This is a photo from the Crystal Society Reception.
These are photos from our Milestone Recognition Dinner held at the Captain's Quarters.
The two of us with Captain Giske and Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown.
Standing From Left to Right
Crystal Society Hostess, Jaque Brown, Food & Beverage Manager Victor Conceicao, Vice Captain Nenad Wilhelm, Captain Egil Giske, Hotel Director Josef Lumetsberger and Cruise Sales Consultant Nikki Andrew.
The table was set beautifully.
This is a photo from when we were invited with some other guests for drinks at the Captain's Quarters on the last cruise.
This is a photo from yesterday afternoon when the string quartet was playing classical music in the Crystal Cove. It really adds to the ambience on board the ship.
We had mentioned in yesterday's Blog that we were able to speak with our daughter by phone and also with FaceTime yesterday where we could also see our Grandson, Andre.
Late yesterday afternoon, we spoke with our son, Eric, by telephone.
It was nice to catch up with our family yesterday. Another great opportunity will be in Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii, Keith has made an appointment on line at one of the Apple Stores in Oahu for them to look at and hopefully repair his computer. If it is just the swap of the memory that will be easy to accomplish.
Before dinner last evening we sat at the Crystal Cove and we sat at an area that was more visible so that we could see the many familiar guests who we have sailed with before who had just boarded in Los Angeles. Eventually, friends John and Linda joined us and for those who followed our Blog last year you may remember that the four of us sat together before dinner often.
We were back in the Crystal Dining Room for our first Dinner of World Cruise 2014.
The Dining Room was very busy as most people dined there. It actually had the feeling of a formal night in terms of the number of people dining.
We each began with a salad. Anne Marie had a spinach salad and Keith had his standing order salad.
Keith had the Fresh Salmon. The piece was substantial and very tasty.
Anne Marie had the Fresh Alaskan Cod.
Anne Marie had the sugar free Mocha Cream Puff and shared some with Keith. The consensus was that it was excellent.
And not a surprise Keith had mixed berries.
Shortly after we finished dinner, we attend the 2014 World Cruise Welcome hosted by Captain Birger J. Vorland, Cruise Director Rick Spath and World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston. This get together is a tradition for the start of the World Cruise and includes a Champagne Toast as well as a Balloon Drop.
Cruise Director Rick Spath.
Hotel Director Josef to the left of Captain Birger.
Before the Balloon Drop the Galaxy Orchestra Played a variety of upbeat songs. The Ambassador Hosts (dance hosts) were out dancing.
We were also treated to some very nice singing by these performers.
We had a great time speaking with fellow guests, enrichment staff and the crew.
From L-R Stan and Mary Leja (Stan teaches the college credited computer course, Louisa Shore Excursions, Keith Joe Kita, Memoir Writing and Yoga Instructor, Anne Marie, Maria Kita Yoga Instructor and Daniel, Shore Excursion Manager.
For a little while as the band was playing we were on the stairway that leads down to the lower level to try to get some nice photos from there but then as it got closer to the balloon drop we stood inside the cove right in the middle of the action.
Directly before the Balloon Drop many members of the crew were introduced as the song We Are Family was sung and played.
Anne Marie with Sneha, who was our Stewardess for the 2012 World Cruise and who sent us the pretty flowers.
Anne Marie with World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston who was also the World Cruise Hostess on the 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Cruises.
As the balloons dropped the enthusiasm from the crew and the guests increased a couple of more notches. There were thousands of balloons dropping. A few of us were given toothpicks and Keith went to town on those balloons as did a few other people.
The enthusiasm throughout the day and the evening was just fantastic and words do not adequately describe all of this. It was a wonderful kickoff to what should be a wonderful World Cruise.
On all our Crystal Cruises there is a sense of family, but on the World Cruise or on say a Holiday Cruise that sense increases several fold.
We slept very well last evening as we are now sailing to Hawaii.
Keith was up first and back in the Fitness Center for his workout. He watched some lectures from previous cruises that included some sports and television celebrities.
After his workout, he had coffee at the Lido Cafe. Several of the Lido Deck Stewards who were in the Cafe on the last cruise remained for this one instead of rotating to other areas of the Lido Deck. This included Liebert, Jun and Benjamin.
Lido Deck Steward, Max, who we know so well from cruising over the years moved over to the Cafe so Keith chatted with him for awhile when he arrived.
He then brought some of the coffee back to the room for Anne Marie. A short while later Anne Marie walked for an hour.
Rao brought breakfast to our room at 8:00 AM.
At 8:30 AM Keith took the first Spin Class for this leg of the World Cruise. Fitness Director Michael taught this class. We had all new Spinners taking the class with Keith.
Later in the morning we met with Bart Dufor who is Head Sommelier in the Vintage Room for an exclusive dinner/wine paring that we are planning in a few days. Anne Marie was wearing the new World Cruise 2014 Shirt.
At 11:30 AM we attended a World Cruiser Meet and Greet where we had the opportunity to meet with our fellow World Cruisers as well as Senior Office and Department Heads.
Cruise Director Rick Spath welcome everyone and introduced World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston who was World Cruise Hostess on the 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Cruises. All of the Department Heads then were asked to come to the front of the room and they each introduced themselves.
Cruise Director Rick Spath
Anne Marie with World Cruise Hostess, Stacey Huston
Cruise Director Rick Spath introducing the Department Heads
For lunch we were back at the Lido Cafe where we each made ourselves a Salad Entree.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked and also took Yoga and Keith played Paddle Tennis. Later in the afternoon, Keith met up with friend Bob.
This evening is the first Black Tie Optional Night of the World Cruise. The theme of the menus is the Captain's Welcome Dinner and later in the evening we will attend the Captain's Welcome Reception. We will post all about this tomorrow.
It's been a great 24 hours with the kick-off of the World Cruise.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.........
"We look forward to making memories on World Cruise 2014 which will last for the rest of our lifetimes together." - Keith & Anne Marie
Keith & Anne Marie
Hi Keith and Anne Marie. I love this blog. I feel like I am there. Keith, I see you had Javier as your Sommelier. I love him!! He really knows his wines that's for sure. Please tell him that I said hello and I did purchase some of the wines that he wrote down for me. He will probably know me as Janis Apicella. We miss the Serenity. I'm looking forward to more of your adventure. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJanis
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