Sea Day

Location: Mediterranean

Summary: I woke on the Costa Toscana around 6:00, took my tablets, and went back to sleep until 9:30. After breakfast, I searched for a quiet spot to enjoy a coffee, easier said than done.

Morning Calm & Coffee Challenges

Many bars and cafés were either closed or understaffed, and the few that were open were filled with noisy patrons and unruly children.

Eventually, I found a café and ordered a Marocchino, a delicious blend of coffee and chocolate. I followed it with a refreshing ginger mojito, but the peace didn’t last. Loud kids disrupted the atmosphere again, prompting me to relocate.

Unexpected Comedy & Lunch at Vignetio Astoria

The highlight of my morning? A child ran into my leg, tripped over my walking stick, and fell onto a table. Not politically correct to laugh, but I did. Parents who let their kids run wild without regard for others deserve a reality check.

By 13:00, I gave up on finding a quiet bar and headed to Vignetio Astoria Restaurant. The set menu was decent, but the service was inconsistent. The restaurant felt more like a noisy canteen than an upscale dining venue. I sat with some quiet French ladies, which helped, but the overall ambience was far from relaxing.

Tour Desk Troubles & Cabin Retreat

After lunch, I visited the tour desk to resolve a billing error for an overcharged excursion. Once sorted, I returned to my cabin for some much-needed quiet time.

Dinner & Disappointment

Dinner with Lynda, Michael, Sue, and Brian was pleasant, though the meal itself was the most underwhelming I had on board. I remembered to take photos of the food for my friend Frouk in Spain, but the dishes weren’t worth showcasing.

Evening Shows & Kiwi Cocktails

I attended a show at the Colosseum Bar, a story about a boy entering a computer game. It started slowly but improved after the first act, triggering nostalgic memories of my own gaming days. I filmed the performance but decided not to post it; the emotional resonance was more personal than visual. Three Kiwi cocktails may have enhanced my enjoyment.

Later, I went to the Poltrona Frau Arena for another show. The venue’s poor sightlines made viewing difficult, but I snagged a front-row seat. Unfortunately, an Italian family had taken over the rest of the row with sleeping children sprawled across chairs. The ship offers babysitting services, so why bring toddlers to a midnight show?

When the father complained in Italian, I growled and gestured that I didn’t care. Eventually, his wife woke the children and left, but it was too late for the other guests to use the seats.

The show by the ship’s girl band, Ultramarine, was excellent. Afterwards, I grabbed a bottle of water and headed to bed.