DAY 34 MIAMI DAY 26

We had an absolutely outstanding time at last night's World Cruise Gala.  The event was spectacular.  We ran into so many people we know from prior cruises and/or World Cruises and got to meet many guests whom we had never sailed with before.  And there are still many more people that we know that we didn't have an opportunity to see.

We wanted to begin with some overall comments.

Yesterday was the smoothest embarkation we have seen for a World Cruise. While we were already on board the Serenity, we have seen embarkation from both ways including boarding the ship for the start of the World Cruise and also already being on board.  This was a very organized and smooth operation and it was very thoughtful and touching for Edie to greet each and every guest.

As to the Gala, it was simply a wow.  In prior years with only one exception and that was before we sailed on our first World Cruise the Gala is held on land at a hotel and by moving the Gala onto the ship it provided a significantly better experience than anything that could be done on land. The  ambience, food and service were significantly better on board Serenity than dining at a banquet hall in a hotel with a room that would have to hold over 600 people making it seem like a convention.  On top of this was the logistics of getting people to a hotel which would likely not have been the hotel they were staying at and the fact that people would not be able to come and go as they please.  You would find some looking at their watches wondering when they could go back to the ship.

We will go into more specifics in a moment but we wanted to say that the cuisine was simply amazing.  The preparation, presentation, quality and taste of each course was amazing and to think that over 600 meals were served is also amazing and the fact that they were served within minutes of one another.  We also can't say enough about the ambience of the room or the outstanding service.  Crystal is truly amazing.

The festivities before and after the dinner were terrific including the dancing and music that was played, the Big Band Orchestra, the other singers, the speech by Edie and Edie and the Captain dancing together with others joining in the 40 or more musicians playing at the 10:00 PM evening show which even included some from Miami.  The Cove was also transformed with lots of tables places in various areas and the dining venues.  Just incredible as many table tops changed from small tops to large ones and the table settings with the absolutely beautiful centerpieces.  Oh, and all of the balloons and confetti had to be cleaned up quickly and all of the venues put back they way they were with so much work being done into the late hours of the night/morning.

As to the details from last night:

6:30 PM World Cruise Welcome Cocktail Party hosted by President and COO, Edie Rodriquez with music by the Nicki Parrott Trio.  The entire Plaza was filled with guests as was the area above it. These photos were taken before most people arrived.

With Friends Bill & Celeste.

7:00 PM.  Sparkling Wine Toast with fellow cruisers, President and COO Edie Rodriquez, Captain Egil Giske, Cruise Director Gary Hunter, and World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston.

7:15 PM.  Countdown and Balloon Drop.

7:30 PM.  Dinner

Prego, Silk Road and the Crystal Dining Rooms were used for the dinner.  We were assigned to Prego and our host was Alissa who is in charge of the Crystal Loyalty Program.  We sat with dear friends Jim and Judy, Allan and Helen and John and Linda.  Those guests not on the full World Cruise who were on one or more of the previous cruises also attended the festivities, including dinner

The food was just superb.  Each course was served with all the waitstaff bringing out the same item all at once.  The only decision we had to make was the entree as to whether we wanted beef or fish.

The table was magnificent including a beautiful centerpiece.

First Course was Stone & King Crab.  It was so delicious that we don't want to even think of how many calories we consumed.

Second course was Butternut Squash & Orange Ravioli.  It was a wow as well.

We chose the Chilean Seabass for our entree and it was very moist and tasty.  

The dessert was Moist Chocolate Coffee Cake.  It was absolutely delicious.  The chocolate was rich and so very tasty.  No calories.  LOL.  

We enjoyed Champagne and Wine including Domaine Carneros Brut Rose, Wedell Cellars Chardonnay and Buckhorn Vineyards Merlot

10:00 PM.  Tribute to the Rat Pack with land based vocalists Sebastian Anzaldo, Andy DiMino and Lambus Dean and the Crystal Serenity Pops Orchestra under the direction of Mastro Bret Bullock who is head of Crystal Cruises Entertainment and Enrichment.  There was also the opportunity to listen to the Big Band Play or to go to the Avenue Saloon for other entertainment.

The number of people in the orchestra totaled almost 40 and the three performers for the Rat Pack were amazing.

We had mentioned that we had received a program book in our room. It also included some fun facts.

- This is Captain Giske's first appointment as World Cruise Captain.

- This is Hotel Director Josef Lumetsberger's 18th World Cruise and he is celebrating 24 years with Crystal Cruises.

-This is Cruise Director Gary Hunter's sixth World Cruise.

- This is World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston's fifth.

When we returned to our room the following items had been placed in our room.

World Cruise Magnets
World Cruise Bags
World Cruise Jackets
World Cruise Diaries
World Cruise Hats
World Cruise Shirts
Crystal Cruises Calendar
Paper Calendar of all of the World Cruise Events

We look forward to using all of these items over the coming days, weeks, months and years.

By the time we went to sleep it was much later than we normally go to bed so it was very easy to fall asleep.

Keith woke first and started the day the way he usually does.  This included a workout at the Fitness Center, coffee at the Lido Cafe where he also read and wrote.  It was like old times at the Lido Cafe as Linda came up at her usual time as did a couple we know from Australia who takes World Cruises every odd year.

Anne Marie took a walk before we had breakfast in our room.

Keith then took an indoor cycling class which was the first of this World Cruise.  All bikes were full and there was even a small waitlist.  Chase taught the class and this was probably the most athletic group of guests Keith has cycled with on a World Cruise.  

Afterwards, we walked from the Cruise Ship Terminal over to Miami to pick up a few final items.  It was fairly cool and overcast when we left but on our return it was quite warm and sunny.  The circus is in town at the American Airlines Arena as they always are this time of year.

Since we were unsure what time we would arrive back to the ship we ordered salad entrees to enjoy in our room.  We kept them very simple by having tuna fish salad on a large bed of Boston Lettuce along with Tomatoes and Cucumbers and dressing on the side.  It is simple, yet tasty and healthy.

When we arrived back to the room, there was a large square vase with beautiful white flowers that was placed in our room and it was a portion of those beautiful flowers from the Gala Dinner.  Ironically, at dinner Keith had asked about what they might do with all those beautiful flowers so we think it is great that they sent flowers to each room.  

This afternoon we spoke with our son and our daughter and Anne Marie walked for an hour and Keith met up with some friends including dear friend Bob.

This evening we will dine at the Crystal Dining Room.

Later today we leave Miami and go on this extraordinary journey.  The first map shows the itinerary as we circumnavigate the globe as part of the full 2015 World Cruise and the second map shows the itinerary for the first segment of the World Cruise.

Since, we leave Miami this evening we wanted to use the same Thought For The Day today as we used yesterday.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

“Our journey never ends, as there are more places to visit, more adventures to enjoy, more special memories to make, that together, we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.” – Keith & Anne Marie

Keith & Anne Marie