DAY 73 - DAY SIXTY FIVE ON THE CRYSTAL SERENITY

We wanted to begin with some photos from the last segment of the World Cruise. We will post additional ones over the coming days.

This was taken during our arrival into Hong Kong.  It was a very sunny afternoon and there was not a cloud in the sky which is quite unique for Hong Kong.

As we had mentioned, yesterday was the beginning of the next segment of the World Cruise.  In addition to new guests joining the ship and others going home yesterday also was a day when some crew members joined the ship and others also went home.  Yesterday, was also a reminder at how fast time goes by when you are having fun as some of the crew who returned had been on our January 5 Panama Transit Voyage, gone home at the end of that voyage and are now back on board the ship.  

Last evening we attended the second of two World Cruise Shore Side events.  The first one was held during our stay in Hong Kong and last evening's event was held during our stay in Singapore.

The event was called "The Journey of Singapura" The Garden City and appropriately was held at the Gardens by the Bay not too far from our hotel.  Actually before we remembered where the event was going to be held we had thought about going there during our stay as we had previously been to the original Orchid Gardens which we so much enjoyed and this one was a recent addition to this lovely city.  The event included Cold & Hot Canapes, Dessert, Coffee and Tea and Drinks.  

We were driven to the venue on medium size buses.  Each bus had not only a Crystal Representative (ours was the Manager of the Salon/Spa) but also a Tour Guide.  The tour guide spoke on the ten minute drive over to the venue and also while we waited on board the bus for the drive over there.

Once we got to the drop off area instead of walking for a few minutes and to make it easier for everyone there were what we would call trams but they call buggies that took us from the drop off point to the area where we entered the gardens.  The gardens were spectacular and unlike something we have ever seen before.  

After we walked for about ten minutes we arrived to the room where the venue was held.  There were round banquet tables located throughout the room, all with tablecloths and places setting.  They accommodated around 10 per table.  We sat with friends Jim and Judy and met some other people for the very first time which is always very nice.  A few of us changed sets so that some of the men sat together and the ladies could sit together.  Keith sat next to Jim and also next to a gentlemen who  worked for a company that was the major competitor of Keith's company for most of their careers and they knew some people from both companies.  

Before the entertainment began there were some people walking around such as a fortune teller and women who drew on people's hands.  We skipped the latter.

The ceiling of the room was somewhat like a dome and the room was quite unique looking.  Entertainment was performed and in between the entertainment we ate canapés and spoke with one another at our table.   

The entertainment told the story of the history of Singapore and was very well done.

Anne Marie with friend Judy who we sat with along with her husband Jim.

Cruise Director Rick who welcomed everyone and then introduced Captain Birger who gave the welcome toast.

Anne Marie with John Stoll Vice President for Land Programs and Port Operations.  It is John who plans not only finds the venues for the events but then works with the land coordinators and with his land and on board teams to arrange all of the details.

After the event was over we could walk a portion of the gardens again and then boarded the buses and we were taken back to the ship.  We then passed through the Singapore Port Security and then Passport Control and as we boarded the ship we were welcomed back by several members of the crew and handed towels to freshen up.

After our return to the ship, we stopped by the late night buffet that was available not only to us but to anyone on the ship.  We sat with dear friends Jim and Judy and it was a nice way to cap off a fabulous evening.

On our way to the dining room we ran into our Travel Agent, Gerri, and the head of the Travel Company, Mary Jean.  It was wonderful to see them and we look forward to seeing them during this segment of the World Cruise.

This was one of those events that whose memory will last for our entire lifetime.  Our thanks to Crystal Cruises for providing such a wonderful event for all of us to enjoy.

We slept well last evening as we do most nights.  We were a little tired from our walking and from being up later than normal so that made it easier to sleep.

Keith was up early and read and wrote and skipped his morning workout.

Afterwards, he stopped by the Lido Cafe for Breakfast and the new team of Lido Deck Stewards was in place and took good care of Keith.  

Keith brought back coffee for Anne Marie and then we walked together on the Promenade Deck until we saw the Crystal Symphony arrive.  

Crystal Symphony is a sister ship of the Crystal Serenity.  It is not often that the two ships are in port on the same day and, as such, guests from the Serenity could go over and visit the Symphony and likewise, guests on the Symphony could visit the Serenity.  Our last time on the Symphony was in August of 2011 and since that time the Symphony was in dry dock and some of its public rooms were made over so we were glad to finally have had the opportunity to see the changes.

The arrival was very special.  As soon as we saw the Symphony we watched as it made its way to the pier and as it got closer it passed in front of us and then eventually turned around and then backed up.

Captain Birger with the Manager of the Photo Studio Jeremy.

Captain Birger.

We had breakfast in our room and then got ready for the day.  We spoke with our Butler Rao for quite awhile.

The only challenge visiting the Crystal Symphony was the amount of times we had to go through passport control and security.  Without going through a lot of detail we had to go through each of these areas twice each way so we had to go through each one four times.  If you’ve seen the Movie Ground Hog Day you know the drill.  On top of this we stopped by Customs to get our VAT refund and realized we didn’t have the credit care with us that we used to make the purchase so we had to return to the Serenity for that and then go through half the above process. 

We had a great time on the Symphony.

We saw both Captain Mark (Symphony) and our own Captain Birger (Serenity).

We also saw Food & Beverage Manger Norbert who had assisted for a few days a few weeks ago on the Serenity until the new Food & Beverage Manager was hired.

We also saw Micah who knew for a few years on the Serenity and we last say during the 2012 World Cruise and now she is back on the Symphony for the past year and is now the Concierge.  She graduated one year after our son did from the same university with both of them having degrees in Hospitality Management.  We also saw several Lido Deck Stewards who we have known for many years and a couple of members of the Bar Staff who we know from Serenity.

We saw one of the computer university people who then moved back over to the Serenity later in the day along with Walton the Head Waiter of Silk Road who will swing back to the Serenity in mid-April when Sigi goes on Vacation.   Many of the crew were visiting too.  Back on Serenity we saw Mario who is the Maitre d’ of the Crystal Dining Room who swings between both ships as well as Paolo the Specialty Restaurant Manager.

We also visited all of the areas on the Symphony which received a makeover since we last sailed her in 2011 including the children's area, the movie theatre, Palm Court and the Galaxy Theatre.  

Children's Area

Palm Court

We had lunch back on the ship at the Lido Cafe and we also ran into other members of the crew who are on the Symphony.  This included Pianist Tom Daniels who will be back on the ship for our final voyage of this adventure from Rome to Istanbul.  We also spoke with Scott Peterson, Cruise Director of the Symphony for awhile along with Serenity Cruise Director Rick Spath.  We also saw the Vice President who is responsible for the design of both ships. 

All in all we had a wonderful time visiting the Symphony and seeing many familiar faces.

In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and Keith worked out at the Fitn

This evening we will dine at the Crystal Dining Room.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…..

"Life is like a novel and no one knows when the last page will be written so be sure to enjoy and make the most out of each and everyday."  - Keith & Anne Marie

Keith & Anne Marie