On board the Disney Magic

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We set sail from Dover in stirling fashion, celebrations on the keyside and a party on deck. The characters have arrived and the boys are bashful with them.

With so many new spots to explore the boys run off, often in opposite directions, Callum shrieking with excitement on the teak decks and Reuben often too excited, his hands curled up in anticipation, to follow him.

Our cabin gloriously has a balcony and as Reuben and Callum climb up and down, up and down the magical ladder which has appeared whilst we've been at dinner, leading to a delightful bunkbed up top, Callum saying "mouse" at the tiniest, almost imperceptible, tasteful snippets of branding, I long for a really good night's sleep now Jason has arrived in the UK and is able to take over with Reuben's nightshift for a while. I've been in that delirium of coping with the boys' jetlag for the last 5 days, those 4am desires to finally go to sleep.

It's a beautiful ship, tasteful, reminiscent of an old ocean liner, and far removed from the daunting floating hotels you would imagine. It's striking in its design, a navy hull and Art Deco, the long promenade beckoning an evening stroll after dinner.

I enjoy champagne with dinner, marvelling at the gorgeous menu. The food may be an epicurean feast, but the company and ambience are anything but stuffy. Stepping out on deck tonight as we head into the Baltic Sea and watch the sun set momentarily below the horizon to pop its sweet head up just a few short hours later, I know the boys are going to have a tremendous time.