DAY 5 - CHRISTMAS AT SEA

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah from the Crystal Serenity.

Last night we enjoyed the Christmas Eve Celebration On The Ship

We dined in the Crystal Main Dining Room.





Our Headwaiter, Giuseppe  prepared a few special items for us.

We began our meal with Tuna Tartare.  This is an appetizer that we would not have on land but have had from time to time on our Crystal Cruises.

 We then each had a Caesar Salad which was also prepared for us table side.  Both the salad and the tuna were delicious.

We ordered the entree off the menu and we each had the Grouper.  The presentation was quite unique and was festive for the holiday.  We really enjoyed the taste of the fish.

After dinner, we attended a cocktail party that was hosted by the Travel Consortium that our travel agent is a member of.  About 45 people attended.  This photo was taken on our way over to the Reception.

After dinner, we attended the evening show which was a Christmas Show.  It featured Cruise Director Gary Hunter, Assistant Cruise Director Scott Mitchel who did a superb job playing the piano and it featured skits, singing and dancing.

After the show, when we returned to our room there was a gift on the bed from Crystal Cruises along with a Holiday Card from, Gregg Michel, President of Crystal Cruises.

There was also a nice plate of Holiday Cookies.

While we did not eat the cookies, someone else had their eye on them.

Keith woke up first on Christmas Day and worked out in the Fitness Center.  Midway through his workout he could feel the ship rocking and the rocking continued into the afternoon.  We were heading into winds of 30 knots and the waves reached heights of nine to ten feet.  Anne Marie worked out on the Treadmill.  As usual, we enjoyed breakfast in our room.

After breakfast we went down to the Crystal Cove and Anne Marie wrote some cards and also wrote in her journal.

We then went to the Palm Court for the arrival of Santa Claus.  Santa Claus brought gifts for each of the children.  Hot chocolate and cookies were available for the children and Egg Nog was being served to the adults.

The children each got a chance to sit with Santa Claus and afterwards some of the adults sat on Santa Claus' lap as well.  There is still a child in all of us.

Each year a different person is selected as Santa Claus.  Last year the Rabbi had the privilege of being Santa Claus.  This year the honor went to Food and Beverage Manager, Victor.

We then attended a talk given by former USA Ambassador to Morocco, Marc Ginsberg who spoke about the implications of Iran as well as possible responses.  It was a very informative talk.

While we enjoyed lunch at the Lido Cafe there was a very special Grand Gala Buffet Lunch with a Christmas Theme.  There was a wide array of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts and we are including some photos from the Gala.   Most of the photos show the very elaborate desserts.

This photo includes Silk Road Waiters Anthony and Ruel.

After lunch Anne Marie worked out on the Treadmill and Keith did reading, writing and then spoke with some fellow passengers.

This evening is the second formal night of the Holiday Cruise.  Normally, for this length cruise there would be two to three formal nights.  On this cruise there will be four formal nights to take into account Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

We will be dining with friends at the Prego Italian Specialty Restaurant and will post more about this tomorrow.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.......

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Keith and Anne Marie