And here we go! Again. A little week long interlude for mid term break has seen us escaping from Dubai to go cruising again on the Costa Diadema. Some R&R is in order. Actually, I will be working and there is some concern over the current COVID-19 pandemic but, here we are, decision made and ready to cruise again.
Cruising Again:
Day 4 – At Sea on the Strait of Hormuz
Our sea day is afloat in the Strait of Hormuz. We sleep in and have a relatively late start, including a later than usual breakfast.
The boys have had some screen time and we take them out on the deck to stretch their (and our!) legs. Basketball, badminton and handball are all on the agenda and we have the sports court to ourselves for nearly an hour before there are others waiting to come on.
We move onto the pirate ship and are playing there when there is some commotion further afield. Helicopters, planes and a number of boats, small and large. It looks like something could be going on and given the current political climate, the incident is a bit unsettling. Likewise it could just be a marine training exercise or some such other event.
Eventually we pass it and the rest of the day is pleasant, less eventful.
Before lunch we brave a spa on deck. The water is nice but the air is cold and the wind, even at a relatively moderate cruising speed, is chilly. Later, back inside, Harley treats us to an impromptu air guitar performance on a walk around while Jasper heads off to the Kid’s Club.
There is a gelateria visit where we meet the resident robot and sit for a cup of coffee and gelato, of course. The robot chats, asking guests if they need help with information and referring people to relevant options. It is noisy here and our friendly robot guide is a bit hard to hear and perhaps hard of hearing as well. Some of the requests appear to be lost in translation.
The Gelateria also serve crepes, waffles and a range of cakes, biscuits and hot and cold drinks to cater to all manner of sweet tooths and tastes.
Our little sugary interlude passes and we head to the Kid’s Club to pick Jasper up and then back to the room to change for dinner. Most cruises will include a range of restaurant choices where, apart from choosing your meal to suit your mood, you can dress up or not as the spirit takes you. Many cruise lines also stipulate a formal night (and/or a white night) where you can donn a gown and not feel out of place. If you are cruising over a holiday or for a special occasion, special attire may be suggested. The boys spend most of their life in sports clothes so it is nice to have an occasion to get them dressed up.
After dinner, we make our way back to the theatre for another show, an acrobatic extravaganza. Being able to attend a show after dinner is one of my favorite aspects of cruising. Some of the performances are truly amazing, inspiring and entertaining. The acrobatic show is on par with some shows that I have made special bookings and trips to the theatre to see. It is also an excellent way to introduce younger children to the arts (although do note that very young children can be disruptive to the rest of the audience, just as in any usual theatre performance).
All in all a very pleasant day cruising again on the Costa Diadema. It has been a lovely little week long interlude for mid term break.
Good To Know
Sea days are good for exploring the ship. Get a hold of the ship’s entertainment program early and plan you day out. Whether it is a: gym session; dancing lesson; card games; pool games; or kids games, there will be an entertaining option for everyone. If you are more into just chilling out, look for a bar with great music. And if you are a bit behind on your beauty upkeep, a spa session, or a new haircut will give you a holiday glow. You are bound to find what you are looking for on board.
Ships can get a little chilly, especially on sea days. When the boat is travelling and there is a steady breeze it will definitely feel colder than port days. Pack a windcheater just in case you want to spend some time on deck. Also, sports clothes are useful to allow you to take advantage of the gym and other physical activities.
We even had badminton racquets packed, although if you have to fly to your departure destination, this may not be practical.
Would I Return?
Yes. Can never wait to be cruising again on the Costa Diadema.
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