No one reacted as the sound of a mighty horn ripped through the air:  not the swimmers, the sunbathers and certainly not the two young boys jumping into the same jacuzzi in which I was trying to relax.

Lifting my sunglasses, I realised the blare was announcing our arrival into Naples: in style.

I was on board the MSC Fantasia as it cruised gently along the Italian coast as part of its circular route around the Mediterranean.

As the ship sailed closer into port, I half-reluctantly left the warm, bubbling pool to stand on the deckside for a better view of the docks and buildings sliding by.

My reticence was not based on any aversion to Naples, but after less than a day I was finding out that life on a cruise ship was changing my priorities. I had been waiting ages for a spot in that Jacuzzi.

This is only half in jest.

Since embarking on the mini-cruise in Genoa the day before, I found my usual boundless enthusiasm for seeing everything was giving way to a more relaxed viewpoint.

Initially, I practically marched around the ship, looking at every themed bar and restaurant – from the neon lights of the Manhattan cocktail bar to the plush grey sofas of the Transatlantico lounge to the big screens showing football and advertising a karaoke night in the Sports Bar – sizing up which would be best to visit that night or the next.

Although the Fantasia is by no means the largest cruise ship available, it is one of the biggest in MSC’s 12-strong fleet: matching its sister ship Splendida with a gross tonnage of 137,936. This only slightly behind the 139,072-ton Divinia and Preziosa, built in 2012 and 2013.

Yet, wandering around the seven-year-old Fantasia’s corridors, I had to remind myself it was not a freshly launched ship on its maiden voyage: almost everything shone like new.

This was most evident in the reception area, an open space on level five with two floors above it opening up to mezzanine balconies.

In the centre of a collection of comfortable sofas, chairs and small tables sat a white grand piano, which anyone was able to sit down to play, in front of three lifts whose constant movement gave the area a bustling atmosphere.

Anyone travelling to another floor got an excellent view of the open space between levels five and seven, which at night was filled with guests making their way to one of the bars or shopping areas.

A sparkling staircase stretched up on either side, its steps filled with glittering Swarovski crystals.

I learned each step was estimated to be worth €6,000, so I felt a thrill of excitement at the glamour of it all and fear that I would crack one every time I ascended one of these staircases.

Watching the beautiful coastline pass hurriedly by filled me with calm

In the evening, vendors set out tables along the central corridors and outside their stores so people can browse for Rolexes or top fragrances. A central plaza filled with fountains is a natural meeting place, close to the on-board smoking room and the expansive casino, which only opens while at sea.

Only a couple of things gave away the Fantasia’s age, like faint laughter lines beneath perfectly-applied foundation: the odd chipped mug and scratched plastic plate in the joint communal Zanzibar and L’Africana restaurants and a slight dinginess to the bathroom in my otherwise elegant cabin.

This was decorated with artwork and mirrors, and to my surprise was spacious enough to fit a sofa, desk and table as well as two beds and the aforementioned en suite.

However, the small balcony access through a large sliding glass door was its crowning glory.

Sitting out on it nursing a coffee in the free time between breakfast and arriving in Naples was perhaps the moment my sightseeing frenzy began to subside.

While tucking into a buffet of pancakes, fresh fruit and yoghurt earlier, I had planned to head off to find the luxury Aurea Spa or the 4-D cinema waiting to be discovered somewhere on decks 14, 15 or 16.

Yet, watching the beautiful Italian coastline pass unhurriedly by filled me with calm. What was the rush? I had all the morning to myself, why not spend it relaxing?

If my cabin had been facing the sea only, with only a view of the undulating waves to entertain me that morning, perhaps things would have been different.

As it was, I postponed further exploration for later in the cruise, wriggled into my bikini and headed to the swimming pools.

There were three main areas to choose from: the large indoor pool, which echoed with the sound of children playing and rushing water from fountains; the main outdoor pool, surrounded by deckchairs and serviced by a bar and gelato kiosk; and the sun deck at the very back of the ship. I chose the latter as it was the least crowded.

While its heated outdoor pool is the smallest on offer – four strokes took me from one side to the other –  I shared it with just two other swimmers so floating about on my back was perfectly acceptable.

Around me people were lying comfortably on sunbeds, canopies angled to shade their heads or chatting in the sunshine.

Far more were enjoying the heat of the jacuzzi than the relatively cold pool, so I waited my turn to get in. The Fantasia, while not exclusive to adult guests, seemed to have relatively few children on board.

Most were teenagers accom-panying their parents but there were a few new mums pushing prams around the decks.

It could be that the little ones were being entertained by animators in the kids’ club up on deck 16, but apart from the two boys who later joined me to splash about, it was very peaceful.

Seeing an elderly couple tucking into ice cream, I remembered dining in the Red Velvet restaurant the previous night.

Lovers of spicy food can book a table at the Tex Mex El Sombrero restaurant and steakhouse, for an extra fee, but I had joined the second sitting of the ship’s inclusive dinner provision. There were up to seven courses to choose from, and while the portions were not overwhelming, eating an appetiser, salad, starter, pasta, main, dessert and/or cheese board every night would soon put an end to my sunbathing, particularly when factoring in the extensive wine list.

Filter coffee, tea and water is included in the cost of the cruise, but anything else is extra and MSC offers various optional drinks packages, such as 24 cappuccinos throughout the voyage or inclusive wine and soft drinks at every meal for a set price.

The ravioli I chose was well-filled and al dente to my liking and the steak met my requirements also, yet the standard did not reach the highest level.

Another traveller with a wheat intolerance was impressed by the service she received, with a dedicated waiter and appropriate menu.

I had high hopes for my intended lunch in the second inclusive restaurant, called Il Cerchio d’Oro, which offered a la carte meals all day. As it was smaller and did not have to cater for so many passengers, I had been told the food there was excellent.

Before dinner I had joined hundreds of other guests in the ship’s 1,700-seat theatre, which had two levels of seating spread around a double-height room.

A professional entertainment company had put on an excellent 35-minute song, dance and acrobatic show following a general Zorro theme that was accessible to speakers of every language. Even if some did not follow the English lyrics, the gist of the power ballads was evident.

We applauded as dancers twirled around the singers and acrobats contorted themselves in the air: one woman spun herself around with a net so confidently it almost assuaged my fear she would fall.

Every night a different show is performed twice, so diners on both sittings get to see it.

This level of dexterity was not repeated after dinner, when I celebrated my first night aboard with a cocktail or two and some questionable dancing in the Liquid disco.

The many bars close around midnight but the disco gives a late option for anyone wanting to party the night away.

For a cruise ship, the music wasn’t too cheesy, either.

It was then that the horn blast shocked me from my reverie, though my fellow – presumably more experienced – cruisers paid it little attention.

I imagine the privileged few tucked away in the MSC Yacht Club ­– a private ‘cruise within a cruise’ part of the ship for people craving butler service and their own private pool area ­– were even less fazed.

After a few minutes watching Vesuvius tower over the port, I headed back to change, but I had to fight the urge to just stay on board daydreaming.

After all, tomorrow was Gala Night and there was a chance to meet ship captain Mattia Manzi...

• The author was a guest of Hamilton Travel, the MSC agents in Malta. The Fantasia has 1,637 cabins and weekly embarkations in Valletta on Wednesdays in 2015. See hamiltontravel.com.mt or call 2124 1292 for details.