HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY (remember we are one day ahead of many of you) FROM THE CRYSTAL SERENITY.
Mary asked why they collect our passports. We are assuming the question is why the cruise line collects our passports and that is because for the vast majority of ports of call local customs people come onto the ship to check each passenger's passport against the passenger manifest of the ship. We prefer the cruise line to hold our passports for us. In just a few cases we have to meet with immigration officials either on or off the ship with our passport in hand so that can match us to the passport photo. In a few cases some countries require that you carry your passports with you.
Mary also asked about whether these ports of call are new to us. Some of them are and they included Western Australia as well as most ports in China as well as Japan.
These are some additional photos from yesterday's tour.
Although we dined at Prego last evening, these are the dinner menus from the Crystal Dining Room.
Before we went to dinner, we walked out on the Promenade Deck and took this photo. You can see a portion of the Cruise Ship Terminal which is relatively new facility.
Last evening we dined at Prego with Hotel Director Joef Lumetsberger. We had a terrific time with Josef and we really appreciate Josef inviting us to join him for dinner. We never ran out of conversation.
Dinner was fabulous between the conversation, cuisine, service and the overall ambiance of Prego.
We each had a salad, and we then had a small portion of one of the additional entrees which was clams with pasta and we each had the additional Halibut entree. We ended the meal with a small scoop of Gelato for Anne Marie and some fresh fruit for Keith.
Once again, we really appreciate the time we had with Josef, the Hotel Director and it was a memorable dinner/evening.
Afterwards, we attended a cocktail reception and we spoke with several guests who attended the reception.
Later in the evening, we attended the Lucky Fortune Fair which is a carnival like event which has become a tradition at World Cruise Events. It is held on the Lido Deck and it is for everyone on the sailing. It offers games of chance and coins are awarded which can be turned in to claim various prizes. For us, it brings out the "kid" in any passenger regardless of each persons age and we simply enjoy this. It also provides a nice opportunity for guests to get to know one another as they are waiting to play a particular game and it provides another opportunity for guests to be with members of the crew.
We played a variety of games including ring toss, bowling, golf putting, along with another type of golf, basketball, along with some other games. There was also fortune telling. Wine, Beer and other refreshments were offered.
Anne Marie did great with the golf putting and may now have to start to take up playing golf. She won several times. Basketball was Keith's strength and he used the underhand technique to make several shots. We both did well with the bowling. Then there were the other games that we didn't come close and we would laugh at how bad we were at those. We had a great time and even won enough coins to select a prize.
This photo is of the more challenging golf putting where you hit more of a wiffle type of ball and it must stick in the one hole in one to win a big prize. This is not the one that Anne Marie was successful in nor was Keith or most others.
Golf Pro John Clark giving Anne Marie some putting advice.
Anne Marie with Cruise Director Rick Spath
Another interesting game.
This is the prize we were able to claim.
Towards the end of the Carnival was the dunking event. If you successfully hit the right spot and with force water would come splashing down.
The first one up was Hotel Director Josef and it was not too long before fellow guest Mary was successful on the first of three attempts. Josef was prepared though as he wore a shower cap.
Next up was Captain Glenn and Keith was the first one up. He actually threw three that hit the target but they were evidently off as no water came down on the Captain. After several other passengers were unsuccessful in their attempts to hit the target one of the guests after missing all three chances ran up and just pushed the target with both their hands and the water came down on the Captain.
Others participated as well including World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy and dancers Curtis and Beverly and the Vice Captain. Sometimes guests successfully hit the target and on a few other occasions the guest ran up to push the target with their hands or someone from behind knocked over the bucket of water.
Also, a few fellow guest participated by being splashed themselves.
The last one up was Cruise Director Rick Spath and both Anne Marie and Keith were unsuccessful in our attempts to hit the target.
It was all a lot of good fun.
Anne Marie trying to hit the target and to splash Cruise Director Rick Spath with the water.
We got back to our room fairly late from the Carnival.
The seas continued to be relatively calm but the gentle rocking of the ship was just enough to make it easy for us to fall asleep and to get a good nights sleep as we sail to our next port of call which is Shanghai, China.
Keith was back up fairly early for his daily morning workout at the Fitness Center. It wasn't too long before fellow guest Brian arrived and Keith and Brian talked for most of the workout about what they did yesterday and about plans in the upcoming ports for Shanghai and Beijing. By the time Keith left the center, several other guests were also working out. While it was still quite early some guests who just arrived in Hong Kong have said that they are still adjusting to the time zone change.
Anne Marie also worked out in the morning.
Since we each had haircut appointments at different times we each ate breakfast separately. Keith ate while Anne Marie was working out and Anne Marie ate while Keith was getting his haircut.
We wanted to note that it has been very foggy for most of the day and for several hours the fog horn was blown on a regular basis. In the morning you couldn't even see the sea.
As usual, there was so much to do on the ship today given that today was a sea day.
The morning began with a lecture given by Neil Leifer who presented the best of Neil Leifer which featured famous photos that he took over a fifty year career with TIme and Life. While we have seen him present before, many of the photos that he presented today were not in his prior presentations.
Later in the morning Special Interest Lecturer Dr. Robert O. Freedman presented Sino Russian Relations from the Czars to the Present. There was also a cooking demonstration given by Prego Chef Christian Kliche and Executive Pstry Chef Harald Neufang. They have given demonstrations on each leg of the World Cruise and they have prepared different recipes for us to enjoy.
At 10:00, Keith attended the second Spin (indoor cycling) Class for this segment of the World Cruise. Juli taught the class and it was a mix of hills and fast runs. All but one of the people who took the class the other day attended and one new person joined in.
At Noon, we attended Team Trivia. We answered eleven of fifteen questions correctly. With two of five games for this segment completed, we are three behind the first place team.
We each enjoyed a salad entree for lunch as we do on most days.
In the afternoon, Keith got together with friend Bob and also read and wrote. It wasn't a good day for Paddle Tennis.
Anne Marie worked out for an additional hour this afternoon.
This evening we will dine at the Crystal Dining Room. We will post all about this tomorrow.
In keeping with the St. Patrick's "Spirit" there is lots of evening activities/entertainment centered around St Patrick's Day.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....
“Everybody likes a compliment.” - Abraham Lincoln
Keith and Anne Marie
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