Live From Miami & Then Crystal Serenity - A New Crystal Adventure Begins

[Keith1010]

9 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

by the way, the waterside menu looks absolutely fabulous!  i'd just sit there all night and have a little taste of everything!  can you do that?

You could have two appetizers and some people ask for two entrees having it all or asking for half portions.

 

They will accommodate most requests so I am sure you could taste more.

 

Keith

[Texas Tillie]

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

You could have two appetizers and some people ask for two entrees having it all or asking for half portions.

 

They will accommodate most requests so I am sure you could taste more.

 

Keith

 

I've been known to order a double portion of an appetizer as my main. If it's already on the menu it's "my pleasure"!

 

Patty

[travelberlin]

Thanks again Keith for all your information with beautiful pictures. I am glad that you and Anne Marie are enjoying the cruise.

 

I know your cruise is pretty full. Do you have an idea ( or someone you know has) of how many guests are being expected for the next cruise? 
 

Ivi

[Keith1010]

42 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Thanks again Keith for all your information with beautiful pictures. I am glad that you and Anne Marie are enjoying the cruise.

 

I know your cruise is pretty full. Do you have an idea ( or someone you know has) of how many guests are being expected for the next cruise? 
 

Ivi

Thank you Ivi and Happy New Year. If I am remembering correctly I believe someone said around 550 but I might have that confused with the cruise after that. It might be less than I am thinking but not more.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Happy New Year from Crystal Serenity.

 

Welcome 2024. I would like to wish each of you a very safe, healthy and Happy New Year. May 2024 be the best yet.

 

I went ashore in Grenada yesterday just for a stroll around the town.

 

Enjoyed the rest of the day on Serenity as we closed 2023 and welcomed in 2024. I can’t think of a better way to end the year and welcome in the new year than to be sailing on-board either Crystal Symphony or Crystal Serenity.

 

In today's Reflections Program it shows a New Years Day Buffet in Market Place.  As they have been doing themed buffets there I expect something similar which is great.  The start of 11:00 AM is good recognizing we arrive to port at Noon.

 

Happy New Year

 

Cheers,

 

Keith 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections.

 

ReflectionsJanuary1.pdf

 

Today's Waterside dinner Menu

 

WatersideJan1.pdf

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

Today's Reflections

 

January1Reflections.pdf

 

Keith

 

 

[Keith1010]

For those of you who have asked whether or not Crystal would have a Grand Gala Buffet or a special Brunch this is very similar to what used to be done in the Crystal Plaza. A little less variety and in Market Place but the food looked great and it was very well done.

 

Cheers,

Keith

[USCAdventurer]

what a fabulous buffet.  i noticed you photographed the desserts first.  i don't blame you.  life is short so start with dessert, i always say!!!!

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed a nice day yesterday. Shortly before we arrived to port, rain stopped, sun came out but still windy. In time, less wind. Three other ships with us.  

 

Like some we made it a sea day. Town was very crowded and there was no need for us to get off.

 

With better weather we enjoyed the things we like to do outside including Paddle Tennis (me), walking both of us and chats with guests and members of the crew.

 

Dinner was back at Waterside. Food, service, ambience wonderful  

 

The food is better than ever IMHO.

 

 

 

Today's Daily Program Reflections.

 

9F1772E3-E025-4E67-8B87-C1D3ED8E73FA.pdf

 

This Evening's Waterside Dinner Menu.

 

WatersideJanuary2.pdf

 

Cheers,

Keith

[Keith1010]

Photos from Stardust Lounge.

 

The four person tables and selected two person tables could accommodate 100 guests in Supper Club but they are not filled 100% since restart.  After Stardust Rolled out seating was great than 100 guests before room was update during dry dock to accommodate for staging items needed for the Supper Club.

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this cruise Supper Club is offered two times with the second one tomorrow on the third formal of this cruise.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Another wonderful on Serenity

 

We arrived at our final port of call of this cruise at 8:00 am, Brad Town Tortola.  The downtown area was a 10-to-15-minute walk from the pier, depending on your speed of walk.

 

City population is 12,500+ locals.  Road Town, Tortola is part of the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is the capital and the largest of the 50 British Virgin Islands.  The Island of Tortola is 13.5 miles long and 3 miles wide.  

 

Enjoyed Paddle Tennis with many people in the afternoon.  It’s been great playing this cruise.

 

Last night we had dinner at Waterside.  

 

Excellent dinner with terrific service.

For those of you who like the mushroom soup it was on the menu.

 

Two more sea days until we arrive back to Miami.

 

I'm also including Waterside Menu for this evening.

 

 

 

Cheers,

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections below.

 

WatersideJan3.pdf

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

ReflectionsJan3.pdf

[gt1man]

Keith

 

Have you heard any news on the casino coming back?

 

Thanks

[Keith1010]

8 hours ago, gt1man said:

Keith

 

Have you heard any news on the casino coming back?

 

Thanks

Nothing new on this voyage other than sometime this year.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

 

Yesterday and today are the final sea days as we head to Miami.

 

It's been a great cruise.  

 

We continue to have an amazing time sailing Crystal Serenity.

Sea days continue to have lots of activities and today is our fourth sea day of the cruise.  Lots on the program.  A few to highlight was the second of three cooking demonstrations by Chef Jon Ashton and a behind the scenes look at the White House.  Destination lectures as well.

 

Last evening was the third and final formal of the cruise. Normally, cruises of this length have two formals nights. Since this was the Holiday Cruise, it was more dressy in terms of three versus two formal nights.

 

Before dinner was the Captain's Farewell Reception. On this cruise we have had three different receptions; Captain's Welcome, Crystal Society and last evening's Farewell Reception.

This was followed by dinner at Waterside.

 

We had planned to dine two times each at Umi Uma and Osteria on this cruise. Instead, we ended up dining at each one once. We very much enjoy both specialty restaurants. However, we decided to go to Waterside on the other evening's other than Tastes one night because we find Waterside to be very special as well. At the same time knowing some people were waiting for a second reservation for one or more of the Specialty Restaurant hopefully this allowed a couple more guests to be able to dine there. Food at all venues has been wonderful for us.

 

As to the food. If this was baseball it was a grand slam home run.

 

Caviar was from the modern menu and the combination of ingredients was amazing. As to the Lobster this was a wow. The lobster was delicous and cooked to perfecton. We enjoyed the meal so much when dessert came I forgot to take photos.

 

Everything was great including the outstanding waitstaff team which has taken excellent care of us throughout this sailing. Bravo.

 

I have more thoughts to share about the cruise which I will do when we return home. In the meantime, we have another wonderful sea day to enjoy.

 

Today's daily program and waterside menu follows and some photos.

ReflectionsJan4.pdf

 

WatersideJan4.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers.

 

Keith

ReflectionsJan4.pdf

[ctjon]

Thank you for this great thread as well as the other places you two report.   We have tended not to do Caribbean cruises lately since we have done them several times in the past and they tend to be non-luxury cruise ports, etc.  You reminded us that Crystal is a destination in itself will always be a great experience no matter the destination.  Looking forward to it.

Thanks again

[USCAdventurer]

Keith,

you are marvelous!  thank you for all your comments and photos.  the food looks absolutely delicious.  glad you are having such a good cruise, but i think you always have a good cruise no matter where you go as long as you're on a crystal ship.  doesn't seem liked you had any meals in your cabin this cruise.  i'm glad to know how happy you are with the food in waterside.  it sounds like another specialty restaurant.  have a pleasant sea day and good disembarkation in miami tomorrow.

 

[Keith1010]

7 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

Keith,

you are marvelous!  thank you for all your comments and photos.  the food looks absolutely delicious.  glad you are having such a good cruise, but i think you always have a good cruise no matter where you go as long as you're on a crystal ship.  doesn't seem liked you had any meals in your cabin this cruise.  i'm glad to know how happy you are with the food in waterside.  it sounds like another specialty restaurant.  have a pleasant sea day and good disembarkation in miami tomorrow.

 

Thank you for following along and for your kind comments.

 

Keith

[CabinBoy2020]

Keith, Thank you for your fantastic reporting and photos.  I hope your next Crystal cruise is coming up soon as I love to follow along. I agree 100% about the food on board.  I was on a B2B2B just before your holiday cruise and had a chance to eat in all the venues (and room service) numerous times.  I'm probably an outlier, but I preferred Waterside and Tastes the most.  I was impressed with the variety, quality, and presentation in all the restaurants. And, as you've highlighted so well, the service is outstanding.  Have a safe trip home.

 

Bill

[Keith1010]

4 hours ago, ctjon said:

Thank you for this great thread as well as the other places you two report.   We have tended not to do Caribbean cruises lately since we have done them several times in the past and they tend to be non-luxury cruise ports, etc.  You reminded us that Crystal is a destination in itself will always be a great experience no matter the destination.  Looking forward to it.

Thanks again

Thank you so much for following along. Yes, Crystal is a destination and the best one at that.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

49 minutes ago, CabinBoy2020 said:

Keith, Thank you for your fantastic reporting and photos.  I hope your next Crystal cruise is coming up soon as I love to follow along. I agree 100% about the food on board.  I was on a B2B2B just before your holiday cruise and had a chance to eat in all the venues (and room service) numerous times.  I'm probably an outlier, but I preferred Waterside and Tastes the most.  I was impressed with the variety, quality, and presentation in all the restaurants. And, as you've highlighted so well, the service is outstanding.  Have a safe trip home.

 

Bill

Thank you so much Bill.  I always say choice is great and so glad you had two favorites restaurants.

 

Best to you.

 

Keith

[360Guy]

Keith,

 

Thank you for sharing your experiences on this cruise and the effort you put into providing the various pictures, daily reflections and Waterside menus.  Much appreciated!  It looked like a fantastic cruise in every way.

 

We were already booked on the Serenity Quebec City to New York late September, and your feedback as well as others we have been reading motivated us to book the Vancouver-Vancouver cruise in early July!  The suite upgrade was very enticing…and frankly I am just impatient to experience Crystal for the first time!

 

Have a safe trip home and looking forward to our upcoming cruises with Crystal!

 

Bob

[Keith1010]

2 hours ago, 360Guy said:

Keith,

 

Thank you for sharing your experiences on this cruise and the effort you put into providing the various pictures, daily reflections and Waterside menus.  Much appreciated!  It looked like a fantastic cruise in every way.

 

We were already booked on the Serenity Quebec City to New York late September, and your feedback as well as others we have been reading motivated us to book the Vancouver-Vancouver cruise in early July!  The suite upgrade was very enticing…and frankly I am just impatient to experience Crystal for the first time!

 

Have a safe trip home and looking forward to our upcoming cruises with Crystal!

 

Bob

Bob, thank you so much for following along and for your very kind comments.

 

So glad to hear that you have added another cruise and utilizing the promotion.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

We are a few hours from Miami as I write this post.

It's been a great cruise.

 

Crystal is back and IMHO better than ever.

 

Most items corrected from the first two cruises and so much to love and enjoy.  Internet challenging the last few days and hopefully can be resolved soon as it was excellent on the first two cruises.

 

I will write a review in a few weeks but overall lit was a wonderful cruise.

 

Most people we speak with say what we do. Can't wait to return.

 

Just like old Crystal, new Crystal continues to evolve.  Since the day we first sailed with Crystal in the summer of 2002 we were told it was evolving. Some enjoyed each or more changes and some didn't enjoy it as much.  I could list 100's of changes.  

 

Yesterday, was another super day on board. Lots to enjoy including classes, lectures, activities inside and outside, entertainment, food and even the weather.

 

Chef Jon Ashton did his third cooking demo and the room was filled.  Made a nice entree which everyone got to enjoy.  

 

It's been very nice to share this cruise with some of the members of CC.  We sailed with some of you who we have known for years and just yesterday I met two other people from this board (not traveling with one another) for the very first time.

 

We look forward to our next Crystal Cruises.

 

What a wonderful cruise line.

 

What a wonderful world.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

I used the on-board Internet Cafe for the first time since New Crystal started to check in for our flights.  I like the fact that there is a reader to log-in so all you have to do is place your room card on the reader and it logs you on. This way you avoid having to key in your log on information.  Brilliant.

 

Cheers,

Keith

 

 

 

 

[saminina]

Wave when passing by Explora.....if we're anywhere close.   Looking forward to boarding Serenity next month.