Friday 6th (Manchester/Paris), Saturday 7th (Hong Kong) & Sunday 8th (Sea Day)

WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!

Well...I've finally made it!!

Currently sat in the Murano Bar on deck 6, midships. Now I am not going to make any apologies for the length of this review as the ship, her staff and the itinerary are just too incredible to squish it into a few sentences. Some of you may well nod off to sleep by the time that you get to the end of this thread, but as you will soon realise, Allegra is a truly unique ship and her crew are quite extraordinary in many ways. The itinerary pretty much speaks for itself...there is no single adjective that covers every emotion or experience that this cruise brings you.....this is one of very few (if any) itineraries that I want to repeat over and over again aboard the amazing Costa Allegra.........

Getting here was an experience in itself....ranging from Air France's oldest and most ancient Fokker (yes it did feel like a WW1 biplane) to the most incredible airport terminal in Europe (and yes, I do mean terminal 2E at Paris CDG), to a very comfortable flight and hairy landing in the midst of a raging thunderstorm in Hong Kong....nowt like starting a holiday with flash and a bang (but thankfully no wallop)!

The Air France flight from Manchester to Paris CDG took off about 10 minutes late, but that didn't matter....I was on my holiday, so no need to rush about, is there? The plane was old...it had dents on the fuselage, if you used the arm rest it promptly fell apart...bodes well for the longhaul sector, I thought. We eventually got to our cruising height and had drinks & a snack. It must be said that Air France are one of a dying breed of airline.....free luggage carriage, free drinks (including champagne - something that over the duration of this holiday, I would become extremely well aquainted with ) and free food.

We landed on time at CDG and I was not sure what to expect as had varying reviews about the airport, none it should be said, were glowing. Once off the plane we all piled onto a bus for what looked like a short trip to terminal 2E. Famous last words...we went on a grand tour of the airport..least that is what it felt like anyway. Then in the distance the terminal sat...huge, oval shaped tube of a building. Looked pretty impressive from the outside. Finally we arrived at the terminal entrance. Red carpeting greeted us as we all filed up the escalator to the main level for departure gates. We whisked through immigration, walked down a short corridor and into the most amazing terminal area I have ever seen. It is beautiful...the layout is so easy on both the eye and on the first timer not sure on where to go. The terminal has only been open for a couple of months and Air France are the main user....and they brought all of their services onto the terminal together and it works so efficiently that T5 at Heathrow pales into insignificance. I cannot recommend 2E and CDG enough...wonderful experience!

About 45 mins prior to departure boarding began for the flight to Hong Kong. The plane was a young B777-200ER and extremely clean and tidy and very comfortable too. We took off on time and slowly climbed over Paris, all lit up below...stunning sight, especially at night. Around 2 hours after take-off we had evening meal. Again all included...champagne was also complimentary. Once the meal was finished the cabin crew closed all the window blinds and we settled down for some much needed sleep.

Make mental note to self at this point...if you choose a window seat on or near the wing, avoid 31L at all costs if possible. The damn great hairdryer under the wing don't 'alf make a racket...choose a seat at the suck end, not (as I did) on the blow end...it was very noisy!!

Despite the noise I managed a few hours sleep so not so bad really.

Now this is where the flight experience was a bit strange. The blinds stayed shut for almost the entire flight as the plane effectively stayed on French time, so although it was daylight outside, it remained dark in the plane. So any chance of getting used to the time differences or seeing Siberia as we overflew, didn't really happen. Not a big problem but it would have been nice to have seen where we were flying.

We cruised at 37500 for almost the entire flight, very smooth, no bumps or drops...couldn't fault it really. Breakfast was served at around 3pm local time (now you see why it was a little odd).

Then about 3 hours out from Hong Kong we climbed to 39000. Thought this was a bit odd initially...til I finally opened the window blinds (I had 2 windows). There below was some very dark clouds...every now and then flashes of lightening could be seen. The pilot warned us as we started to go down that we must stay in our seats and have seatbelts on as turbulence was going to be pretty bad.

We started descent and almost immediately we entered clouds it became very obvious that a quite extensive thunderstorm was raging over Hong Kong. However, all credit to the pilot and his crew. Although a bit bouncy it was nowhere near as bad an experience as I had in 2005 with Iberia going into Santiago de Chile.

We took our time getting down, which did help greatly in making the descent smoother. Finally we saw Hong Kong and the thunderstorm got steadily worse as we got closer to the ground. Final approach was over the sea and before we knew it, we had landed....it wasn't til the reversers were deployed that the true extent of the flooding on the runway became apparent...there must have been around 4 to 6 inches of standing water on the runway and taxiway. It was quite an arrival!

Once off the plane it was reasonably easy to get to immigration and to baggage reclaim. Once through that we were met by our Costa representative. At first we were not sure how we were getting from the airport to the ship as a landslide had partially blocked the main connecting road to Lantau Island were the airport is and the main Hong Kong island. Our rep managed to secure a bus for us, luggage was loaded and off we went.

The rain was torrential, seriously heavy that caused considerable localised flooding across many parts of Hong Kong...not sure I have ever experienced rain like it, and I really don't fancy experiencing it again tbh, it was pretty scary at times.

We traveled around the city to the Ocean Terminal. Star Cruises' SuperStar Pisces was moored on one side of the pier and we went to the other side and there was Allegra, waiting for us.

Even in the pouring rain she looked impressive.

One thing that was very strange, the passengers from the previous cruise were still disembarking as we all piled on board. Never seen that before as usually everyone is off and away by lunchtime, but as many had flights late at night, it is quite normal for Allegra.

I boarded and sorted where my cabin was. The cabin is 5052 and is very spacious. Plenty of hanging & drawer space. There is a kettle with tea/coffee, a mini fridge that is stocked, TV and all the usual things that a cabin should have. The bed is a memory foam one so extremely comfortable.

I decided on a light evening meal, food was excellent and served quickly. Due to the 2 days traveling I went to bed early and the gentle rocking motion of the ship helped in getting me off to sleep very quickly.

Sunday morning arrived with a knock on the cabin door...breakfast had arrived

It was around 8.30am and after having a leisurely breakfast it was out and about, first to register the ship card for purchases while aboard. Very quick and efficient and after that I went for a bit of an explore of the ship.

Allegra is very different in many ways to other cruise ships. Despite her initial industrial looks on the outside, inside she is stunning in a simple but elegant style. She is spotlessly clean and in superb shape maintenance wise...far better tbh than many younger purpose built ships. Her containership heritage is still visible in some areas...her stern, under the glass decks is typical of a containership in the shape and style, but that is where the containership leaves and the cruise ship starts.

Her internal layout is very easy, with a great flow through all of the public areas. She is light and airy and quite sophisticated...inlike some of the reviews that I have read, she by no means resembles a ferry, she is understated and unique. The cabins are larger than most and unlike many of the younger cruise ships, the cabins are very solidly built, there is none of the cabin creaking so often the bain of ships. She does still talk to you but in very subtle ways.

Her staff are second to none, I thought Olsen's had it right, but Allegra's staff are gracious and efficient well beyond the more mainstream cruise lines. I wouldn't know if the younger ships are as good as this one, but if Allegra is to go by, then I would imagine that standards across the fleet would be similar to her.

The food, always a contentious issue, is excellent and very well presented. The menu has several variations and courses...on average 10 courses for lunch and 12 for evening meal. There is a mixture of tastes catered for...pasta to Chinese cuisine along with regional dishes according to port of call. Drink prices are on par with most lines, some can be expensive but then it really depends on what your choice of drink is. I bought a non alcoholic drinks card, 46 euros on the ship/40 if bought in advance online. That gives you 20 drinks and considering a can of coke is 2.5 euro's plus a 15% tab, the card soon pays for itself several times over.

Service both in the cabins and in the bars/restaurants is very good. There is no constant pestering you to buy drinks...they come to you when you signal. There is no pressurised feeling about this ship at all, everyone is at ease and the staff allow you to do everything at your own pace, not theirs.

The heat is something that takes some getting used to. Unlike yesterday's thunderstorm and heavy rain, we have calm deep blue seas and not a cloud in the sky, the only breeze is that from the forward movement of the ship as we make our steady way to Manila tomorrow. You walk outside on the the small lower prom deck and its very pleasant with the sea breeze, however, go up to the pool deck and its like walking into a BBQ...it is absolutely overpoweringly hot and humid. Thankfully all public areas and cabins are airconditioned

The passenger mix on this cruise is 400 English speaking, mainly British, Australians, New Zealanders and 8 Americans. The other 400 are a mix of German, French, Italian and Spanish, ages range from around 4 yrs old to over 80 yrs old, several young couples along with the usual retired aswell. There are very few Asians aboard on this trip although they are quite frequently aboard in larger numbers in the winter months when the temps are less humid. We have several children on board. Age range from around 4 yrs old to teenager and all extremely well behaved and very well catered for by the staff on board too. They even allow the children to stay aboard while the parents are off sightseeing, which is really great and the children certainly seem to love it too.

So far I have met some lovely people, even some on their first ever cruise and they are loving every moment of the experience.

Today is my birthday and a bottle of bubbly was left in my cabin this morning along with a card from Costa and one from Phil & Sue...at evening meal this evening the cake will be delivered to the dinner table. I have decided to take the bottle of bubbly and share it around the table.

Sunday mass is being held in the theater and is held daily in a small ante-room on deck 4, and in the main theater this morning Rose, the English speaking hostess greeted all of us in a welcome aboard meeting. At 5pm this afternoon it will be muster drill.

The sea is so calm and blue its quite amazing...plenty of flying fish around.

Overall my first impressions of Allegra and her staff is excellent. She may have had a very different past but she positively oozes elegance and sophistication now. She is quite unique and her staff are the best so far.

So I shall finish my drink and find a shady spot to sit in til the muster in about 2 hours time.

Muster drill was very efficient and over with in just 15 minutes despite there being several languages taken care of.

The weather today has been lovely...high 80's and although quite humid the sea breezes made it really pleasant outside on the open areas of deck. Allegra has 3 hot tubs, a plunge pool and a lap pool. When you are seated in the Murano Bar, part of the ceiling is a river from alongside one of the hot tubs to the plunge pool, really innovative and at night it is all illuminated.

So tonight's evening meal was very special. Unfortunately out of the 8 people on the table only 2 others showed up, Peter and David, two very nice gentlemen traveling together and who are, like me, addicted to cruises. They have sailed on several lines including Airtours, RCI, Swan Hellenic & Princess. The ship laid on a bottle of champagne for my birthday, so the bottle of bubbly from Phil & Sue is being cared for in the galley and will be drunk on the first formal night. The birthday cake was enormous...14" across and 4" high, vanilla sponge with fresh cream, fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & blackberries on top with shortbread biscuits around the sides. It was iced with 'Happy Birthday Alison' in chocolate icing across the top. The senior waitstaff, maitre d' and ships officers sang happy birthday and I had a birthday card presented to me from Costa too. Really really lovely way to celebrate a birthday in style...Thank you Phil, Sue & Costa for making it a very special evening

Tomorrow we reach Manila, Philippines at around 8am, the weather forecast is for high 80's again and sunshine.

I shall be out and about, camera in hand and taking lots of photos of the ship and the local area around where we are moored.