Today has been truly spectacular. We have had glorious weather, beautiful beyond description scenery and have sailed a very pristine area of the world. We slept great last night, as the seas were quite a bit calmer than they have been the last two evenings and we were quite tired. Keith is doing much better and should be back to normal in the next couple of days. All of the fresh fruit and steamed vegetables with all of those vitamins probably has been helpful too. ☺
As we have done each and every day today we woke early and began our day in the Fitness Center. The Fitness Center was not too crowded. Keith worked out on the elliptical machine and Anne Marie worked out on the treadmill machine and Anne Marie worked out on the treadmill.
We enjoyed a nice breakfast in our room today. This was only the second time we have eaten in our room but thought it would be a nice thing to do since we are cruising the Milford Sound today. As we enjoyed our breakfast we had beautiful views of the scenery.
We caught part of the daily show, which is a 30-minute program shown each morning when we are at sea and they showed videos of our rendezvous with the Asuka II. It was truly amazing between the Serenity and the Asuka II along wit the helicopter overhead taking videos and pictures of this special event. It was magical. It was as if the two ships were dancing with one another and at the end as if they gave a kiss to one another. Our thanks go out to Crystal for making this a day we will never forget. We are glad that we had this opportunity to see the Asuka II the former Crystal Harmony and one of two sister ships of the Crystal Serenity.
As we mentioned, yesterday’s weather was beautiful and the scenery was pristine. We along with many of our fellow passengers were recounting memories of our first sailing with the Harmony and there were smiles on everyone’s faces. Several of us remarked how quickly time goes by as it seems like just yesterday that we had our first sailing on the Crystal Harmony and we were enamored with the outstanding service, food, entertainment, of this very special luxury cruise line. We all have our favorite stories and memories from our very first Crystal cruise.
The Milford Sound is very unique and very beautiful. It’s description is beyond words. It boasts beautiful mountaintops, silver cliffs and the majestically beauty of the seas below them. In order for the passenger’s to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Milford Sound today’s activities including lectures were limited. In addition, recognizing that many passenger’s would be spending a good deal of time on the open deck on Deck 12 Crystal offered a soup and sandwich buffet in the Palm Court and Lido Café which was a very nice touch.
After breakfast, Anne Marie had her hair done in the beauty salon. At the same time Keith took care of some errands.
In a letter we received last evening from the World Cruise Hostess, we were asked to come out onto Deck 13 towards the bow of the ship at a pre-determined time. Crystal had arranged to have a helicopter fly around the ship as we made our way towards the waterfalls. The sun came out and the skies were clear and, once again, we had picture perfect weather. We got within just a few feet of the shoreline. We were so close that some members of the crew placed a glass under the falls to get some of the water. It was amazing and from the Helicopter pictures and video were taken of all of us. While Anne Marie had been getting her haircut, Keith waited with one other World Cruise passenger so we had perfect spots to get a beautiful view of all that was around us. It was like sitting behind home plate at a baseball game but without the backstop net in front of you. We could also see snowcapped mountains. The beauty of the deep valley and gorges coupled with the beautiful waterfall was a site to behold. We will remember this for the rest of our lives.
In the afternoon we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the Main Dining Room. Keith attended a lecture given by Bob Hales titled “Identifying the Four Major Problems on the Legal Planning Road.” Later in the afternoon we took a very nice walk on the Promenade Deck. We walked with another nice couple. Anne Marie had met the woman for the very first time in the Salon and they are sailing on the first three segments of the World Cruise. Anne Marie walked with the woman while Keith walked with her husband. We look forward to talk with them again. The scenery that we saw was breathtaking. We have seen scenery today that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Before dinner this evening we attended a reception for all guests. As we’ve mentioned, on this years World Cruise Crystal has planned at least one additional special activity beyond all of the other regularly scheduled activities for all passengers on the ship, which we think, is a very nice idea. This evening all guests were invited to a pre-dinner cocktail party where they could experience the best barn dance this side of the dateline.
At one point during the reception we saw very large school of dolphins on the port side of the ship. By large school, we mean approximately 200 dolphin. We have never seen that many dolphins all at once. Then later during dinner we saw about ten dolphin from our dining room table.
After this reception we enjoyed a very nice dinner in the Main Dining Room. We had pre-ordered a dinner with the headwaiter for this evening, which include a very nice salad, kosher chicken and a very nice assortment of vegetables. The food was delicious.
We were truly blessed with wonderful weather today. We spoke to some passengers who have sailed this area of the world before and sometime it can be quite cloudy and rainy.
We have been warned that the next couple of days at sea could be rough. We will hope for calm seas.
Keith & Anne Marie
