About 65% of the total evenings on board the voyages we will be on will be resort casual. For Ladies a casual dress, skirt or slacks is recommended. For Gentlemen, slacks and a sweater or shirt are recommended a jacket/tie are not required. Often you will see Anne Marie in something a bit more dressier than this and Keith in a jacket but that is just what we prefer and of course that is not necessary.
The remaining evenings are about split between elegant casual and black tie optional. On elegant casual which some refer to as Informal a cocktail dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse are recommended for the Ladies and a Suit or slacks with a Jacket over a sweater (tie optional) is recommended for the Gentlemen. The vast majority of the Gentlemen wear a jacket and shirt with no tie. Some like Keith wear a tie and on many of these nights Keith wears a suit. Again that is not necessary.
On black tie optional evenings, a formal cocktail dress, evening gown or dressy evening separates is recommended for the Ladies and a dark suite with tie or tuxedo is recommended for the Gentlemen. However, this is only optional and for those not wanting to wear formal attire they can also wear elegant casual attire. We wear the formal attire because we enjoy doing so.
All in all there is a lot of diversity/flexibility as to evening attire.
Before dinner last evening we attended Magic Castle At Sea which featured Master Magician David Kovacs. To attend the show you needed to pick up tickets which were available at the Library. There are several performances throughout each voyage. Tickets are first come, first served and are limited to 20 guests per show. This provides an intimate setting to see close up the Magician performing his tricks.
There is a different magician on each voyage and the tricks they perform do, in fact, vary by Magician. Last year we saw two different magicians. One of them focused on showing us several tricks with a deck of cards and we learned that he had taught Las Vegas dealers to look for signs of players who might be cheating.
David Kovacs
The Magician performed some interesting tricks mainly with cards and with money. We each got to participate along with some of the other guests.
The show runs a little under 30 minutes and was right before dinner so that worked out perfectly for us.
We had another wonderful time being back in the Crystal Dining Room last evening.
We keep forgetting to mention that starting in Honolulu we were assigned a new waiter (waiter assists the senior waiter) whose name is Nenad. He is doing a terrific job and is very efficient and pleasant. One of the Senior Waiters in another nearby section of the dining room who we know very well had to go home due to an infection in his mouth and our waiter was moved to his location to perform as the Senior Waiter. All of this took place in Honolulu on the day that Nenad also joined the ship so they assigned him to our section.
The dining room was busier than the night before but not 100% full as some people dined at one of the three specialty restaurants or even in their rooms. Some guests who boarded the ship that very day were assigned to tables that are normally occupied by some of the guests who were dining in other venues.
Maitre d' Leo came by to check on us and Head Waiter Bojan came by several times to see how we were doing. Bojan brought out each of our entrees.
As usual, Sommelier Javier, took excellent care of us having a white wine available (Beringer Chardonnay) and also decanting a Red Wine. Last night the red was from Bordeaux.
We each began our meal with salads. Anne Marie had the Pear, Radicchio and Blue Cheese Salad absent the Blue Cheese. We guess that makes it a Pear and Radicchio Salad. LOL.
For our entree, Anne Marie went with one of the alternate Main Traditional Entrees which was on the menu but available each and every evening which was the Grilled Salmon Fillet. It was a very nice cut and cooked perfectly to bring out a terrific taste. Anne Marie gave Keith some of it to try.
Keith went with the Fresh Local Grouper. It was very tasty and he enjoyed the sides which came with it including the Black Beans and the Broccoli and the Saffron Butter gave it quite a bit of additional taste.
We also had side orders of Asparagus and Peas.
For dessert, it was a Sugar Free Banana Bread Dessert with Sugar Free Ice Cream for Anne Marie. Keith tasted as small portion of Anne Marie's and we both thought it was quite good.
Surprise. Keith had the Mixed Berries as his dessert.
As we left the Crystal Dining Room, the String Quartet was performing so we stayed for awhile to listen to them play. They are quite good and it just adds to the overall ambience on board the ship.
The dining room was busier than the night before but not 100% full as some people dined at one of the three specialty restaurants or even in their rooms. Some guests who boarded the ship that very day were assigned to tables that are normally occupied by some of the guests who were dining in other venues.
Maitre d' Leo came by to check on us and Head Waiter Bojan came by several times to see how we were doing. Bojan brought out each of our entrees.
As usual, Sommelier Javier, took excellent care of us having a white wine available (Beringer Chardonnay) and also decanting a Red Wine. Last night the red was from Bordeaux.
We each began our meal with salads. Anne Marie had the Pear, Radicchio and Blue Cheese Salad absent the Blue Cheese. We guess that makes it a Pear and Radicchio Salad. LOL.
For our entree, Anne Marie went with one of the alternate Main Traditional Entrees which was on the menu but available each and every evening which was the Grilled Salmon Fillet. It was a very nice cut and cooked perfectly to bring out a terrific taste. Anne Marie gave Keith some of it to try.
Keith went with the Fresh Local Grouper. It was very tasty and he enjoyed the sides which came with it including the Black Beans and the Broccoli and the Saffron Butter gave it quite a bit of additional taste.
We also had side orders of Asparagus and Peas.
For dessert, it was a Sugar Free Banana Bread Dessert with Sugar Free Ice Cream for Anne Marie. Keith tasted as small portion of Anne Marie's and we both thought it was quite good.
Surprise. Keith had the Mixed Berries as his dessert.
As we left the Crystal Dining Room, the String Quartet was performing so we stayed for awhile to listen to them play. They are quite good and it just adds to the overall ambience on board the ship.
We slept very well last evening as we traveled to Saipan, Mariana Islands. The seas were relatively calm but you do have that gentle movement of the ship which we find makes it easy to sleep.
Keith was up first and back at the Fitness Center. He enjoyed a nice workout. He watched a couple of videos which are produced by Crystal Cruises about the 2014 World Cruise and also about next year's World Cruise. He also caught up with the news.
Afterwards, it was back to the Lido Cafe for Keith. He enjoyed coffee as he read and wrote. The wonderful Lido Deck Stewards checked with Keith to see if he needed any assistance as he was getting his coffee and later at the table including; Benjamin, Ross, Max and Jun.
He brought back coffee for Anne Marie who walked for about 45 minutes as we had Breakfast in our room one hour earlier than normal so that we had more time to get ready for our early morning shore excursion.
Today, we arrived at Saipan the second of the Islands that very few people on this cruise (both guests and crew) have been there before.
We wanted to mention that in Guam, Saipan and our next port of call stop in Okinawa, we have been instructed to take our passports to shore as this is a requirement for each of these locations.
We took a Crystal Shore Excursion today called the Memories of the Battle of Saipan.
Although a very peaceful island, Saipan did see action in World War II and as part of this tour we revisited the Battle of Saipan which took place during the summer of 1944. We visited several war-related sites and we also enjoyed some spectacular views.
There were about 25 people on our tour including dear friends Bob and Glo. We had a great tour guide. She provided a wealth of information during the tour. We learned that only three cruise ships arriver per year.
There were about 25 people on our tour including dear friends Bob and Glo. We had a great tour guide. She provided a wealth of information during the tour. We learned that only three cruise ships arriver per year.
As part of the tour we visited Banzai Cliff which is located on the Northern tip of the Island. During the final day of the Battle of Saipan, hundreds of Japanese threw themselves off the 300 foot high cliff into the treacherous surf below them as the followed the imperial order which encouraged civilians to commit suicide. We learned a great deal about this tragedy during our visit.
Frequently, Japanese groups visit this site and say special prayers for those who died.
Dear Friends Bob and Glo
The Japanese would jump off the cliff into the water which had many stones on the bottom.
The Japanese also jumped off this Mountain.
Frequently, Japanese groups visit this site and say special prayers for those who died.
Dear Friends Bob and Glo
The Japanese would jump off the cliff into the water which had many stones on the bottom.
The Japanese also jumped off this Mountain.
Next we made a short stop at the Last Command Post which included tunnels.
We then made a stop to an area where we would see the Blue Island Sanctuary from a distance.
We also visited the American Memorial Park which commemorates those who perished during the Mariana Islands Campaign. We had an hour on our own and we viewed the memorial, we watched a twenty minute film about the battle, and we also spoke extensively to two of the several on duty park rangers who provided us with a wealth of information.
In preparation for our visit we learned a great deal from the lecturers on the ship as to what happened before, during and after this battle. It prepared us well for what we saw. During this stop we also had the opportunity to view a 20 minute film which was quite informative.
We drove to the Veterans Memorial off a landing beach.
Anne Marie has a sea shell collection from beaches that we have visited from around the world and she found one nice sea shell at the beach.
World War II Tank.
Our final stop was to the Old Japanese Jail. The jail was constructed around 90+ years ago.
After returning back to the ship, we decided to have lunch at the Crystal Dining Room, rather than at the Lido Cafe. Our Senior Waiter was Salvatore who took good care of us for much of the 2012 World Cruise. He remembered what type of water that each of us enjoys. We each had a seafood salad entree.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and sat outside to get some sun. Keith read, wrote and me up with friend Bob.
This evening we will be dining again at Silk Road. We will post all about that tomorrow.
In preparation for our visit we learned a great deal from the lecturers on the ship as to what happened before, during and after this battle. It prepared us well for what we saw. During this stop we also had the opportunity to view a 20 minute film which was quite informative.
We drove to the Veterans Memorial off a landing beach.
Anne Marie has a sea shell collection from beaches that we have visited from around the world and she found one nice sea shell at the beach.
World War II Tank.
Our final stop was to the Old Japanese Jail. The jail was constructed around 90+ years ago.
After returning back to the ship, we decided to have lunch at the Crystal Dining Room, rather than at the Lido Cafe. Our Senior Waiter was Salvatore who took good care of us for much of the 2012 World Cruise. He remembered what type of water that each of us enjoys. We each had a seafood salad entree.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and sat outside to get some sun. Keith read, wrote and me up with friend Bob.
This evening we will be dining again at Silk Road. We will post all about that tomorrow.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY……….
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain.
Keith & Anne Marie
Keith and Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures of Bob and Glo. They look great and hopefully are enjoying themselves as much as you are. Happy cruising. If all works out we may be joining you next January.
All my Best,
Diane Clapes
Greetings from Chuck. We had Nenad as a MDR waiter several years ago, I think when we did the Greek Isles tour. He was very professional, always smiling. My best to you both.
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