Day 30: Cape Town and a changing of the guard

Today Donna departed the ship and Melody came aboard. While they were busy settling Melody into her new home for the next 30 days, I enjoyed the simple pleasures of life aboard Serenity. I did try something new - acupuncture. The possibilities aboard this ship are many and varied!

This evening there were many new faces aboard Serenity. Quite a few passengers have joined us for the next portions of the world cruise. I look forward to meeting many of them.

Tomorrow: a final day in Cape Town and an evening departure for our next stop, Port Elizabeth.

Day 29: Cape Town, South Africa

I have been to Cape Town many times, but I’ve never approached it from the sea before. Sea gulls kept pace with the ship as we entered the port.

After a quick lunch, we met our TransAfrica Safari guide, Chris McWilliams, and headed off to Kirstenbosch.

This world-famous botanical garden was the backdrop for a very pleasant private tour with Andrew Jacobs, Head of Information Visitor Services.

We took our time viewing the sculptures and indigenous plants in the magnificent gardens. We also saw ibis and Cape sugarbirds almost close enough to touch.


From Kirstenbosch we took a scenic drive and stopped in Hout Bay for a seafood dinner in a dockside restaurant called the Lookout Deck. We saw seals in the water just outside but were not fast enough to snap a picture of one.



It was dark when we arrived back at the ship and stood for one last picture with Chris. He is a 10-year veteran tour guide with a very engaging personality. We have the good fortune of touring with him again two days from now. I’m already looking forward to it.

Day 28: At Sea, Day 8 of 8

Day 8, the last day at sea before Cape Town. The lecture this afternoon by Leo Thorsness focused on the amazing stories of some of the winner of the Medal of Honor.

Crystal went all out this evening by presenting a Variety Showtime featuring the many performers they brought onboard for this crossing. From dance, to singing, to trumpet, to flute, to classical piano, to comedy, there was such a variety everyone was sure to hear something special to them.

Tonight the Serenity is having a Super Bowl party with kickoff at 1:25 AM. It’s a good thing we’re not arriving in Cape Town until 1:00 PM tomorrow. Our original arrival was scheduled for 8:00 AM but to avoid rougher seas, the Captain took us on a slightly longer tack and that has added a few hours to our time at sea. There have been no complaints, though, as we’ve had a good crossing and good weather the entire time.

Tomorrow: Cape Town, South Africa.

Day 27: At Sea

This crossing has been quite relaxing. How relaxing? Last night I forgot to move my clock forward, and when I realized that this morning, I wasn’t worried. My morning went at an easy pace and after a light lunch, I attended Dr. Keyser’s lecture on the tragic life of Judy Garland.

The lecture ended with a video of her in the familiar hobo costume singing a heart-wrenching performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I remember meeting her once many years ago at a charity event. I’m glad I got to see that video today. It was surprisingly moving for everyone in the audience.

I took day off from gym and spa and enjoyed a simple, quiet afternoon. After tonight’s formal farewell dinner (for the passengers who are disembarking at Cape Town), the Captain hosted a formal reception. The highlight of the reception was the performance of the World Cruise Chorus. The audience especially appreciated their singing of the South Africa song Cho Cho Losa.

Tomorrow: At Sea.

Day 26: At Sea

We entered much rougher water today, and the ship has been moving quite a bit. Nevertheless, I had a full day attending the final lecture on James Cook, lunch on the back deck of the Lido Café, going to the gym and spa, and having a nice after dinner chat in the Avenue Saloon.

Just before dinner there was a special matinee performance of “Gotta Dance” by the Crystal Ensemble of Singers & Dancers. I don’t know how they managed to go through their steps with the ship moving about. It was a test of their balance and skill, and they passed the test with flying colors.

I’ve added this picture so you can see how close the audience is to the performers in the Galaxy Lounge. There’s not a bad seat in the house.

At 9:00 every morning, the Captain addresses the passengers. It’s a State of the Serenity kind of message. At the end of his announcements each day, he shares a message for the day. Today’s message: If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. Well, I am having fun, and it’s because Crystal does it right!

Tomorrow: at sea, two days until Cape Town.

Day 25: At Sea

The Jazz Brunch Buffet was held today in the dining room. Crab, shrimp, prime rib, pasta, omelets, salads, breads, desserts, and champagne, accompanied by jazz piano. As I looked out from my window seat to the quiet waters surrounding us, I could not help but marvel at the events the Crystal crew brings to us everyday. It’s crystal clear (pardon the pun) that this is actually a floating resort.

Tonight, along with Alice and all her Wonderland friends, the ship held a tea party in the Palm Court on deck 12 to celebrate everyone’s UN-birthday.

The Cruise Director, Rick Spath, surprised us by showing up in his usual uniform, but the rest of the cast donned whimsical costumes for the merry occasion.

Tomorrow: at sea. Who knows what Crystal has planned! We turn our clock forward again.

Day 24: At Sea

I may have said this before, but it bears repeating: there is something for everyone aboard the Crystal Serenity, and the variety is endless, particularly when it comes to speakers and entertainment. Yesterday, Dr. Keyser continued his series on great American entertainers. His subject was Gene Kelly. Dr. Keyser actually sang and performed a bit of softshoe to get the crowd in the mood.

Today, Rex Ziek returned for part 3 of his series on James Cook. In the late 1700’s, Captain Cook actually sailed the very waters we are now traveling. His vessel, the Resolution, was no doubt a stark contrast to the luxury of the Serenity, but it carried him and his crew through the Atlantic, around Antarctica, throughout the South Pacific and then back home to England in a journey that lasted almost 3 years.

By the way, if someone happens to miss a lecture, no worries since Crystal provides for its passengers down to the smallest detail. Lectures are rebroadcast on dedicated television channels, so everyone has a chance to hear them, if not in person, then later in the comfort of their staterooms.

Crystal Cruises has also brought aboard for our sea days a number of special entertainers. Tonight a young recording artist with a beautiful soprano voice, Fiona Jessica Wilson, sang for us in the Galaxy Lounge. She sang opera, pops and everything in between. Following her performance, I went with friends to the Avenue Saloon on deck 6, where we listened to live piano music and visited until closing time.