DAY 28 DAY 17 SERENITY

DAY ONE OF DAY SIX AT SEA - ON THE WAY TO NUKU - FRENCH POLYNESIA

Last night we  went to the Crystal Cove for a pre-dinner drink.   We listened to Pianist Richard Pucci play a nice range of  music.  This included our wedding song Evergreen.  

Dinner was at Umi Uma with friends Maria and Joe Kita.  Our first sailing together was on World Cruise 2007 and we have have sailed with them several times.   In those early years Joe was the Memoir Writer.  In time this  was expanded with the two of them teaching two classes of Yoga (beginner and advanced classes) and Maria also gives private lessons.  Anne Marie loves to attend these classes.   We have dined around the world with the two of them.  Well, let's amend this to say around the ship with Joe and Maria including Waterside (when it was the Crystal Dining Room, Prego, Umi Uma, Silk and before Silk Tastes.  

Between the four of us we must have consumed half the food served in Umi Uma last evening.   LOL.   

As usual  the food was fantastic as was the service, the conversation  and the overall ambience of the dining  venue.   

Waiter Sheila and Sommelier Jay both took excellent care  of us throughout  the  evening.

One of the highlights of the evening was the World  Cruise 2020 Balloon drop.   Normally this would take place the first evening of the World Cruise.  However, for the first time in its history  one could book the full World Cruise either starting in Miami or in Los Angeles which is why the Balloon Drop was held last evening.  

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When we returned to our room there was a  booklet about the upcoming  World Cruise Games.  More on this in a moment.

We slept well last evening as we begin six full days at sea.

The day began as usual with a workout for Keith. Unfortunately, the satellite  TV was  out and  Keith didn't bring his AirPods with him.  Those of you who exercise on the Elliptical or other machines  know it's nice  to listen to a  book, music or  watch  TV.   This rarely happens  and tomorrow as  a backup Keith will bring  his AirPods  with him.

We  enjoyed  breakfast in our room,  The only difference is with Butler Rao on Holiday Butler  Jason will be taking care of us.  Jason was our  Butler  last year  before Rao returned from Holiday and we  have known him for several years  and appreciate  all  he  does.  Anne Marie had  seen Jason  yesterday afternoon when he brought  a fruit plate  over to our  room and this was the first time  Keith saw  Jason since he only returned back to Serenity yesterday although he spoke  with him on  the telephone.  
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There were lots of activities  on the schedule.

Anne Marie took Yoga with Joe and Maria and Keith took the indoor cycling class.  This was  the  most well  attended spin  class  of the ones Keith has  taken since we  boarded on January 7.  We had most bikes in use.

Before  leaving for  Yoga  Anne Marie met our new Penthouse Attendant Chan.   During the previous  voyage Chan  was  on  our  deck but had  a  section on the opposite side  of the  deck.   Linda  who  took care of  us on the last cruise  has  gone on a well  deserved  holiday.   Keith  met  Chan  when he  returned to the room  following  spin class and the World  Cruise game signup.  Hanmi continues  as an assistant.  

We signed up for the World Games and picked up the World Cruise Game Shirts  Last year the  shirts  were white and this  year  black.   The 30 signifies  the 30th  Anniversary  for Crystal  Cruises.

There were lots of activities  on the schedule.

Anne Marie took Yoga with Joe and Maria and Keith took the indoor cycling class.  This was  the  most well  attended spin  class  of the ones Keith has  taken since we  boarded on January 7.  We had most bikes in use.

We each signed up for the World Games and picked up the World Cruise Game Shirts

The World Games which is another tradition of Crystal World Cruises is being held on this leg of the World Cruise.   They need  a leg with a sufficient number of sea days.  Signups began today for the games.  There is an array of events including paddle tennis, shuffleboard, darts, table tennis, basketball foul shooting, swimming laps, relay race, social bridge, duplicate bridge freecell, and solitaire computer games, scrabble, gin rummy, cribbage, golf  putting, soduku,  backgammon, chess, photo contest,   and  team trivia.   The crew will also do a Crew Tug-O-War and there is family Paddle  Tennis  which teams a   crew member with a guest.  The crew also plays their own  set of games among themselves.  At the time of signup a World Cruise Games shirt is given out.  Guests who place either first, second or third are given a gold, silver or bronze award respectively  and every few evenings there is an awards presentation with a former Olympian on-hand.

With the spirit of the World Games former Gold Medal Olympian Jennifer  Chandler gave a talk  about the dreams of Olympians and what drives these dream.  

The  day continued with a  walk for Anne  Marie and Paddle Tennis for Keith.  The  afternoon lectures was given by Bill Toone who we rode who spoke about the Condor.

It's been a great  day and it is not over.  

The daily Reflections Program Follows.

Cheers,

Anne Marie  &  Keith