We'd like to call-out the night crew. While they are part of the housekeeping department we didn't mention them when we highlighted the stewardesses. Some guests rarely get to see all the work that is performed by the Night Crew as many work from late at night until around 9:00 AM each day. Essentially, this crew cleans all of the public areas on the ship each and every evening. This includes all of the lounges and dining rooms, the fitness center, the Crystal Cove and every public area you can think of including the restrooms, laundry rooms and each and every elevator and stairwell. Being up so early in the morning has afforded Keith the opportunity to see many of them in action and they clean all of the nooks and crannies. For example, Keith each morning Keith has seen the night crew member clean the ceiling in the Lido Cafe and of course all other areas. He regularly sees members of the Night Crew cleaning not only all of the Fitness Equipment but all of the windows and window sills. We also realize that they are involved cleaning many of the areas of the ship that we do not see such as the crew decks. All of this keeps everything looking new and clean and also is important for the health of guests and crew members alike.
Before dinner last night we went up to the Lido Deck. Keith read and Anne Marie worked on her needlepoint. We saw several members from the crew as there was a special Easter Dinner in the Lido Cafe for the crew. Several said we should come by, but it is for them so we stayed seated in Tastes.
Last night was also a Crystal Society Party and also formal night.
These are the dinner menus from last evening in the Crystal Dining Room. The theme for the dinner was French Dinner.
We decided to enjoy dinner in our room for the very first time this cruise. We try to do this once or possibly twice when we are on for such a very long voyage and with the days winding time we thought this would be a perfect night.
Rao brought us dinner course by course. We could order the meal from one or more of the dining venues including the Crystal Dining Room, Prego and Silk Road. We ordered some items from Silk Road and from the Crystal Dining Room.
This is a photo of the sushi and sashimi that we enjoyed from Silk Road.
After dinner, we watched a movie that Anne Marie had gotten from the Library. It was nice to have a quiet meal.
The seas were relatively calm so we slept quite well last evening.
Keith was up early and back up at the Fitness Center for his morning workout. Anne Marie also worked out before it was time for Breakfast. After breakfast we got ready for our first visit to Kodiak, Alaska.
While we were reading the daily program (Reflections) for today we noticed that the Computer University is now offering new lectures on Facebook. While we each use Facebook and some guests use it as well, it is a good opportunity for others to learn the ins and out of this social network. As part of the instruction, each guest who attends the session will be provided a handout that will show them step by step directions on how to sign up for this network.
At the same time, classes have been held for much of this cruise on the iPad with all of the World Cruisers having received an iPad. This instruction is great for all those who are new to the iPad whether they received an iPad on the ship or recently purchased one for their use or for those considering purchasing an iPad. Keith already had his own iPad and since Anne Marie already had an iPhone we didn't require any of the training. It's so nice to see so many people of all ages learning how to use these devices.
After breakfast, we took a tender from the ship over to the tender pier in Kodiak. The tender took around 15 minutes. The town was within walking distance of the tender pier. While having a larger population than Dutch Harbor with about 13,000residents this is still a relatively small city. Of the 13,000, about 6,000 live in the city limits of Kodiak, about 6,000 in the suburbs and around 1,000 live all around the Island in little villages.
Kodiak has one of the largest commercial ports of any North America location. Halibut, Trout, Steelhead, and all five species of Salmon are in abundance during the fishing season. It also boasts a National Wildlife Refuge.
We ended up spending three hours in Kodiak and we visited several sites and walked all around. It was cold at around 40 degrees and there were some snow showers from time to time. It was not windy though. The people who we spoke with were very friendly and that included people from three museums we visited, the visitor center, and various people in the gift shops and at a local craft market and some locals we met on our walk. They get around two cruise ships per month. Overall, they had an abnormally cold weather with December and January having several days at zero degrees which is unusual for this area.
The museums we visited include the Branof Museum/Erskine House, The Kodiak Maritime Museum and the Alutiq Museum. We were not allowed to take photos inside the Auutiq Museum.
In about a month, the area will look very green. There is a lot of wildlife that attracts hunters in the summer and of course lots of fishing.
This harbor was right near the tender drop off pier
We visited the Russian Orthodox Holy Resurrection Church
The Beautiful Crystal Serenity
Some photos from the Kodiak Maritime Museum
Gray Whale
One of the Crystal Cruises Tours used this school bus.
Photos from the Branof Museum and Erskine House
We also walked over to an area where they dry dock boats to get some views of the area
This is a Seafood Processing Plant
From L to R next to Anne Marie Lido Deck Stewards Glen and Liebert.
The first hour or so we were one of the only guests from the ship who were walking around as most of the other people on the first tender with us were taking an organized tour. In time we saw many guests and members of the crew walking around.
After arriving back to the ship, we enjoyed a nice lunch with each of us having Salad Entrees.
During the afternoon, we will be working out, and then Keith plans to read and write and meet up with friend Bob while Anne Marie will be working on her needlepoint and also reading and writing.
This evening we will be having dinner in Silk Road with friends Joe and Marie Kita. We first sailed with Joe and Maria in 2007. Joe teaches the Memoir Writing Class and Joe and Maria jointly teach Pilates.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY......
“Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. It's where all the fruit is.” – Shirley MacLaine
Keith
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