DAY 20 - TRANSIT THE PANAMA CANAL

Before dinner last evening we received an invitation for the World Cruise Gala.  For those passengers who will be joining the ship in Los Angeles as part of the World Cruise they will stay over at a Beverly Hills based hotel the night before the cruise and attend the World Cruise Gala.  For those guests, like us, who are already on the ship, we will have our own World Cruise Gala on board the ship on the evening of January 17.

We had another great time with Ashley and Kelly last evening.

 Earlier in the evening before the four of us got together, we walked around the ship and posed for a photo at the Crystal Cove.

Before dinner we had Ashley and Kelly over to our room for some wine and snacks. Rao was just fabulous pulling together the food for all of us and pouring the first glass of wine for each of us.

The food was delicious.  We also are very thankful for our stewardess and assistant stewardess (Sneha and Cindy) for getting the cabin all set up for us.  Rao, Sneha and Cindy have been a true delight.

Anne Marie with Rao.

From L-R Kelly, Keith, Ashley and Anne Marie

With all of this food, did we really need dinner?

Although we dined at Silk Road we are posting the menus from last evening from the Crystal Dining Room.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Silk Road.  Once again Anthony was our waiter.

We began the meal with a very large platters of Sashimi and Sushi.

Keith had a mushroom salad as the next course and Anne Marie had lobster spring rolls.  For our entrees Keith had Hot Soba Noodles with Scallops and Steamed Vegetables and Anne Marie had Nobu Styled Lobster with Truffle-Yuzu Sauce.  Keith had a fruit plate for dessert and Anne Marie had a decaffeinated cappuccino.

We never ran out of conversation throughout the evening and had a wonderful time. During the course of the evening, each of us shared many of our travel experiences with one another.  Ashley and Kelly are truly a delight.

We also had the chance to speak with Antonio the Specialty Restaurant Maitre d' and as we got up from the table we chatted briefly with Food and Beverage Manager, Victor Conceicao, and Hotel Director, Herbert Jagar.  They are all remarkable in their positions.

The focus of today is the transit of the Panama Canal.  Unlike on the Holiday Cruise this is a full transit of the canal.

Keith was back in the Fitness Center this morning.

Later on Anne Marie walked for an hour on the Promenade Deck.

Many guests were up early to watch our arrival to  the first lock at 6:30 AM.  While Keith enjoyed coffee at the Lido Cafe many guests were doing the same.  When Keith walked over to the bow of the ship at around 5:30 AM, many more guests than usual were already at the bow of the ship.

Keith walked around many areas of the ship and took a few photos of areas that people normally see during the daylight hours.

Keith walked over to the Lido Cafe area around 6:10 PM to get some photos from the Aft (back) of the ship.

This is outside of the Lido Cafe and it was quiet not only because of the time of day but also because most people up and about were at the bow of the ship rather than the aft of the ship where the cafe is located.

Lido Deck Stewards Demi (on left) and Raymond (on right)

One thing about the Panama Canal is that we heave learned is that it is great to view the transit from a wide array of positions on the ship including the bow, the stern, both higher and lower decks and from inside the ship including the Crystal Dining Room (deck 5) and say the Palm Court (deck 12).  There is just so much to see.  Each time we transit the Canal it's a new experience because we may pick up on a discussion point by the narrator that was either not mentioned on previous transits or an item that we just didn't hear before.  At the same time other factors such as the weather can provide a different perspective.  It is such a fascinating experience that like a fine wine gets better over time.

Recognizing that there are many different vantage points to enjoy the Canal from additional breakfast and lunch services were offered.  This included both a breakfast buffet as well as lunch service at the Palm Court.

Keith mainly spent the morning viewing the Canal from many of the vantage points of the ship.  He also ran into several fellow passengers who he spoke with.  Later on spoke with Hotel Director Josef Lumetsberger who just joined the ship earlier in the morning and also spoke with Hotel Director Herbert Jager who will be departing the ship tomorrow, in Panama City.

Anne Marie viewed the Canal before and after her haircut at the Salon.  Even from the Salon she had some nice views of the Canal.

NYK Lines is the owner of Crystal Cruises

The ships photographers were all-around the the ship taking photos.

From time to time we mention unique features about the Crystal Ships.  Rather than doing what many cruise lines do which is to have penthouse cabins with large verandahs on the back of their ships, Crystal has this nice cozy/quiet areas where guests can enjoy and feel like they are on a private yacht.

We enjoyed lunch at the Lido Cafe.  Afterwards, Keith played Paddle Tennis and between games he viewed the sites of the Panama Canal.  Anne Marie walked on the Promenade Deck and from this deck she had wonderful views of the canal and of Panama.  Afterwards Keith sat with fellow passengers including friend Bob while Anne Marie sat at the pool.

This evening we are back at the Crystal Dining Room for dinner and will post about this tomorrow.

We will be up early tomorrow so we can have breakfast as we have a fairly early tour of Panama City.


TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”  -  Oprah Winfrey

Keith and Anne Marie