DAY 115 - DAY ONE HUNDRED SEVEN ON THE CRYSTAL SERENITY

Before dinner last evening, we sat the Crystal Cove.  We listened to Pianist John Mentis dazzle us with his piano playing.  

Toni Neumeister who is Vice President of Crystal Cruises responsible for food and beverage stopped by to talk with us. We spoke all about the new menus in the Crystal Dining Room, about our experience at the Chateau's and about wine.

Although we did not dine at the Crystal Dining Room last evening, we know that some of you are interested in the new Modern Dining Menus so we are including copies of the menus.

We dined at the Tastes Restaurant.  We have tried to dine there once per segment and have enjoyed each of our dining experiences there.  As a reminder, since its makeover in later 2013, Tastes now serves small tastings of each item, family style, and the items represent cuisines from around the world.  We invited Crystal Society Hostess Jaque and Cruise Sales Consultant Paula Jean to join us for dinner.  

Next to Anne Marie Paula Jean and then Jaque.

Our waiter for the evening was Fabio and he took good care of us.  He remembers the foods that we have come to enjoy but recommends others one so that we get to experience all of the items in time.  This was the second time that both Jaque and Paula Jean have dined at Tastes since the makeover.  Fabio was assisted by several of the wait staff.  Fabio takes the order for both the meal and later on for the dessert and he also serves on each course and checks up with us often throughout the meal.  He also takes the initial drink orders.  Others then assist him by serving the drinks, refilling glasses, replacing plates and utensils between courses and also checking on us.

We didn't take photos of the food items but needless to say we tried most of them.  They are little tastings and they were great.  By around 8:30 PM almost all the tables were full.  During the summer season this venue is expected to be busy on almost all nights.  It is open for dinner each evening except the first night of each cruise.  

Depending on where you are sailing the views can be spectacular and last night was one of those evening's as we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets one will get to see at sea.

The good news is that before we went to sleep last evening that we turned the clocks back one hour as we are now sailing to Lisbon.  However, we know we will be setting the clocks forward again later in this voyage but in the meantime it was nice to get an additional hour of sleep.

We both slept well and with the change of the clocks Keith was up early and did his normal activities of fitness, reading and writing and enjoying coffee at the Lido Cafe.  We also walked for an hour and then had breakfast in our room.  We both like this routine and for us it is a great way to start the morning.  

There are just a few sea days on this voyage and this is one of them as we are sailing to Lisbon, Portugal.

Keith then went to Spin Class.  There were more people there than bikes so they pulled names out of a hat to see who would spin today and then the others not picked would be guaranteed a seat in the next class.  As luck would have it, Keith was the first one picked.

Keith was spinning while this photo was taken.

Caryn who we met a couple of years ago on the Serenity along with her husband Stan, was in today's class.

Fitness Director Leanne is now teaching the Spin Classes since Fitness Director Michael finished the other day on board the ship.

Keith changed and then met up with Anne Marie who was in the Crystal Cove.  Anne Marie was reading, writing and speaking with some other people.  A few minutes later a familiar face comes by and it is none other than Karl who plays Paul McCartney in the band that plays the Beatles Song.  It was great to see him and we caught him up on the cruise since the time we sailed with him and then we heard all that he is up to.  Eventually, Cruise Director Gary Hunter came by and also sat with us and the four of us spoke for quite a while.  We must have been with Karl for close to ninety minutes and Gary was with us for close to thirty minutes. 

Anne Marie then went by the knitting and met the instructor who owns the company that provides the yarn and the kits for the knitting.

We then had lunch at the Lido Cafe.  Keith attempted to play Paddle Tennis in the afternoon but it was too windy and cold outside so instead he ran on the Treadmill.  Anne Marie walked for an hour inside the ship.   Keith caught some of the lectures from today.

This evening we are back at the Crystal Dining Room.  Before then, we have a reception to attend at the Captain's Quarters.

Later in the evening, those lads from Liverpool who we blogged about earlier in the World Cruise will be performing as part of the Beatles Celebration.  We are so very excited to have them back for another concert.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…….

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney

Keith & Anne Marie