ASK KEITH AND ANNE MARIE

As we have done in the past, when we receive questions posted to the Blog, we will utilize this section to answer each of them.  We will repost the question and then beneath the question we will post the answer.  

Question:




Know that statement well. A great line to start a terrific adventure. Looking forward to sharing your trip and starting to work on my DW to consider doing the same. If not too forward Keith, what suite size are you staying in as we like space and I am aware the Crystal cbins are small. If you would prefer not to answer--no biggie.
Bill 

Answer:


Bill we stay in a PH (Penthouse) Suite.  It is 403 square feet including the Verandah.  The size and the layout works very well for us. A couple of years ago most of the guest rooms were updated, and the configuration, including the built in cabinetry is perfect for us.  


Keith & Anne Marie


Question:


Hi Keith and Anne Marie,


Thank you for doing this blog! I was wondering if the luggage service you use is provided by Crystal or if it was recommended by Crystal or your Travel Agent? How did you choose it? I aslo noticed the large stateroom tags on each piece of luggage. Does Crystal send them to everyone or must you request them in advance to use them for this type of service? 
I am looking forward to learning more about your journey.
Ann 

Answer:


Hi Ann.  We are using the luggage service that partners with Crystal Cruises to ship the  gags back to our home and we are using a different luggage service for bags we are sending to the ship.   The luggage tags you saw are automatically provided by Crystal Cruises with the final documents.  On top of this, each luggage service has luggage tags that are attached to our luggage as well.


Keith & Anne Marie


Question:


Keith and Anne Marie, I'm beginning to be interested as to where you find your comments. So far you are two for two. 

Answer:

The good news is that we receive an e-mail each time someone leaves a comment.  


Keith & Anne Marie




Question:

Thank you for a wonderful blog and great pictures.

You mentioned that you had a TSA pre-approval. Could you please tell a little more about this?

Also the red and purple colors after the post title are very difficult to read on the green background. May be a different color would be easier on the eyes (like white as the rest of the post). Just a suggestion.

Again thank you for taking the time to write this blog. Looking forward to future adventures :)

Aldeya


Answer:

Aldeya, thank you for your nice comments.

We have changed the colors for the highlights and also used a large font and updated the latest post so hopefully that will be much easier to read going forward.

This link will take you to the TSA site and provide information about the new TSA Pre Approval Program which makes it faster to go through the TSA screening lines at participating airlines.

http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck-program

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith's entree at Perricone's was wasabi-crusted what?Jazzbeau 

Answer:

Jazzbeau, Keith had Wasabi-Crusted Ahi Tuna with crusted over Spinach.

Keith & Anne Marie
Question:

Hi Keith & Anne Marie,

About the bags you shipped -  are they delivered to the hotel where you are now?  Or are they in storage to be delivered to the ship on the day you sail. Thanks
Lili

Answer:

Lili, right now those bags we shipped are being stored in a secure facility in Miami and then they will be delivered to our ship and to our room on the day we board the Crystal Serenity.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

You both look great and seem to be enjoying even the travels to the ship.  I am impressed with all the walking and will try to get the bracelet that you showed.  It sounds better than the moves app on cell phone.

Answer:

Springlake, thank you for your very nice comments.  We could have flown the same day, with one connection for a total of two flights.  Rather than do that and to avoid leaving the house very early in the morning for the drive, we were fortunate to be driven to  the airport we normally connect with where we stayed over at the hotel on the property.  This allowed for just one flight which was nice.

Question:

Thank you for taking the time to do your blog each day.  I do look forward to it.  I too have a Nike Band and think they are great.  I am curious.  How many milieus do you walk on an average when you are home?  Thank you. Happy 2014

Answer:

Thank you for your very nice comments and wishing you a Happy New Year as well.

At home we do a variety of exercise.  Keith does indoor cycling several times a week and Anne Marie now does step two times each week as well as working with a personal trainer another two days.  In addition, weather permitting, we walk outdoors several times a week and the walks will range from around three to six miles.  If weather prevents walking outdoors, then Anne Marie will walk on an indoor track.

On the ship, Anne Marie will walk one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon on sea days and also takes Yoga.  Keith will utilize the elliptical machine  and on days when spin classes are offered will take them and play paddle tennis in the afternoon.  In port, when not on organized excursions we try to walk a lot.

Question:

Hi Anne Marie and Keith,

Your photos look great. What kind of camera are you using?

Rocky and Dave 

Answer:

Rocky and Dave, we are glad you like the photos.  In Miami we have been using a Canon G12 camera and a Lumix Camera.  Once we are at see and then in most ports we will also be using a Nikon D7100 camera.

Question:

Great photographs. Can you tell us what camera and lenses you take on such a trip.

Many thanks..

Clive Samuels

Answer:

Thank you for your nice comments regarding the photos.

Clive, coincidentally we were just asked that question by Rocky and Dave as well.  Right now in Miami we are using two point and shoot cameras; Lumix by Panasonic and a Cannon G12.  Once on the ship we have two Nikon DSLR cameras with us including the fairly new D7100 with several lenses.  We did use on of the Nikon Camera to take photos of the living area of our room at the hotel with a fish eye lens.

Keith & Anne Marie


Question:

A little tardy on the question, but I noticed that you have your bags shipped from ship to home via a different service than the one from home to ship. Is there a particular reason for this? Also, would it be feasible to ship one bag from home to pre-cruise hotel? This would be for next year's World Cruise.
Thanks 

Answer:

Yes, you can ship one bag from your home to the hotel of your choosing.   It just worked better for us to use two different luggage companies this time around.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Keith, I posted a comment yesterday and I don't see it today.  Did you receive it?
Janis 

Answer:

Hi Janis, for whatever reason we were not notified that you posted the comment but when we viewed the pending comments your was right there so it should not be published in the comments section.  Thanks for your ver very kind comments.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Thank you so much for sharing your adventure. I notice Anne Marie (almost) always chooses a sugar free dessert. Is there a particular reason for this? I would also love to see a picture of the needlepoint she is working on

Answer:

Thank you so very much for the nice comments.  Anne Marie orders the sugar free desserts just to have less sugar and a few less calories.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:


The "little black dress" is LOVELY! I really enjoyed the wildlife pictures. What camera do you use? 
Carolyn

ANSWER:

Thank you for your nice comments.  We are using a variety of cameras but that was taken with a Canon G12.

Keith & Anne Marie

Hi Anne Marie and Keith,

Can you tell me what percentage of passengers on the World Cruise are full World Cruisers? How does that compare to the last few years? Thanks,

Lili 

Answer:

Lili, the World Cruise begins on January 18 but overall the percentage of World Cruisers for 2014 should be around the same as recent years with the exception of 2013 which had the most full World Cruisers ever.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Do you happen to know how many are taking the World Cruise from LA this year?

Dennis

ANSWER:

Denis, we won't know the precise number until the World Cruise begins but it will be around 275 to 295 full World Cruisers.  

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith are there going to be a World Olympics this cruise? If so when will it be held?

Answer:

Yes there will be World Games held this cruise sometime in mid to late March.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith, in his blog entry on Grand Cayman Chaplain Voosen mentioned that several guests had missed the ship in Miami and were catching up with it in Grand Cayman. He said the tenders were able to get them to the ship before the port call was cancelled. Did you see any of that activity?

Roy 

Answer:

Roy, as we understand a tender was run to pick up some people and take them over to the ship.  The weather was fine to make the tender run at that point in time but the forecast called for very choppy seas making it unsafe later in the day which is why the port stop had to be cancelled.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

I have been following along everyday.. but this comment is somewhat random. I just wanted to comment on how lovely Anne Marie is. Her skin is just amazing! I have to know what skin care regime she uses! 

Shannon

Answer:

Shannon, thank you so much for your very nice comments.  Anne Marie uses the Clinique 3-Stop Process.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Anne Marie & Keith,

Are foreign language classes being offered this year on the World Cruise? Thanks,

Lili 

Answer:

Lili, yes, Japanese is being offered.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Are there any particular ports that you are looking forward to on this cruise? Any ports that you have never been to before? 

Answer:

All of West Africa will be new for us along with a few other selected ports.

There is much we are looking forward to including an overland Safari, visits to some of the ports in Japan just to name a few.  It is always wonderful to return to ports that we have been to before.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Keith & Anne Marie,

Keith was working on a video during last year's cruise. Is there a link so it can be viewed online? I'd love to see it. Thanks.

Lili 

Answer:

Lili, if you scroll down to the end of the home page you will come to four videos and the one that Keith made on the ship last year is the second of the four.  It is titled World Cruise Adventure.  Keith made a few modifications to it while at home.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith & Anne Marie,

Thank you for sharing the Reflections Program. I see they offer complimentary dance classes. I was wondering if anyone you know on board has taken the class and mentioned how they are and at what level they are taught? Also, Ann Marie's needle point project is super cute! It looks so perfect! I look forward to following your story so I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the time you put in to your blog. It's fun to travel with you! 
Ann 

Answer:

Ann, thank you very much for the nice comments.  We do know people who take the complimentary dance classes and do like them.  In addition to that you can sign up for private instruction which has a fee but is a nice opportunity to get personal dance instruction.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Actually, a question: how much is the rental for iPads on the ship? And many thanks for all your work on the blog, emails, etc.

Answer:

Thank you for your nice comments.  We have not yet seen the information on the iPad rental costs.  Believe it will be $5.00 per day but will let you know when we see the actual information on this.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Dear Keith and Ann Marie,
You may have 4 comments by us or none. The website and my computer are not cooperating. 
Would you please scan and post the menu for the 20s party?
thanks,
Ilene 

Answer:

Ilene, it is not possible for us to scan the dinner menu from the Special Event.  We use a portable scanner which will only scan certain type of paper such as printing paper and paper no thicker than the paper that Reflections is printed on.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

I have just finished reading all your 2012 and 2013 blog and now am up to date on this year’s. Lots of useful information on planning our own world cruise in 2015 (Oceania). A few questions/comments if I may.

Other than a single photo of someone at a meet and greet using a cane, I have not seen any mention of anyone traveling with mobility issues. Over your several years of world cruises have you talked to anyone in a wheelchair about their experiences on the long cruises? If so anything you can add here?
I’ve noticed that no matter where you go, when you do your post you have no problem with spelling names that are quite unusual by North American standards. Besides enjoying the sites and taking photo how do you remember all the details including names and the correct spelling? Are you taking notes or are you just gifted in this way?
Lastly, from my own experience and as you report it is becoming common to watch the talks done by lecturers later in the cabin. I wonder as this happens more and more, what is the effect on the lecturer of giving a talk to a near empty room. 

Answer:

Wayne, thank you for the very nice comments.

There are several people on this voyage with mobility issues and that has been the case in prior years.  Some are in wheelchairs, as well as others using canes.  Crystal does a terrific job providing assistance to those who need it.  For those needing a person to help them around the ship or even accompany them off the ship, one can get that assistance for an hourly fee.  

The staff really goes out of their way to assist those who need help in so many ways.

We do have a good memory of names and places but the key for us is to write them down and that is one of the benefits of keeping the Blog updated each and everyday.  It also provides us with an opportunity to go back to revisit places we've been to with the use of the prior Blogs.

Yes, there is no question that less people might attend certain lectures knowing they can watch them on their television set or on their electronic devices.  With that said, many of the lectures are quite full and some fill the entire room.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith and Anne Marie,

I'm following your blog for the last few years and I always amazed by your dedication to fitness, especially to walking. I want to be you when I grow up :):)

I'm sure you do a lot of research when choosing your fitness gear. I hope you wouldn't mind sharing some of your expertise.

What walking shoes would you recommend? There are so many brands that I really don't know what to look for in choosing the right ones. 

Thank you.

Aldeya 

Answer:

Aldeya, thank you for your comments.

Our recommendation is to try on a variety of shoes to try to find the one(s) that are most comfortable for you.  We have found over the years that there are differences with walking/running shoes within the same brand with some being very comfortable and some less so.  For walking great lengths as we do we would recommend finding something with good support and cushion and we would avoid those very light shoes that seem to have less support and cushion.

Keith and Anne Marie

Question:

Glad you hear you are feeling better! 

Do either of you struggle with motion sickness when the seas are really rough? My husband who is normally just fine got ill in January when the Atlantic was really rough. I am hoping that you don't, but if you do, what do you do help? I personally get very motion sick without a daily medication, so I did not experience the sickness like he did. 

Answer:

Thank you so much for your good wishes.

Only on occasion do we take something for motion sickness.  We might take something pro-actively if the Captain warns of rough seas or if we begin to sense that the seas might be a problem.  Anne Marie actually took one Bonine yesterday as the seas finally got to her but Keith didn't take anything.  We also spent a lot of time outside our room as we find getting to an area that is far less confining can help.  In this case we stayed in the Crystal Plaza which is on a low deck.  We always think it is best to check with your personal physician before deciding what medication to take.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith - We used Zoom on our 2011 Regent cruise. Really a nice guy. He'll probably send you photos for the next year or so! Did you sit at Bill Clinton's table at Pho 2000? Maybe every table there has become Bill Clinton's table! We do remember that the Pho was really good and very cheap. We had much the same tour as you did although we did go the war museum which was very anti-American. We enjoyed our day with Zoom very much.

Karen & Wayne 

Answer:

Karen and Wayne, we did eat at the same table that Bill Clinton and Chelsea supposedly ate at but not sure if that was really the one.  Lunch was enjoyable.  Keith had Zoom remove the War Museum and intend we went to the Reunification Palace.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith, I was wondering if the children were placed there by parents who cannot take care of them or are they children who have lost their parents? Did they give a reason as to why the children cannot be adopted and must stay until they are adults?

Caroline

Answer:

Caroline, they have a process that they follow.  They will only take one child per family even if the family has others they want places in the orphanage and they have some other rules with respect to who they will consider.  Can’t remember why they will not let the children be adopted.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

 I feel badly for the children in the orphanage, Why can't they be adopted? You said they must remain there until they are 18.

Thanks for the wonderful blog! I read it every morning,

I hope you both continue to have a fabulous time!

Nancy 

Answer:

Nancy, thank you for the very nice comments.  Unfortunately, we  can't remember the reason why they cannot be adopted.

Best to you.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

I love Anne Marie's dress, she looks terrific in that color! Is she going to wear the orange David Meister? I've been searching for that dress for a year and it is out of stock everywhere: Cate

Answer:

Cate, thank you for the very nice comments.  Anne Marie’s orange dress is by Aidan Mattox.  Her newer gray one is by David Meister.  Often are dresses are from those designer plus one or two others.  Some are just difficult to find as you noted.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Question

HI Keith, I am enjoying your bog and am impressed at how wonderful you and Anne Marie look each day. Anne Marie's careful planning and packing seem to really work. I only wish I could learn how to pack properly and Lightly. I noticed that you went to Friday night services on the ship. I was not aware that this was done on the ship. Is it only on world cruises or is done on others as well? Were you unable to visit the synagogue in Singapore because it was closed, ie only open on certain days or because of secruity etc. Do the synagogues in the areas you have visited , have the same sort of guards as you see around those in Europe and sometimes in USA as well ? 
Looking forward to the rest of the voyage. Springlake (Risa and John )

Answer:

On all of the Crystal Cruises on Friday nights there are services.  On the World Cruise, Holiday Cruise, and cruise when other holidays such as Chanukah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are celebrated there is a Rabbi on board.  On all other cruises one of the guests will step up to lead the services.

The Synagogue in Singapore seemed had a secure gate around it and we could not get in.  Yes, it is similar to cities around the world where extra security has been needed.

Thank you so much for the very nice comments.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

May I ask who were the doctor and chief engineer that signed on today.

Answer:

The doctor is Dr. Adam Federowicz and the Chief Engineer is Robert Bayfield.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

I noticed that Anne Marie was wearing fleece. What was the morning temperature like?  We're really enjoying the photos.  

Thanks

Answer:

The morning temperature was likely in the high 50's but could seem a lot colder when you are not only in the woods but also moving relatively fast in the 4x4.  We would use the fleece early morning and on the nighttime drives.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:


Hi Keith and Anne Marie. We have been following your journey daily and wish we were sailing with you. Just a quick question, Daniel from excursion dept. was wearing a Red Sox cap in a picture a few weeks ago. Do you know if he is from Boston area? Thanks, Richard 

Answer:

Richard, Daniel is from South Africa.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Enjoying the blog; thanks for the effort! I'm interested to know if there were two or three tips from Jeremy about photography on a safari that you wished you'd known before your game drives. Thanks again.

Rob 

Answer:

Rob, one of the items that we learned about from someone who attended and told us about it was to focus on the eyes of the animal to capture the animal looking towards the camera.  Another one is take some photos of say just the face and eyes of the animal which makes for an artsy type of photo.  The third is to take a lot of photos.  Some people say that you get about five excellent photos per one hundred that you take.  

We would also recommend bringing multiple cameras with you and plenty of batteries and memory cards as backup.

Keith & Anne Marie
Question:

Hi Keith and Anne Marie, Your blog and experiences sound fantastic.

I looked at the future booking list and noticed that you and your wife are signed up for a lot of cruises in the future. Just curious , how many days per year do you usually spend on a crystal ship. While on board the Symphony for our first cruise last year I asked some one , I think at the reception area, Who is Keith " and they said "not sure but he is a guy who spends a lot of time on the ship!!" I had just started using the cruise critic before our cruise and I felt like you were the source of great information! You continue to do that and I know we all appreciate all your efforts in keeping us all straight regarding the Crystal line. 
Do you ever cruise on any other cruise line and lastly, which of the two Crystal ships so you and your wife prefer. I gather the restaurant "Tastes" has been received well and offers a regular casual dining area for dinner which seems to be something that is desired by many guests lately
. I have read with interest the recent discussion about the dining arrangements and desire by some for open seating. Clearly that is not possible on the Crystal, a ship of its size. But they may fail to realize how many other wonderful things that a ship of this size provides and are not available on the smaller ships. We love the entertainment and it is far better than anything we ever saw on the Regent, a long time ago ) or even Cunard.
These are Just a few thoughts. 
Now have to go back to keep up on your blog!! Continue to enjoy the trip I am glad you are eating all the wonderful food! Probably better for us to just look at it until we board next time in August. What is your special salad and are Anne Marie's sugar free deserts always available or do you have to order them ahead of time. They look great! 
Lastly, I don't see many people on the Aug 31 trip for London / Dover to Hamburg on Symphony. Do you have any knowledge as to how full the ship is supposed to be? Not that many show up on Cruise Critic, Perhaps it is too early!! Springlake 

ANSWER:

Springlake thanks for your nice comments.

We do spend a good many days cruising.  Since we prefer the World Cruise and the World Cruises are offered on the Crystal Serenity the vast majority of our cruises have been on the Serenity rather than the Crystal Symphony.  Most recently, we sailed on the Symphony in November of 2010 and then again in August, 2011.

While we now mainly sail with Crystal Cruises, in the past we have cruised on several different cruise lines across the spectrum of cruise categories including two other luxury cruise lines.  We do have a cruise planned on another cruise line but our favorite cruise line is Crystal Cruises and thus most of our cruises are indeed with Crystal.

You asked which ship we prefer and we like both of the Crystal ships.  There are pluses about each ship that we like.  Again, most of our cruises end up on the Serenity because of the World Cruise.

For Keith's salad we have a standing order for the salad meaning that they will always have it available in the dining room for Keith.  Two sugar free desserts which change each evening are included on the dessert section of the Dining Room menu and Anne Marie selects one of those. If she doesn't see a sugar free dessert she prefers, then often she will select a low fat frozen yogurt which is always on the menu each evening with only the flavor changed.

We are not sure about the occupancy rate for your sailing but the crossings are getting more and more popular with each passing year.  

Thank you again for your nice comments.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Keith,
You mentioned you had signed up for the Passover seder on the Serenity on Monday night April 14th yet there was no mention of it in your blog the next day nor any photos. Please let us know how it was and post photos. Thanks!
Happy cruising 

Answer:

Unfortunately, we were not able to attend this years Seder.  We plan to dine with the Rabbi and his wife again on this next voyage.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

I noticed on your recent post that they are looking for a new Hotel Manager. What happened to Christian? 

Answer:

We are not sure what happened to Christian other than he is not returning.  A new Hotel Director has been hired and we will post about this after he starts in his position.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith and Anne Marie,

I really like your routine which includes a walk one hour before breakfast for both of you and one hour for Anne Marie after lunch.

I'm trying to incorporate a lot more walking in my daily routine but I find that I'm getting quite bored while trying to reach my daily goal. I do listen to audio books and music on my Ipod but lately I catch myself looking at my watch to see how many minutes I have left to finish the walk:)

How do you keep yourself busy, if you will, during your walks? 

Thank you for a wonderful blog and great pictures.

Aldeya 

Answer:

Hi Aldeya, thank you for your nice comments.  When we walk together we just talk so it makes the time go by quickly.  When Anne Marie walks by herself she listens to Audio Books.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Keith, thanks for posting the new menu. I noticed there isn't the usual vegetarian selection. Do you know if they will be expanding the modern menu going forward to include such an option?

Rob

Answer:

Rob, we do not think they will be expanding the menu but if you would like vegetarian meals just discuss with your Head Waiter on the first day of the voyage and they can pre-order ones for you.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith and Anne Marie,

Will you be continuing this blog during your time in London? I'd love to see Keith's photos of where you go, what you see etc.

Lili 

Answer:

Lili, we hope to continue with the Blog beyond our cruise.

Anne Marie & Keith

Question:

Would you mind sharing what cruises you have planned before your next World Cruise. Have so enjoyed traveling along with you once again this year ! 

Answer:

Carol, thank you for the nice comments.  We plan to sail in September on a crossing on the Serenity and then return to the Serenity prior to the start of the World Cruise.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Keith: did you book that personal tour to Pisa and the other town nearby through Crystal, or did you find the guide yourself? 

Answer:

This was a private tour booked on our own.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Can Crystal always provide a box lunch to take on a tour or is it just in certain circumstances or locations? I thought I have heard that food cannot be taken off a ship in many places. 

Answer:

Crystal can provide a box lunch in many ports.  It depends on the requirements of the port.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Sad to see the journey drawing to a close. Thanks for the effort! Would you be willing to share the name of the pizza place?

Rob 


Answer:

Rob, the good thing about Sorrento and Pizza is that there are many terrific places for Pizza.  Margarita Pizza is very popular in this part of Italy and you can have it with various toppings.  

We went to Ristorante Da Gigino which is up one of the Alleys from the main square and then about the third alley to the right from there.  

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Hi Keith and Anne Marie:
As your time on the Serenity draws to a close, we wanted to let you know that as always we are really enjoying the blog! We have said this before, but each year the blog is even more entertaining and informative than it has been in the past. We especially appreciate the fact that you are sharing the new modern cuisine menus along with photos of the food. The new options look great and we can’t wait to sample them on our next cruise. At the same time, we agree that it was very smart of Crystal to keep the traditional choices and to print them on a separate page for those who do not care for change. We know that you spoke with the consultant who helped with the new menus and we wondered if Crystal has any sense yet as to what percentage of passengers are opting for items from the Modern Cuisine side of the menu. (We realize that it may be premature to draw even preliminary conclusions at this point and that it may vary by cruise (and by evening) and the makeup of the passengers on a particular cruise.) 
Finally, we just wanted to thank you again for kindly allowing so many of us to sail along with you each year. We have learned a lot from the blog over the years and have saved the links to all of the old ones. When we are planning a cruise that includes ports that we have not previously visited, I always consult your blog entries for that port and they are very helpful as we plan our visit. We know that the blog is very time consuming and hope that you know that so many of us appreciate your continued willingness to share your journeys with us. 
Enjoy the remainder of your trip and safe travels home. We hope to sail with you again sometime soon.
Andrea and David 

Answer:

Dear Andrea and David, we wanted to thank you so very much for your very thoughtful comments.  They are very much appreciated.   We too hope to sail wit you again.

You asked a very good question about the new modern menus and the percentage of people who are choosing items on the menu. We do not know the percentage but while the consultant was on board the ship we had asked about the feedback and if people were ordering from the new menus.  While we do not know the percentages, he had sail many people were trying one or more items and overall the feedback was very positive.  We agree with you that this is going to vary and sometimes from voyage to voyage based on a variety of factors.  

Thank you again for your very nice comments.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Welcome aboard, Keith and Anne Marie, enjoy your crossing. You are correct that the muster is all in deck 7 public rooms. Does the Captain's message still have the emphatic "The emergency signal is the alert that your action is needed. It is NOT the signal to abandon ship"? 

Answer:

Roy, that is correct.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Dear Keith and Ann Marie,

I am so delighted that you continued to post from the QM2. Thanks for sharing your point of view. Is Keith managing to get in his usual level of fitness activity?

Ilene

Answer:

Thanks Ilene. 

Overall we are getting good exercise.  Keith isn't getting as much exercise in the Fitness Center as he does with Crystal Cruises but this is being offset with all of the walking we are doing on the ship.

Keith & Anne Marie

Question:

Thanks for continuing to post--finding the QM2 experience very interesting and really appreciate the time and effort!

I love Clark's sandals and wondered the name of the lecturer?

Answer:

Mark Palmer gave the talk and he is an award-winning Daily Mail journalist.

Keith & Anne Marie