Keith1010

The Crystal Captains party was back and alive and well. It included the recognition of a woman we know who achieved her 100th milestone. We haven't been to one of these since 2019 as they weren't doing them in 2021. Keith

Have everyone book the same venue for the same date and time. Provide the names of everyone and their booking numbers to on board guest services with the date/time you booked (they will verify that) and ask that you all be seated. Do this sooner rather than later after you can make reservations. Keith

I will post later today about return to Oseteria d'Ovidio. Anne Marie and I purposely tried items we didn't have the first time. More later. Keith

The good news is you can have the mushroom soup when it is on the Waterside menu. Tonight we revisited Osteria d"Ovidio for the second time. We both ordered items we didn't on July 31. Ordered the Battuta di Fassona Picmontese which is beef tartare with Mustard Sauce, Truffle, Oregano Cracker and it was amazing. It's different than the beef carpaccio but if you close your eyes I thought it was at the same par as beef carpaccio and every other items including the bread and the chef's starter is superior to Pergo IMHO. I think of Prego as comfort food. I can get that at home. In fact, Anne Marie can make that at home. What you get at this restaurant is Michelin caliber food. No comparison. It is a wow. Keith

Just to add it is the new constructed suites that have the extra outlets and the B and C plugs

We've enjoyed another great 24 hours on-board Crystal Serenity. For dinner we dined at Umi Uma. We have enjoyed Nobu cuisine since the time we boarded Serenity in 2005. We remember back then and over the next few years that some guests were reluctant to go thinking everything served was Sashimi and some didn't know what to order. On occasion some would ask if they could join us for dinner there so we could help guide them through the menu. In time, most guests would dine there and realize there was a great variety of items to choose from the menu. I was first exposed to sushi and sashimi on Crystal Harmony and also on a business trip to Tokyo where he just gave it all a try. Our return to Umi Uma was amazing. The food was better than ever. The entire wait staff and sommelier team has returned except for only one waiter. We were in the best of hands between Head Waiter Sigi, Waiter Renato and Sommelier Adrian and when it became busy Ruel helped out as well. Last night's featured entertainment was appropriately Marco Romano an accomplished Italian Vocalist. In addition, there were many other options including two showings of the movie Moving On, dancing to live music, music in the Crystal Cove including pianist Stephen Roberts , Violinist Nadi Matlunina and guitarist Carlos Rayan who we have known since World Cruise 2019, The Avenue Saloon featured pianist and singer Joel Spree and a Karaoke Party in Pulse with DJ Emotion. After enjoying breakfast and walking we took the tender over to Calvi Corsica, France. The weather was overcast, breezy making it feel cool with very little humidity. Unlike yesterday, the sea swells were relatively calm. This was the first time Anne Marie was in a tender since 2019 as we didn't get off the tenders on all of the Bahama Salinas. However, she was in zodiacs several times when we sailed Endeavor circumnavigating Iceland. We enjoyed walking around the town. It's mainly restaurant, cafes, shops, small hotels along with a few places to visit. It was nice just to take in the sites and smell the roses. We ended up speaking with Avenue Saloon Pianist/Vocalist Joel Spire and his lovely wife. After enjoying a wonderful lunch I returned to playing Paddle Tennis while Anne Marie enjoyed a nice walk on the Promenade Deck and we enjoyed time talking to fellow guests and crew.

A few of you have asked about outlets in the new Sapphire and Aquamarine Suites. I followed up and want to let you know there are lots of electrical outlets and both b and c ports. Keith

Some of you have asked if there are supplemental gratuity forms at the desk. There are. If someone say there are not they might be new but there are. Tell them Keith said there are. LOL. Keith

With more butlers it was really nice to see some of the new team being comprised of staff getting well deserved promotions with some butlers coming from the outside who have a lot of related experience. We've met most of them now. The good news for all positions is that those from the outside benefit greatly from the experienced staff helping them out such as say in the bar area. Everywhere you will go you will see so many familiar faces. When I used to say the majority of crew would be returning I was not "kidding". You remember. Majority. Many. A lot. Well all is true. 🙂 Now how much wasted time was spent on that. Too much IMHO. Keith

Went into the Logo Shop last night. I think they would be wise to offer more polo like shirts and also sport shirts with solid colors including the Crystal color. It just opened and things take time but will ask about this. Nice to have that separate shop. The concept is to have beachwear also which they do. Keith

I might have said this already but Waterside for dinner opens at 6:15 PM versus 6:00 PM. Over the years the time have changed and I remember when it was 6:15 PM. Keith

I have asked a zillion times how to pronounce Osteria d"Ovidio and when they do I forget. But I am the person who can't pronounce the port of Rome so I say the port for Rome. Oh well. Keith

I will try. I have so many questions that people ask that it is often hard to keep track of them. Right now I am sure the focus is on a lot of other it and new system items but I will try to see. Keith

It is a new system. It is the one you are thinking of. The glass bottles are in the dining venues. Our rooms do not have the bottles. We have water bottles that are purchased with screw tops. Keith

I might be different than most. Years ago I tried to compare pricing between cruise lines. I gave up and don't waste my time doing it anymore. Why? I couldn't. If each cruise line offered the same number and quality of amenities I could. But they don't. They vary a great deal IMHO. How do I value the crew? How do I value Umi Uma? How do I value the quality of entertainment and enrichment? How do I value public room space? I suppose if I didn't care about anything other than room space I could but like I believe most people I do. Even on the same line pricing varies even for the same itinerary in the same room based on factors such as time of year. The cruise lines are very different. And when there are new ships I am sure the pricing will be higher than the existing ones. Keith

It just went up yesterday and as mentioned where it used to be. Keith

You are very welcome. Bistro is open until 6:00 PM I'lll post the menu later and hope you can read it . We dined in Umi Uma last night. As you will recall they removed the box a few years ago and they didn't add it back in on the new menu which is very similar to the more recent one. Keith

This I don't know as we made them before hand and we are not going to dine there anymore than the pre-cruise reservations. With that said additional ones can be made on board including having the butler make them or visiting the Specialty Restaurant Maitre d' when he has office hours. Keith

It's funny. Anne Marie and I stopped in before dinner last night and I was thinking of this but even I know they are not available then. 🙂 Keith

I forgot who asked there is a new water purifier system. Keith

OK, Observations. Umi Uma better than ever. Entire wait staff and sommelier team there except one person. Tables, chair and couches beautiful. Couch very comfortable. Sushi/Sashimi included along with a few items that you purchase which is the same as before. Fantastic window curtains so if it is really sunny it keeps the sun out. Where the two large tables used to be food stations. Badly needed and great spot. The Nobu wine is not yet on-board but no worries it is coming. The Bistro. Walked it for a second time with Anne Marie. Really looks great and Anne Marie noticed the lights on the wall which look like birds. Also have much improved window covers. Keith

There is a German Riesling for sure. If I can remember I will ask. Keith

LOL. Now I got it. it's in the same place across from The Bistro. Keith

Here is this thread. Less typing to say here. I did that on the other thread. Keith