Each night before dinner various Canapés are offered. Although we never have any it is always fun to see what is being offered. Last evening Mel came by with an entire tray of Canapés and while we did not have any, we asked Mel if we could take his photo.
Last evening we dined with good friends Jim and Judy. We first sailed with them on the 2007 World Cruise and then again in 2008 and in 2013 and this marks our fourth full World Cruise that we have been all together. Anne Marie met Jim and Judy in the Laundry Room in 2007 and that is how we became friends. We sat with them for one segment of the World Cruise that very first year at a six person table and as they say the rest is history.
We dined at Silk Road. Our waiter for the evening was Anthony. We were first escorted to the table by Sigi. Sigi will be going home in a few days on the day we arrive to Morocco for a well deserved Holiday. In fact, some of the crew will be leaving then with others arriving that same day as it is easier to get some of the crew in and out of Morocco than Southampton because visas are not required for most people in Morocco. We had mentioned the other day that Sigi recently won two awards; Employee of the Year for the Crystal Serenity and one of the Hotel Employees of the Year for NYK who is the owner of Crystal Cruises. We know that his family at home is very proud of him as is his extended Crystal Cruises Family.
Afterwards, we attended the Crystal Society Party which honors those guests who have taken on or more Crystal Cruises. The party was very well attended and probably the most crowded of any party in recent memory. Crystal Society Hostess, Jaque Brown, recognized some of the guests who had major milestones including some guests who have taken 100 or more cruises. The Captain also recognized the Employee of the Month. This month one of the members of the Security team was recognized.
We began today as we normally do so we won't go through all of the details as by now you all know them. Keith did get in his normal activities before Anne Marie woke and before we had breakfast and watched the Daily Morning Show we did take a nice one hour walk together.
Since today was also a sea day Keith took the Spin Class that has been offered on each and every sea day during this and the last segment of the World Cruise which was led by Fitness Director Michael. Michael goes on Holiday Break on the day we arrive to Southampton. The class was another demanding one and Keith really likes it that way.
Anne Marie stopped by to take a couple of photos and then sat at the Crystal Cove. She read and wrote and continued to work on her knitting. As has been the case the last few sea days it was only Keith and one other guest taking the class. Michael still pushed them hard doing a combination of climbs and interchanging them with fast tracks that pushed the speed and of course the heart/cardio.
One of the highlights of the day was Ocean Views. Ocean Views is offered on selected World Cruise Segments and is a Panel Discussion with a Moderator that covers some key topics and also included questions and answers. The guests are also involved as we are asked to give our opinion by voting with interactive handheld devices before the and after the panelists answer the questions and sometimes the overall votes change based on the comments by the panelists. One of the aspects of the program that we like is often both sides or even several sides of an issue are discussed which we think is very important because many key issues of the day do not always have one answer. The panel was moderated by destination lecturer Ken Rees and featured former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, along with Robert Schrire, Roman Pryjomko and Tom DeFrank.
To get everyone new used to the hand held devices the usual set of questions was asked such as are you male, or female, or not sure and of course some said not sure. Another one was is you politics way left, way right or in the middle.
A series of questions were then asked to the panelists that touched on a range of items including global warming, Putin's aggressiveness in the Ukraine, biggest challenge facing the world, Jewish/Palestine negotiations and what to do in Syria.
Today we also had Team Trivia. Although one team got 14 out of 15 questions right and we got 12.5 right, the team that we were tied with for first place got 12 right and the team that did the best today is still behind us so we are now in first place with two games to go. Win or lose it really doesn't matter. It's all about seeing what you know and having fun.
For lunch, we both had salad entrees and in the afternoon Keith played Paddle Tennis while Anne Marie walked and also attended Yoga. It was very windy outside so that limited the Paddle Tennis. They had added a putting tournament to the program which is normally only done during the World Games so Keith played in that. No prizes for Keith though. Keith is not a golfer but does like Miniature Golf.
Keith also met up with dear friend Bob.
This evening we will be dining at the Crystal Dining Room.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY……….
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein
Keith & Anne Marie
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