DAY 69 - DAY 63 CRYSTAL SERENITY

DAY TWO OF SEVEN SEA DAYS ON THE WAY TO MAURITIUS.

Thank you Sophie....  On this cruise there are four BlackTie Optional (BTO) nights so there are opportunities for Formal Attire.

Catherine...Yes Crystal Cruises and all cruise lines I am familiar with do note that drones are prohibited.  Believe it or not we were once on a Crystal Cruise where someone launched a drone from the ship.  I couldn't believe it.

Last evening was a Black Tie Optional (BTO) evening.  There will be four of these on this voyage.

We began the evening attending the Captain’s Reception.  This included live music, dancing and cocktails.  Captain Giske spoke to everyone.
 
Prior to open dining two to three receptions were held on the longer voyages including the Captain’s Welcome Reception, Crystal Society Reception and Captain’s Farewell.  Sometimes Crystal Society was combined with the Farewell Reception.  Since the rollout of open dining there has been one reception on most cruises which is the Crystal Society Reception.  This was done due to a low turnout by the guests because those guests dining later in the evening didn’t want to get dressed up to attend a party at 5:15 PM.

On Segment 2 and this Segment of the World Cruise they have added in a Captain's Reception early on the Voyage plus a separate one for Crystal Society.

During Captain Giske's talk at the Captain Reception he noted how many guests are from each country.  We would say that around 15 countries were mentioned such as: USA, United Kingdom Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Italy, Holland and a few other countries.

Captain Giske also mentioned that we will turn the clocks back a total of six hours before we arrive to South Africa.

Photo of Anne Marie with Jun.

​

---

These are the dinner menus from Waterside.

​

​Following the reception, we had dinner at Waterside.  Cruise Director Rick joined us for dinner.  Rick returned from a well-deserved holiday for the start of this voyage.

There were lots of items to choose from on the Modern Cuisine and Crystal Classic Menus.  Guests can order from one or both menus.

We began our meal with appetizers.  Keith had Caviar and Anne Marie had Shrimp Cocktail.  We both had salads for our next course.  The Entrée is one of Anne Marie’s favorites which we both had; Fresh Maine Cold Water Lobster.  The lobsters were flown to Perth and loaded on Serenity while we were docked at Fremantle.

First photo with Senior Waiter Claudia and Heat Waiter Augusto.

Photo two and three with Cruise Director Rick.

​

---

​

​

---

​

---

​

---

The featured evening entertainment included two performances by Classical Pianist Tomono Kawamura.
 
The good news is before going to sleep we had a time change and turned the clocks back one hour.

We slept well last evening.  The sea swells were moderate allow for a good night's sleep.  

Keith enjoyed another workout at the Fitness Center.  We had breakfast in our room 30 minutes earlier than our regular time since Anne Marie had personal training.  Her personal training continues to be with Fitness Director Charlotte.  Charlotte has been providing Anne Marie with copies of the exercises so that Anne Marie can do these on our own in addition to the personal training.

Keith arrived to the Fitness Center before Anne Marie's training was over to attend an 8:15 AM indoor cycling class.  There will be six indoor cycling classes on this voyage.  

Fitness Directors Charlotte and Melanie alternate teaching these classes.  Today's class was taught by Melanie.  It was a terrific class and Melanie used a new playlist for the music and it was motivating.  This was the first class where all the bikes were taken.  Yea!!!
 

​

---

​

---

​

---

---

With this being a sea day there was lots of enrichment on the program starting at 7:30 AM and continuing until 5:00 PM.

The lectures included:

Marine Biology Lecturer Simone Baker who spoke about the weird and wonderful creatures of the deep.

Drug Crime Lecturer Paul Cook who spoke Afghanistan and the trading of Heroin.

Special Interest Lecturer Dr Richard Somerville who spoke about high-tech robots in the ocean which provide critical data about the ever-changing sea.

The outdoor weather was terrific and Keith was able to play Paddle Tennis in the morning.  He played several games and on the last round Celebrity Chef Join Ashton who is learning Paddle Tennis played.  Always a lot of fun and good laughs.

Anne Marie attended another Yoga Class.

Lunch was back at Marketplace.  Today's luncheon included Asian Specialties including sushi.

We enjoyed another relaxing afternoon on-board Serenity include more Paddle Tennis for Keith, a walk outside for Anne Marie and conversations with fellow guests and members of the crew.  

This evening we are back at Waterside for dinner for the third consecutive night.

​

This is the daily Reflections program from today.

​