The cruise choice didn’t seem that difficult really. Did we want floating ice rinks, rock climbing, shopping malls, and hairy chest competitions by the pool? Or would we prefer it Mediterranean style? A smaller ship full of playful Italians, which by default comes with a nifty escape clause: because we won’t understand the language, we won’t be subjected to tuning in to the chatter all around us. Yes please, we’ll have that one!
Our embarkation is in Genoa, the delightful harbour city, birthplace of the world’s most famous ocean navigator, Christopher Columbus.
We wait with anticipation in the grand departure hall to board our cruise ship, refreshments in hand. To say that excitement is in the air is an understatement. When our number is called, we rush towards the ship, like impatient children, stifling cries of ‘Let us on, let us on…‘.
No time lost
After being chaperoned to our room, we race madly around the ship with a fold-out deck plan. Frantically we explore the ship with a map that should offer some kind of certainty, but strangely we can’t shake the feeling of what else we might be missing out on. But then a lift delivers us to another world – the pool deck, which unbelievably has already been transformed into a high-energy playground.
Italians have already discovered the best part of the ship; they are disrobed, basking, drinking and playing. It is the same with the eating areas. People are already walking away with full bellies. The ship may still be in embarkation mode but it is certainly in full swing. All that’s left now is the sail-away party. Bring on the happy-hour cocktails!
Exuberance remains the flagship behaviour of the cruise. Italians know how to have fun and they know where to source it. During the entire cruise, we spend hours watching them and being entertained, all from the safety of our sun loungers behind dark sunnies. And it’s important for them to look good as well, even if that translates into gold-coloured shoes.
Or perhaps high-heels and matching bikini by the pool. And with no apparent body-image issues on display, I feel quite comfortable with my ‘slight’ podge. Unashamedly, we all strut the sun-drenched decks without any need for gut-sucking-inaction posing.
When we step in to share the jacuzzi, an Italian man is friendly, but distracted. His wife is nearby taking a photo of him but appears to be too far away for his liking. He instructs her with very effective hand movements on how best to zoom in and frame him. He seems unconcerned that the violent bubbles of the jacuzzi threaten to conceal the thick gold chain around his neck.
Ubiquitous Pasta
Our instruction in all things Italian continues. Each dinner is a culinary exploration of a particular region of Italy. One night we sample the fare from the Emilia-Romagna region, which takes in Parma, Bologna and Rimini.
Although each night is a treat from a new region, pasta is always on offer; as is Italian hospitality. If there happens to be a celebration of sorts, birthdays or anniversaries, the restaurant erupts into staccato clapping by staff and fellow passengers. It’s an energy that makes you want to dance.
Great coffee is available from 7am until 1 am in the café, but it still isn’t enough for us to sustain the energy levels of the Italians. Not once do we make it to the midnight buffet or the disco that starts at the same time. And as much we want the cruise to be about food and lying around in the sun, there is plenty of touring to do.
Plenty of places to see
Almost every day offers a new Mediterranean country to explore. Our port stops include Monte Carlo, Valencia (Spain), Valetta (Malta), Tunis (Tunisia), and Civitavecchia (Rome). Mediterranean cruising dreams come alive in the ports of Monte Carlo and Valletta, Malta.
We are fortunate enough that our arrival in Malta coincides with a public holiday. So when we sail away at sunset, we are treated to the sights and sounds of celebratory fireworks. It is indeed a special treat.
Cruising turns out to be more casual than we expect, with only two chances to dress up, although many choose to dress smartly each night. The ship’s literature and announcements cater to French, German, Spanish and English speakers, yet we only meet one other English couple during the whole cruise.
Every time you leave a port, the blasts from the ship’s horn never fails to excite; and of course it’s even more accentuated with a cocktail in hand. When Sophia Loren christened our ship (she is its official godmother), she promised beauty and passion. Did she deliver on her promise? We think so.
