Before we begin, we wanted to take a moment to note that today marks the one hundred year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. On that horrific day, over 1,500 people lost their lives. The good that came out of this tragedy as often is the case with other tragedies was significant improvements in cruise line ship safety and practices. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted directly or indirectly from this tragic event and for all of the bravery and heroics that were exhibited during that horrific event.
We wanted to give a shout-out to the Stewardesses who take care of all of the staterooms on the ship. They are truly amazing.
Each of the standard staterooms has a stewardess who takes care of that room along with several other rooms. They clean the room one time in the morning and then again one time in the evening. This includes cleaning the entire room in the morning such as vacuuming, dusting, changing the bed sheets and towels and cleaning the bathroom. In the evening the stewardesses also do cleaning and also turn-down service. They also replenish the fruit basket and the refrigerator and the ice in the morning and also the ice in the evening. During daytime and early evening hours if someone wants to order room service they also deliver the meal to the room. If someone wants to send wine down to dinner they take care of that too as they do if someone orders wine. They also take the dry cleaning, pressing or items that someone want washed by the ship and return them when they are ready.
In the Penthouse and above categories there is also a stewardess who is assigned to several rooms and she is assisted by a stewardess trainee. They perform the same responsibilities as the stewardesses who takes care of standard rooms with the exception of items that do not pertain to cleaning. The Butlers perform those items and we'll Blog about that another day.
The stewardesses work very hard day in and day out and they try to do so in a way that is transparent to the guest. There are days when you do not see your stewardess as you may leave your room and when you get back it is all made up and the same is true in the evening. Like other crew members they do their jobs seven days a week, regardless of whether we are in port or at sea or whatever the weather conditions may bring.
We have been very fortunate to have had many exceptional stewardess on our cruises with Crystal. Often, they seem to get better with each cruise we take. We adore our stewardess and stewardess trainee along with the other stewardess who helped us early on. We know that they work so very hard to please us and the others guests they support.
We try to make their lives easier by letting them know up front about anything we need on a regular basis and we also try to be out of our room at a regular time just so they can get in and clean. However, they will do whatever it takes to perform their jobs in a most professional manner and they will gladly work abound us.
Like other members of the crew, the stewardess comes from a wide range of countries and it is always nice for us to get to learn about them and the countries they are from. After all this is part of discovery. Some stewardesses are on their first contract with Crystal while many have been working in this capacity for many years. In fact, from time to time we see the stewardess who took excellent care of us on the 2007 World Cruise.
We have also known several other crew members who began their career with Crystal as a stewardess. Some of them who are people whose most recent land job may have been in other areas such as at the front desk of a hotel or in tourism, but many times they are hired into this position as it will teach them a great deal about the ship, similarly, how some are first hired into the company as waiters. In time, those who perform with high results then have the opportunity to move into other areas such as the front desk, or the shore excursion desk, or a dining room staff or even into other support roles all around the ship. It is a credit to both the individual and Crystal Cruises for their ability to move into other areas as well as other positions with increasing responsibilities.
There is also a Chief Housekeeper who is responsible for all of the stewardesses and the night crew and there are also assistant Chief Housekeepers who are assigned specific guest room floors as well as a night crew supervisor. Our observation is that each of them closely pays attention to detail because in the end it is all of those little details that make for an exceptional experience.
We thank the housekeeping team for all that they do.
We forgot to mention that we shopped at a terrific store yesterday. Ironically, we visited the store last August but never made it up to the second floor and the first floor was of no interest to us. As we walked back to the ship we ran into Bob and Glo who told us all about the second floor. On this floor they carry a wide range of outdoor clothing including pants, jackets, shirts, boots, shoes, and so many different brands with lots of choice in sizes and color. We went over there and Keith found some items including some long sleeve Under Armour Shirts and North Face Water Proof Pants. After lunch we went back out and Anne Marie found pants to match a top she got from the company that makes the Life Is Good Attire and also Cargo Pants. We saw many fellow guests and crew members at this store. We wish we had one near us. They carried everything.
We departed Ketchikan at precisely 6:00 PM last evening. By late afternoon the sun had come out and we enjoyed a delightful sail-away.
Although we attended the World Cruise event on the ship, these are the dinner menus from last evening.
With the majority of the guest on board World Cruisers, there was unassigned open seating last evening from 6:30 to 9:00 PM in the Crystal Dining Room. In addition, complimentary wine was provided to all guests in the Dining Room.
The theme of the World Cruise event was called Gold Rush Saloon. The skit, dancing and songs, and all of the food went hand-in-hand with this theme.
We had a choice of main or late seating and although we normally dine in main seating as we did for the first World Cruise event we chose to dine in late seating.
Our evening began at 7:45 PM with Pre-Dinner Cocktails which were held in the Palm Court. We spoke with some fellow guests as well as some Senior Officers. Ironically, we also were talking with Joe and Maria Kita (both teach Yoga and Joe teaches Memoir Writing) and they asked what table we were at and we learned that we were at the same table. This event includes all of the World Cruisers Guests and also those from Enrichment who have been on for the most if not all of the cruise. It makes the event that more special.
Starting around 8:15 AM, Cruise Director Rick Spath began to call the numbers of few tables at a time and those guests seated at those tables were escorted by one of the members of the enrichment team but not the one(s) who would be seated at their table. This is done that way so when you arrive to the table anyone from enrichment who is assigned to your table is already there. The tables were of various sizes and the four guests at our table included the two of us and friends Bob and Glo plus Joe and Maria. As the four of us were escorted to the Neptune Pool area a photo was taken of us with a themed display and one of the cast members. When we arrived to the table place cards with our names were on the table designating where we would sit.
We were seated at a table right by the stage and our host was new Hotel Director Christian. It was so nice to be seated at this table and it provided another nice opportunity to get to know Christian.
The evening was just spectacular. As background, the theme for the event was developed many months before the start of the World Cruise. This way props and other items can be ordered for the event and brought onto the ship prior to the start of the World Cruise. Then, a few weeks before the event the skit is developed along with the songs and the dancing and associated choreography. A few days before rehearsals begin up until the day of the event. The cast included Celebrity Entertainers Jimmy Travis and Christine Andreas, along with the Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers, The Galaxy Orchestra, The Entertainment Staff including Dave and Karen, World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy, Dancers Curtis Collins and Beverly Durand, and Pianist Colin Salter.
The show was phenomenal. Here this show is developed on the ship, performed two times, and then retired, and you would think that it was performed for years prior to last evening. The team of entertainers on the ship and the Celebrity Entertainers are the most professional team we have ever seen at sea. All we can say is Bravo, Bravo, Bravo.
Before and then In between each course this team performed for us.
These are some photos for the show. The show had singing and dancing and lots of humor with an Alaska Flare. This was one of the finest World Cruise Events we have ever attended.
While in the Palm Court Cruise Director Rick Spath Enjoying A Good Laugh With Anne Marie.
Many of the Lido Deck Stewards and those from the Specialty Restaurants served the meals last evening along with several Sommelier's who poured wine throughout the meal. On the far left is Alberto who is the waiter in Silk Road who we always have and he was one of our waiters last evening for our table.
Our Good Friends Bob and Glo
Standing L-R Bob, Maria and Joe Kita and Seated From L-R Glo, Hotel Director Christian Krempl, Anne Marie and Keith
Jimmy Travis
Lead Male Vocalist Michael Scott Harris
Pianist Colin Salter who not only played the piano for most of the performance but also played background piano music throughout the meal.
Cruise Director Rick Spath closed out the show and thanked all of the teams that made this an outstanding evening. This included the Food and Beverage Department, the Carpenters who built the stage, pecial Events Coordinator Fred Divel and all of the Entertainers.
We also wanted to extend our thanks and appreciation to Food and Beverage Manager Victor, Maitre d'Hotel Leo, Maitre dHotel, Specialty Restaurants, Antonio, Executive Chef, Franz, Executive Pastry Chef Harald, Chefs, Specialty Restaurants Christian and Kadoma, Head Sommelier Bart, Bar Manager Florent, Head Waiters Bruno, Siggi, and Walson and to each and every person who was involved in the wonderful meal that we enjoyed last evening.
We would like to thank the entire Crystal Cruises Team for making this a memorable evening that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
We gave a round of applause to all of the people that Rick mentioned. These are some of the performers who took a bow at the end of the show. Again, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo.
The food was equally outstanding.
We began with a Crisp Fish Nugget with Baked Stuffed Chicken Wings and Battered Onion Rings.
Next course was Alaskan King Crab Soup. (Sorry, no photo)
This was followed by an unbelievable entree of Filet Mignon, Veal Tenderloin and Lobster with a nice Alaskan Taste.
For dessert, we had a Peanut Butter Swirl, White Chocolate Cheesecake and Fudge Brownie Ice Parfait.
A white wine was served which was a 2010 Gruner Vetliner, Weingut Stadt Krems, Lossterrassen, Niederosterreich from Austria.
The red wine as a Chateau de Veillegeorge, Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Medoc, 2007 Bordeaux.
The Dessert Wine was a 2003 Trockenbeerenauslese, Crystal Cruises, Cuvee, Kracher from Burgenland, Austria.
As we mentioned it is truly amazing as to how such a wonderful show and dinner can be put together on the ship and then presented to us as if it has been part of each voyage for a number of years. Thank you to the entire Crystal Cruises Team for for creating such a special evening for all of us.
When we arrived back to our room there were card for each of us from Crystal Cruises President Gregg Michel with a Tiffany SIlver Necklace for Anne Marie and a Tiffany Leather Card Holder for Keith. It capped off a perfect evening.
Before we went to sleep we moved the clocks forward for the final time of this cruise so it was around 12:30 AM by the time we went to sleep.
We slept well last evening as we normally do and that gentle rocking of the ship continued to work its magic.
We began our day the way we normally do. By now you all know the routine. Keith was up early and back in to the Fitness Center and a couple of hours later it was Anne Marie's turn to workout. Right before Anne Marie walked up to the Fitness Center we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise.
A short while later we enjoyed breakfast in our room as we watched the Daily Morning Show with Cruise Director Rick Spath and World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy. Rick and Elisebegan by talking about how special our visit to Glacier Bay was. They noted that the Park Rangers thought this was one of the most spectacular days that they had ever experienced in Glacier Bay.
Elise reminded us of the difference in Glacier Bay from the Summer cruise she was on and our experience the other day. We went back to our photos from a similar Summer cruise.
This is a photo we took this past August as we sailed Glacier Bay on the Crystal Symphony.
Now, let's contrast that to what we experienced the other day. Truly amazing!
We did call into the show to correctly answer the first of the questions and we won the first of seven photos that were taken of Glacier Bay by the Photo Studio.
During Captain Glenn's morning talk from the bridge he shared his thought for the day which goes as follows.
"Not everything can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it's faced."
The Captain also noted that by around 2:00 PM we would be cruising the Inside Passage.
After breakfast Keith went for his final haircut of the cruise. Anne Marie had hers done just three days ago.
We wore these sweatshirts to the programs we attended this morning.
Later in the morning we attended Ocean Views. This is a Panel Discussion covering a variety of topics and, once again, we had the opportunity to participate with the electronic devices that polled the audiences reactions in response to several questions.
The Moderator was none other than Ken Rees and the distinguished panel featured Mary Matilin, James Carville, Retired General Hugh Shelton and Loius Rene Beres.
This is an example of the questions that were asked. Most questions didn't have clear cut answers because the solutions are difficult.
There was a question about Iran and whether military force should be used if they do not stop their nuclear program. The net of it all was that the entire panel said that Military Force was not an option for a wide range of issues and that includes a view from a retired General, a Professor and two people who represent two diverse set of political views. In the end, this and many of the other questions that were asked such as "Can the Israel-Palestine conflict ever be resolved" are not easy problems to solve. After all, if the answers were simple, these problems would have been solved a very long time ago.
Following Ocean Views we attended Team Trivia. Our team correctly answered eleven of fifteen questions but with two team answering fourteen correctly and one remaining game to play it does not look very promising for us but we are still enjoying each and every game.
After Team Trivia we enjoyed a nice salad entree.
In the afternoon Anne Marie worked out and then did some additional packing and Keith worked out and also met up with friend Bob.
The other highlight of today was sailing the Inside Passage which offers some very beautiful scenery. It is always very special to cruise along the Inside Passage.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....
While in business, Keith had the opportunity to meet the author of the following quote as part of his company emphasis on the customer.
“Our Policy. Rule Number 1. The customer is always right. Rule Number 2. If the customer is ever wrong, reread Rule 1.” - Stew Leonard
Keith and Anne Marie
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