Emdee

Yesterday was a full program for us.

Tastes for lunch followed by an evening Sinatra show which was perfect for us

and OO for dinner.

Tastes was tastes and the chinois salad for me is a must.  
Enjoyed the mini show with some of the Sinatra favourites.

Second time at OO for me a tad disappointing. I enjoyed it the last time I went in September.

I find the meals here interesting but not inspiring after so many super meals in Waterside. Not sure if we will go again next week. We have eaten Italian food in several very good restaurants, even Michelin star restaurants, in Italy so I am not comparing it to Prego. While the menu appears to be good on paper the flavours just don’t do it for me. 

So far we have always had a Catholic priest on board.  The priest told us in September that he held separate masses for the staff. Crystal treats their staff so very well..it is not a coincidence that they chose to return. 

The ocean in Marigot was very calm so I ventured out for a long tender ride and a few minutes walk in Marigot before returning. DH went to a wine shop to source fine champagnes for my DD who is not with us on the cruise. 
Today is another gorgeous day in St.Kitts. 

36 minutes ago, ryndam said:

I’ve seen at least three 8-tops in the center of Waterside. Haven’t seen any of them occupied except one evening when each of the 3 larger tables were hosted by an officer. We saw one 8-top in OO last night (unoccupied). I don’t recall seeing an 8-top in Umi Uma.

 

That said, none of the dining tables are permanently attached to the floor. They’re all movable. I believe charger sized tables can be requested for larger groups. They may be just two 4-tops pushed together, rather than a round too, but there’s enough real estate available in all venues to be adjustable and flexible.

 

Rob

There is an 8 top in the centre of Umi Uma. It was fully seated by the wedding party. Looked a bit tight but they seemed  happy enough! 

48 minutes ago, ryndam said:

Marigot. Long tender ride.

 

Rob

Beautiful. It is many years since we went to the top and enjoyed the views. We just took the tender to the port from whence I returned pretty fast. DH went on to the wine store to source something for my champagne loving DD. 

37 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Not if they are sailing half empty for much longer.

I'm sure the owners would like a little higher occupancy rate.

It's a work in progress.

Crystal was late into the game so naturally many of us made other plans. We will be on two long Regent cruises next year.

However we decided to come on board in September and after really enjoying our trip did a b2b these 2  weeks. Now thinking of another Crystal cruise next year besides the ones we have already booked in 2025. So as passengers return and enjoy what they have always loved about Crystal bookings will increase. 
 

In typical Crystal fashion the Reflections have some special gems.

We are anchored off Tortola but they mention continuous tender services to the ferry terminal in Marigot. That would be one long tender! 
 

Love this one:

” if you have items that you would prefer not to lose, you may wish to consider leaving them on the ship”

Next cruise on Serenity more…around 300 pass. One 100 passengers will be b2b.
Then the ship is full over the holidays and going into the WC.

I am just so happy Crystal is back. The number of passengers is irrelevant to me. Hopefully they are here for the long term.

41 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

How is internet onboard?

 

Ivi

Not too bad for basic everyday things. 

Went to mass to give thanks for the many mercies received especially my recovery.

The Lido guys are on top of their game. One day and they knew exactly the set up I liked and my drink special of salted fresh lime juice appeared miraculously while  I battled the serious waves of the Wave Pool a little bit before finally bowing down to the forces of nature! Serenity is a very stable ship in choppy seas but no walkabout for me today. 

I too found the Asian buffet very good. Topped it off with an ice cream. 
My plate was also carried to my seat but everyone is very solicitous about my condition and some are even keeping track of my daily steps and egging me on. 
 

The recuperation is going better than expected and DH tells me there are several holidaying doctors on board ,besides himself, should I need them. 
 

We didn’t go for the Crystal society cocktail or as I keep mistakenly calling it the Seven seas society cocktail… haven’t been for one of these in ages. Maybe will show up next week… or not.

Unfortunately didn’t make the Sinatra show either.

With all the big ships docked decided to stay on board in the Bahamas. Also I don’t really have the physical capacity to walk the huge dock. Was a quiet day for us which was lovely. 

The staff and service have been amazing. Our butler Raj is a real gem along with our room stewardess Nincy. Both have done everything to help me along my recuperation….trekking poles, ice packs et al. I take a mid dinner walk to ease up my very stiff knee and immediately the restaurant staff show their concern and offer to assist me. I think after surgery on the next knee may schedule a cruise to Alaska.Nothing like recuperating on board with the TLC on Crystal. 

I really wanted to drop in at Avenue last night but after listening to Nadia at the cove after dinner decided to call it a day. 

Here is a pic of last evening.

1 hour ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

The trees look the same. Are the other decorations recycled from old Crystal? I always thought they did a little too much, but I was on Silversea last December and there was hardly anything. 

 

Patty

 

Will let you know as I have a host of pics of OC decorations from 2019. Lots of gnomes and  elves a Santa in Hawaii etc. 

Regent has a Christmas tree competition for each of the departments…at least they did on the Explorer. Some of the trees were quite innovative! 

And finally….i too had the Cobb Salad on embarkation day. 
 

The usual busy first day…boarding, unpacking and the like.

Lots of greetings and welcome back from staff on board. 
Lots of promotions and upward movement of staff. Always good to see hard work and loyalty appreciated. 
Tomorrow Bahamas ….a sea day for us. 

4 hours ago, ryndam said:

Back onboard today, too. Staff we haven’t seen in 4.5 years addressed us by name. Impressive. And we haven’t left the pier yet. Umi tonight. 
 

Since the OP graciously offered others to supplement this thread, I may just do that.

 

Cheers. Muster drill shortly.

 

Rob & Jim

Welcome to the thread. We sailed in 2019 April with you. My daughter did a tour with you and had the good fortune to meet Elton John when she left the tour! She isn’t on board but said to say hi to you. 
 

They were even kind enough to loan me two sticks when we were in Newfoundland in September and I would have been helpless without them.

Miami musings…

Always happy to go on a cruise but something about going on Crystal just affects us so differently. We have far more days on Regent and are booked for two long ones next year but I really think it is the Crystal love that envelopes us.
Each night at Waterside I get a blanket for my arthritic knees. The waiter even washed it mid cruise for me! On Regent I was told to bring the lap blanket from my room. 
Just a few more hours to board and hopefully dine in  Waterside for our embarkation lunch tradition. 

9 hours ago, BEAV said:

 
It certainly is! 
 

September 12, 2016 sunset at sea

 

Happy recuperation cruise, @Emdee

 

Thank you. Now in Miami.

2 hours ago, mkbruce said:

On the Serenity now sailing toward Nassau. The ship and staff are as lovely as I remember - and many of the crew remembered me and my wife.

 

Food, service and overall enjoyment have been exact as expected. One more night at Umi Uma tonight and Tastes again tomorrow (don’t skip this one - the lamb is to die for) then it’s back to reality.

My DH had the lamb in September….he said mine is better. I buy baby lambs from a local farm incredibly tender meat. Will likely go to Tastes again. Enjoyed it at lunch as well. 
Cannot wait to be back on board.

49 minutes ago, BEAV said:

A fantastic idea! 
 

In 2016 we took a similar cruise to recuperate (and celebrate!) the end of 6 weeks of 30 radiation treatments. I was concerned my Oncologist would advise against, but he wholeheartedly encouraged the trip! 
 

Enjoy your cruise to the fullest. 😉👍🚢

Thank you so much. 

14 minutes ago, Embowaf said:

Have fun! I'll be on the second segment.

Thank you

2 hours ago, Roland4 said:

We are on Oceania Vista on our last two sea days before heading home Friday. Other than some showers in St. Bart's, and possibly again tomorrow, the weather has been pretty much perfect, lots of sunshine and temps in the 27/30 C range each day.

 

Have a great trip!

Thank you.

10 minutes ago, nancygp said:

Have a great time…perfect place for a quick recovery 

 

nancy

Thanks Nancy. We had our first snow today…just a sprinkling but happy for the promise of warm air and sea breeze.

3 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

If only life's problems was just down bedding 😁

Yes but it does tell of their service standard. 
When I wrote to Crystal on board guest services they confirmed that all my allergies etc were already noted in my profile.

Seabourn on the other hand decided I was gluten free instead of lactose free so I had to beg the lovely bread in TK Grill.
Regent remembered my daughter’s request from 10 years ago although she hadn’t traveled on them in the intervening years.

13 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Wishing you a wonderful cruise.  This is the best therapy.

 

I would bring your own leg weights.

 

Have a great time and safe travels.

 

Keith

Thanks for your wishes. So excited. I decided it was an appropriate reward for my hard work of physio and exercises. Thanks for the tip regarding the weights …will slip it in my bag. 
Next surgery scheduled for March. Unfortunately no Crystal reward then as we have booked a family trip on Regent! I really believing in seizing the day especially after the last few years of illness and Covid etc.