COASTAL VISTAS BLOG - DAY 6 - FOLLOW OUR TRIPS

COASTAL VISTAS BLOG - DAY 6

5/6/2016

EMBARKATION DAY - Returning Home To Crystal Serenity

After enjoying our final breakfast at the hotel, we finished packing and got ready to return home to Crystal Serenity.

After checking out of the hotel, we were driven to Pier 27. The drive took about twenty minutes.

This is our first time sailing from Pier 27. The pier is located at the intersection of Embarcadero, Lombard Street and Battery Street.

On our last visit to this city, we saw this pier while it was under construction. The pier was constructed for two purposes. It was used when San Francisco hosted America's Cup and subsequently is used as another cruise ship terminal for passenger cruises ships calling on San Francisco.

Our first sailing from San Francisco was on the former Crystal Harmony in July of 2002 and represented the first time we sailed with Crystal Cruises. Our daughter, son and future son-in-law joined us on this voyage. Fast forward to 2009 and we sailed from San Francisco on a Siversea cruise and in 2011 we sailed out of this city on Crystal Symphony. In 2012 towards the end of World Cruise 2012 we arrived to San Francisco on Crystal Serenity where we stayed overnight a couple of days before our voyage ended in San Pedro, California. All of those sailings were out of Pier 35.

All of As we got close to the Pier, we could see the beautiful Crystal Serenity.

After being dropped off at the pier, we saw Mari who used to work for Crystal Cruises. We then were greeted by Swenja who manages the local personnel who assist with embarkation and disembarkation. We also spoke with Chief Concierge Ervin. We then waited in the cruise ship terminal for boarding to begin. During our wait we ran into many familiar members of the crew including the Photo Manager, Senior Head Waiter Carmelo, Head Waiter Augusto, and other members of the crew.

We met a very nice couple who we spoke with for quite awhile. They were originally from South Africa but have lived in the United States for 35 years. This is their first Crystal Cruise. The woman has lung cancer and is midway through her treatments so they could do this cruise. This is another reminder to now sweat the little things that might not go our way and to enjoy life.

After boarding the ship we made our way to the Crystal Dining Room where we had our Traditional Cobb Salad and a Flute of Champagne where we toasted our love for one another and our happiness to be back on Crystal Serenity. We spoke with several other members of the wonderful Crystal Crew including Head Waiter Frantz, Head Waiter Augusto and Maitre d' Leo.

After lunch we stopped by the Computer University and when we arrived to our room our luggage was already waiting for us. Shortly after arriving back to our room, we were greeted by Butler, Rao. It was great to catch up with Rao.

As much as we have sailed Crystal Serenity we are thrilled to be back on Serenity and look forward to our getaway cruise.

Keith & Anne Marie