DAY 8 - DAY 2 CRYSTAL SERENITY

CATALINA ISLAND 

We wanted to note that we will visit ten ports of call for the very first time during the time we are on-board Serenity.  They are:

Fanning Islands, Kirbati
Latoka, Fiji
Kangaroo Island, Australia
Busselton, Australia
​Georgetown, Ascension Island
Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain
Koto, Montegro
Pahos, Cyprus
Koper, Slovenia
Souda Bay, Greece

We got settled in our room after posting yesterday.  The good news is that al  luggage showed up in a timely manner.  This included the five pieces we shipped and the two we brought with us.  Some  luggage will not be unpacked until we change rooms the day the World Cruise begins.

Keith got laundry done that we used during our pre-cruise stay.  He also signed up for four of the five indoor cycle classes that will be offered.  The fifth one is late in the day and Keith prefers morning classes.  On some cruises you can sign up the day before.  On this one he could sign up for all of them.  He met both Fitness Director's who will be on board for the entire time we are.

Keith will also go up there by himself.  He is certified to teach indoor cycling and until recently taught three classes each week and he has hundreds of playlists to choose from.  

We also responded to two letters we received.  One is to celebrate a special milestone on this cruise and the other was to be recognized at a Crystal Society Reception.  

We went to the muster drill at 5:00 PM.  Our muster station is in the Casino.  More crew were on-hand than in past drills to ensure that each guest was wearing their life preserver the correct way..  We saw some friends including Rocky and Dave who we will be dining with a couple of times over the next three weeks.

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We didn't have a pre-dinner drink.  We did attend the tree lighting ceremony to kickoff the start of the Holiday Cruise.  We spoke with some fellow guests who we know from prior voyages and we also spoke with several members of the crew.

We had a great time dining at Waterside.  Our Senior Waiter was Kasa who we once had as a Senior Waiter on another voyage.  He is from Turkey.  

We each enjoyed three courses; Appetizer Ahi Tuna for Keith and a Shrimp Cocktail for Anne Marie; Caesar Salad and Fresh Salmon Entrees for the two of us.  

We also enjoyed some of the inclusive wine and Sommelier Mehti who is also from Turkey took good care of us.  Because of the medication Anne Marie is on she will keep to one glass of wine and had Chablis.  Keith began with some Chablis and enjoyed one of the red wines on-board from Spain. 

We didn't go to the show last evening.

We first walked to deck 12 two check out the redesigned Palm Court and it looks stunning.  Keith went back up early in the morning and took some photos of the room.  Keep in mind it was dark outside. 

Afterwards we went back to the room to take care of some final items.  Anne Marie needed the pillows to be changed out which the stewardess took care of.

The names of our penthouse attendant and and assistant  are Sladjana and Dushica.  Our butler is Jaison who we have known for many years. He is the head butler on Deck 10.  Rao will take care of us when he returns in Perth from a well deserved holiday.

We checked out the new flat screen TV and its new placement over the couch beyond the foot of the bed is ideal for this room.  ​The area where a television used to be accommodates other items such as bottled water and power and sports drinks.

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Afterwards Keith did one more wash and walked around the ship to look at some other areas that received makeovers and took some photos.  He revisited the Computer University, looked at the Children's area and walked the Lido Deck.  He went in Stardust but will take photos another time when the room is lit.  The Casino walls and ceiling were painted and changed from a reddish color to gray.

We had breakfast in the room.  We keep to a simple breakfast of cereal and fruit.  

Anne Marie walked while the room was being cleaned.  

We anchored off Catalina Island at 7:00 AM. Our first and only previous visit was on our family cruise on-board Serenity in May of 2017
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Keith took the tender over to Catalina Island.  Anne Marie stayed on-board to have two alterations made to two long gowns by the tailor.

Catalina Island is located just 22 miles off the Southern California Coast.  It has a population of less than 5,000 residents.  

There are very few automobiles in use on the Island.  The major mode of transportation is walking or driving the island by golf cart.

Major attractions include:

The Casino which is located in a large Art Deco building.

Catalina Island Museum which features over 10,000 photographs and negatives of live on the island from the 1880's to present day along with Catalina pottery.

Catalina Island Conservancy Nature Center which contains self-guided exhibits of the natural history and conservation efforts of the island.

Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens.  The memorial commemorates William Wrigley Junior.  His businesses included soap and baking soda but his name is most associated with chewing gum and the Chicago Cubs Baseball team and stadium. He also played a key role in the development of the island and the gardens were created by his wife after his death.  His team also had Spring Training on the Island.

Wrigley was ahead of his time and if not for his efforts the Island would not be home to a nature center.  

On the ride over to the Island only two other guests were on the tender with Keith and on the return it was just Keith and the crew.

Keith walked and ran for a couple of hours.  The weather was perfect.  He wore a light jacket.  In addition to walking/running on the main roads he would go up and down the side streets which were all on hills.  

Before lunch Anne Marie met with the ships tailor who will alter a couple of long gowns for her.  

Keith was able to see the new Seabreeze Penthouse Suite.  Two of these were added to Deck 10 and the other new Seabreeze rooms are the Seabreeze Penthouse which are smaller in size than the Penthouse Suites.

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Back on the ship we enjoyed lunch at Market Place.  We each made a salad entree.

In the afternoon it was Paddle Tennis for Keith and a long walk for Anne Marie on the outdoor wraparound promenade deck. 

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We are so happy to be on Serenity.

​Anne Marie & Keith