Savor Italian culture on the water

Afternoon tea break at Florian Cafe. [Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

Opened in 1720, the landmark is believed to be one of the oldest coffeehouses in the world.

Its customers have included the poet Lord Byron and the writer Charles Dickens.

Several years ago in Venice, while sipping a cappucino in the Florian cafe, I enjoyed the music of an orchestra and a view of the beautiful St Mark's Square. But now, in the ship's Florian Cafe, I watch the blue sea outside through a porthole instead.

At night, the cafe turns into a bar, and I order a coffee cocktail while listening to an Italian opera solo accompanied by a pianist and a cellist.

The charm of cruising is that people of all ages have activities to enjoy. The cruise even offers karaoke and mahjong.

There are balls organized in the atrium every day. At a masquerade ball, two beautiful young women demonstrate their dance moves.

Several foreign crew members are also dressed in costumes and encourage Chinese guests to dance.

A grandmother is dancing happily with a pretty mask on her wrinkled face.

At the evening winds down, the music suddenly changes, A Chinese popular song, Little Apple, comes on. The catchy song, which has dance beats and repetitive lyrics, is the climax.

Passengers can also enjoy various kinds of live music in the bars, including the singing of popular Chinese songs.