DAY 16 - PORTLAND, ENGLAND

We forgot to mention that during Captain Birger's talk from the bridge at 12:00 Noon yesterday, that he mentioned that Clearance Officer Anne-Goethe Eggen was recognized as Crystal Serenity Employee of the Year at a Party for the Crew.  We have known Anne for several years starting when she worked at the Front Desk. Congratulations Anne on a very well deserved award.

Yesterday, there was an open house where once a cruise if all rooms are not occupied Crystal will open up some rooms so people can see the different room categories.  

Keith went by the rooms just to take some photos although we are very familiar with each room category. 

We thought we would post a photo of each of the categories that were open.  

This is a standard room on Deck 7 which does not have a Verandah.

This is a standard room on Deck 9 and is the same size as the one on Deck 7 but also has a Verandah.

There are three types of Penthouse suites.  The one we stay in is the smallest of the three and the next two photos are of this category room.

The next larger of the Penthouses is this room.

The largest of the Penthouses are referred to as the Crystal Penthouse and on Serenity there are four of them but all of them were occupied on this sailing.

We enjoyed another fun-filled evening on board Crystal Serenity.  

The evening attire was Black Tie Optional and this is always a very special evening.

We began the evening with a visit to the Crystal Cove for a pre-dinner drink and listen to Pianist Scott Mitchel perform.

Michelle made us our drinks.

We sat at the Cove with Larry and Monica who we have sailed with on a few other cruises.

We then returned to the Crystal Dining Room.  Usually, we will go to one of the Specialty Restaurants on Black Tie Optional evenings other than the first one, since the dining room can be rather busy on formal nights.  However, given that we have already eaten at each of the specialty restaurants two times each because of dates we made with others along with the invitation we received and accepted for the Crystal Society Dinner, we didn't want to go to the specialty restaurants for yet another dinner.

Anne Marie with Sommelier Javier.

We each toasted to another wonderful evening on board Crystal Serenity.

Head Waiter Giuseppe prepared Tuna Tartare for Keith while Anne Marie had a Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail.

 

For our entree, we both had Scottish Salmon.

Anne Marie had a sugar free dessert while Keith had his mixed berries.

The dining room was almost completely full last evening so it was on the louder side, but it did not keep us from conversing with one another and the wait staff kept up with everything, never missing a beat.  Head Waiter Giuseppe was able to take the time to make Keith the Tuna Tartare and also checked up on us several times during the meal, and Maitre d' Leo was able to stop by for a couple of minutes and Sommelier Javier kept on top of the wine and Senior Waiter Branislav kept checking with us during the meal and Waiter Fernando kept on top of everything as well.  

We dined for about ninety minutes which was perfect time to not only enjoy our meal but then to make it up to the Palm Court

where we attended the Captain's Reception and the Crystal Society Party. One of the guests who was recognized was Olga who we often sit with at the Crystal Cove before dinner.

For those of you familiar with the Palm Court in Serenity rather than being seated at one of the tables, we often make our way over to near the bar where we stand and talk with fellow guests and officers and other senior staff in attendance.  We don't drink at these parties since they follow dinner for us.  

We spoke with Food and Beverage manager Tayfun, Hotel Director Hubert and Vice Captain Nenad.

Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun

Following the party the evening entertainment featured two performances of Across The Pond, a show we enjoy as it features music from the British Invasion (as in music), including The Beatles.  

We had a fantastic evening and we slept very well as we sailed to our next port of call of Portland, New England.

Portland was a major staging area for the invasion of Normandy in 1944.  Three was a naval base here up until approximately ten years ago.  

We began the day the way we begin almost all days on board Crystal Serenity starting with Keith's workout and visit to the Lido Cafe.

We had breakfast in our room thanks to Rao and Keith attended yet another Spin (indoor cycling) Class.  This class was taught by Fitness Director Tamas.  For the third time this voyage, it was Keith and the Fitness Director so it was another one on one class.  The last song before the cool down was to determine who was faster; Claire or Keith.  

The weather today was quite interesting.  When we were arriving to the port of call the winds were far greater than the original forecast and it was very overcast.  By late morning the sun actually broke out and at one point it felt warm.  By the afternoon the sun was still out but the winds picked up but overall a great weather day given the unseasonably cold and windy and rainy weather we have had.

We decided to pass going into town today.  We knew that the shuttle was around a 30 minute drive each way and we thought it would be a good day to get most of our packing done so that is what we did.  

For lunch it was back to the Lido Cafe and salad entrees for each of us.

Keith played Paddle Tennis for the first time in a few days and had a great time.  Anne Marie came up to take some photos and then she walked outside for an hour.  

Anne Marie took photos of the sailboats that we could see from the ship.  We believe they are part of the Portland National Sailing Academy.  

Keith with Hotel Director Hubert.

Keith with Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun.

A German Passenger Cruise Ship was in port with us.

This evening we are back at the Crystal Dining Room for dinner with someone joining us for dinner.

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

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

Keith & Anne Marie