COASTAL VISTAS BLOG - DAY 7 - FOLLOW OUR TRIPS

COASTAL VISTAS BLOG - DAY 7

5/7/2016

DAY AT SEA

After we posted, Anne Marie continued to get things put away and we both did laundry from clothes we wore in San Francisco. Keith also took care of some items such as finalizing our transfer from Vancouver to Vancouver International Airport at the end of this cruise. After all, this is a five day cruise so these are things that needed to get done early in this cruise. Keith also visited the Fitness Center to sign up for tomorrow's Spin (indoor cycling class) and spoke with Fitness Director Leanne.

Rao came by while Anne Marie was getting things in order with our afternoon fruit. Rather than having Canapés we always have fruit. Shortly after Keith returned, Penthouse Attendant Lunghar who has taken good care of us for the last two years came by to check up on us and she introduced us to Trainee Attendant Vanessa.

Before dinner we went to the Crystal Cove for a pre-dinner drink. We saw Hotel Director Josef Matt along with the Bar Manager Florent.

We enjoyed our first dinner on Serenity at the Prego Specialty Restaurant. We were taken excellent care of by Maitre d' Antonio, Head Waiter, Slavko, Waiter Costa and Sommelier Jiri. We had a small portion of the additional entree which was clams in shells with pasta as an appetizer, caesar salad with just a little dressing added to it and seafood for Keith and Veal for Anne Marie and grilled vegetables. It was delicious.

About half way through dinner Cruise Director Rick Spath met up with us and a short while later we were also joined by Hotel Director Scott Peterson who will be taking over from Josef Matt when this cruise ends. Scott had been along time Cruise Director on Crystal Symphony and recently was Hotel Director over there. He now will be Hotel Director on Serenity alternating back and forth with Hotel Director Hubert.

Afterward, we went to the Muster Drill. Our muster station is in the Casino. Took this photo right before we left our room. This is about the only time we are in the Casino.

We departed San Francisco at 10:00 PM and enjoyed a nice sail away under the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a 10:00 PM show but we didn't make it.

We slept very well as we always do. It is a combination of the rocking of the seas plus a little wine. LOL, but true. Some guests that we spoke with didn't sleep well and thought the seas were rough. It could be a combination of where their rooms are located and/or they are not used to the seas. We know that with each passing year we are far less bothered by the seas and we do take a room mid-ship.

We were back to our normal routine today. This is the only sea day of the cruise. It involves exercise/fitness, enrichment, dining, and conversation and evening entertainment.

Keith was up early and worked out on the Elliptical Machine for an hour and a few hours later took an 8:00 AM Spin (indoor cycling class) taught by Fitness Director Leanne. We have known Leanne for over two years. The class was full with a combination of people taking Spin for the first time and others who have taken it before. It was a lot of fun. Anne Marie walked for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.

We enjoyed some of the enrichment. The nice thing about the lectures is you can see them live or watch them in your room or even on an iPad as they are recorded. You can even see ones given on prior cruises. I did just that as I watched a lecture given recently by former General Anthony Zinni. We’ve seen him give talks on a few previous Crystal Cruises. Of most of the former Generals I have listened to I find his talks to be very informative and thoughtful. He spoke about the President’s role as Commander In Chief and hit home many points including some of the talk on the Presidential Campaign Trail that has been over the top.

There were two morning lectures. First one was given by Roger Luckenbach about our destinations on this voyage. He covered the first two destinations of Astoria, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. The second talk was given by Tom DeFrank on the Presidential 2016 race, appropriately called The Wackiest Presidential Race Ever. We caught both of these talks on the television.

Every hour had several activities. Even though this is a short cruise they still had the iMovie and Filmaking Classes, and Needlepoint and Art Classes as well as a Golf Clinic and many other classes.

In between all of this was dining. After all, that is one of the joys of cruising. We kept to our eating pattern. We enjoyed a healthy and light breakfast in our room. For lunch we went to the Lido Café, which serves an array of items presented at various food stations. We each made a large salad entrée consisting of many salad items and also steamed vegetables along with some salmon. Today's lunch buffet also featured the Asian Buffet which is very popular on most voyages. We have included several photos from this buffet at the end of today's post.

Dinner will come later this evening and we will Blog about this tomorrow.

Adding to our day was conversation with members of the crew many whom we know from previous sailings and others who we have met for the very first time. We also enjoyed conversation with some of our fellow guests. We will see many of the crew members when we return in August, while some will be home on well deserved holidays.

Another interesting aspect to a short cruise. We turned in our passports yesterday and we could pick them back up today. Of course one of the reasons is that we will visit USA ports only before our arrival to Canada. Thankfully, our disembarkation packet has not yet arrived.

We noticed lots of birthdays and anniversaries with eight birthday and nine anniversary celebrations.

All in all a wonderful day on board Crystal Serenity and we look forward to dinner in the Crystal Dining Room, the Captain's Reception and possibly a show later tonight.

Some additional photos follow including two that Keith took in the early hours of the morning at the Lido Cafe, a few photos that Anne Marie took on an earlier version iPhone of Keith's indoor cycling class and several photos from the Asian Buffet lunch.

Keith & Anne Marie