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Today's sunrise is from yesterday from the aft deck of Crystal Serenity approaching Newport, Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday from the aft deck of Crystal Serenity approaching Newport, Roy

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Today's sunrise is from yesterday from the aft deck of Crystal Serenity approaching Newport, Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. I think we are now just docked, and I leave the ship in about 1 1/2 hours. Great days to celebrate, and a great quote by Cummings. I have not been to Corfu. I love all the days but will especially celebrate Simone Biles. I'll pass on the Cod. My alternative is Chicken Consume, Homemade Mafaldine Pasta, and Roasted Almond Ice cream, my final dinner last night on Crystal Serenity. Roy

Day CS7, Thursday, October 12, 2023, Newport RI Queen Mary 2 is at sea enroute to Brooklyn I was up shortly after 5 and had my final load of laundry in the washer just after 5:30. The load got moved to the dryer about 6:45and then on to breakfast, with the sun rising just as I finished gathering my meal in Marketplace. After finishing breakfast it was time to pick up the clothes, and packing started in earnest. The anchor dropped about 8:45 and we were situated in what seemed like a rather narrow gap between Rose Island to the north and Fort Adams to the south. I left the ship about 10:30 for a short walk in Newport. I have been in Newport many times (I think most recently in 2017) so there was not a lot I needed to do and took just a short walk around, walking to Queen Ann Square and passing by Trinity Church (Anglican) one of the oldest churches in Newport. I then returned to the tender pier. I was in Newport for about an hour. Something I have never done before is have lunch on the aft Lido deck (Often breakfast but never lunch) and it was just an ideal day for that. The final Crystal Visions program of the cruise was Jean-Pierre Andrieux on the history of New York, with a special emphasis on passenger ships. I watched on TV while packing continued, and the big bag was pretty much ready before dinner. Sunset was about 6:10 but I would be busy then and caught it close to setting about 5:55. My final entertainment event was comedian Steve Caouette in the Stardust Club at 6PM. The show was a bit longer than expected but very nice. Despite being over half an hour late I was still seated at the usual shared table with 2 Ambassador Hosts and one lady. My selections for my final dinner were Chicken Consume, Homemade Mafaldine Pasta, and Roasted Almond Ice cream. I am hoping to wrap up this post and be in bed by about 10. Roy

Day CS6, Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Portland, ME Queen Mary 2 is in Boston I slept until about 5:30 but was up in time for coffee in the Bistro a little after 6. I headed up to Marketplace a little before 7 and the sun came up on the aft lido deck about 6:50. I have been to Portland a number of times, starting I think in 1995 when I first boarded the Ferry Scotia Prince to Nova Scotia on a land trip. I did the same in 2000 with my vehicle on the way to Newfoundland, and have been there on cruises with Blount Small Ship Adventures in 2015 and on the Veendam in 2013, The terminal in Portland is in the same location as previous cruises but there is a new building, and the city is right on the water. I had no real plans for Portland but got off for a short walk about 11:30, walking down to where the NCL Pearl was docked. I am told the dock the Scotia Prince used was another half mile down the waterfront but the building it used is gone. A narrow gauge scenic train left from the cruise terminal area: I returned for a late lunch of greens from marketplace, Grilled Ham and Cheese, and Ice Cream. I returned to the Trident Grill space later in the afternoon to handle some business that required a combination of internet and a good US Cell Phone signal. All aboard as 3:30 and when I went out shortly after that lines were already being released. The last lines were let go with a sound of the horn at 3:42 and we started pulling out of the harbor, making a wide swing toward the sea. Louis sang at 4:03. A new twist has been added to our departure ritual with Louis followed by a Calypso medley of Over the Rainbow and What A Wonderful World. Tom DeFrank’s final presentation was at 4:30, more anecdotes of his encounters with our Presidents, primarily Gerald Ford and Bush 41. Sunrise was officially 6:04 but there was some nice color in the sky a little after that. I also paused for an overview of the pool deck. It was just me and 2 Ambassador Hosts at the shared table. My choices for the evening were Roast Prime Rib and a Blueberry Slice. I did not see an appetizer I fancied so I had a second type of bread. The featured entertainment was the Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers with “Crystal on Broadway”. I was getting drowsy and left about a half hour into the show. Roy

Wow, already well into page 2 and I will post even later if at all tomorrow. Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. Safe travels @marshhawk, For me, National Savings Day is probably the best of the days, and I do think age matters. I know I have been to Costa Maya. I'll celebrate the Submarine as my brother served on one for several years. Today's meal might be just what was missing from my dinner last night. My alternate menu suggestion is Roast Prime Rib and a Blueberry Slice as served on Crystal Serenity last night. Roy

Just a couple of photos from Kiel from my day there before boarding Queen Victoria. This was a sight that was commonplace in my youth but something I hadn't seen in the US in decades: and one of the original propellors from QE2 before it was converted from steam to diesel power: Roy

What was your point of view? Were you in South Portland, perhaps Bug Light Park? Roy

Today's sunrise is again yesterday, this time from the deck of Crystal Serenity coming into Saint John: Roy

Today's sunrise is again yesterday, this time from the deck of Crystal Serenity coming into Saint John: Roy

Today's sunrise is again yesterday, this time from the deck of Crystal Serenity coming into Saint John: Roy

I've been spoiled by great color growing up in upstate New York and have not seen the greatest of color. This is from Quebec and I don't think it has gotten better: There is some but I suspect most of the trees are evergreens so only a few splotches of color: Roy

Day CS5, Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Saint John, New Brunswick Queen Mary 2 is at sea enroute to Boston The day started with a bit of a technology hiccup. One of the first things I do in the morning is download the latest Reflections and Dinner menu. There was no online Reflections until about the time we were cleared and I hope people who do not get paper Reflections were not too inconvenienced. I also did not check the day on the menu and it was not until I was in the dining room that I realized I had downloaded the Monday menu. I was up about 5:30 and down to the Bistro for coffee about 6:10. I went up to Marketplace for breakfast about 7:30 and the sun came up on the aft lido deck just a little later. We docked in Saint John a little about 8:30 behind Liberty of the Seas. That was supposed to be my first ship of 2023 out of Fort Lauderdale in late April but I cancelled it since I was then still in recovery from Pneumonia. It is a huge ship which dwarfs Serenity. It is just a bit larger than Queen Mary 2 (5%) but carries 40% more passengers. We had the weekly crew about 10, and while there were a number of announcements, I don’t think the drill ever involved any passenger areas. I left the ship about 10:30. It was a much easier disembarkation than Halifax, with a relatively short ramp to the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. On the way out I passed a very interesting model of the Original Queen Mary which the caption said was a real remote controlled model which could actually float. While I have never sailed Queen Mary I have visited her a number of times as a hotel in Long Beach. My only plan for Saint John was lunch at Tim Hortons. It looks like the one I have visited in the past is now closed and is now inside the Skywalk at Brunswick Square. It is up a steep hill from the waterfront but the Skywalk has elevators which make the climb easy. It was small but had all the essentials for my lunch of Chicken Noodle Soup and Steeped Tea. I walked down by the street and it was a steep drop, and then headed back to the terminal. I left Canadian soil for the last time about 12:35, and headed up to the Lido for skim milk and Ice Cream. It was a bit of a busy afternoon. Afternoon tea was at 3:30. After my tea and scone I stopped at the library and picked up the latest Sudoku. All aboard was 5:30 but at 5 I had my Zoom meeting with my church’s finance meeting. I left the meeting at 5:45 and when I went out on deck we were already moving. We started moving forward past Liberty of the Seas before finally turning out to sea. Louis sang at 6:12. Sunset was officially 6:48 but I caught it dropping below the clouds about 6:25. There were only me, one other guest, and 2 Ambassador Hosts at the shared table for dinner. My choices for the evening were Beef Consume, Torchietti Al Pesto, and Lemon Tart. There was no evening program in the Galaxy Lounge. Sara Combs had put on a show in the Stardust Club while I was on deck for Sailaway. I spent a little bit of time with Joel Spire in the Avenue Saloon, catching most of his first set. I did not try for a photo until the end of the set while his wife was with him at the piano. By the time I left the Avenue the White Party had started in the Crystal Cove. I did not stay there long. We gained an hour as we returned to Eastern Time but most of it was spent at the computer and I headed off to bed about 10PM new time. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. Back in the USA (Portland). Interesting day and I like Aurelius quote. I was a fan of the 1962 Vatican Council. I was through the Kiel Canal on MS Prinsendam in 2015 and embarked Queen Victoria there in 2019. I do hope things work out for @Lady Hudson to take that cruise on Liberty OTS which we shared Saint John with just yesterday. Not sure about the meal. My alternative is Beef Consume, Torchietti Al Pesto, and Lemon Tart as served on Crystal Serenity yesterday: Roy

I did get to tea this afternoon and it was definitely whipped cream. Sorry Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday from Crystal Serenity's aft lido deck approaching Halifax: Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday from Crystal Serenity's aft lido deck approaching Halifax: Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday from Crystal Serenity's aft lido deck approaching Halifax: Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. It looks like a nice day in Saint John. Since I am now in Canada National Metric Day sounds especially appropriate. Interesting quote by Chandler. I have been to Wellington a few times, Crystal Symphony in 2018, and again in 2020 both as a railroad-ferry interchange point and as a port on Crystal Serenity. I will celebrate the bicycle. I have not ridden one in the past but did extensively up into my late 49's including one trip from Baltimore to Montreal. The meal sounds very nice. My alternative is Grilled Mongolian Lamb Chops, Key Lime Slice, and Fruit plate a la mode, as served last night in Crystal Serenity's Tastes restaurant last night. Roy

Day CS4, Monday, October 9, 2023, Halifax, NS Queen Mary 2 is in Sydney I was up about 5:30 and down to the Bistro for coffee a little after 6. When I went up to Marketplace for the first stage of breakfast just after 7 the sun was just coming up as viewed from the aft deck. We docked about 8 at pier 20 and were cleared about8:15 but I remained on the ship until about 10. I did take one full lap around the promenade deck and paused near the bow of the harbor walk where I would later take a brief walk. I did leave the ship about 10 walking to about Bishop’s landing on the harbor waterfront boardwalk. I think the total walk was somewhat over a mile but much of it was the zig-zag path through the terminal. Along the walk I passed a few statues including one for Woman Volunteers who served the armed forces in WW2, and another to the Immigrants who arrived in Canada through the Port of Halifax. On the way back I paused for a photo of Serenity at the pier. Lunch was my typical Trident Lunch but I added a scoop of ice cream from Scoops. All aboard was 3:30 and the gangway was removed right about 4, apparently right after the port agent disembarked. The horn sounded at 4:07 and we started to move. Louis sang at 4:13. There was one afternoon talk after we left the port with Jean-Pierre Andrieux speaking on the Pine Tree Line, the first of the defensive radar and other networks set up in the Cold War Era. The Crystal Society Party was in Palm Court at 5:45. Sunset was at 6:45 but it was quite cloudy so I stepped out on deck just before the party to capture the sun as it disappeared behind the clouds. Captain Vincent Taillard (quite new to Crystal) welcomed us aboard and then Crystal Society Hostess Emmalee Sassi Seager presented awards to several top cruisers. The very top cruiser was a lady with 161 cruises. I was surprised that Waterside did not have a special Dinner for Canada’s Thanksgiving and decided to try something different, dining for the first time ever in Tastes, a venue on the Lido Deck which uses about half the space originally occupied by the covered aft pool. I found it did not have some of the things I normally expect with dinner but enjoyed the Mongolian Lamb Chops and a double desert, a Key Lime Slice, and a plate of fruit and berries a la mode. The featured entertainment was Icons in Concert. I had planned to attend at least part of it but fell asleep at my desk and missed it. Roy

I have expanded my wordpress menus page to have menus for other venues as well as at least one lunch. Every link should work except menus for the last 3 days: https://morethangetaways.wordpress.com/crystalmenus2023/ Roy

While I had not seen the sun all day there was a little bit of color yesterday as I sat down to dinner. Roy

While I had not seen the sun all day there was a little bit of color yesterday as I sat down to dinner. Roy