Emdee

Yesterday was a full program for us. Tastes for lunch followed by an evening Sinatra show which was perfect for us and OO for dinner. Tastes was tastes and the chinois salad for me is a must. Enjoyed the mini show with some of the Sinatra favourites. Second time at OO for me a tad disappointing. I enjoyed it the last time I went in September. I find the meals here interesting but not inspiring after so many super meals in Waterside. Not sure if we will go again next week. We have eaten Italian food in several very good restaurants, even Michelin star restaurants, in Italy so I am not comparing it to Prego. While the menu appears to be good on paper the flavours just don’t do it for me.

So far we have always had a Catholic priest on board. The priest told us in September that he held separate masses for the staff. Crystal treats their staff so very well..it is not a coincidence that they chose to return.

The ocean in Marigot was very calm so I ventured out for a long tender ride and a few minutes walk in Marigot before returning. DH went to a wine shop to source fine champagnes for my DD who is not with us on the cruise. Today is another gorgeous day in St.Kitts.

There is an 8 top in the centre of Umi Uma. It was fully seated by the wedding party. Looked a bit tight but they seemed happy enough!

Beautiful. It is many years since we went to the top and enjoyed the views. We just took the tender to the port from whence I returned pretty fast. DH went on to the wine store to source something for my champagne loving DD.

Crystal was late into the game so naturally many of us made other plans. We will be on two long Regent cruises next year. However we decided to come on board in September and after really enjoying our trip did a b2b these 2 weeks. Now thinking of another Crystal cruise next year besides the ones we have already booked in 2025. So as passengers return and enjoy what they have always loved about Crystal bookings will increase.

In typical Crystal fashion the Reflections have some special gems. We are anchored off Tortola but they mention continuous tender services to the ferry terminal in Marigot. That would be one long tender! Love this one: ” if you have items that you would prefer not to lose, you may wish to consider leaving them on the ship”

Next cruise on Serenity more…around 300 pass. One 100 passengers will be b2b. Then the ship is full over the holidays and going into the WC. I am just so happy Crystal is back. The number of passengers is irrelevant to me. Hopefully they are here for the long term.

Not too bad for basic everyday things.

Went to mass to give thanks for the many mercies received especially my recovery. The Lido guys are on top of their game. One day and they knew exactly the set up I liked and my drink special of salted fresh lime juice appeared miraculously while I battled the serious waves of the Wave Pool a little bit before finally bowing down to the forces of nature! Serenity is a very stable ship in choppy seas but no walkabout for me today. I too found the Asian buffet very good. Topped it off with an ice cream. My plate was also carried to my seat but everyone is very solicitous about my condition and some are even keeping track of my daily steps and egging me on. The recuperation is going better than expected and DH tells me there are several holidaying doctors on board ,besides himself, should I need them. We didn’t go for the Crystal society cocktail or as I keep mistakenly calling it the Seven seas society cocktail… haven’t been for one of these in ages. Maybe will show up next week… or not. Unfortunately didn’t make the Sinatra show either.

With all the big ships docked decided to stay on board in the Bahamas. Also I don’t really have the physical capacity to walk the huge dock. Was a quiet day for us which was lovely. The staff and service have been amazing. Our butler Raj is a real gem along with our room stewardess Nincy. Both have done everything to help me along my recuperation….trekking poles, ice packs et al. I take a mid dinner walk to ease up my very stiff knee and immediately the restaurant staff show their concern and offer to assist me. I think after surgery on the next knee may schedule a cruise to Alaska.Nothing like recuperating on board with the TLC on Crystal. I really wanted to drop in at Avenue last night but after listening to Nadia at the cove after dinner decided to call it a day. Here is a pic of last evening.

Will let you know as I have a host of pics of OC decorations from 2019. Lots of gnomes and elves a Santa in Hawaii etc. Regent has a Christmas tree competition for each of the departments…at least they did on the Explorer. Some of the trees were quite innovative!

And finally….i too had the Cobb Salad on embarkation day.

The usual busy first day…boarding, unpacking and the like. Lots of greetings and welcome back from staff on board. Lots of promotions and upward movement of staff. Always good to see hard work and loyalty appreciated. Tomorrow Bahamas ….a sea day for us.

Welcome to the thread. We sailed in 2019 April with you. My daughter did a tour with you and had the good fortune to meet Elton John when she left the tour! She isn’t on board but said to say hi to you.

They were even kind enough to loan me two sticks when we were in Newfoundland in September and I would have been helpless without them.

Miami musings… Always happy to go on a cruise but something about going on Crystal just affects us so differently. We have far more days on Regent and are booked for two long ones next year but I really think it is the Crystal love that envelopes us. Each night at Waterside I get a blanket for my arthritic knees. The waiter even washed it mid cruise for me! On Regent I was told to bring the lap blanket from my room. Just a few more hours to board and hopefully dine in Waterside for our embarkation lunch tradition.

Thank you. Now in Miami.

My DH had the lamb in September….he said mine is better. I buy baby lambs from a local farm incredibly tender meat. Will likely go to Tastes again. Enjoyed it at lunch as well. Cannot wait to be back on board.

Thank you so much.

Thank you

Thank you.

Thanks Nancy. We had our first snow today…just a sprinkling but happy for the promise of warm air and sea breeze.

Yes but it does tell of their service standard. When I wrote to Crystal on board guest services they confirmed that all my allergies etc were already noted in my profile. Seabourn on the other hand decided I was gluten free instead of lactose free so I had to beg the lovely bread in TK Grill. Regent remembered my daughter’s request from 10 years ago although she hadn’t traveled on them in the intervening years.

Thanks for your wishes. So excited. I decided it was an appropriate reward for my hard work of physio and exercises. Thanks for the tip regarding the weights …will slip it in my bag. Next surgery scheduled for March. Unfortunately no Crystal reward then as we have booked a family trip on Regent! I really believing in seizing the day especially after the last few years of illness and Covid etc.