DAY 5 - Sea Day

For those in the USA Happy Independence Day.  This cruise is our Independence for 14 days.  We have been as vigilant as we could be for 16 months.  We never ate at a restaurant from March of 2020 until the other day. We have not been around people other than our family and even then not until recently.   We have cooked every meal other than three Pizza deliveries.  We have looked forward to sailing again with Crystal and our wish has come true.

Reflections From Yesterday when we boarded.

There was a band playing for the sail-away.

Before dinner we toasted to a wonderful cruise with champagne.

We enjoyed our first dinner on the ship.  For 16 months other than getting Pizza delivery we cooked for ourselves.  We had a great time but it is nice to enjoy thee wonderful cuisine on the ship and not have to cook, shop or do the dishes.  LOL, but the honest truth.

Dinner menus from last evening.

Dinner was great.  We will let the photos speak for themselves.  Temperature check as we entered Waterside.  So many familiar members of the Food & Beverage Team.  Lots of smiles underneath the masks. Waterside very quiet.  Loved it.

These were in our room when we returned last evening.  Last year was the 30th Anniversary of Crystal Cruises but due to the Pandemic the full celebration never occurred.  

​

---

We left later than planned to wait for guests whose flights were delayed.  Since we don't have to go to Bimini there was no rush.  It was a great sail-away made special because this was our first one in 17 months.

The daily program is Crystal at its finest on a sea day with a wide range of programs and as you can see three speakers.  You can find all the programs and activities in the daily Reflections Program.  Today, so many things to do including three lectures.   Other than the World Games first time we have seen a Men's Paddle Tennis Tournament and a Women's Shuffleboard Tournament.  Bring it on.

Following is today's Daily Reflections Program.

Slept well and got an early start to a great day with exercise for Keith and some laundry.  Keith did this while no one was in either facility.  

Keith also made a visit to Market Place to bring back coffee for the two of us.  He chatted with Max as he made the two coffees.  ​

​

---

Breakfast for both of us in our room organized by Butler Frederick.

Following breakfast we both took a nice walk together out on the Promenade Deck.  Keith also  went on  a  run while Anne Marie walked and  then met with the on-board Booking Sales Consultant Paula Jean and also spoke with Crystal Society  Host Andrew.  We were invited to a Crystal Society Dinner for this evening but regretfully will be unable to attend. Anne Marie made a quick stop to see Liezl the Librarian.

Keith played Paddle Tennis later in the morning and Anne Marie watched for awhile.  First time in 16 months to play and it was lots of fun.   It's like riding a bicycle or driving a car.   It comes back quickly

We enjoyed lunch in our room organized by Frederick and it was back to Paddle Tennis for Keith.  We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying being o thee ship.  Life is good.

One person took a photo off the webcam from a  ceremony held earlier before we joined the ship in  Nassau and was kind enough to send it to me.

Cheers,

Anne Marie  & Keith

---