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.

Join us on the Crystal Serenity

We are a mere 23 days into the Crystal World Cruise 2010, and it is not too late for travelers to join us for the upcoming segments. About half of the passengers on the ship have chosen to join us for just a portion of this amazing 108-day full world cruise. 2010 segment embarkations dates are:

VOYAGE 3 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA embarks February 10
VOYAGE 4 MUMBAI (BOMBAY), INDIA embarks March 3
VOYAGE 5 DUBAI, UAE embarks March 15
VOYAGE 6 ATHENS, GREECE embarks April 4
VOYAGE 7 ROME/CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY embarks April 17
Disembark LONDON/SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND on April 29

Brian and Judy Robertson, Virtuoso Voyager Club Hosts, and I, aboard as Honorary Virtuoso Host, would be delighted to welcome Virtuoso passengers aboard this cruise celebrating both Crystal’s 20th anniversary and Virtuoso Voyager Club’s 20th year.

Your Virtuoso travel advisor can help plan your cruise today.

Day 22: At Sea

Life aboard Serenity is full of opportunity. I have told you about the activities I’ve chosen, but there are many more I have not mentioned. If I were to set out to experience each and every option Crystal offers on the world cruise, I feel sure it would take several cruises to do so. Take art, for example. Art instructors offer several classes in such varied mediums as needlepoint, origami, jewelry making, painting, and scrapbooking. Fine art pieces are displayed daily in the Crystal Cove on deck 5. The Art Director is available to discuss the pieces and personally negotiate the purchase of the piece that catches your eye. The Crystal Trio provides live music during the noon hour, and this creates a relaxed atmosphere for viewing the art works up close.

Nearby on deck 5, I took a few minutes to view the large flat screen TV showing real-time location and ambient conditions on Serenity. Seeing the location in latitude and longitude along with the ship speed in knots, I was reminded of my early days at sea and the many cruises I have taken over the years. And yet none was as pleasant and enjoyable as the Crystal Serenity World Cruise.
One of the lectures I attended today was Part 2 of the life of James Cook. The lecturer, Rex Ziak, drew a large and eager audience. He uses post-it notes to mark the journeys of this expert sailor and navigator. A master storyteller, Rex left us hanging by saying, “And that is the subject of my next lecture.” I’ll be there to hear part 3!

After the formal “French” dinner this evening, I attended the Crystal Society reception where several people were recognized for their multiple Crystal cruises. There is a true feeling of family among the passengers and crew, and this is nowhere more clearly seen than when returning passengers and officers celebrate their milestone cruises together.

Following the reception, I lingered in the Palm Court on deck 12 to visit with friends. What a pleasant way to end a day at sea.

Tomorrow: at sea.