So we arrived in the cruise terminal all ready to embark on the ship, this marvellous 17 deck ship that could fit half a small town on board and we were stopped at passport control. I hadn't got a letter from Charlie's dad to say I was able to travel alone with hiim!! This is a requirement for this particular cruise ship.

I've been travelling abroad with my children alone since 2006. So you can imagine my surprise when I was asked to provide evidence I was allowed to travel to the UK - my home country anyway?! Make it make sense! Luckily Charlie's dad was able to provide me the documentation I needed over WhatsApp of all things! But it was signed and we were let on board.

It did not disappoint. The ship was magnificent. A real piece of art. Stunning.

"MSC Virtuosa - Cruise Ship | MSC Cruises" https://www.msccruises.co.uk/cruises/ships/msc-virtuosa

We've never been someplace so beautiful. We dumped our bags in the room. Again, didn't disappoint. The cabins were like hotel rooms. So luxurious, a far cry from the cabins on the ferry! Then, we went to grab some food, from the buffet which is open 24/7 (pretty much). It is food you would expect to see on a buffet. Next we headed back to the room to get our swimming stuff and head to the pool. Charlie had a great time in the outdoor pool as we didn't realise there was an indoor one!! When we went back he was exhausted!! Fell straight to sleep!!

Around 8.30pm we had reservations for food. We'd already started sailing by then, and Charlie woke up just in time for our food reservation. We had a lovely 3 course meal (provided in the price) in the restaurant. Which was lovely, a really nice expererience. And because it was late it was pretty empty so really quiet. After our food we went to explore some more.

The ship is really big and there is so much to do. Lots of activities, free kids clubs for the younger ones. VR headset games, racing games, sports games, other arcade games. We were in there until around 11pm when it closed. We walked through the gym and where the indoor pool and spa was. There were also jacuzzis. We headed back to the room and watched a movie.

There was so much to do on board. Lots of shows, cinemas, operas, so much!! Honestly I could not believe it. We had plenty to do. There was ice cream vendors. Singers, pianists, there was even a nightclub, cinema, west end show and opera. Some of it you had to pay for. Exploring the ship was fun too.

We watched the film, bullet train by renting it out on the TV in our room. I'm not sure what time it finished but I imagine between 2-3am. Charlie couldn't sleep so we got up and walked the corridors of the ship. This time, it had a different feel to it. The ship was ghostly quiet. There was no one about, whereas on the ferry it was quite busy at that time in the morning. On the ship, there were the staff members and that's all. Lots and lots of staff all working so hard to make the ship sparkle. And that's what I would say really the ship was sparkling.

I'm not sure what time Charlie began to tire, but we headed back to the room and got some sleep, this time he did sleep, and I needed it so I was very grateful!! We had a lovely time and other than the travel and slight issue with embarking (I will take a signed letter from dad next time I travel with Charlie) it was blissful. I think the surroundings and environment had a lot to do with that.

We had a little bit of trouble getting off the ship. Went to disembark and was stopped! We hadn't gone through passport control!! I was unaware we had to do this, because when we were being told (in a mandatory meeting that I missed because Charlie was asleep after swimming) I had missed the announcement. We had to trek all the way back to deck 17 and go through passport control. Which was a quick process thankfully. But Charlie didn't really get it .. thought we could just enter England because we have “English accents” I've tried to explain it to him, but in his very literal thinking he doesn't see the problem. Luckily his disappointment of not being able to get off the ship immediately was aimed at passport control and not myself!!

We got off safely, and headed to the train station. It was a very long train home from Southampton (only £21) though, and it would have cost a lot more than that in petrol and parking. Charlie says he had “sea legs” for the next 2 days.

Has it out him off? Has it heck!! He's already chosen his next cruise ship

"Anthem of the Seas | Cruise Ships | Royal Caribbean Cruises" https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/cruise-ships/anthem-of-the-seas

Although it'll be several years before I can afford this gem!!

Hope you enjoyed reading about our cruise trip.

Georgina