DAY 11 - NASSAU

We wanted to begin with some items from the first of our two voyages.

Things you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.
 
A summary of people on board and a few little tidbits.
 
Who’s on Board?
 
Captain Birger Vorland, Cruise Director Rick Spath, Vice Captain Miho Radulic, Chief Engineer Robert Bayfield, Hotel Director Scott Peterson, Ship’s Doctor Andrii Shvets,  Crystal Society Host Andrew, Cruise Sales Consultant Paula Jean, Chief Concierge Marco, Concierge Ariella, Restaurant Manager Leo, Food & Beverage Manager Svein, Specialty Restaurant Maitre d’ Paolo, Executive Housekeeper  Maria, and hundred more of an amazing crew we have sailed with many times.
 
Golf Pro Joe Hubert
Pilates & Yoga Instructor Tammy Gibson
Bridge Instructors Bill Young & Debbie Hoveland
CY @ Sea Instructor Tim  Grey
Odyssey Art at Sea Instructor Maureen Schmidt
Fitness Director Dragan Milovancevic (he was on last years World Cruise)
 
Avenue Saloon Pianist Joel Spire
DJ Viviano
Guitarist Carlos
Richard & Irina 
Duo Julie & Andy
Crystal Cove Pianist Steepheen Roberts
Irina Guskova
 
There is a new Crystal Society Hostess who is presently in training Sara from Spain.  In a couple of weeks, she will be on her own and Crystal Society Host Andrew will be on Symphony when sailing restart.  Previously Sara was Crystal Society Hostess on two of the Crystal River Cruise Vessels. 
 
Lots  of  enrichment and  entertainment:
 
Crystal Magicians at Sea Christopher Tracy (10 shows twice a day 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM)
 
Shows/Entertainment so far
 
Rock & Pop-A-Mania Show featuring Tom Lowe & Elizabeth  Combs  with Serena,  Holly, Rachael, Natasha, Gabor, Bohdan, Dmitri, & Breett
 
Crystal Showband under the direction of Raphaeel.
 
My Life – James Fox
 
70’s and 80’s Tribute Dance Hour
 
The Great American Songbook with Bruce Hammond, Tom Lowe & Sarah Combs with the Crystal Showband.
 
Crystal White Extravaganza (two shows for the first time)
 
Crystal on Broadway Thee Show
 
The Crystal Showband & Friends
 
Bahama Nights Deck Party
 
Icons In Concert 
 
Lecturers
 
Dr. Jay Wolff (destination lecturer)
Dr. Jeffrey  Hoffman (former astronaut)
General Nick Halleey
 
Comedian John Joseph
Vocalist Karin Kovacova
Comedian Steve Stevens
 
Good news is the stores were opened on July 6.
 
A tidbit.  There are two women butlers and that is a first.  Sometimes, there have been one.   Congratulation’s ladies.
 
We have avoided most public bathrooms but did see in the one on Deck 5 no longer sink faucets but hand activated.  We think that  is new.
 
If your flight is before 3:00 PM shared transfer to the airport is $50.00 per person.
 
After 3:00 PM Nassau Highlights and Airport Transfer $59.00 per person
 

We wanted to mention that those who were getting off today had their COVID-19 test required to return to the USA.   It was very well organized with assigned times  and results available within 15 minutes.  For those who are  continuing to the next cruise we also were given a COVID-19 test as they  want each guest tested weekly.   We tested negative.  Even  our results were sent from Crystal Cruises to  the Bahama Travel  Heath Visa site and a few hours later we received an e-mail with a Happy  Face.

Our Bunker stop at Freeport  was longer than planned as there was a delay in thee start of fueling.  The Captain informed the guests of this before  our arrival to Freeport.

Dinner last night was wonderful and we dined at Waterside.

With  only 600 guests on-board and four other dining venues  in addition to room service and open dining people spread out and Waterside has been quiet.   On a 7 day cruise and people  wanting to try most if not all the dining  venues this also adds to less people in Waterside at  once.

The benefits are it makes Waterside  quieter and provides more time for the waitstaff  to attend to and converse with guests and provides more time  to the galley for the prepping and cooking of the items.

Food, ambience and service was flawless.

Appetizers continue to be delicious with a nice presentation such as the seafood asparagus salad we had  last  evening with white asparagus.  Salads  were fresh and the  entree wonderful. We  both had  swordfish for the first time in  17+  months.  Keith had asked earlier  in the day   if his could be prepared butterfly style and Anne Marie had hers prepared as is.  We both loved it.   Had a real dessert  as Anne Marie had ice cream and Keith  had cheese and crackers.  The Senior Waiter helped Keith select  three different slices of cheese from the cheese menu.  Great wine and we were there for 2+ hours which has been our norm on the cruise.

Most importantly we feel very safe dining. Some  photos   from the  last two days.  It's  been hard posting  them with the Internet so Keith had to be creative getting them on the blog which is why they are  different sizes and not in order.

We  are unable to upload Reflections  and  Menus. We'll  try again  tomorrow.

We arrived  to  Nassau  early.  Keith was working  out at the Fitness  Center as  we approached the pier and could  see the Royal Caribbean  Ship from afar.   We docked around 5:30  AM.   Once docked we see we are right next to the ship.  

Today is  turn  around  day.  It will  be  a  busy day for the crew  with the  extra protocols for Covid  including more detailed cleaning of rooms.   We believe  around 100  guests  are  staying  on board.

After breakfast, we walked the Promenade Deck.   As we were heading back to our room, we saw Sneha in the stairwell.   She is assistant to the Head Housekeeper and she took wonderful care of us several years ago as our penthouse attendant.  It has been wonderful seeing her responsibilities  increase of the years.  She goes home today for Holiday.

Keith went out to walk around the port area.  The good news for those embarking and disembarking today is Crystal is docked at a more convenient location  than last week as it allows for vehicles to part near the ship.  All of Crystal's Buses and Private Vehicles were near the ship and Keith understands those who made private arrangements their drivers could get near the ship.   On the other hand those from Royal Caribbean had to walk about 10 minutes to exit the pier for their transport.

However, next week Serenity will more thank likely turn around where we embarked last week and there is no room for vehicles to meet near the ship.

Keith walked for about an hour and walked some of those streets with stores  you see in the Caribbean and these days Alaska.  People on  the street were friendly as were those at the pier.  He asked about the Straw Market where we visited 30 years ago and it is still closed due to COVID-19 social distancing.  Everyone was wearing masks and they  can keep you feeling hotter so by the time Keith got back to the ship he was hot, hot, hot.  

We enjoyed a nice lunch.  Waterside isn't open for lunch today so we  ordered  our traditional lunch of Cobb  Salad and enjoyed it in our suite.   Afterwards,  a nice walk  on the Promenade Deck and enjoying a nice afternoon  on Serenity.  

Cheers,

Anne Marie &  Keith