Halifax, Canada

For us, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are the perfect size ocean vessels. We find them not too large, not too small but the optimal size. This includes a variety of choices of venue, the number of programs that can be scheduled simultaneously, the ability to find some quiet areas inside and outside the ship where you feel like you are on a yacht and the ability to walk inside and outside the ship.
 
As background, we have sailed ocean vessels ranging from 200 to 2700 guests.
 
Yesterday afternoon was an example of that. In the afternoon we tried walking on the wrap around promenade deck a great feature of both ships. While some cruise ships have this area many no longer do. While most ships have a top deck to walk the downside can be the weather including the heat of the sun. The promenade deck offers the ability to walk on the left to be in the shade or on the right. Also, often one side of the ship is warmer than the other side and sometimes one side is less windy than the other side.
 
It was too cold and too windy for us to walk the promenade deck, so we shifted to the backup plan (LOL) which was to walk inside on Deck 6. After walking for a while we ran into two ladies who we know very well, and we started to walk with them with one of us walking with one lady and the other one with the other lady. Eventually, Anne Marie took a break, and Keith continued the walk and by the time we finished I had walked one hour and forty minutes. 
 
So regardless of the weather elements Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony offer us the ability to enjoy long walks which we very much enjoy and we also have the Fitness Center in addition to this.
 



​This is the menu from Waterside.

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Last evening we dined at Beefbar with friend Patty. We had a wonderful time enjoying great conversation and food, the lovely venue and outstanding service.
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Classical Concert featuring Showband Pianist Emmanuel Rodulfo in the Palm Court followed by a performance of the Production Show Icons In Concert in the Galaxy Lounge

Today's Daily Reflection Program.

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​This morning, we anchored off Halifax. On past visits we have always docked.
 
Halifax is the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia with a population over a half million residents.
 
It was originally inhabited by the Mi’kmaq People. By the early 1600s, the French established the colony of Acadia. 
 
In the early 18th century, it was a French fishing station. By 1713 Halifax became a British settlement and was settled by 2,500 settlers mostly from England and it was incorporated as a city in 1842.
 
After the American Revolution Halifax became a military anchor for the remaining British North American colonies following the establishment of the United States. It was one of the most fortified places outside of Europe for the British army. It’s dockyard and defenses were taken over by the Canadian government in 1906.  

During World War I and World War II, Halifax was Canada’s largest and most important naval base.
 
Some of the attractions within the city include walking the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, visiting the Maritime Museum, the Halifax Citadel and the Halifax Public Gardens. Peggy’s Cove is outside the city and a popular place to visit.

Today was the best weather day since boarding on August 14. It was sunny. No wind. Nice temperature.
 
I took the tender with three other cruising friends. Next to me was the pilot so we enjoyed a very nice conversation with him on the tender, and I walked next to him until we got to the terminal area. Very nice man and he explained why he had us anchor where we did.
 
It was nice to revisit Halifax and to enjoy a very long walk.
 
Upon arrival to the tender pier for the return there were two three Canadian local port security personnel.  I think there was confusion as he asked me for my passport.  Then he said he wasn’t sure I could take the tender where Crystal guests were debarking. I was very polite but in my head I was saying between the passport question and the maybe you’ll have to wait until later to go back to the ship “are you kidding me”? LOL.
 
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Today we want to give a shout out to the Housekeeping Laundry Department

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On most of the full World Cruises we were on, the guests had an opportunity to get a behind the look at areas of the ship that one normally does not see. One of the areas were some of the members of housekeeping perform very important jobs including, washing and drying of towels, bed linen, table cloths, guest clothes that are send for cleaning; pressing of a range of items from guest clothing and I assume crew uniforms and other linens and dry cleaning.
 
This is done in institutional washers and dryer and other equipment. The quantity of items is amazing and then there is the need to keep track of all of the clothing, so it is properly returned to the correct person.  
 
I think about all of the bath towels we use throughout the day and multiply it by the number of guest rooms.  Then add in the bed linens when they are changed. Truly amazing.
 
There is also one tailor whose primary job is to take care of the tailoring of the crew uniforms although on occasion they might assist with tailoring/alterations for a guest.
 
Bravo to this team who works tirelessly on all of this.
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Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith