Kirkwall, UK

After posting Keith was able to play several Paddle Tennis Games. Somewhat windy and cool but sunny, so it made for great games. Only four of us, including Elizabeth Latkis so we played the entire time.  Great exercise, lots, and lots of laughs.
 
Before dinner last evening, we attended the Captains Welcome and Crystal Society Party. It was very well attended.  A great opportunity to converse with fellow guests and officers and senior staff.
 
Captain Vincent welcomed everyone and recognized Crystal Serenity Employee of the month
 
It was a very nice event and Future Cruise & Loyalty Manager Daniele Puma mentioned that there are 90 first time Crystal Cruisers on-board and did two presentations recognizing Crystal Society members with special milestones. On of them first sailed with Crystal in 2011, loves to dance, has won several dance contests and when introduced danced with dance instructor Gabor.

Waterside Dinner Menu where we dined last evening.

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Last evening we dined at Waterside for the second consecutive night. It was formal night, and the Waterside menu featured many items that are traditionally on the menu for formal night.
 
This included Caviar, Halibut and Maine Lobster. In case you were interested, the special butter was Basil Pesto.
 
There was also a Supper Club and with one formal night for this cruise it is offered once on this cruise. It features entertainment and dining at four person tables. It was fully booked last evening with 104 guests signed up.
 
Shortly after being seated, a couple who we first met in 2008 came to our table. We remembered the first time they met us was the last segment of World Cruise 2008 when we had our daughter and son-in-law on board. We were at nearby tables. Since that time, we sailed with them on some voyages, although the last time was ten years ago. This is what we love about Crystal. On every voyage you see people you know, including from past cruises and it’s like you sailed with them yesterday.

A special show for was performed in the Galaxy Lounge at 9:30 PM called just John and Paul. Yes, two of the four lads from The Beatles.
 

Today we wanted to mention the pool deck which located on Deck 12. It has several lounge chairs, tables with chairs located on each side and additional tables located closer to the doors leading to the deck, the jacuzzi and the swimming pool. Inside includes Marketplace serving breakfast and lunch buffets, Beefbar serving lunch and dinner, The Trident Grill serving a late-risers breakfast and lunch featuring grilled items and the very popular Scoops Ice Cream bar. Palm Court is also located on this deck at the bow (forward) of the ship performing panoramic views and is used for dancing, team trivia, parties and for people to enjoy a good book, casual conversation, and a drink when the bar is in the evening.


We'll let you in on our little secret, Keith has never been in the swimming pool nor the jacuzzi. Anne Marie has been in the pool a few times and a number of years ago used to sit out by the pool.

Keith does get onto the pool deck. When it is windy early morning but not too cold he  walks  that deck going round and round after a workout in the Fitness Center. If not windy, he walks the Promenade Deck. 

We have enjoyed some events out on the deck as well, including the crew tug a war events held as part of the World Cruise Game and several sail-away parties.  

Today's Daily Reflections

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​Today we are at Kirkwall, Scotland which is the largest town in Orkney and located north of mainland Scotland.

We arrived to Kirkwall last evening during dinner after another ship left this position. Captain Vincent said the benefit to anchoring was so that guests could enjoy a calm night on board without ship movement and he was right. Tender operations began at 7:00 AM.
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Its name comes means Church on the bay. The first settlement was established by the Norsemen in the 11thcentury. Its population has risen from 6,000 in 2001 to 10,000 residents today. 
 
The town has several houses dating back to the 17th and 18th century. Crystal offered ten shore excursions including one available in the morning and the afternoon which was a walking tour of Kirkwall.
 
Its attractions include:
 
 St. Magnus Cathedral known as the light of the north.
 
 Skara Brae a Neolithic village uncovered after a storm in 1850.
 
Bisop’s & Earl’s Palace Ruins 
 
Orkney Distillery, 
 
Ring of Brodgar a Neolithic treasure dating back to around 2,500-2000 BC.
 
Scapa Flow one of Britain’s most historic bodies of water.
 
Keith took a tender over to Kirkwall. It was a chilly summer day overcast, cool, windy, some rain, and the wind chill factor made it feel close to freezing.
 
The benefit of tendering versus being docked is the tender dropped guests off right in town whereas if you are docked you would need a shuttle for a drive into town.  
 
Keith took the main street of the town. It is narrow so for cars going in opposite directions one would have to pullover.
 
Along the way there were many beautiful buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th century.  Eventually, he arrived to the St. Magnus Cathedral. Its façade is beautiful. The church was founded in 1137. As he looked around, he thought to myself if only the walls could talk. He tried to envision what life was like back then and the voices of the people who attended the church and lived in this town.

Cheers,

Anne Marie & Keith