Today is our daughter's birthday, so we want to wish Jennifer a very Happy Birthday!
We were asked about what the construction was alongside the pier when we were docked in Sydney. As best we could figure it out the construction relates to renovation work being done for the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Ilene asked if those on the full World Cruise still get gifts at the end of each leg of the World Cruise. In lieu of getting individual gifts at the end of each leg, we each received an iPad towards the start of the World Cruise as our gift and that was just a fantastic gift. Lessons have been offered on board the ship for those needing assistance with their new iPad.
These are some additional photos that we took in Sydney on our final walk yesterday afternoon. This was our third time to Sydney and we love this city so very much and look forward to future trips to this beautiful city.
Anne Marie was not scared of this animal.
Now who looks more ferocious.
Casual Parking. Umm.......What about Formal Parking?
Before dinner last evening, we attended a mandatory muster station drill. As we mentioned this drill was for all guests including not only those who boarded the ship for this leg of the World Cruise but also for all guests who had already been on the ship. The drill is a good reminder to everyone how to put their lifeboat vests on, where the location of their lifeboat is, how to report emergencies such as a person overboard, and also reenforces the importance of good safety practices. We take these drills seriously. Our observation is that the vast majority of those in attendance took the drill more seriously than in the past which we think is very good news! There were some guests who didn't attend which we think is wrong and in many ways is letting down everyone else. We applaud the crew for all that they do in support of strong safety practices on the ship day in and day out.
After the drill we put the lifeboat jackets back in our room and then we went to dinner.
We enjoyed a very nice dinner in the Crystal Dining Room. These are the dinner menus.
We began our dinner with salads. Keith had his standing order salad and Anne Marie had a mixed greens salad.
We each had the Broiled Fillet of Fresh Tasmanian Salmon entree.
For dessert you probably have figured out by now what Keith ordered. Yes, mixed berries! Anne Marie ordered the sugar free Diet Vanilla Ice Cream Puff. Keith tried some and he would never have guessed that it was sugar free.
While we do not sit at a table at the window we did have a good view of the window from our dining room table and we wanted to note that that sail-away was superb. We left about 30 minutes later than the time scheduled due to refueling and the views were absolutely spectacular. There is no question that Sydney is beautiful from land but also from the sea and the beautiful Harbour.
After dinner, we attended the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle Party. As we have mentioned previously, if ten or more people sign up from Cruise Critic then Crystal Cruises hosts this party. They provide complementary drinks and also nice canapes and all of this adds a very nice touch to these parties. The party was wonderful. Unfortunately Anne Marie was feeling a little dizzy from wearing the Life Vest so she only stayed for a short portion of the party and then went back to the room to get some rest. There was a very nice turnout from the crew. Some of the guests were unable to attend due to other commitments plus some wanted to see the 7:45 PM show. Keith chatted for awhile with Celeste and Bill, Becky and Lynn and Buddy along with some of the others in attendance and also spoke with some of the officers on the ship including the Cruise Director, the Chief Housekeeper and the Bar Manager.
From L-R Bill, Celeste, Cruise Director Rick Spath, Patricia and Keith
We also enjoyed beautiful views from the Palm Court where the venue was held as you can get a panoramic view from this venue. Overhead, was a helicopter that was filming the ships sail away from the Sydney Harbour for the Discovery Channel.
When we arrived back to the room last evening there were two books on our bed which are for the World Games. During this second leg of the World Cruise on top of all of the regular enrichment and other activities there will also be what is known as the World Games. These include a wide range of games from shooting foul shots to playing solitaire on the computer where guests will compete with one another for gold, silver and bronze medals. At the same time the crew will also be playing various games amongst themselves. Every few evenings the two Olympians who are on board the ship will participate in award ceremonies to recognize those guests who have won in the respective competitions. It's a lot of fun.
The two Olympians who are on board the ship are Cathy Rigby and Peter Vidmar. Actually, Dorothy Hamill was also originally supposed to be on this voyage but could not make it and Peter Vidmar replace her. We met Dorothy Hamill on the 2007 World Cruise and then she was back on in 2011. We met Cathy Rigby on the 2008 World Cruise and her name is very familiar to many not only because of her medals from Gymnastics but also from her acting career on both Broadway as Peter Pan and in other well known plays but also for her her gymnastic commentator work on Television. Peter Vidmar was also a gymnastics Olympian and was the men's gymnastics team captain when the USA captured their first team gold medal over the People's Republic of China at the Olympics. He has has won both Gold and Silver medals in other Olympic competitions.
We slept very well last night as we normally do on the ship. Keith awoke first and worked out at the Fitness Center. Fellow guest Brian arrived to the Center about thirty minutes into Keith's workout and Keith and Brian talked for the remainder of their respective workouts about both New Castle and Sydney, Australia. A little while later Anne Marie walked for one hour.
As usual, we had breakfast in our room and we watched the Daily Morning Show with Cruise Director Rick Spath and World Cruise Hostess Elise Levy.
After breakfast, we registered for the World Games and picked up our World Games shirts that are given out to all participants.
This sign was directly behind the registration desk.
Keith put the shirt on top of the one he was wearing which was an oranges shirt.
Keith took another Spin Class which was the first one for this leg of the World Cruise. Keith has really enjoyed these classes which are taught by the two Fitness Directors who alternate teaching the classes.
As today was the first day of this leg of the World Cruise there was an open house which offered information on many of the enrichment activities such as Memoir Writing, Art, Music, Computer, Pilate and Dance Instruction Classes.
There were three lectures given today. One was on the subject of Melbourne since this is the next port we are visiting and also covered Australia and its economy. Another lecture also covered Australia but focused on how the country is run and how it compares to the United States. The third lecture of the day was on the topic of why certain executives at corporations fail.
On top of all of this we had Team Trivia at Noon today. Our team correctly answered thirteen of fifteen questions. There was also a special buffet up at the indoor pool area which is called the Sun Buffet which includes an array of Mediterranean types of foods.
The weather went from rainy this morning to very nice weather in the afternoon so Keith played a couple of hours of Paddle Tennis. He teamed in one of the sets with a gent named Mike who he played with last year and also played with both guests and crew. He met friend Bob later in the afternoon.
Anne Marie walked outside for an hour and then practiced her solitaire in preparation for the World Games.
This evening is the Captain's Welcome Reception followed by a wonderful Dinner in the Crystal Dining Room and it is a formal night on the ship. We will post all about this tomorrow.
We each had the Broiled Fillet of Fresh Tasmanian Salmon entree.
For dessert you probably have figured out by now what Keith ordered. Yes, mixed berries! Anne Marie ordered the sugar free Diet Vanilla Ice Cream Puff. Keith tried some and he would never have guessed that it was sugar free.
While we do not sit at a table at the window we did have a good view of the window from our dining room table and we wanted to note that that sail-away was superb. We left about 30 minutes later than the time scheduled due to refueling and the views were absolutely spectacular. There is no question that Sydney is beautiful from land but also from the sea and the beautiful Harbour.
After dinner, we attended the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle Party. As we have mentioned previously, if ten or more people sign up from Cruise Critic then Crystal Cruises hosts this party. They provide complementary drinks and also nice canapes and all of this adds a very nice touch to these parties. The party was wonderful. Unfortunately Anne Marie was feeling a little dizzy from wearing the Life Vest so she only stayed for a short portion of the party and then went back to the room to get some rest. There was a very nice turnout from the crew. Some of the guests were unable to attend due to other commitments plus some wanted to see the 7:45 PM show. Keith chatted for awhile with Celeste and Bill, Becky and Lynn and Buddy along with some of the others in attendance and also spoke with some of the officers on the ship including the Cruise Director, the Chief Housekeeper and the Bar Manager.
From L-R Bill, Celeste, Cruise Director Rick Spath, Patricia and Keith
We also enjoyed beautiful views from the Palm Court where the venue was held as you can get a panoramic view from this venue. Overhead, was a helicopter that was filming the ships sail away from the Sydney Harbour for the Discovery Channel.
When we arrived back to the room last evening there were two books on our bed which are for the World Games. During this second leg of the World Cruise on top of all of the regular enrichment and other activities there will also be what is known as the World Games. These include a wide range of games from shooting foul shots to playing solitaire on the computer where guests will compete with one another for gold, silver and bronze medals. At the same time the crew will also be playing various games amongst themselves. Every few evenings the two Olympians who are on board the ship will participate in award ceremonies to recognize those guests who have won in the respective competitions. It's a lot of fun.
The two Olympians who are on board the ship are Cathy Rigby and Peter Vidmar. Actually, Dorothy Hamill was also originally supposed to be on this voyage but could not make it and Peter Vidmar replace her. We met Dorothy Hamill on the 2007 World Cruise and then she was back on in 2011. We met Cathy Rigby on the 2008 World Cruise and her name is very familiar to many not only because of her medals from Gymnastics but also from her acting career on both Broadway as Peter Pan and in other well known plays but also for her her gymnastic commentator work on Television. Peter Vidmar was also a gymnastics Olympian and was the men's gymnastics team captain when the USA captured their first team gold medal over the People's Republic of China at the Olympics. He has has won both Gold and Silver medals in other Olympic competitions.
We slept very well last night as we normally do on the ship. Keith awoke first and worked out at the Fitness Center. Fellow guest Brian arrived to the Center about thirty minutes into Keith's workout and Keith and Brian talked for the remainder of their respective workouts about both New Castle and Sydney, Australia. A little while later Anne Marie walked for one hour.
As usual, we had breakfast in our room and we watched the Daily Morning Show with Cruise Director Rick Spath and World Cruise Hostess Elise Levy.
After breakfast, we registered for the World Games and picked up our World Games shirts that are given out to all participants.
This sign was directly behind the registration desk.
Keith put the shirt on top of the one he was wearing which was an oranges shirt.
Keith took another Spin Class which was the first one for this leg of the World Cruise. Keith has really enjoyed these classes which are taught by the two Fitness Directors who alternate teaching the classes.
As today was the first day of this leg of the World Cruise there was an open house which offered information on many of the enrichment activities such as Memoir Writing, Art, Music, Computer, Pilate and Dance Instruction Classes.
There were three lectures given today. One was on the subject of Melbourne since this is the next port we are visiting and also covered Australia and its economy. Another lecture also covered Australia but focused on how the country is run and how it compares to the United States. The third lecture of the day was on the topic of why certain executives at corporations fail.
On top of all of this we had Team Trivia at Noon today. Our team correctly answered thirteen of fifteen questions. There was also a special buffet up at the indoor pool area which is called the Sun Buffet which includes an array of Mediterranean types of foods.
The weather went from rainy this morning to very nice weather in the afternoon so Keith played a couple of hours of Paddle Tennis. He teamed in one of the sets with a gent named Mike who he played with last year and also played with both guests and crew. He met friend Bob later in the afternoon.
Anne Marie walked outside for an hour and then practiced her solitaire in preparation for the World Games.
This evening is the Captain's Welcome Reception followed by a wonderful Dinner in the Crystal Dining Room and it is a formal night on the ship. We will post all about this tomorrow.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost
Keith and Anne Marie
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