Back to reality

In a few hours “our” cruise ship will dock at the port of Savona which we left 12 says ago. It seems like a year, so have we been transported into another world where we see the sea and the sun all day, visit different countries without having to pack our bags, we have time to read, sunbathe and blog, our room is tidied twice a day and we can eat as much as we like. I shall miss the Costa Romantica. It’s a long time since I’ve spent 12 days in such a special house with such intensive interaction with the crew. It’s not like that at a holiday hotel or resort.

It has been a very special and enjoyable vacation. Not one that I would have thought of before my Dad suggested it. But now I suspect that some of us are hooked. Most of us are talking about another cruise vacation some time. My Dad is talking of next year when he will be 96. Would we go on another Costa cruise? Well, we might…..the experience was very positive. The eternal question, when it arises, will be whether to try something new or to return to what we know and enjoyed. This cruise was a blind date for us but it worked out well.

While we were in Malaga, I picked up (at a bargain price) the 2005 edition of a Berlitz guidebook “Ocean Cruising” . Its review of Costa Cruises shows a known Anglo-Saxon cultural bias against things Continental or non-traditional cruising. I quote “ The [Costa] ships have a distinctive “European” feel to them, in their décor and manner of product delivery, which is very laid back. “. In fact the only harsh word I heard from any passenger to any member of staff was an American complaining that the English-speaking host was 3 minutes late for an appointment. If this is what American cruisers are like, then I’m proud to be considered laid back. The Berlitz guide continues “ The lifestyle on board is perceived to be Italian – lively, noisy with lots of love for life and a love of the casual to the nth degree”. “Although the “spit and polish” of fine service is missing, the staff are friendly and lively” .

The author is presumably a very proper English gentleman but our family is Middle Eastern and the lively family atmosphere suits us just fine. The Berlitz guide gives the highest rating for a cruise ship to the German Hapag-Lloyd’s “Europa” which is supposed to be very distinguished and refined. It would be interesting to try it out to taste the difference. See you there.