Total distance from Santos: 941 nautical miles.The day after Rio was a sea day or 'navigation day'. This was a chance to relax, take in some sun, sign up for the World Champions’ Quiz (coming to a blog near you, soon!!) and make ourselves presentable for the first formal or gala night. We have 7 ‘navigation’ during this trip. I don’t intend to take you through our daily routine during each of these days at sea as this would make f...

Total distance from Santos: 198 nautical miles  Our first port – Rio de Janeiro. On researching this city synonymous with Copacabana, carnival, beach volleyball and that Jesus thing on top of the hill it is also infamous for the 'favela', the name given to one of the overcrowded slum areas that Ross Kemp is empty headed enough to go skipping though looking for the biggest machete wielding motherf**er all in the name of entertainment. The name Rio ...

Check out of our hotel was at 12 noon so no need to rush. Our official time to check in with MSC was 3pm but experience told us to get there as early as possible. The plan was to have a leisurely breakfast, check out at 12 and then head straight for the cruise terminal. Being Sunday, most of the other guests must have had the same 'leisurely breakfast' notion because on strolling in to the breakfast lounge at 10am it was already quite full with guests. Du...