DAY 9 - BIMINI

Emily...Thank you for your comment about recognizing members of the crew.

We had quite a bunch of rain yesterday afternoon with the lightning and thunder which we remember from our first visit to Nassau on the Big Red Boat.  On the July sailings we didn’t have these storms.

Shortly before the Muster Drill, the local band played for us as it has on each visit to the Bahamas.  We could also see many of the guests on the RCI Freedom Of The Seas out on their verandahs listing to the band.

​The Muster Drill was required for newly embarking guests and certainly those who are already on-board were welcome to attend.  The muster drills always include some information on safety issues when guests make their way around the ship.  The drill has been updated with reminders about COVID-19 protocols.  This includes:

Returning to ones room if they have certain symptoms including feeling feverish and cold like symptoms and calling the operator so the medical team can be deployed to the persons room.

Social distancing a minimum of 1 meter which is slightly more than 3 feet.

Wearing masks inside the ship.  This is only a recommendation and not required at this point in time.  We see more guests wearing masks on this voyage than on the first two restart voyages.  We believe this is due to the Delta variant and likely more information on curbing the spread of the virus.

 
Last evening, we were back at Waterside for dinner

These are the dinner menus.

We also wanted to provide the inclusive wine list for the present voyage.  Although some wines are often carried month to month and sometimes year to year some wines drop off the list and are replaced with other wines from around the world. 

We departed earlier than scheduled (a little before 7:00 PM versus 7:30 PM) and enjoyed some scenic views from our table until darkness arrived during dinner.


Dinner was as wonderful as usual.

A highlight were the appetizers each of us ordered from the Modern Cuisine Menu.

Lots of good choices.  Appetizers of Seared Ahi Tuna for Keith and Portobello for Anne Marie, followed by salad and Fresh Salmon for each of us.  Dessert was ice cream for Anne Marie and cheese for Keith.  Senior Waiter Claudia who took care of us a few years ago stopped by to say hello.

​Then there was the wine.  LOL.  

Today's Daily Reflections Program follows.

We kept our morning routine.  An early morning workout for Keith followed by Breakfast and a nice walk for Anne Marie on the Promenade Deck.

On our first two voyages the embarkation and visit to Bimini was cancelled due to a breakout of COVID-19 on the island.  Genting who owns Crystal Cruises arranged to transport those living on the island to Florida to get J&J Vaccine.  The good news is we visited Bimini for the first time.  Since we were docked, Keith went off for a little while.  

You walk from the ship on the pier which is on Cement Piers with a flooring mostly metal.  For safety reasons you are asked to take the Tram.  Keith was the only one on the vehicle and the driver offered him a range of places to stop.  Keith chose the Hilton which is owned by the owner of Crystal Cruises; Genting.  From there he walked towards the beach.  He stayed mainly on the sidewalk.  However, on occasion someone was walking in the opposite direction and the width of the walkway was not wide so Keith would go in the street.  The challenge was some of the vehicles go fast and are pretty close to the pedestrians.  The beach was nice although the spacing of lounge chairs seemed tight.  Along the way Keith passed one area which was private residences and on the other side homes which possibly one could rent.  Upon his return to the Hilton he walked in the other direction over towards the fitness center.  The weather was nice until some rain drizzle came down.   As Keith was walking back to the Hilton the driver saw Keith and he picked him up.  Two other guests were on the Tram.

While Keith was on the Island, Anne Marie was walking on the Promenade Deck.

While Keith walked on the Promenade Deck the starboard (right) side towards the aft (back) of the ship was pretty windy.

We normally don't post lunch menus but thought we would post Waterside's Lunch menus from today.

Following lunch Keith returned to the Fitness Center for something he has not done in for 18 months which was to do indoor cycling with two other people.  During the Pandemic we purchased an indoor cycle bike for our home.  Keith used a playlist from one of the classes he taught at home and he along with the two people worked out on the bikes together.  There was plenty of social distancing.  A challenging workout but it was fun to be back in the saddle with others.

Anne Marie took a photo of what might have been a ferry arriving to the Island while walking the Promenade Deck.

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon on-board Serenity.

Cheers, 

Anne Marie & Keith