Our "parrot" jokes about the security team now patrolling the decks after dark went a little quiet after we heard of the French yacht seized by pirates off the coast of Sudan on the very same night we had been in the area. Indeed, the Captain took great trouble to issue a reassuring message since many were fearful of a similar fate.

But we are well taken care of. Our route takes us further from the risky area nearer to the coast and we sped through that particular region as quickly as possible. The security guards patrol the well lit upper deck throughout the night, wearing high visibility jackets and keeping a watchful eye open for any suspicious approaches.

All the same, we kept our balcony doors locked.

We hear the French yacht was sailing close inland, had only crew on board and though it has been traced, all are still being held hostage. The French Navy are sailing to their rescue, we are told, prompting the question from one American shipmate "are they any good?" Sad to say, no-one had the answer.