We wanted to begin by saying that yesterday's transit of the Panama Canal was very special and also enhanced by the on board enrichment on board Serenity. Whether yesterday was one's first time transiting the Panama Canal which was precisely the case for many people on board or like us you had transited the Panama Canal one or more time in the past, there was much to see and much to learn and you can't see nor learn it all on one or even a handful of transits. Dr. Jay Wolff also did a very nice time providing a good deal of information with respect to the history of the Panama Canal through a series of three different talks. We were fortunate to have very nice weather for our transit and we were pretty much on schedule throughout the day.
When one views the Panama Canal we highly recommend viewing it from a wide range of areas all around the ship including upper and lower decks, the bow (front) and stern (back) of the ship and the port (left) and starboard (right) sides. One of the members of the crew took this photo and Keith is in it from when he was doing an early morning viewing. He is in a blue shirt on the second row from the top and the fourth from right to left. Next to him was Protestant Clergy Pastor Ed Voosen and his lovely wife Ruth.
We had another wonderful time on Serenity last evening.
As we got into the elevator (we always use steps unless Anne Marie wears heals) we took a selfie using the mirror in the elevator.
Before dinner, we sat at the Crystal Cove where we listened to pianist John Mentis perform. We also said a quick hello (well Keith saw her earlier in the day) and a quick goodbye to President of Crystal Cruises, Edie Rodriquez.
We were each wearing our most recent Crystal Society Milestone Pins that we received in January of last year for last night's dinner.
Afterwards, we attended a Crystal Society Dinner at Prego. The dinner was hosted by Crystal Society Hostess Alissa and Hotel Director Josef. Four other guests in addition to ourselves attended. This included Dick and Barbara who each have sailed Crystal Cruises well over 100 times and who have been on board for the last several World Cruises. Loraine as well as her son Andrew also attended. We have known both of them since our first World Cruise in 2007 and Loraine's Husband used to sail with them as well, until three years ago when certain health issues no longer made it possible for him to travel. Andrew works tirelessly throughout the day and night to take care of his mother.
Anne Marie with Crystal Society Hostess Alissa before we were seated for dinner.
We had an absolutely wonderful time at dinner. We each had a very small portion of an entree as an appetizer (pasta and lobster) Keith's standard order salads from the Dining Room, and one of the two additional items that was added to the menu just for last evening. This was Black Bass and it was absolutely delicious Almost everyone had the fish at our table with once exception. It also had a terrific presentation. These additional items are created on board Serenity by the executive Prego Chef.
For dessert, it was a small bowl of mixed berries for Keith and a small bowl of blueberries for Anne Marie. We were at dinner for close to two hours and we talked quite a bit about travel, including places that we were looking forward to seeing for the very first time on this World Cruise as well as places that we look forward to revisiting.
When we arrived back to our room there was a letter from World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston about some upcoming events and there was also a Wall Map showing the itinerary of World Cruise 2015 along with a couple of very nice magnets.
We slept very well as we are sailing to our next port of call. The seas were relatively calm and the gentle rocking of the ship always makes it easy to fall asleep.
As usual, Keith was up very early and enjoyed another nice workout at the Fitness Center. Afterwards, he had coffee at the Lido Cafe. Unlike the day before when many people were out and about getting ready to see first hand the transit of the Panama Canal, it was very quiet up at the Lido Cafe. Keith knows many of the members of the night crew and thought we would post a photo of one of them who was vacuuming one of the public rooms.
After Keith brought some coffee back to the room for Anne Marie, she walked for an hour before breakfast.
There is lots on the schedule for today. This includes three lectures;
Jack McManu talked about social Networking including even how one cruise line uses Social Networking.
Owen Ullan spoke about Radical Militants on the March and why the post a worldwide threat.
Bill Miller spoke about Sailing to the Sun including that 15 million Americans are now taking cruises each year and how all of this evolved One of the items he mentions is the impact of Carnival Cruises Lines on cruising and that because they offered cruises at very low prices that they brought many first time cruisers to the fold and overtime as they grew older and experienced higher levels of income that many started taking higher end cruses including luxury cruises such as with Crystal Cruises. In other words, he noted that the mass market lines provide a lot of benefits for the entire cruising industry.
After breakfast, Anne Marie attended the second of the two morning Yoga Classes taught by Maria Kita with assistance from her husband Joe.
We also spent sometime at our little office on the Crystal Cove providing a nice opportunity to speak with some of our fellow guests and also members of the crew. While at the Cove, Keith walked over to the Concierge Desk to take a photo of Chief Concierge, Sergio.
On the food front, there was a Jazz Brunch set up outside the Crystal Dining Room which is always so very impressive. While we love to look at all of the beautifully prepared and presented items, we had our lunch a the Lido Cafe with each of us making salad entrees. Since this evening will also feature a French Theme, including dinner, there were some Parisian decorations on display.
On the right, Executive Pastry Chef Harold.
We will write about this tomorrow, but this evening there will be a World Cruise Theme Dinner for all those dining in the Crystal Dining Room and it is for everyone on board.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and worked on her knitting and Keith played Paddle Tennis and also met up with dear friend Bob and a couple of other guests.
We thought we would end with a quote from Downton Abby.
TODAYS THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....
"The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is." - Mr Carson, Butler, Downton Abby Season 4
Keith & Anne Marie
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