ON THE ROAD BACK BACK TO HAWAII - DAY ONE AT SEA Rebecca, so glad that you have booked World Cruise 2020. Very exciting. All...A couple who is friends with us and trying their first Crystal Cruise later this year was at a Chinese Restaurant and when they opened up one of the two fortune cookies they thought of us with this saying. We thought we would pass this on as it is our core beliefs when it comes to travel. “Travel with an open heart and positive expectations." Rain would not prevent the USC Marching Band from performing yesterday at 3:00 PM. This has been a tradition of many of the World Cruises leaving out of Los Angeles. Special thanks to Vice President of Crystal Cruises Land Programs John Stoll for arranging this special sendoff. When the weather is good they perform outside around the pool area. Since it was raining they performed inside at the Galaxy Theatre. Shortly after the performance by the band, Keith visited friend Bob and Glo who boarded yesterday and chatted with them for awhile. On our way to the 5:15 PM mandatory lifeboat drill we saw friends John and Linda who also boarded yesterday. We first met John and Linda on the 2007 World Cruise. This was the first drill we attended on Serenity where guest didn't need to wear their life jackets. Both Symphony and Serenity eliminated this practice beginning with their respective January cruises. After the drill we stopped by the Crystal Cove for a drink. Bartender Afzal took excellent care of us. On the last cruise he was at Palm Court and for this cruise he is at the Crystal Cove. Afzal is amazing. At one point every seat at the bar was taken and Afzal was alone making drinks in very short order. As we were getting ready to depart the port Captain Giske spoke from the bridge. He noted that due to a storm in the Pacific we would be taking a somewhat different route over to Hawaii. We had dinner at Waterside. These are the restaurant menus.
We enjoyed dinner at Waterside. It was very quiet when we first arrived and continued that way for most of the dinner. Let's start with the waitstaff team. Senior Waiter Claudia who we had in October. Waiter Yivraj who we had for the last two cruises. Sommelier Ricardo who we has taken good care of us for several years. Dinner was fabulous. Anne Marie had the Roasted Portobello Mushroom and Keith the Seared Ahi Tuna for our appetizer. We both had Caesar Salad (dressing on the side) and for our entree Salmon. Everything was terrific. It came out hot and it was delicious. As much as we wanted to stay up for the World Cruise 2019 Balloon Drop it was held late in the evening and the timing did not work out for us. We were up early that morning and today we began the day early with personal training for Keith. These are photos taken earlier in the day of the Balloons. When we arrived back to the room there was information from World Cruise hostess about upcoming events for the World Cruise. It included a letter, a calendar with any known events and a place where we could list restaurant reservations and also a Crystal Cruises photo calendar. There was also a booklet about the Word Cruise Games which will be held on-board this segment of the World Cruise. It will include a variety of events including sports, team trivia, board and computer games and photography. Those placing first, second or third will receive gold, silver or bronze medals. Two former Olympians are on-board. Every guest participating will receive a shirt. This morning was about exercise. Our morning began early with a workout for Keith, followed by coffee and breakfast in our room. Both of us have signed up for personal training and Keith took his first class today with Melanie Hossack. She is from Scotland where she has been a personal trainer on land. Fifteen minutes after the personal training session was over Keith took the first indoor cycling class of the World Cruise. We had four people at all times. Other than Keith all first timers. One guest gave out about half-way through the class as the seat was hard for her which often happens for first timers. One gent was confused about the start time and arrived ten minutes before the end of class. As it turned out Keith met one of the men a few years ago on the Paddle Tennis court. He's from the UK, likes exercise and will be on-board until Cape Town. In addition to the workouts for Keith, Anne Marie walked for an hour, and she took the Yoga Class. Views of the Pacific Ocean and Sunrise taken from our room at 7:00 AM this morning. In addition to the being the first leg of the World Cruise which includes the World Games this is also a Wine and Festival voyage. As part of this theme there will be several activities. This includes cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, presentations by a mixologist, and a special dinner in Waterside featuring selected items prepared under the direction of the guest chef on-board for this voyage. Today's program included 50+ enrichment activities including three lectures: Destination lecturer Ken Rees shared his experiences as a reporter covering the world. Forensic Science Lecturer Judith Fordham shared stories of wild characters and crazy experiences from 30 years of law practice. Marine Biology Lecturer Dr. Jay Christofferson spoke about the Coral Reefs. The World Cruise also includes some special enrichment programs in addition to the 50+ programs found on most voyages. Memoir Write Joe Kita will teach Memoir Writing on the first segment of the World Cruise providing an opportunity for guests to learn how to write a memoir or just about one aspect of their lives. Yoga Instructor Maria Kita will teach Yoga on the first Segment of the World Cruise. A Music Instructor, Ursula Cauffiel,is on board to teach piano on the Yamaha Pianos. Stan Leja will teach a college course on several different applications of the Apple products. Protestant Clergy Ed Voosen, Jewish Clergy Rabbi Morris Hershman and Catholic Clergy Father Thomas Falkenthal are on-board for the duration of the World Cruise. Photo of the Yamaha Pianos. We attended a morning World Cruise get-together which included an introduction of many of the officers and senior staff on-board and an opportunity to meet fellow guests, Rather than sitting we walked around for most of the time so we could see as many people as possible. We enjoyed lunch at Waterside making our usual salad entrees. Keith was going to play Paddle Tennis but it was too windy. We both walked together inside the ship and are enjoying the rest of the day on-board Serenity.
Anne Marie & Keith
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