With World Cruise Hostess Stacey and World Cruise Events Coordinator Shane.
Before dinner last evening we had a pre-dinner drink at the Crystal Cove as we listened to Pianist Richard Pucci perform. We really miss having the drink with dear Friends John and Linda. We are thinking of you both and miss you very much.
Afterwards, we were back at the Crystal Dining Room for dinner. It was the first of three Black Tie Optional Evening's on this voyage.
Anne Marie with Chief Accountant Brigitte Klar who just returned back to Serenity in Miami after a very well deserved Holiday.
We had a terrific time dining and we were taken care of by Head Waiter Augusto, Senior Waiter Ayhan, Waiter Jan and Sommelier Ivanna.
We began our meal with Salads.
Keith continued to have his standing order salad and Anne Marie had the Fresh Garden Salad.
For our next course Anne Marie had the Fresh Maine Lobster which was accompanied with Apparatus and Chive-Truffle Risotto.
Keith had the Cuban Spice-Crusted Fresh Grouper Fillet which was accompanied with Black Beans, Saffron Butter and Cilantro Oil.
For our third and final course it was Blueberries for Anne Marie and Mixed Berries for Keith.
We went to the Captain's Welcome Reception and went through the receiving line since we had a changeover of Officers's from World Cruise 2015. In contrast to the World Cruise when the receiving line gets shorter and shorter with each passing segment, when we arrived at around 7:45 for the start of the reception the line to get into the Palm Court was quite long but rather than go in the door on the other side where there was no line, we did want to go through the receiving line.
We were greeted by Captain Birger, Crystal Society Hostess Isabel, Hotel Director Hubert and Cruise Director Rick on the receiving line. We took the customary photo with Captain Birger.
Captain Birger gave a very nice welcome address.
Captain Birger is from Norway but has a command of the English Language and is very easy to understand. He is a very effective communicator. We also enjoy his sense of humor.
Before Captain Glenn was introduced, we spoke with him and took a photo with Glenn and Anne Marie.
After Captain Birger introduced his Senior Officers (Vice Captain, Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Chief Engineer and Ship's Doctor) he introduced Captain Glenn who gave a very nice talk. Captain Glenn noted that sometime during this cruise he will be giving a 45 minute talk which will include his current job for NYK since he left Crystal Serenity in the Fall of 2012. We look forward to attending his talk.
As we walked down the stairway, we saw our former Stewardess Sneha who we had on the 2013 World Cruise and also when we were on board for one voyage last year. She is wonderful and a gem.
We slept very well last evening and the good news is we didn't have to forward the clock an hour as we are sailing on local Bermuda time.
There was some movement with the sea swells but overall the seas were good given we are doing a crossing.
Keith was up first and enjoyed his workout at the Fitness Center. Afterwards, he had coffee at the Lido Cafe where he read and wrote. When he first arrived to the Lido Cafe he started to wonder if the clocks were moved back several hours because there was nothing on any of the tables such as place mats, napkins, flatware, coffee cups and saucers and sugar along with salt and pepper. Eventually someone arrived and Keith asked about the tables and was told that they did maintenance last night. A few minutes later several crew members who work at the Lido Cafe arrived earlier than usual and in no time everything was in place on each and every table.
Anne Marie had coffee and she got in her one hour morning walk before we had breakfast in our room.
Keith went to the Salon for a haircut so he missed the indoor cycling class.
Since this was another sea day there was lots on the program.
In keeping with the theme of the cruise there was a lecture given by Brian Gander called the Price of Perfection in which he spoke about the genius mind of Jerome "Jerry" Robbins who was a Director-Choreographer. His work included West Side Story, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Funny Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, and The King and I.
Dr. Drew Casper presented A Musical Sinatra in the afternoon.
With our arrival to Bermuda coming up tomorrow, Destination Lecturer Ken Rees spoke about Bermuda. He gave the story of Bermuda starting with the shipwreck and covering starvation, slavery, sugar and piracy. Eventually the island was reduced to just two pioneers and eventually the island became a key British naval based during the War of Independence. As usual, Ken provided a lot of key information about the history of the Island as well as recommendations on what to do and see while we are in Bermuda for two days and he does this with good humor.
Keith was able to get in one hour of Paddle Tennis before lunch.
For lunch, we were back at the Lido Cafe and each made a Salad Entree. We spoke with Patty for a while before Keith left to play Paddle Tennis and Anne Marie stayed to speak with her.
While it was windy it was far less than even this morning and Keith played for a couple of hours.
This evening we return to the Crystal Dining Room.
Before dinner we plan to attend a tribute to Patsy Cline performance created by Broadway's Carter Calvert.
We want to end with three thoughts for the day.
Today marks the 100th year Anniversary that Former Major League Baseball great, Babe Ruth, hit is first Major League Home Run. Ironically, it was against the New York Yankees when the Babe began his career with the Boston Red Sox as a Pitcher.
Today also marks the 84th Birthday for another Former Major League Baseball great Willie May who played the majority of his career with the New York Giants/San Francisco Giants before closing out his career with the New York Mets.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY......
"We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back." - Babe Ruth
"I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I had to do what I had to do. If you stay angry all the time, then you really don't have a good life." - Willie Mays
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