DAY 14 - DAY 3 SERENITY

HAPPINESS SAILING WITH CRYSTAL CRUISES

We enjoyed a wonderful evening on-board Serenity.

We began with a pre-dinner drink at the Crystal Cove.  We sat near Pianist Richard Pucci who plays wonderfully. Richard knows we enjoy music of the Beatles and he bean with a medley of Beatles Music.  As we were listening to some of the songs we were imagining if those lads from Liverpool realized at the time their music would be played by others including in this manner.

---

We returned to Waterside for the second consecutive night and enjoyed some of our favorite items.  We were taken good care of by Senior Waiter Kristen and Waiter Fernando.

​

---

This included Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail for Anne Marie and Caviar for Keith, followed by a garden salad and Lobster for each of us.  As many of you know Lobster is a favorite of Anne Marie's.  As a youngster this was something the family  had once a year on Christmas Eve.  She not only enjoys Lobster but it does bring back wonderful memories for her.  

Dinner menus follow.

​

Since the rollout of open seating on most cruises there is one Captain's Reception but with this being the start of the World Cruise the Captain hosted a Welcome Reception for all guests on this voyage which we think is very nice.

Anne Marie was feeling a little under the weather so we decided to call it an evening.

We began today as we normally do with a workout for Keith and breakfast for the two of us in our room.  Anne Marie took two short walks.  By the time she got back to the room she was not feeling well so saw the ships doctor.  She was diagnosed with a throat infection on one side of her throat and she was given antibiotics, along with a daytime liquid capsules for pain and throat relief.  Should she not feel better in two days she should go back.  

Keith went to the salon for a Haircut.  Excellent stylist.  First time at sea but worked for many years in Dubai and in her home country of Ukraine.  

We  enjoyed the second consecutive sea day of the cruise as we sail towards Cartagena, Colombia.

There were three lectures of the program.  We enjoyed the one given by retired Astronaut Scott Kelly.  He is well known by many for several missions he was part of for the United States Space Program.   With Anne Marie not feeling well we watched it live on the television in our room.  You can also watch the lectures on-demand shortly after they are given.

A lecture that we watched live from our room was given by former Astronaut Scott Kelly.  How good we are when we start has nothing to do how we can end up if you work hard and strive to improve.  He mentioned examples of this.  He was not a good student.  He was not the best at flying airplanes when he began.  In fact, he almost crashed while flying and was sent home.  The Navy gave him options such as be a civilian and fly passenger planes or a cargo plane or try it one more time but you must get better.  And this is what he did with hard work and reaching for the stars.   He continued to take this approach in all that he does.  

​He accomplished so much.  He logged  more than 15,000 hours of flight time in more than 40 different aircraft.  He was involved in the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope, commanded  Space Shuttle Endeavor on a mission to the International Space Station.  Many know of him for the record breaking 340 day missions the International Space Station.  

He could easily have been just a number on planet Earth.  Someone who none of us would ever hear of if not for hard  work, perseverance and reaching for the stars and not giving up.

​

---

We enjoyed lunch at Marketplace.  On each day at sea Captain Birger gives a talk from the bridge at 12:00 Noon and this was his second one of the cruise.  The captain will give some statistics about the outside weather conditions and speed the vessel has traveled and what speed we need to travel to reach the next port of call on-schedule.  He often provides us with some information which we look at as education for the guests and also covers the position of the other Crystal vessels.

Following lunch Anne Marie walked for a little bit and Keith played Paddle Tennis.  It was less windy than the day before when you didn't know where the ball might end up if it was hit too far in the air.  Of course when the weather is bad one can blame all their mistakes on the weather. He would have played longer except it started to drizzle.

Keith also met up with dear friend Bob.  Keith has known Bob since 2008 and have shared many sailings with Bob and his dear wife Glo.

Following is todays daily Reflection Program.

Cheers,

​Anne Marie & Keith