Ajaccio, France

6/19/2026

Let's start with lunch from yesterday.

We returned to the Lido Café for the second time of this cruise. Like yesterday, we each had a salad entrée and sat outside enjoying lovely views of Portovenere and great service from the waitstaff. We have included a photo of my salad. It’s was larger than can be seen in the photo as Keith held the camera too close to the plate. The theme of the luncheon buffet was Cuisine of the Sun Specialties.

After lunch, Keith played Paddle Tennis for about ninety minutes, and Anne Marie got in her second walk on the Promenade Deck with a cruising friend Andrea. Between the morning and afternoon, she walked close to two and one-half hours. Bravo. It was a good exercise afternoon for each of us. Keith decided to go back out in the afternoon for another walk on the Promenade Deck. Often you have the sunny side which can be hot and the other side which provides more shade and cooler. He found both sides to be similar and a not too hot so perfect for

Last evenings dinner menus from Waterside

A photo before we went to dinner.

We had dinner at the Captain's Quarters to celebrate a Crystal Society Milestone. We actually achieved the milestone on the December 2024 Holiday Cruise and nine milestones later it was time to celebrate the milestone.

It was a wonderful evening with exceptional service, delicious cuisine and terrific champagne and wine and a delightful conversation. In attendance were Captain Vincent, Hotel Director Hubert, Future Cruise & Loyalty Managers Andrew and Maria.

The menu included a Lobster Medallion Entrée of Caviar, Celeriac, Apple & Lemon Dressing, Garden Pea Soup with Truffled Pea Mousse, Ham Croquette, a choice of Pan Seared Wild Sea Bass or Whole Roasted Black Angus Filet and for dessert Raspberry and Chocolate including Chocolate Marquise Slice, Raspberry Cremeux, Raspberry Sorbet.

We began with Philipponnat Royal Reserve Brut, Ay, Champagne, France NV and the wine featured a Chardonnay, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley 2022 and a Excelsus, Castello Banfi, Saint’Antimo, Tuscany, Italy 2017 which was quite bold with a nice mix of Cabernet and Merlot. The Champagne and Wines were introduced by Head Sommelier Boris and he mentioned that he selected the Italian Red Wine since we were in Italy that day.

The Butlers served the meal. Butler Ayhan was there as he is also the Butler for the Captain. As each course is served, he is assisted by several butlers.

Kudos to the Food & Beverage team for preparing such a special meal.

Today's Daily Reflections.

Keith began the morning with another early morning fast-walk on the Promenade deck followed by a visit to the Fitness Center. Outdoor weather was very comfortable.

We arrived at Ajaccio slightly ahead of schedule before 7:00 AM. Photos as we were arriving.

Ajaccio has a rich history dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte who was born here in August,1769. It is located on the French Island of Corsica and is the capital and largest city of Corsica, France. Whether you dock or anchor the drop off point is a five-minute walk from the historic downtown area.

Major areas to visit include:

Maison Bonaparte which is the birthplace and ancestral home of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Plage Saint-Francois which is a beach located within a 10-to-15-minute walk from the port.

Place Foch which is a tree-lined square near the port which has open-air cafes, markets and shops.

The Old Town which has winding and colorful streets and an area to taste local Corsican pastries and visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral where Napoleon was baptized.

Crystal offered morning and afternoon tours including:

Panorama tour of Prunelli Gorges and Corsican Mountains

A walking tour of the old city

A coastal boat experience

Kayaking in Ajaccio

A Jet Ski Adventure

A taste at the Corsican Market

A stroll of Ajaccio and a visit to the Fesch Museum Art Gallery

After tendering for each of the three ports-of-call of this cruise today we docked at Mole Croisieres. We were fortunate to have wonderful weather at the first three ports making getting in and out of the tenders very easy and having a smooth ride each time. The challenge is more for the crew given the number of people involves with the actual tender operation.

Following breakfast and once the ship was cleared by local authorities Keith went into town while Anne Marie took a nice long walk on the Promenade Deck.