We wanted to begin by highlighting how amazing Crystal is with two examples of this.
In the Suites, complimentary one day pressing is provided. We sent out several items late afternoon on the day we embarked, including Keith's tuxedo and tuxedo shirts since Keith would need formal attire the following day. On top of this on the next morning we gave the butler some additional items for pressing. Since our bags had been packed for several weeks more items than what is the norm needed pressing. Amazingly, everything from the first day and from just a few hours later were returned to us by 10:30 AM by our Butler. Kudos to the Crystal Team for not only this but for all that they do.
A very popular pianist who performs at the Avenue Saloon is Mark Farris. Up until recently he has performed on the Crystal Symphony only and we had not yet had the pleasure of hearing him perform and those who we know who have seen him perform provide absolutely glowing comments about him. He came on board Serenity in November to perform for the first time. He plays the piano, sings and had a terrific ability to get guests involved. Mark had never met us and our connection before meeting him was that Keith is connected with him via FaceBook. When we walked through Tastes yesterday after finishing lunch at the Lido Cafe, Mark sees us and he immediately says hi Keith and Anne Marie and we chat for a few minutes as if we knew each other for many years. This is another example of Crystal at its finest seeing each guest as an individual.
On most afternoons we have a fruit plate to our room. Since we dine at 6:00 PM and we also are conscious about what we eat, rather than having canapés before dinner, we find that the fruit plate is a much healthier choice for us. We won't post this daily but just wanted to post this photo early on so you would get a feel when we say we have a fruit plate as a snack in the afternoon what it might look like.
Before dinner we sat at the Crystal Cove and we listened to Scott Mitchel play the piano.
The Crystal Plaza was very festive between Chanukah and Christmas And those cookie plates continue get get refilled throughout the day and evening. The kids (including the adult kids) are enjoying the holiday cookies.
There are two menorah's a larger one and right below is this smaller one.
We enjoyed our first formal evening of the cruise. We call it formal but they are actually called Black Tie Optional evening's with the option of wearing formal attire or a more relaxed attire of Sports Jackets for men or a dress or pant suit for the ladies.
On a related note this is the first voyage with Crystal's new dress attire with most evening's being Crystal Casual and a one or two evenings on most cruises being Black Tie Optional attire. We do like to dress up so typically we will wear formal attire on the Black Tie Optional evenings on board Crystal. We do enjoy the on board ambience and dressing up for us adds to that. With that said how others dress does not concern us one bit.
On Black Tie optional evening's the main dining room tends to be busier. On some of these evening's we will dine at one of the specialty restaurants but typically on the first Black Tie evening on most voyages we will dine in the Crystal Dining Room. One of the reasons is that one of Anne Marie's favorite entrees is lobster which is one of the items found on the menu.
We won't post dinner menus all the time but we will post them from time to time. This was the dinner menu from last evening. No, we didn't start with dessert although that is what we posted here. The main menu has two sides; one for the Modern Cuisine and one featuring the Crystal Classics and you can order from one or both sides of the menu.
We each began our meal with salads. Anne Marie enjoyed the spinach salad that was available on the menu, while Keith had his standing order salad.
We both had the Lobster from the Modern Cuisine Menu and it was prepared perfectly and it was also very tasty and flavorful between the items that accompanied it and also the lobster butter. We also ha our usual of three side orders of vegetables.
For dessert, it was blueberries for Anne Marie and mixed berries for Keith.
Our section of the dining room was quieter than usual for a Formal Night Surprising three tables adjacent to us on the ring were empty and some of the hosted tables nearby were quieter than they can be on formal nights. Both main (early) and late dining are pretty full with actually more demand on this cruise for late dining because of the families on board the ship.
Shortly after dinner we attended the captains welcome reception. We saw Cruise Director Rick Spath as he was outside directing guests to either entrance. We were greeted by Crystal Society Hostess Jaque and then we spoke with Captain Birger and had a photo taken with him. This is the first time we had seen Captain Birger since the morning when World Cruise 2014 ended. We also chatted with Hotel Director Hubert.
We enjoyed Captain Birger's welcome talk. He is an outstanding speaker alway full of solid information and also being able to tell a joke or two and he has the full and complete confidence of both the crew and the guests.
We spoke for quite awhile with Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun. With about 15 minutes left in the reception we ran into Shore Excursion Manager Daniel, Assistant Shore Excursion Manager, Joyce and Louisa who also worked in the Shore Excursion Department. We had such a fun time talking that we all stayed about 45 minutes after the reception ended. Most of our talk was about travel and places that we've all been, would like to return to and have never been to before. There is so much to do and see around the world We also spoke about the upcoming itinerary and how exciting it is to be a part of this adventure.
We were having such a good time speaking with Daniel, Joyce and Louisa that we weren't able to make it to the Production Show but we will be able to see it on the next voyage and on subsequent voyages.
We both slept very well last evening. Seas were relatively calm and as we say often the gentle rocking of the ship helps us as we are falling to sleep.
Keith was up first and read, wrote and then worked out again at the Fitness Center. He made his usual stop to the Lido Cafe for coffee.
As he made his way to the Lido Cafe he walked through Tastes which offers casual dining including a late risers breakfast, lunch and dinner all with table service.
These photos include views of the living walls. There are three in total.
This is the set up for the early risers coffee.
Keith then returned to the room with a cup of coffee for Anne Marie which she enjoyed as she got ready to start another wonderful day on Serenity. She was able to get in her one hour walk before it was time for us to have breakfast.
We often go sit in the Crystal Cove while our room is begin cleaned which is before the start of the lectures and some of the other activities. Often we sit at the same spot and some passing by will say glad to see you back at your office. Some of you who sail Crystal do likewise such as sitting in the Bistro which becomes your office. Several of the Senior Officers stopped by the "office" to say hello and to chat with us including Captain Birger, Hotel Director Hubert, Cruise Director Rick and Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun. Each of these officers are the consummate professionals and are also very personable and kind people. For us this is what Crystal is all about with such a professional team while at the same time being personable and having personalities rather than functioning in a robotic type of manner if you know what we mean. Some were kidding that we need to put a sign in front of the table with our office hours. LOL.
Anne Marie was writing Christmas Cards that we will be sending out to several members of the crew.
Today was another great day with many activities offered inside and outside the ship.
A few highlights from today’s program included:
Three lectures; Dr Alexii Vranich spoke about the past and
present Caribbean; Tom DeFrank spoke about President Obama and the Republicans;
and Dr Simon Spooner spoke about Maritime Archaeology. We have seen Tom DeFrank speak on
several different voyages.
Several Classes were offered. Fitness Morning Stretch, Yoga, Secrets to a Flatter
Stoach, Fab Abs, Eat More to
Weight Losss, and Indoor Cycling; Computer Class on iMoive and also using
iPhoto, Golf Clinic, Bridge for the absolute beginner, and intermediate Bridge,
Needlepoint, and an Art Class.
Several other activities including Bingo, Team Trivia, Shuffleboard
and Paddle Tennis.
Two movies and lots of other activities and entertainment.
Once again, we enjoyed lunch at the Lido Cafe and we each had our usual of a salad entree. In addition to the salad items that we have we will add something to the salad such as salmon which we had on Monday or a small piece of chicken which we enjoyed today. We sat with friend Dave, and Cruise Director Rick joined us as well and later a Rick's wife and one of his children.
After lunch Anne Marie walked for an hour and Keith got in more Paddle Tennis. It was a little windy but warm and sunny and as usual it was a lot of fun playing. There is a lot of friendly competition and a lot of good laughs. The best advice is to play to have fun.
Later in the afternoon Keith hopes to take another (indoor cycling class). We'll post about the rest of the day tomorrow.
This evening we have been invited to a Crystal Society Dinner which actually will be in the Crystal Dining Room with Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown and Sales Cruise Consultant Daniele Puma.
We are so thrilled to be back on-board Serenity and we are enjoying each and every minute of the voyage.
We have two thoughts for the day with one attributed to legendary singer Joe Cocker who just passed at the age of 70.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY........
"God I'm just a fat bald guy, 60 singing the blues, you know?" - Joe Cocker
“A loving hearts is the truest wisdom.” – Charles Dickens
Keith and Anne Marie
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