DAY 7 - A DAY AT SEA

We wanted to begin with a shout out to Antonio.  Antonio works in the Fitness Center and Salon/Spa area.  During the day he wipes down the fitness equipment, makes sure there is a sufficient amount of water in the refrigerators in these areas, and that wet and dry towels are in place and he also helps to keep things looking good and in their right place.  He works tirelessly, is very kind and he is the brother of Benjamin.  We've known him for years and he is a gem.

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Dinner Menus from Waterside where we dined last evening.

Dinner was wonderful.
 
A new addition to the appetizer menu was the modern cuisine King Crab Salad. We often select an appetizer from the modern menu as we find them to be creative and very flavorful.  

This was delicious.  Next course was Caesar Salad.  We were up in the air about the entrée and Senior Waiter Nenad suggested surf and turf and thought this was a great idea.  We each had the Steak Diane and a few pieces of the Sauteed Tiger Prawns.  Dessert was ice cream for Anne Marie and some cheese for me.  And then there was the wine.  LOL.
 
The team at Waterside is amazing starting with Restaurant Manager Paolo, Head Waiter Carmelo, Senior Waiter Nenad, Water Grant and Sommelier Jhon.  Head Waiter Vlada also stopped by to check on us and we enjoyed a nice conversation with him. They are professional, warm and friendly and focused on the guest.

Today's daily Reflections Program.

Today we wanted to highlight photos from Deck 5 which includes the Crystal Cove (Lounge with Bar Service) and the Crystal Plaza which included Reception, Concierge, Shore Excursion Desks, Future Cruise Consultant and Crystal Society Hostess/Host.  Also on this deck are some Officer Quarters, Medical Center, a special area set up to Quarantine anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 and Waterside Dining Venue.
 
Since 2005, we have spent countless hours on this deck.  For several years when our room was being cleaned on a sea day we would set up office in an area of the Crystal Cove.  It provided a great opportunity to speak with guests and crew.  Should we needed help from the Concierge, Shore Excursion or Reception we would stop by this area and we have booked many cruises on-board with the Future Cruise Consultants and spoken with the various Crystal Society Hosts/Hostesses.
 
Let us not  forget the Crystal Cove where we would often come for a pre-dinner drink and listen to the Pianist sitting either by ourselves or with others.  
 
Finally, should we be at sea in stormy weather with strong sea swells.  Deck 5 is a perfect place to sit between the high ceiling and it being towards the middle of the ship and on a lower deck.    Day 5 Serenity
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We kept to our routine this morning.  This included a workout for Keith at the Fitness Center followed by Breakfast in our room.  We walked together outside on the Promenade Deck.  Today is the one and only sea day of the cruise so lots on the daily reflections program.

Since this was a sea day the program was filled with lots to do.  This included fitness, bridge, golf, digital photos, and computer classes, casino tournament, team trivia, poolside music, bingo, along with lectures.  In fact, three lectures with Dr Bulen Atalay discussing Leonardo the artist, Former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg discussing the recent situation in Afghanistan and Special Interest lecturer Dr. Bulent returning for his second talk of the day in the afternoon covering the search for Noah's Ark.  There was even a jewelry fashion show hosted by Hubert Jewelers.

Today was also the day for everyone except those getting off in Miami to take a Rapid Antigen test.  They started at 9:00 AM for those getting off at Nassau and the following day in Bimini.  Everyone who is continuing on for the next cruise, including us, also took the test.  This way everyone on the next voyage is tested and that will include those embarking over the next three days in Nassau, Bimini and Miami.

They have streamlined the process since we last took the tests on the first two restart sailings in July.  Results are available within 15 minutes and an e-mail arrives a couple of hours after the test.  However, they said no news is good news.  In other words, if you test positive they would contact you as soon as the results indicated this.  

Anne Marie was originally scheduled to have her hair done at 8:00 AM but we pushed it till 10:30 AM so we knew we could be at the test on-time.

Keith had lunch at Noon and Anne Marie had lunch when she returned.  This way Keith could get up to play Paddle Tennis with his Paddle Tennis buddies.