Embarkation day — on board MSC Virtuosa by 10:30

We got dropped off at the terminal just after nine. Taxi pulled up, cases out, straight to the drop-off point. No messing about — Southampton terminal is pretty well organised and they have got the flow down to a fine art now.

Security and check-in took about an hour in total, maybe a touch less. Queue moved at a decent pace, staff were friendly, and before I knew it I was walking up the gangway. That first step onto the ship never gets old — you feel the floor change under your feet and suddenly the holiday is real.

On board by 10:30. First thing I did was collect the ship card — the little card that becomes your entire life for the next twelve days — and then headed straight to the coffee shop for that first drink. You know the one. The "we are actually on holiday now" drink. It tasted better than any coffee I have had in weeks.

After that I went up to the buffet for a proper look around. I always do the same thing and I am going to keep doing it because it works: walk the full circuit before you pick up a plate. Every station, every corner, the lot. It means you do not miss anything and — more importantly — you spot the quiet areas before everyone else piles in. Found a tucked-away corner today that was basically empty while the main area was heaving. Worked a treat.

Then I found a deck chair out on deck, ordered a nice cocktail, and just sat there for a bit. Sun on my face, ship gently moving, nowhere to be and nothing to do. This is exactly why I do this. Twelve days ahead. Rotterdam first. Let us go.