DAY 19 - LONG ISLAND

Thank you Patricia.  Yes, you can never have too much wine.  LOL

We wanted to take a moment to share thoughts and photos about another venue on-board Serenity.  This venue is also on Symphony and can also be found on the River Cruise Vessels and on the Endeavor Expedition vessel.

On our first Crystal Cruise on Crystal Harmony one of the venues which we had never experienced anything like it on prior cruises with other Cruise Lines was The Bistro.  It reminded us of a small café on land in one’s hometown.    In addition to service, a wide range of coffee to enjoyed at a table you can also get a cup to go as well as water.  There is also a nice selection of tea.  On top of this they serve a light breakfast in the morning, items to make a lunch or a late in the afternoon snack and a few items for dessert should you still be hunger in the evening.  
 
It is also a place where the two of us came to sit or we sat with other guests who we met for the first time or knew from prior cruises.
 
It is very special to us.  The Sommeliers rotate and make up a good deal of the staffing and make coffee and service the tables and set up the buffet for breakfast and lunch.   At the same time with less Sommelier’s on board right now the staff is supplemented by members of the waitstaff of Waterside.  As we often say, its’ all about teamwork.  
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Let's continue with last evening.

Where do we begin?

Well, let's start with food.  These are the Waterside Dinner Menus from last evening.

Dinner for us was back in Waterside.  We are so enjoying dining in Waterside.

Wonderful meal.  Cajun Spiced Thinly Sliced Swordfish Appetizer for Keith , and Chicken Broth Soup with Matzah Ball for Anne Marie, Salads for both of us and an absolutely delicious Ahi Tuna for the two of us.

There was a commercial on USA TV many moons ago and it went like this.  "Try it.  You'll like it."  

Well that was our reaction to last evening's wine.  It is called The Art Bus and is a Red Wine 2008.  Sommelier Ales introduced the wine to us with a very nice explanation as he has done with the other wines we have enjoyed this voyage.

The catch is while it is from Napa Valley it is not often a Napa Valley wine with a mixed blend has 80% Syrah and only 20% Cabernet.  Guess what, this one did.  Guess what, it was fabulous. Anne Marie who prefers white wine loved this one as well.

On some nights Keith selects the wine and on other nights Alexsandar  gets with Head Sommelier Jiri to pick the wine.  The latter was the case for last evening and it was perfect.

​When we got back to our room there was a surprise waiting for someone.  LOL.

Keith says:

Many thanks to my darling wife Anne Marie and to Butler Aleksandar for adding decorations and getting them all hung. Aleks also got help from some other members of Team Serenity.  It's all about the team.

Today's Daily Reflections Follow.

This morning began with a workout which Keith says he will need with all this food.  Ugh!!

Speaking of food.  Breakfast today was an exception.  Normally, it is some cereal, banana and some prunes.  

​Well today was the Birthday Breakfast.  This breakfast is amazing between champagne, bagel with Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon, Eggs, Milet Mignon, Monte Christo Sandwich, Caviar, Spinach Soufflé and three different desserts.  If one is not careful it could be the final and  last breakfast.  LOL. It was delicious.  Yummy is the best word to describe it.
 

BREAKING NEWS....

Due to high winds, it was not possible to run tender service safely to/from Long Island so today became a sea day.  A revised daily program was added to the schedule including an additional lecture, a movie showing and other activities.  This will give us today and tomorrow as sea days.  Yes.

Having another amazing day on-board Crystal Serenity.

Cheers,

​Keith