakfast set up is one of them. Another is in the main dining room where there are now a few items you can choose which cover a surcharge. For example last night on offer was Veal chop (€10), Prawns grilled out steamed with pasta (€15) or lobster at your choice (€15). Even Tiramisu comes at an additional cost of €5. I am not sure I like the sound of where this is all heading. Having said that there were the always available and at least 3 nightly options available too.
Another issue we have is a hot water one, no hot water in the buffet in the afternoon and when we wanted to take a pot of tea down to the cabin late afternoon using our all inclusive package we were told we couldn’t. We could take a tea bag and a glass of hot water or alternatively call room service. We could have a pot in the bar but just not remove it. Bonkers or what!
The rest of the morning we spent up on one of the sun decks in the warm breezy sunshine before we arrived at Bari. A quick lunch at the same place where we had breakfast before getting off for a stroll. Once we made port and the breeze had gone it was amazing how much hotter it felt. If the weather stays like this then it will be perfect.
When off we made our way to the old town and just wandered round and getting some exercise. We eventually succumbed to a gelato and a Peroni before making our way back to the ship. Being Pearl members we have a free night in the Costs Club restaurant which we have now booked for Wednesday night. The weather has been ideal today and just what we had hoped for.
Tonight we will again be joining our table mates from the first night on the early sitting and maybe go and see the magic show. Who knows what we will eventually decide to do…..