DAY 39 CURAÇAO AND DAY 31 CRYSTAL SERENITY

Before our evening got underway, we stopped by one of the stores on board Serenity to check out the clothing and other items.  Many new items were brought on-board Serenity in Miami, and more will be coming every few segments of the World Cruise.

Before dinner, we then attended the first of two receptions last evening.  The first reception was at the Captain's Quarters as we and some of our fellow guests were invited for cocktails.  When we arrived, we were greeted outside the entrance by Crystal Society Hostess Alissa along with Captain Giske. After a brief conversation with each of them we entered the quarters and one of the shipboard photographer's took a photo of us and a couple of members of the crew offered us a drink.  We passed on the drinks but wine, mixed drinks, water and soft drinks were available along with Canapés.

We spoke with some of the Senior Officers including Vice Captain Maro and Chief Financial Accountant Brigitte who were present along with some senior crew members and fellow guests.

Since we had just had the demonstration this morning related to safety, we asked Vice Captain Maro several questions about the Life Boats as well as the Rafts that the crew uses.  He was so very informative and provide us with complete answers to each of our questions.

At the conclusion of the reception, we made our way to the Crystal Dining Room where we enjoyed a very nice dinner.

Head Waiter, Bojan (j is pronounced like a letter y) showed us the dinner menu the night before at which time we pre ordered a couple of items.

For our first course, Anne Marie had Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Keith had Tuna Tartare which Bojan made for him.  Each Head Waiter has their own way of preparing the Tuna Tartare and Keith thoroughly enjoyed the ingredients that Bojan used to prepare this appetizer.

Began makes a slightly smaller portion which Keith thinks is good and the ingredients are not overpowering.

Our second course was a salad.  Keith stayed with his standing order salad.

We special ordered our third course.  We were not interested in the fish that was a on the menu so we decided to pre-order Kosher Chicken and mashed potatoes for Anne Marie and a Baked Potato for Keith.  The potatoes are available any night and don't have to be pre-ordered but it just made it easier to order them in advance.

The Chicken was very tasty.  Sometimes people will remark that a Kosher Chicken can be very salty but maybe because of all the exercise we did today a little extra salt was good.  We also had our side order of vegetables.  

We each ended our meal with fruit; mixed berries for Keith and blueberries for Keith.  Fruit has been quite good.

Following dinner, we attended a Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle Reception at the Palm Court.  Cruise Critic is a public forum for those interested in cruising.  If ten or more people on a specific voyage sign up for the party then Crystal Cruises will host a party specifically from them that includes drinks and Hors D'oeuvres and a room for everyone to get together.  Invitations are sent to the respective staterooms for those who sign up a few days before the reception.  We met so many nice people who we had not met before and others who we know from several cruises.  We would estimate that 50+ people were in attendance.  We know there were some conflicts with scheduled dinners and also some other cocktail receptions, but in spite of that we had an excellent turnout.  A few of the ships officers attended the reception including Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun, and Assistant Cruise Director Scott Mitchel.

We kept to pretty much the same morning routine as you are all very familiar with.  This included exercise for each of us and also some coffee.  Keith did a modified exercise routine and more on that later.  Keith saw dear friend John at the Lido Cafe.  Normally, he hits the Fitness Center shortly after Keith finishes his workout, but since today John along with several other guests are going golfing as part of an organized golfing event by Golf Pro John Clark, he took a day off from exercising.  It will be hot enough when they golf.  The outside early morning weather was nice and since it was daylight for one of the few times of the cruise Anne Marie walked outside on the Promenade Deck rather than walking inside the ship mainly on Deck 6.

We arrived to the port serving Curacao ahead of schedule this morning.  Once again, we saw the familiar Aida Cruise Ship which is focused on clientele from Germany.

Aida has those distinctive lips.

Willemstad, Curacao is known for having colorful exteriors on buildings, including rooftops.

We last visited Curacao just a few weeks ago on the Holiday Cruise.  As we mentioned on our visit two years ago we had booked a private tour with Crystal Cruises and visited the major sites on this Island so we did not book a tour this time around.  Instead, we just walked around on our own.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit Curacao we do highly recommend it.  There is so much to see including:

 The Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue & Jewish Museum which is one of the oldest Jewish Synagogues in North America.  

The Beth Haim Jewish Cemetary.

The Cave Of Hato

Along with a couple of Museums.

These are some photos that we took during our walk.  When we left the ship and walked towards the end of the pier, who did we see but Shore Excursion Manager Daniel and Assistant Shore Excursion Manager Joyce.  If you look closely, you will see that Joyce placed two fingers behind Daniel's Head and Keith immediately said, Facebook Photo.

Like last time, it was easy to find the town.

We saw this place the last time we were here and today was the same when we took the photo.  No business.  LOL, but true.

We saw several crew members going into town.  Since we are here until Midnight it provides a lot of flexibility for crew to get off the ship other than those who have to stay on board.  There was also wifi connectivity near the port.  On our way back we got a look inside the hull of the ship.

After walking around for awhile we returned to Serenity and we enjoyed a nice leisurely day on board the ship.  In other words we made it a sea day for the rest of the day.

We did sit at our usual spot at the Crystal Cove for awhile and spoke with some fellow guests, crew and senior officers.  Two guests who have been following this and our previous blogs are now on board for their first World Cruise with Crystal.  They saw us and said...."It is true."  "You have set up a little office at the Cove."  We spoke with them and learned that we had somethings in common including Keith growing up fairly close to where they lived.  

We had lunch in our room and that was nice just to enjoy a quiet and leisurely lunch.

This morning Keith woke up feeling like he might be getting sick and by noon he felt a little chilly.  One never knows if that is the A/C or not.  Just to be on the safe side and keeping in mind his feinting episode in February of 2014 outside the elevators by Deck 5, Keith decided to go to the Medical Center to be on the safe side. Coincidentally as he was just entering the corridor who came out of his own room but Dr. Ralph, who treated Keith last year after he feinted.   Keith quickly told him the symptoms and that he would have his temperature taken and might return at 5:00 to see Dr. Ralph.  When Keith was checked by the nurse he did have a moderate temperature.  The good news is that whereas usually there is one doctor on board the ship there are three as there is one married couple (they sort of count as one but are two people) plus Dr. Ralph.  So just to be on the safe side and finding out that the fee to see the Doctor during the off hours was not very high, Keith asked if he could see one of the other doctors right away and he did see Dr. Noel from Cape Town, South Africa.  The Doctor was very thorough and very informative and the net of it all is that it looks like Keith has the start of Bronchitis and a Nasal Infection as both can go hand in hand.  So the doctor prescribed two medications along with one over the counter product and hopefully in just a two or three days will be back to normal.  

Keith rested in our room in the afternoon  and Anne Marie walked for an hour and continued work on her knitting projects and we spent time with friends and crew as well.  This is an Evening Clutch Purse that Anne Marie just completed today.

This evening we will be dining at Prego.  Since the ship doesn't leave until Midnight, there is an event for all guests prepared just for the World Cruise.  We probably will have to skip this so Keith can rest. 

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"The earth belongs to anyone who stops for a moment, gazes and goes on his way." - Colette

Keith & Anne Marie