DAY 59 - CRUISING TO BALI

Attended A Fantastic World Cruise Event  ✔ Enjoyed A Splendid Day At Sea ✔  Enjoyed Playing In The Paddle Tennis Men's Singles Tournament ✔


Ilene asked about what others said about Perth.  Most people who we spoke with enjoyed Perth.  We didn't get a chance to get any feedback about the shore excursions.

While we attended the World Cruise Event on board the ship last evening, we did want to post the dinner menus from the Crystal Dining Room.

The highlight of last evening was the special World Cruise Event on-board the ship.  This is one of two dinner/shows that are held on-board the ship during the course of this voyage.  As we noted in the highlights, this was one if not the best of the on-board World Cruise dinner shows we have ever attended.

Everything was perfect from all of the little details related to the theme, to the splendid dancing and singing and theme related to the show to the wonderful music to the pre-dinner cocktails.

The theme of the event was Pan Am Mania.  Yes, it was about Pan American.

About a week ago we received a card in our room which asked if we wanted to attend this event and which time we planned to attend; first show for those with main (early) dining or second show mainly for those who normally have late dining.  We ended up going with the late event as we knew there are more people wanting early and after the sunsets it adds to the overall ambience of the event.

Putting together just one event is amazing but to do this twice with an elaborate dinner and show is just superb.  All we can say is bravo, bravo, bravo to everyone from the crew who is involved with this event.  This includes so many people from the chefs of the two specialty restaurants and some from the main dining room, to the waitstaff from the two specialty restaurants and some from the Crystal dining Room to all of the Lido Deck Stewards to so many of the Crystal Cruises entertainers and musicians to the Cruise Director, Assistant Cruise Director, World Cruise Hostess, Crystal and Specialty Restaurant Maitre d's, to the Carpenters and to so many others who were involved in the preparation and the cleanup.  

While the theme for the event is selected many months in advance so that the costumes and other props can be ordered most of the music and the skit is written starting a couple of weeks before the event and then rehearsals commence just a few days before the event.  The carpenters actually build a floor that goes atop the indoor pool as the stage and many of the props must be put together and put in place. At the same time food and all of the wines must be ordered and provisioned well in advance of the event.

We began the evening at 7:45 PM with Cocktails.  The room where this was held is the Palm Court and it included decorations related to the theme from Balloons to even Napkins.  No detail was left out.  There was live music and also singing by entertainers such as Colin Salter.  We spoke with some of our fellow guests at the bar and then later on we sat with friends Bob and Glo along with a couple of other guests.

Crystal Cruises Pianist and Vocalist Colin Salter

Cruise Director Rick Spath as the Captain Of One Of The Pan Am Aircraft

A few hours before the event, we all received our table assignments via a card which was delivered to our staterooms.  As the Cocktail Party was winding down, Cruise Director Rick Spath called up a few tables at a time.  Those at a table found their host who had a sign with a table number and then they were escorted from the Palm Court, over to the area where the event was held.  They passed by the outdoor pool.  However, to gain entry to that area right after leaving the Palm Court we were screened by two security officials.  Sorry we didn't get a photo of that.

As we made our way on the open deck we were given clearance to proceed by the ground crew.

Jus before we entered the areas for the event, each group had a photo taken of them by the Photo Department.  We then walked into the area where the event is held.  It was designed to be the inside of an aircraft.

This is one of the many displays.

We then proceeded to our table where there were place cards designating where each of us would sit.  We were at a seven person table which was hosted by Vice Captain Nenad Wilheim from Croatia and we were with friends Bob and Glo and another very nice World Cruise couple; Sheldon and Nelda.  Our table was one of the front row tables with tables going back about three rows and arranged all around the stage.

Seated From L-R Anne Marie, Sheldon, Nelda, Vice Captain Nenad Wilheim and Glo

Standing Bob and Keith

Our wonderful friends Glo and Bob

In between each course there was about a 8 minute performance with a wonderfully done script with live music, dancing and singing and included many entertainers from the entertainment department along with some special appearances including Olympian Cathy Rigby and Entertainer Jacqui Scott who performs on London Stage.

Let's begin with the meal.

A white and red wine was offered from the very start of the meal along with rolls.

Our first course was called the "Just Say Hello Lobster Salad.

This was followed with a very tasty Soup called "Crystal Clipper Cream of Carrot Soup".  We forgot to get a photo of the soup.

The main course was called "First Class Pink Roasted Filet of Black Angus Beef which was accompanied by mashed potatoes and vegetables.  The beef was cooked to perfection and was very tasty.

The final course was dessert.  It was called Pan Am Makes The Going Great with...."Allonge - A Very Ricci Square Chocolate Log".  It included Tahitian Canilla Mousse and Pan Am Girl Passion Fruit Gelee.  Yes, as was the other courses this dessert looked and tasted wonderful.

In addition to the Chardonnay and the Cabernet we also capped the meal off with a dessert Wine.

These are photos of some of the entertainment.

Singer David Spiecker

After the performance one of the entertainers singer Karen Jeffreys came by and shared a laugh with Keith

When we mentioned all of the details that went into this event, this photo is an example of what we meant.

After the program ended, we were not ready to call it a night.  We ended up getting together with friends Bob and Glo and sat in a really nice outside public area on the ship and we were joined there by two Senior Officers of the ship and we enjoyed a most delightful conversation.  For part of the time we were outside we could see the Celebrity cruise ship from the ship.  While it seemed close as it was all lit up as we were, it was over one mile away.

This was a night that we will not forget and we will carry memories from this special evening with us for the rest of our lives.

After we got back to the room, Keith went downstairs for about fifteen minutes and chatted with some people who were in the Avenue Saloon and then it was time to go to sleep.

Just a couple of minutes after hitting the pillow Keith was fast asleep and Anne Marie fell asleep in no time.    Today is the first of three full sea days until we arrive to our Bali.

Even though he went to sleep so late, Keith was up early and back in the Fitness Center to begin another glorious day on the Serenity.  He enjoyed a great workout and was alone for most of the time until Olympian Peter Vidmar arrived and around the same time one other person arrived.  He got in an excellent workout.    Afterwards, he stopped by the Lido Cafe for coffee and to check his e-mail.

Anne Marie slept in and then she worked out later in the morning.

We both enjoyed breakfast in our room as we do each and everyday and we watched the Daily Morning Show.  We called in for one of the trivia questions and answered the question correctly.

There were lots of activities on the schedule for today.

There were three lectures.  The first lecture was given by Olympian Cathy Rigby who spoke about competing for the gold in the Olympics while also balancing this with wellness.  Special Interest lecture spoke next and his topic was "Will China and Asia survive and thrive over the next ten years.  In the afternoon, Doctor Sydney Finkelstein spoke about decision making and talking about why some people make poor decisions.

Keith also competed in the Men's Singles Paddle Tennis Tournament held in the morning. Over the coming days there will also be mixed doubles, men's doubles and a family (crew teamed with a guest) Paddle Tennis Tournaments.

While Keith didn't get a medal he had a great time playing.  He played four different men and in one of the sets he lost 4 to 3 and that determined whether or not he got a Bronze.  For those of you who know Mr. T. Keith lost to him 4 to 2 and even one year ago would have lost 4 to 0. As we've said it doesn't matter whether you win the tournaments.  For Keith he just enjoys the fact that with each passing week he is improving his game as he had not started playing Paddle Tennis until 2010 and the fun of playing with fellow guests and members of the crew.

These are some photos from some of the matches.  The weather was hot and humid.  There seemed to be virtually no wind.  Their are white caps in the sea but the seas are very calm.

At Noon, it was time for Team Trivia.

We also found time to enjoy a nice salad entree for our lunch.

There were two other events this afternoon that Keith considered participating in which was Darts and also Men's Doubles Shuffleboard but Keith decided to pass on them.  Instead, he played some paddle tennis and helped warm up the women who were playing in the women's double Paddle Tennis Tournament.

In the afternoon, Keith met up with friend Bob and also did reading and writing and Anne Marie walked for another hour and sat outside.

This evening we will dine in Silk Road.  Six members of the crew will join us for dinner and we will post more about that tomorrow.

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

“He who wished to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.” - Confucius

Keith and Anne Marie