DAY 97 - DAY EIGHTY NINE ON THE CRYSTAL SERENITY

Last evening we hosted a Vintage Room for some of the entertainment staff as our way of thanking them for all that they have done to make this a most memorable cruise.  The entertainment team has just been absolutely outstanding and they have created so many wonderful on-board experiences for all of us that are performed just one time on the World Cruise.

Including us, there were nine people who attended.  With the help of Bart Dufor, Head Sommelier, we selected all of the food courses including dessert and Bart selected each of the wines which he paired with the various food items.  This included two white wines, three red wines and a dessert wine.  He also selected Champagne which we were served when we first arrived.

With Head Sommelier Bart Dufor.

We began our meal with Lobster Ceviche.

Our next course was Open Faced Ravioli with Dover Sole, Green Peas, Morels, Shellfish Reduction & Curry Oil.

Our next course was Crisp, Beef Short Rib “Cannelloni”.

As if that was not enough, we then enjoyed Grilled Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Crust.

We then had a selection of four different Artisanal Cheeses.

We realized we did not get a photo of the cheese.  They were also served with a choice of crackers and bread.

For dessert, we had Plantation of Chocolate, which included Valrhona Chocolate Melt Cake with Fresh Berries; Guanaja Chocolate Mousse and Dark Chocolate Mousse.

We also had Crystal Cruises Vintage Room Chocolate Pralines.

In terms of Champagne and Wine we began with Moet et Chandon, Cuvee Don Perignon Champagne

We had two white wines; Sauvignon Blanc, Delaire Graff, Coastal Cuvee, Stellenbosch South Africa 2012 Wine and a Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Les Perrieeres, Etienne Sauzet, Montrachet, Burgund 2010 Wine.

We enjoyed three red wines; Syrah, La Sierena, Santa Ynez Valley 2005; Almaviva, Baron Phillippe De Rothchild & Vina Concha y Toro, Puente Alto, Chile 2009 and a Shiraz, Grange, Penfolds, South Australia, 2007 wine.

Wine is always a personal opinion.  Often when we have had the wines some stick out as being the most memorable.  In this case we enjoyed each wine equally.  They were all quite good and memorable with their own individual characteristics.

We concluded with a Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes, Bordeaux 200 dessert wine.

As each wine was presented, Bart provides a throughout decryption of the wine as well as the wine maker and he does it in such an easy to understand manner. We realize that while we know more about wine than ever before it pales in comparison to someone like Bart.  This is what makes it so interesting.  Lots to learn and to enjoy.

All in all it was a fun evening with lots of nice people, outstanding food, wine and service.  We thank not only the waitstaff team who served each course meticulously and also Bart for coordinating the planning and overseeing the actual event but also to the food staff including the Executive Chef, Frantz, and the Assistant Executive Chef, Christian, for overseeing the preparation of the food.

We wanted to mention that last evening included a good deal of entertainment as it featured not only two shows by a pianist but also a special Western Country night later in the evening with line dancing.  

We also got the benefit of setting the clocks back one hour before we went to sleep.

We did sleep well last evening.  With the hour back of the clock Keith was up early, yet got a little additional sleep.  He read and wrote and did some laundry and then did a short workout at the Fitness Center, went to the Lido Cafe for coffee and brought some back for Anne Marie.  We then went on a one hour walk outside on the Promenade Deck.

Today, we get to enjoy a sea day as we sail to Bon Bon Island which is a small Island that we have never been to which has the look of a Pacific Ocean Island.  The Serenity first went there in 2011 and this will be its second visit.  It is all about the beach.

We had our usual breakfast of cereal, and a banana as we watched the Daily Morning Show.  Rick and Stacey were joined on the show by Captain Birger.  During the program they showed some photos of the Captain when he was a very young boy and actually wearing a Captain's Outfit and also a photo from when he was a young adult.

Shortly before the program ended, Keith went to the Fitness Center to take another Spin Class.  There were several first time guests taking the class today.  

Anne Marie stopped by the center and then she went down to the Crystal Cove where she read and wrote and continued to work on our knitting project.  After freshening up from his class, Keith joined Anne Marie at the Cove. She also signed up the two of us plus Bob and Glo for the upcoming Passover Seder.

Like any sea day the program was full with over fifty activities offered.  As we have done recently, we are watching the lectures on the television as Crystal essentially dedicated a station to each lecturer and continually repeats their most recent lecture so it is easy to catch them this way. The lectures included: destination lecturer Ken Rees speaking about Ghana; Special Interest Lecturer Robert Shrire speaking about the potential of Africa; and Shelby Coffey speaking about Thomas Jefferson and his slave mistress.

Anne Marie also went to the Knitting get together and worked on her project for another forty five minutes.  Many women continue to attend with more women participating.   Some knew how to knit before while others have learned just from attending this program on the ship.  The woman instructor will teach from time to time and she taught a new stitch the other day which Anne Marie had not done before.

With the stores changing ownership they have discounted much of the clothing so Keith picked up a shirt that was originally $95.00 for the price of $10.00.  

Since today was a sea day it meant that it was also Team Trivia day which Keith attended.

Lunch for each of us was a Salad Entree. Keith played Paddle Tennis and there was a lot of activity on the court with a good number of guests playing.  Keith also met up with dear friend Bob later in the afternoon.  Anne Marie walked for one hour on the Promenade Deck and also attended Yoga.  She also did more organizing of items.

This evening we will attend a Captain's Quarters Cocktail Reception before dinner.  Normally this is not held on a Black Tie Optional night but with four of these this cruise since it is a rather long cruise and lots going on in the evening, the get together will be held tonight.  Afterwards, we will go to dinner.  We originally were booked for Silk Road but decided to cancel the reservation so we could be back at the Crystal Dining Room.

All in all it's been another wonderful day for us on the Crystal Serenity.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY……...

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.  You may have there greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." - Babe Ruth

Keith & Anne Marie