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ON THE ROAD TO BAY OF ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND - DAY 2 AT SEA Thanks to each of you who have provided comments. We read each one of them and appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Should you have any questions you can post a comment or send us a question through the contact form. We began last evening visiting the Avenue Saloon for a pre-dinner drink. We sat with friends John and Linda. The attire for the evening was Black Tie Optional (BTO). This was the fourth BTO evening of the cruise reflecting a long first segment of World Cruise 2019. The Avenue Saloon was busy as several guests dining at the Supper Club visit for a pre-dinner drink since it is located two rooms from the venue of the Supper Club. More on the Supper Club in a moment. Afterwards we watched the World Cruise Choir sing. Usually the World Cruise Choir performs one time each segment. However, given the length of this cruise this was their second performance. The choir is comprised of mainly guests and some of the enrichment personnel. The performance was well attended. All of the songs performed last evening were from The Sound Of Music. This was fitting as Julie Andrews is the godmother of Crystal Serenity.
 These are the dining menus from Waterside. We wanted to note that on the first and last BTO nights (if there are two or more BTO nights on a voyage) they hold the Supper Club which is what they did last evening. They can accommodate up to 108 guests for one seating starting at 6:30 PM. We began the meal with Caviar for Keith and Soup and Matzah Ball for Anne Marie. Next course was Salad and our entree was Beef Wellington. For dessert, Cake for Anne Marie and cheese for Keith. We enjoyed the food and thought the Beef Wellington was excellent. We also enjoyed some wine. Thank you Ricardo.   We noticed that sunset came late last evening while we were dining last evening. We enjoyed a great night's sleep as we sail to the Bay of Islands which is our first port of call stop in New Zealand. Keith worked out early in the morning at the Fitness Center and we both enjoyed breakfast in our room. We continue to have a simple breakfast of cereal and a banana. After breakfast Keith had a personal training session with Melanie. The two of us have been enjoying the personal training with our respective Fitness Directors and are pleased that we signed up for these sessions. While Keith was at the Fitness Center Anne Marie was walking. She attended Yoga with Joe and Maria Kita. This was the last session that Joe and Maria will teach for this cruise as they will be returning home after a short stay in New Zealand. There will be another Yoga instructor coming on-board in Auckland for the start of the next segment of the World Cruise. Keith played another hour of Paddle Tennis in the morning with some of the guests. Although cloudy and windy it had the benefit of lowering the temperature to 74 degrees Fahrenheit . This is the final sea day of this segment of the World Cruise. It was busy with lots of activities and enrichment programs. A Couple of photos from 6:15 AM this morning from our room.
One of the highlights of the morning was the second Ocean Views of this segment. We don't remember another segment of any World Cruise having two Ocean View sessions. However, given the length of this segment, the number of sea days and this talented panel it was great to see a second Ocean Views. The session was moderated by Ken Rees and the panel was composed of General Anthony Zinnia's, Ambassador Scott Delist and Sir Mark Lyall Grant. We watched today’s Ocean Views The test question was politically do you lean Right, Left or Center? Answer: Right 38% Left 20% Center 44% Question What do you think of America’s Leadership Role in the World? Answer: America is the only world leader 20% It is time for the US to concentrate on solving its own issues 15% A better balance between domestic and international issues. 65% The panelists tended to take the view that America should be the World Leader but can do it in a manner without doing everything. In short, they can strike a balance. After the panel discussion the results were. America is the only world leader %29 It is time for the US to concentrate on solving its own issues %4 A better balance between domestic and international issues. 67% Next topic was Climate Change There is not much we can do. 35% I agree urgent action is needed right now. 34% I would like to see the United States take a lead on Climate Change. 31% The panel said more is needed in this area. It was a combination of the USA doing more and also the world working collectively to deal with this. General Zinne expanded this to go beyond climate and to other areas such as the quality of water. He thinks this is a disaster in the making and also covers other areas including security. Ambassador Scott DeLisi thinks the crisis has already begun and Sir Mark Lyall Grant things the USA and the world need to do lots more. The discussion clearly had a major impact on the audience. After the panel discussion the results were: There is not much we can do. 19% I agree urgent action is needed right now. 67% I would like to see the United States take a lead on Climate Change. 14% What is the Answer to Drug Abuse? Do you approve of controlled legalization of cannabis? I approve of controlled legalization 54% It should not be legalized 46% Then they asked a follow-up question with respect to drugs. I want to see tougher penalties for drug use 48% Some drugs should be legalized 28% Before alcohol became legal, they never could control it and ended up being legalized so you can’t ban drugs completely 22% One of the comments was to divide out the penalties and that one might want tougher penalties for the sellers of drugs and not necessarily for the drug users. One member said that alcohol is also a big issue when it is abused. After the panel discussion the results were: I want to see tougher penalties for drug use 76% Some drugs should be legalized 14% Before alcohol became legal, they never could control it and ended up being legalized so you can’t ban drugs completely 10% Next topics was Social Media and should it be more regulated. It is far too late to turn back the tide. 9% The law just needs to catch up with these developments 18% Government and families need to take a tougher stance. 73% After the panel discussion the results were: It is far too late to turn back the tide. 18% The law just needs to catch up with these developments 10% Government and families need to take a tougher stance. 72% The final question related to Free Speech. Freedom of Speech is very important and should be protected 39% Offending others with Hate Speech is wrong 18% University should encourage debate and not stifle it. 43% The panelists all spoke about the importance of freedom of speech and that definitely had an impact when the audience voted again. After the panel discussion the results were: Freedom of Speech is very important and should be protected 79% Offending others with Hate Speech is wrong 6% University should encourage debate and not stifle it. 52% Other highlights for the day included Rap with the Rabbi, Complimentary Wine Testing which focused on Old World versus New World wine, and two lectures given by Forensic Silence Lecturer Judith Fordham and History & Geography lecturer Adrain Vickers. We also enjoyed lunch at Marketside followed by Paddle Tennis for Keith and a long walk outside by Anne Marie. We enjoyed Serenity the rest of the day. Keith met up with friend Bob while Anne Marie read and wrote. Anne Marie & Keith Below is the daily Reflections Program.
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