It’s A Crystal Family Affair – Return To Crystal & Crystal Serenity

[Keith1010]

Today is the last day of this voyage. Have met many. Ice guests for first time and  reunited with many from past cruises 

 

keith

[USCAdventurer]

Keith,

thank you for taking the time to let eveyone know what a fabulous voyage this has been for you and anne marie.  your verbal and photographic descriptions are sensational and your great interest in everything aboutr the ship and the itinerary truly are enhanced by your wisdom of cruisijng.  this has been a memorable experience for me to follow along with you.

[lovet2travel]

Keith: Thank you for taking the time to share this amazing journey with us virtually and answering all of our questions. I am looking forward to our late September cruise on the Serenity. Safe travels to you and Anne Marie!

-Jeany

[lincslady]

I think Keith may be staying on for the next cruise?  In which case, lots more to come.

[USCAdventurer]

Yes he is continuing on to Great Bratain.  How lucky can they get?

[rafinmd]

3 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

Yes he is continuing on to Great Bratain.  How lucky can they get?

And us.

 

Roy

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, USC Adventurer said:

Keith,

thank you for taking the time to let eveyone know what a fabulous voyage this has been for you and anne marie.  your verbal and photographic descriptions are sensational and your great interest in everything aboutr the ship and the itinerary truly are enhanced by your wisdom of cruisijng.  this has been a memorable experience for me to follow along with you.

Thank you so much for following along. 

Keith

[Keith1010]

27 minutes ago, lincslady said:

I think Keith may be staying on for the next cruise?  In which case, lots more to come.

You are right.

 

More to come.

Keith

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, lovet2travel said:

Keith: Thank you for taking the time to share this amazing journey with us virtually and answering all of our questions. I am looking forward to our late September cruise on the Serenity. Safe travels to you and Anne Marie!

-Jeany

Jeany,

 

My pleasure and more to come.

 

Keith

 

 

[Keith1010]

Last night was the second and final formal night of the cruise. We dined at Waterside. In addition to dining at one of the specialty and alternative restaurants guests could sign up to attend the Supper Club which includes entertainment and dancing. The Supper Club menu features some of the items from the Waterside Menu and guests mainly sit at four person tables. We have dined at the Supper Club a couple of times on previous cruises and were very pleased with the choice of items and the cuisine we each ordered.

 

The good news was setting the clocks back one-hour last evening.

 

Today we anchored off Portimao, Portugal.

 

As it turned out wee decided to stay on-board Serenity as there are friends who will be leaving tomorrow, and we wanted to spend time with them.

 

Between seeing friends, walking the promenade deck, and playing paddle tennis we also made room for dining.

I've also included photos from  early risers breakfast and the great signage.  

Cheers

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

I’ve included a couple of photos and a short video playing Paddle Tennis yesterday afternoon. 

 

New iPads will be deployed to each room during this voyage. One was place in our room today. I cropped out the top portion which show names, room number and it also has home key, mail, etc.

 

We enjoyed another great evening.

 

Before dinner we met with Arlene and Gil who we are sailing with for the first time, and they are a lovely couple.

 

Then it was dinner at Waterside.

 

All we can say is bravo. The service, cuisine and dining venue are a wow.

 

Rather than doing a typical end of cruise show, last evening featured two different performances.  At 6:30 PM in Palm Court vocalist Annette Manhuyod accompanied on the piano by Mark Manhuyod performed a special tribute to Broadway Hit Songs. Annette has a brilliant voice.

At 9:45 pm, James Fox who has-been on-stage with Crystal for several years performed My Live: The Music of Bill Joel. He is always sensational. 

 

Today is turn around day. This is the end of the first cruise and the start of the second cruise. Ninety-eight guests are continuing to the next voyage and are in-transit and the remaining guests are leaving the ship to go home or to do other travel.  In-transit guests can stay on or go off the ship today as they would in any port.  They are encouraged to attend the 5:30 PM muster drill but are not required to do so.

 

Today is the day that Captain Vincent Tallard is the new Captain for Crystal Serenity.  He has been on-board observing and performing various duties in preparation for today. The Captain began his career on various vessels and private yachts, and earned his class on license in 2007 and has commanded numerous cruise and expedition ships on all seven seas. 

 

Captain Birger Vorland returns home. It has been a pleasure sailing with Captain Birger who we have sailed with numerous times on World Cruises, on the first of two cruises of the Northwest Passage which Captain Birger commanded and on several other cruises with the last being in November of 2021.

 

The captain is highly trained and experienced, keep both crew and guests safe, is a wonderful communicator and an all-around very nice person.  

 

 

I went off the ship early while Anne Marie walked the Promenade Deck. We could see one another.  It was a long walk to exit the port terminal and then I took a route we have walked often toward the downtown area. There is a lot of construction and portions of the road are new from our last visit.  Weather was perfect as it was 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

We enjoyed our traditional Cobb Salad today to begin the next cruise.

 

Enjoying the rest of the day on-board Crystal Serenity.

Cheers

Keith

 

 

[doglover214]

I have not heard any mention of the Lunch Buffet that was so spectacular on OC. Are any planned, or has that been discontinued ?

[TLCOhio]

Hi, Keith!  Just catching up today on your wonderful adventures.  Love the excellent food and port visuals.  Love Lisbon so much with its great history, architecture, charm and character.  

 

Wonderful to hear your sailing excitement continues.  Headed to a first-time visit tomorrow to Quebec City, but will catch up more later in the week.  Maybe you mentioned this earlier, but is the ship full?  Rough percentage of staff with past Crystal sailing experience, versus those new to that line?

 

Glad to hear the quality and excitement has returned to the New Chrystal.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour.  Visual Summary:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

[Keith1010]

24 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

Hi, Keith!  Just catching up today on your wonderful adventures.  Love the excellent food and port visuals.  Love Lisbon so much with its great history, architecture, charm and character.  

 

Wonderful to hear your sailing excitement continues.  Headed to a first-time visit tomorrow to Quebec City, but will catch up more later in the week.  Maybe you mentioned this earlier, but is the ship full?  Rough percentage of staff with past Crystal sailing experience, versus those new to that line?

 

Glad to hear the quality and excitement has returned to the New Chrystal.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour.  Visual Summary:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

Terry ship not full which is a good thing on the initial voyages.

 

I believe 82% of the crew on board now worked for Crystal before. 

 

Keith

[History&Wine]

54 minutes ago, doglover214 said:

I have not heard any mention of the Lunch Buffet that was so spectacular on OC. Are any planned, or has that been discontinued ?

While I know some people liked the buffet (I'm assuming you meant the one set up by Waterside for lunch) I hated it.  Part of the joy of cruising for me is the service.  That includes lunch.  I don't partake of a buffet unless I am rushed. 

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, doglover214 said:

I have not heard any mention of the Lunch Buffet that was so spectacular on OC. Are any planned, or has that been discontinued ?

The lunch buffets are like they always were. I am just not sure if they are themed on occasion.

 

Keth

[seaworthy98]

1 hour ago, doglover214 said:

I have not heard any mention of the Lunch Buffet that was so spectacular on OC. Are any planned, or has that been discontinued ?

Do you mean the Grand Gala buffets?

[doglover214]

I’m sorry for the confusion, but, yes, I did mean the Grand Gala buffet.

[TLCOhio]

3 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Terry ship not full which is a good thing on the initial voyages.   I believe 82% of the crew on board now worked for Crystal before.   Keith

 

Appreciate this great, quick follow-up from Keith.  What did most of those experienced, previous Crystal crew members do to sustain themselves during the long shut-down, Covid period?  Very challenging for those affected by this difficult period.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Keith1010]

13 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Appreciate this great, quick follow-up from Keith.  What did most of those experienced, previous Crystal crew members do to sustain themselves during the long shut-down, Covid period?  Very challenging for those affected by this difficult period.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

Terry this really ranged from crew working at sea, on land, or not working.

 

Keith

[crickette]

35 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Terry this really ranged from crew working at sea, on land, or not working.

 

Keith

There was also an organized program to support a crew member - I know several Society members that provided assistance.

[Txcotn]

5 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

The lunch buffets are like they always were. I am just not sure if they are themed on occasion.

 

Keth

I loved the old Asian themed lunch buffet! All those lovely choices and the decorations too! No more😰

[Keith1010]

 

 

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner last evening at Umi Uma and were taken excellent care of by Albert and other members of the Umi Uma waitstaff team.

 

Some people ask who are the senior officers presently on-board so we are posting a photo of them.

 

I’ve also included the daily Reflections Program.

 

Today we are in Oporto, Portugal.

 

Oporto also known as Porto is the second largest city in all of Portugal. Oporto is one of the oldest European Centers. Port wine is named after Porto. Its historical center was recognized in 1996 as a World Heritage Site.

 

As you find in Portugal and in selected cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with its Portuguese influence you will see facades of some of the buildings with mosaic tiles including the outside of the train station. And yes, they have some nice bakeries for the lover of tasty desserts including pastries.

 

In addition, we enjoyed the ship between walks, Paddle Tennis for me, and nice discussions and great laughs with the crew and fellow guests.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

Last night we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink with Patty a friend of ours who many of you know.

 

Afterwards, we dined at Waterside.  We enjoyed an amazing dinner. The highlight was the Covino. The presentation was awesome, and the taste of the entrée was truly amazing. One of the best entrees we have ever eaten.  Congratulations to Executive Chef Werner, the wonderful culinary team and to Crystal.  We learned today that this entrée at one time was on Crystal Harmony. A true keeper for sure.

 

At 7:45 PM there was the captain’s welcome reception.

 

The only negative was we had to forward the clocks an hour to get on Spain time.  Ugh!  LOL.

 

 

We arrived to Ferrol, Spain on-time. This is our first time visiting this area. You can walk to the edge of town and continue further as we did instead of taking the shuttle bus. Weather was beautiful.  

 

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon on-board Serenity doing all the things we love to do.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

 

Last evening, we hosted a private Vintage Room. Including us, six people in attended. Food, Wine and Service was amazing. Took photos of most everything but missed the risotto.  Head Sommelier Jiri did a wonderful job as usual and he was assisted by a terrific team. Many thanks for the Executive Chef Werner and Pastry Cef Johann for coming towards the end when we had a special dessert. We learned so much about the history of each vineyard and the wine which we were to enjoy. An amazing evening.

 

For those of you who have not done this type of Vintage room on Serenity you can have 14 people. We chose 6 so for the same price we will have finer winers since with 14 you will consume many more bottles than with six. We try to keep it small so we can have one conversation most of the time but whether its 14 or less you will still enjoy some very impressive wine and learn a lot about wine.

 

I’ve included some photos from The Trident Grill.

 

We were docked by 9:00 AM for the next port-of-call Bilbao Spain. Crystal provided a shuttle between the cruise terminal and the city center. Bilbao is the capital of the province of Vizcaya, which is situated on the western part of the Basque country. It is the home of the Guggenheim Museum and from what we learned this is what made this city what it is today. It attracts visitors from Spain, the rest of Europe and from areas around the world. This city is also the gateway to the Cantabrico Sea.

 

We continue to have a wonderful time on Crystal Serenity doing all the things we enjoy and being with so many special people, crew and guests.

Cheers