Before dinner, we had a drink at the Crystal Cove while we listened to pianist John Mentis. John has been the pianist on each of the World Cruises we have taken along with several other World Cruises with not only Crystal Cruises but prior to that with Royal Viking.
He is such a nice person in addition to being a wonderful pianist.
John Mentis
Last evening, was the first of two Black Tie Optional Nights on this voyage. This gives the guest the option of wearing formal attire or informal attire.
We would say that 80 to 90 percent of the guests were in formal attire and that the guests attire was very dressy.
We dined at the Crystal Dining Room and it was great to be back to the dining room for dinner. It was busy as many guests do dine at the Dining Room on Black Tie Optional Evenings. In both early and late seatings there are also some tables that are hosted by an officer.
Our Head Waiter is Augusto who has taken good care of us in the past. We will take photos of our Senior Waiter, Lylian and Waiter, Jan and post them during this voyage. We had not met the waiter before but know the Senior Waiter from other voyages although this is the first time we have had her as our Senior Waiter. Javier who we had for most of the World Cruise is our Sommelier.
The theme for last night's dinner was the Captain's Gala. For those of you who followed our Blog earlier this year it was on the final segment of the World Cruise that each night the dining room began introducing a couple of new items each evening that would be incorporated into what is called the modern cuisine menu.
The new menu rolled out on the first voyage following the end of the World Cruise and we were on that voyage plus the one after that. As part of the new menu the dinner menu has a menu on the left hand side which features Modern Cuisine items, which includes the use of foam as well as other techniques incorporating more modern types of recipes. The right hand side of the menu features Crystal Classic items. You can order from one or both sides of the menu depending on your food preferences. This is a first in the cruise industry for one dining room to serve such diverse food offerings. The Senior Waiter also noted that you can order salmon, chicken or a steak on any evening in addition to these items.
We each began our meal with salads. Keith had his own salad which is just a simple salad of Boston Lettuce, Mushroom, Cucumbers and Tomatoes and Anne Marie had the Spring Green Salad from the Classic menu.
For our entree, we each had the Lobster from the Modern Cuisine. It was very tasty.
For dessert it was mixed berries for Keith and for Anne Marie a Sugar Free Cream Puff from the Classic Menu.
The wine was quite good. Jiri who we have known for many years and is now the Sommelier in Prego mentioned to Javier that I enjoyed the La Grola Allegvini red wine the night before so Javier had this available for us and he also served a White Chardonnay wine. We both began with the white and then Keith went right to the red. Javier pours just a little wine at a time. It means more followup for him but we really appreciate that.
After dinner, we attended the Captain's Reception. We went through the receiving line to say hello to Captain Egis Giske and to Hotel Director Josef, and Crystal Society Hostess Alissa and we saw Cruise Director Rick prior to entering the Reception as he was welcoming guests and showing them the two entranceways; one for those who wanted to greet the officers and possibly have their photos taken with the Captain and the other entranceway for those who just wanted to be seated right away. There was no queue when we arrived a few minutes after the reception began.
After the reception we visited each of the stores. At the end of the World Cruise the vendor running the stores changed and new merchandise was brought on the ship so we wanted to see what they were now selling.
The seas were quite calm when we went to sleep and we easily fell asleep with the gentle rocking of the ship. As we mention often, we find sleeping on the ship to be very easy for us.
Keith awoke early and worked out on the Elliptical Machine. Our routine is pretty much the same on most mornings. After working out Keith goes to the Lido Cafe for coffee and to read and write and then when he is leaving he brings a cup of coffee back to the room for Anne Marie and after she freshens up, Anne Marie will walk before we have breakfast. This all works so well for us.
From L-R Lido Deck Stewards Martin and Joe
Mel
Some of the cold items already set up by the time that Keith left the Cafe.
We had breakfast in our room and we stayed with the same breakfast of Cereal for Anne Marie and Oatmeal for Keith.
We did arrive to Waterford, Ireland in the morning. It is a tender port and one we have been to before. We have toured all around the city and also visited the Waterford Factory. We just decided to make today a sea day since we do have quite a few port stops at the beginning of this voyage. The ship was fairly quiet with many guest on tours or out and about on their own. Since this is a golf themed cruise, Crystal organized golf for those guests who were interested in participating.
Later in the morning Keith took another Spin (indoor cycling class) Like yesterday, it was Keith and one other guest with Leanne teaching the class. She worked us hard. It may have been cool outside, but it was like a sauna after just a few spin songs. Before taking the photos, Anne Marie worked out on some of the weight machines.
Are you taking a photo of meeeeeee....LOL
Warming up before the fun begins.
Nora, the on board florist came by our room with a new floral arrangement as she had noticed that the one on embarkation day needed to be changed. She is amazing and is responsible for all of the flower arrangements on the ship including flowers in staterooms/suites, on the dining room tables, flowers in public areas, special flower arrangements for Crystal Society and other functions as well as flowers that someone on land could order as part of the guest form or for special occasions that a guest might order. She does a remarkable job.
This afternoon we continued to just enjoy the ship. We had lunch at the Lido Cafe each making a nice salad entree. Then it was off for more Paddle Tennis for Keith and Anne Marie walked for another hour. She continued to work on knitting project she recently started. The outside temperature warmed up to around 64 degrees under sunny skies.
Many guests were in port today so the tennis courts were quiet. Keith played with three officers since there were no guests playing.
We enjoyed some nice views of the coastline. Crystal was running tender service between the ship and the tender drop off pier.
We consider ourselves fortunate with the weather. We were told that the weather pattern was quite different this summer with more rain in the Mediterranean the past month which is unusual. Rain or Sun we know we will enjoy our time on the Crystal Serenity and it is always sunny inside the ship.
This evening we are back in the Crystal Dining Room for dinner. We will post about dinner and the evening tomorrow.
Tomorrow we arrived to Dublin and then Belfast the following day.
Keith & Anne Marie
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