These are the Waterside Dinner menus from January 4.

We enjoyed our last dinner of the cruise in our room taken great care of by Senior Head Butler Rao.


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Photo of the two members of Computer University who we have known for year. They are very helpful, knowledgeable, and caring. Photos of other people including Chef Jon Ashton, guests and other members of Crystal.
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This takes us to the people. In the end, you can take the most modern ship afloat with all the bells and whistles but without the right people it’s just a ship.  On the other hand, you can take a couple of ships that have sailed for many years, enhance them, refine some of the offerings, and staff it with a superb team of crew and you have created two superb ships afloat offering an exceptional cruising experience. This is a recipe for success and to me this is what Crystal is all about.  
 
Will each person like each aspect of what is offered? No.  They never did and never will. Will each person like every change made. Of course not. They never did and never will.  But for many when you take the complete package as we do we say to ourselves what a wonderful Cruise Line allowing us to recognize what a wonderful world there is to see.
 
As we said before we boarded the best present, we have received was the purchase of Crystal.  I remind myself of that each day.  You see whether or not you like each item offered (and we all have our own opinions and in the end the opinion that matters most is our own) I think to myself given a choice of the entire package or no package what makes me happier. The answer is Crystal Clear and that is being able to sail on our favorite cruise line, Crystal.
 
We wish we could list each member of Team Serenity who has made this an exceptional cruise. If we could, we would, and it would include each member of Team Serenity.  We have enjoyed this wonderful voyage, sharing it with several of you on-board and the good news is we have future voyages to look forward to.

We hope you have enjoyed following our travels through this blog and we look forward to sharing our travel experiences with you when we sail with Crystal again.

Cheers,

Anne Marie & Keith 

Today's Reflections.

Last evening was the third and final formal of the cruise. Normally, cruises of this length have two formals nights. Since this was the Holiday Cruise it was more dressy.

Before dinner was the Captain's Farewell Reception.  On this cruise we have had three different receptions; Captain's Welcome, Crystal Society and last evening's Farewell Reception.

This was followed by dinner at Waterside.

Following is the Waterside Dinner Menu

As to the food.  If this was baseball it was a grand slam home run.

Caviar was from the modern menu and the combination of ingredients was amazing. As to the Lobster this was a wow.  Everything was great including the outstanding waitstaff team which has taken excellent care of us throughout this sailing. Bravo.

Keith normally likes caviar without the condiments and with blines but the caviar from the modern menu had an amazing taste.  The lobster was from the modern and was delicious. It was cooked to perfection and was a large size.

As we say the food at Waterside is better than ever and more remarkable since this is a full ship.

We had planned to dine two times each at Umi Uma and Osteria on this cruise.  Instead, we ended up dining at each one once. We very much enjoy both specialty restaurants. However, we decided to go to Waterside on the other evening's other than Tastes one night because we find Waterside to be very special as well.  At the same time knowing some people were waiting for a second reservation for one or more of the Specialty Restaurant hopefully this allowed a couple more guests to be able to dine there. Food at all venues has been wonderful for us.

The good news is we set the clocks back one hour to coincide with the time in Miami for our arrival on January 5.

Following is today's daily Reflections Program.

This is the final full day of the cruise and a sea day.


Lots on the program including two lectures, cooking demonstration by Chef Jon Ashton, classes and other activities.

Some photos from inside and outside the ship.

We have enjoyed the rest of the day on the ship.  Anne Marie did packing and Keith attended the third and final cooking demonstration with Chef Jon Ashten.

We returned to Waterside for dinner again. These are the dinner menus

Dinner was terrific. 

Sommelier John who we have had on some other cruises stopped by to check on us.

For those of you who like the mushroom soup it was on the schedule.

With today being the first of two sea days before we return to Miami there was lots on the schedule.  This included two lectures and a cooking demonstration by Chef Jon Ashton.  There were several classes as well including fitness, computer, golf, bridge, and art. Team Trivia was on the program as well.  

When Keith takes his first morning walk and run he is usually alone.

Visits with Sommelier Ross and Chef Jon Ashton at The Bistro.

Chef Jon held a cooking class demo at 10:00 AM today.

Before the class started we enjoyed an array of Beatles songs to remixes.  When Chef Jon was introduced by Cruise Director Raphael, he said that Chef Jon would love to see us dance. The music played and all of us rose to dance at our seats while Chef Jon danced to the front. A great dancer in addition to being an incredible chef.

Chef Jon showed us how to make Jon Ashton's Sticky Toffee Pudding.  He also took lots of questions from the guests on this and many other topics.

As was the case with the first class, Chef Jon encouraged people to enjoy cooking, not to worry if mistakes are made and to experiment by changing up recipes.

Tomorrow, Chef Jon will have another class. Can't wait.

Below is today's daily program. We are having a great time today.  It did rain so no Paddle Tennis but there is tomorrow.  

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith

Dinner Menus from last evening at Waterside.

We enjoyed a fantastic meal. Outstanding service. Excellent food. Beautiful dining venue.  We can't say enough how much we enjoy dining at Waterside.

Following is the daily Reflections Program.

Enjoyed an early morning walk before Breakfast and then we both enjoyed walking after breakfast.

We arrived to our final port of call of this cruise at 8:00 am; Brad Town Tortola.  The downtown area was a 10 to 15 minute walk from the pier, depending on your speed of walk.

City population is 12,500+ locals.  Road Town, Tortola is part of the British Virgin Islands.  Tortola is the capital and the largest of the 50 British Virgin Islands.  The Island of Tortola is 13.5 miles long and 3 miles wide.  

We are enjoying the rest of the day on Serenity doing the things we enjoy including walks, Paddle Tennis, dining, and being with our extended Crystal family. We also got in a walk each with a dear friend and spoke to two other dear friends on our walks.  

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith

We wanted to begin with some photos of the Lido Deck near the pool.  Keith has been walking this area early in the morning as it's less windy than the Promenade Deck. He also makes use of the Fitness Center.

Enjoyed a great evening on the ship as we closed 2023 and welcomed in 2024.  We can’t think of a better way to end the year and welcome in the new year than to be sailing on-board either Crystal Symphony or Crystal Serenity. 
 
Serenity was decorated for the New Year’s Eve party. The night featured  a champagne toast with Captain Vincent and Cruise Director Raphael and a balloon drop. There were two shows of My Life: The Music of Billy Joel with James Fox.
 
Dinner menu was fabulous, and the evening was formal which added to the festivities.
 

Today's Reflections follows.

Last nights dinner menu at Waterside.

Keith began the first day of the New Year with a walk. It was too breezy on the Promenade Deck so he walked by the pool area until it rained and he reverse course and walked on Deck 6. Each crew member he saw today he exchanged Happy New Year greetings.

At the end of his walk he took photos of the Stardust Lounge. The tables provide seating for shows, could be used for a bridge group and are used when Supper Club is offered. They seat 100 people plus around the perimeter of the lounge there is additional seating for shows.

With an arrival of Noon to St. Kitts the first portion of the day was a sea day, including two lectures offered, fitness activities and other classes.  

A New Year's Day brunch was offered at Market Place between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The earlier time of 11:00 am offered those sleeping in a later start to eating breakfast and to those on tour or on their own visiting St. Kitts the opportunity to enjoy a lunch/brunch before they departed the ship.  

For those of you who have asked whether or not Crystal would have a Grand Gala Buffet or a special Brunch this is very similar to what used to be done in the Crystal Plaza. A little less variety and in Market Place but the food looked great and it was very well done.

We enjoyed the ship in lieu of St. Kitts. We have enjoyed St. Kitts on previous visits but we figured many places would be closed for the day and the ship is a great destination.

We did a combination walk after breakfast walking on the promenade deck (windy) until we could see rain ahead and we were right. We rerouted ourselves to deck 6 to walk inside. We had rain on and off but cleared after we docked. We were able to get in walks (both) and Paddle Tennis (Keith). Four ships in port and one so close to us we think they could hear us talking in our room. LOL.

Once, again we close by saying Happy New Year. May your dreams come true this year.

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith

The first walk Keith takes around the ship the past couple of days is walking the pool deck and the wrap-around promenade deck.  

Some people ask if there are lounge chairs and tables with shade. A few of these photos show this. There is shade on both sides of the pool.  One side smoking is permitted and the other side it is not.

We dined at Tastes last evening with Hotel Director Hubert. Following is the Tastes dinner menu.  The menu features tapas which are designed to share.

Dinner was great. So great that Keith only took two photos. LOL.

The bottom four photos were taken this morning.

We dined for three hours.  The waiter did a great job serving just one course at a time.  Food, service and venue are terrific.

This is the daily program Reflections.

Some photos from walking early this morning.

Before we were cleared to go ashore we walked the Promenade Deck and while on the deck saw the Head Chef of Osteria. We spoke with him for awhile. He has two sons that also work on Serenity. The chef swings between Crystal Symphony and Serenity.

Keith went ashore and walked the nearby town for a little while.

Enjoyed a great day today as we closed down 2023.  We can't think of a better way to end 2023 and welcome in 2024 than being on-board Serenity or Symphony.

As to Paddle Tennis saying it is hot...hot...hot is an understatement. LOL.

The ship was decorated for the New Year.  

Some photos from around Serenity including the Promenade Deck, Paddle/Pickle Ball Court, Palm Court & Children's Area.

Last evening we returned to Waterside for dinner.  The restaurant menu follow.

We each had Wiener Schnitzel for our entree but Keith's is the one with an egg on top although you might not know with the spots which are pepper.  LOL

This is the daily Reflections Program.

We arrived to Barbados at 8:00 AM.

Keith went ashore.  We have visited Barbados many times and enjoy this island.  In years past we have visited the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, formed by a Jewish Community in the 1620's. One time we were welcomed inside.  We have also visited St. Michael's Cathedral built in 1628. St. Nicholas Abbey and viewed from outside the Parliament Building.

We were docked much further from the terminal and this involved about a 1/2 mile walk just to get to the terminal building with shops. From there Keith made his way out and where there were lots of taxis inside and outside the terminal area. He headed to the walkway to walk and run with the sea and beach on his right and made his way into town.  On his left were many familiar buildings. Once in town he strolled around.  

A shuttle was offered by Crystal for those who didn't want to walk. It was a hot and humid day.

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Anne Marie enjoyed morning and afternoon walks on the Promenade Deck where she could enjoy the shaded area.

The afternoon included Paddle Tennis for Keith

Cheers and Happy Holidays.

​Anne Marie & Keith

Some nice photos from yesterday courtesy of a dear friend.

Shortly after the party ended, we hosted an exclusive Vintage Room with eight participants including ourselves. We called this A Special Vintage Dinner With Our Crystal Family.

We collaborated with Head Sommelier Jiri to select the cuisine and after providing a few thoughts on the wine we deferred to Jiri to select each bottle which to pair with each course.  We have known Jiri for many years starting when he was a Sommelier assigned to our table in what was the Crystal Dining Room for one of the World Cruises. Since then we have watched as he moved into increasing areas of responsibility including being the Sommelier in what used to be called Prego, then to swinging to being Head Sommelier to provide vacation relief and then to being the permanent Head Sommelier. Before becoming a Sommelier Jiri worked at the Bar. Jiri has a passion for wine, takes the time to research the vineyard/chateaux along with each vintage.  

​This is the menu.

We enjoyed some very special wine. Collectively, the food was the best we had enjoyed at any prior Vintage Room.  The Sea Bass melted in your mouth like butter. This was the first time we had this type of risotto and the Wagyu Beef was delicious. We enjoyed the other items as well and the dessert was equivalent to a grand slam home run.

Following is Reflections from today.

We were cleared to go ashore at around 9:00 AM. These are photos as we arrived to St. Lucia and in town.

We enjoyed a good portion of the day on-board Serenity with walks together, by ourselves, paddle tennis and of course the food.  

Cheers and Happy Holidays To All

​Anne Marie & Keith

We wanted to begin with some areas on the Lido Deck by the pool.  Keith likes to change up his daily fitness when sailing with Crystal and early each morning he's been walking the deck around the pool as it's less windy than the promenade deck. Keith also makes use of the Fitness Center early in the morning.

Last night was the White Night Party. The Crystal Plaza was decorated for the evening.

Last evening we returned to Waterside for dinner.  These are the dinner menus.

Once again, we were taken care of by the extraordinary wait staff team of Senior Head Waiter Jacques, Senior Head Waiter Marcin,Waiter Enver, and Sommelier Zayne. As they say we were in excellent hands.

We enjoyed delicious cuisine, outstanding service and the beauty of Waterside.  

Our Sommelier Zayne with Sommelier Mila.

This morning Keith changed things up. In addition to walking the area around the pool, he walked the sports/sun dec and the Promenade Decks.

The two of us walked in the morning on the Promenade Deck and Keith returned for another walk and saw friend Ashley so they walked for a while.  Keith played Paddle Tennis in the afternoon. Anne Marie got in another walk.  The photo is of Keith and Dr. Soto the ships Physician from yesterday.

It was hot...hot...hot.... 

This is the daily program (Reflections) for today.

We are having a great time.

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith

A couple of photos Keith took while walking the Lido Deck by the pool early this morning.

Before dinner we met with another couple Gail and Lou. They are such a nice couple.  

Dinner was a Umi Uma or as some say Nobu.

​These are the dining menus.

We made today a sea day.  This included walking together in the morning, haircut for Keith, another walk for Anne Marie, Paddle Tennis for Keith and conversation with fellow guests and crew.  

We are having a marvelous time.

Keith and Lieve finally got to play together and the even won.  We've known Lieve and Hector for several years.

Reflections follows.

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith