DAY 42 - DAY 36 CRYSTAL SERENITY

ON OUR WAY TO PAGO PAGO - FIRST OF TWO SEA DAYS

Mary...We are glad you found our Blog.  Thank you for your nice comments.

We began last evening by attending the first World Games Award Ceremony which recognizes the guests who finished first, second and third in the competitions that have taken place to date.  They refer to the ceremony as the 2019 World Cruise Games Thrill of Victory Medal Ceremony.  Guests are given either a Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal based on where they placed.  Their name and the country they represented is mentioned as they are called up front for the award for each event.  

Keith received his Gold for Basketball.  

In earlier years we both entered lots of events as it was a great way to meet people.  We have cut back to entering a few events and for the ones we enter to have fun.

Our dear friend Glo won three medals.  Congratulations Glo.

They changed the medals from prior years.  They are larger and heavier and everyone seemed to like the new look. We do.

Keith's personal trainer Melanie Hossack on the left side and Anne Marie's personal trainer Charlotte Bane on the right.

Olympian Dr Terry Schroeder presented the medal.  He is a six-time Olympian.  He won silver medals as the captain of the water polo team in 1984 and 1988 and was the coach of the silver medal water polo team in 2008.

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In addition to the guest and crew World Games our three fella's are having their own contest.  The Crystal Serenity Bear has won one medal.  LOL.

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Before dinner we attended a Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle Party.  Spoke with some people who we already knew plus some people for the first time.

From there we went to Waterside for dinner.  It was a wow.

We have tried to change things up on this cruise.  We have tried to change things up on this cruise by ordering appetizers on most nights and going with the salad on the menu rather than a pre-ordered salad.
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We began with a Slow Cooked Salmon Appetizer (Keith) and a Gratinated Seafood Crepe (Anne Marie.  Both of these were excellent choices as they were very tasty.

We both had the Nicoise Vegetable Salad.  Another excellent choice.

​We both had the Hawaiian Kagami entree.  Never had this fish and it was delicious and was enhanced with the sides.

​Keith changed it up as he ended the meal with some cheese and crackers.

​Photo of Head SommelierJiri with AnneMarie.
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The evening entertainment included Swingin' in the Cove, featuring vocalist Karin Kovacova and the Crystal Showband.  It is similar to a mixer with Ambassador Hosts on hand for dancing.

The highlight of the evening was the Liars Club.  This is offered on selected cruises.  The key is to have the right three people and we did.  The distinguished liar panel included Dramatic Liar and Actor Bruce McGill, Journalistic Liar and Destination Lecturer Ken Rees, and Rabbinical Liar and Rabbi Morrie Hershman.

We slept well last evening.  Captain Giske had said there would be strong sea swells and that we needed to go at a high speed to reach Pago Pago on time in two days.

A view from our room before we had breakfast.

We began the day as we always do.  Keith worked out at the Fitness Center and we had breakfast in the room.

Before breakfast we felt a thump. What could it be? A rogue wave?  A whale?  As it turned out we crossed the Equator at 6:30 AM.  LOL.

Keith had another workout with the personal trainer while Anne Marie walked inside the ship.  Anne Marie attended Yoga and Keith taught by Maria and Joe Kita  while Keith walked inside the ship.

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This is the first of two sea days as we sail to our next port of call.  There was lots on the schedule.  There were three lectures.

Forensic science Lecturer Judith Fordham spoke about the Real CSi.  World Affairs Lecturer Ambassador Scott DeLisi spoke about  the changes in Biotech and artificial intelligence.  In the afternoon Master Mixologist Booby Gleason hosted wine tasting of carries American Whiskies.
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We are enjoying another afternoon on-board Serenity.  It began with lunch at Waterside and continued with Paddle Tennis for Keith and a long walk outside the ship for Anne Marie on the wrap-around Promenade Deck.  We got together with friends, read and wrote.  It is humid and hot outside but for us better than it being cold.
 
We are looking forward to another enjoyable evening on Serenity.

Daily Reflections Program follows.

​Anne Marie & Keith

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