This photo is an example of all of the effort that goes into not only the preparation of the food, but in this case the set up of the Grand Gala Buffet.
Before we post about the cruise we wanted to mention that our hearts go out to those in Brisbane, Australia and any other areas of Australia that have been devastated by the continuing flooding that has taken place. Having seen first hand the impact from some flooding last year of some neighbors in our community we know how difficult a time it is for so many people.
We also want to mention that we continue to read and do our best to keep up with the recent horrific situation in Tucson. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Representative Gifford’s and her family, along with each and every person who was impacted by what took place in Tucson. We just can’t understand how someone can do the horrific violence that this person did. The strength that people have shown through this is amazing whether the strength of the parent’s of the nine year old girl who lost her life to the strength shown by Representative Gifford’s husband to the strength of the man who tended to Representative Gifford’s right after she was shot. Even though he did not consider himself a hero, we join President Obama in saying that he is a hero. Hopefully, in time, lessons will be realized from what has taken place. We also want to mention the terrific medical personnel who are taking good care and performing miracles for Representative Gifford’s and others who were seriously hurt. While there are times that we are all frustrated at the pace in which medical science is addressing certain diseases there is no question that they have performed miracles when it comes to trauma to the brain and to other very severe wounds such as limbs as they have done in other areas such as heart surgery.
We wanted to mention again how much we enjoyed the new production show that is now on this ship; Across The Pond. It is very upbeat and lifting with songs from The Beatles, Elton John, even Queen and several other familiar bands. On top of this it is a very physical show for the singers and the dancers and clearly the most physical show they perform of the Production Shows and it shows off the many talents that this team of professionals has. We look forward to seeing in again on this journey
Last evening before dinner we attended a cocktail reception at Captain Glenn’s Quarters. When we arrived, Captain Glenn greeted us at the entranceway along with Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown. We chatted with both of them for a minute and then made our way into the captain’s quarters where there were several waiters who take drink orders also offer canapés.
There was an excellent mix of guests including some who were celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries on this cruise along with other guests. This was another special opportunity to talk with some of the officers and with fellow passengers and we very much appreciate the opportunity to attend these receptions from time to time.
We chatted with the Hotel Director, Herbert, and also Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown and Sales Consultant, Jamie Brown and also with some fellow guests who we know from previous cruises.
We also spent a good deal of time talking with a woman traveling solo who is not only on her first cruise with Crystal Cruises but who is also celebrating her birthday. She is thrilled sailing with Crystal Cruises and plans to tell her friends back home in Iowa how much she is enjoying the cruise. She mentioned how comfortable she feels on the ship particularly as someone travelling solo. She mentioned how she appreciated the thoughtfulness shown to her by the Maitre d’ in the Main Dining room as she was placed at a table with other guests traveling solo and she has enjoyed the opportunity to dance on the ship each evening with the Ambassador Hosts who are available to dance with those women travelling solo who want to enjoy dancing on the ship.
While Keith was talking with some passengers who we know from previous cruises, Anne Marie introduced this first time Crystal Cruiser to Captain Glenn, Hotel Director, Herbert Doppler, and to Jamie and Jaque Brown so this woman would have the opportunity to chat with them. She said she really felt at home on the ship and we smiled and told her that we feel the same way.
Following the reception, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the Main Dining Room. The attire for last evening was informal attire. Gents are asked to wear dress slacks and a sport jacket. While tie is optional Keith likes to wear a tie. The women are asked to wear cocktail party dress or a pants suit.
The menu theme for last evening’s dinner was Neptune’s dinner.
The night before Headwaiter, Augustu, asked if we would like to have some Tuna Tartare this evening so he made this for us. While we have the long-standing joke with him about Steak Tartare. That is one item we will pass on. Augustu prepared the Tuna Tartare at our table and then had us sample it to be sure we were happy with it and it was quite good. Much thanks to Augustu for suggesting that we try this item.
This menu featured three appetizers including Homemade Cognac Cured Gravlax, Seafood Samosa, and Warm Savory Sun Dried Tomato Cheesecake.
New England Clam Chowder and Beef Consommé were the two soups on the menu along with two salads.
There was a pasta special of Garganelli con Prosciutto e Asparagi which is Italian Pasta with Prosciutto, Asparagus, Tomato and Cream (no calories) and there was a Salad Entrée of Herb and Garlic Marinated, Pink Roasted Pork Tenderloin served with a nice array of salad items.
The Main Fares featured Broiled Fresh Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, Pan Fried Lump Crab Cake, Crisp Mole-Rubbed Rotisserie Chicken Half and Filet Steak Mermaid, which was a Filet Mignon, which was Accompanied by a Giant Jumbo Shrimp. All of the entrées sounded yummy.
There were also some additional entrees available of Grilled Angus Sirloin Steak and Broiled Grouper Fillet.
In addition to all of this, there were lighter side menu items and Vegetarian Selections to choose from.
If you had room for dessert you were in for many treats.
There were eight, yes, eight classic desserts to choose from and two sugar free desserts. Also featured were two other desserts. One called “Bugs Bunny” was Carrot Zucchini Cake, Marble Vanilla Coconut Tapioca and Scarlet Orange Sherbet and the other dessert was “Washington Apple Bake:, which includes Oven-Baked Apple Pudding, Vanilla Custard and Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
In addition to the appetizer, we enjoyed a wonderfully prepared Salad, the Broiled Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, the additional side order of vegetables and fruit for dessert.
As usual, we loved the food and the wonderful service and the overall ambience of the dining room.
Many fellow passenger’s were at the Specialty Restaurants so it was fairly quiet in the Main Dining Room so we had more time to chat with our senior waiter and waiter and our sommelier. We also had a nice chat with Maitre d’ Mario. We talked about fitness and eating healthy with Mario as he is in great condition as he is a runner. We also spoke with Augustu for a while.
Last nights entertainment included Swing Music in the Crystal Cove, which featured, live music performed by Crystal’s very talented Galaxy Orchestra and two shows performed by Ventriloquist Michael Harrison. Other entertainment included live music performed by the Crystal Sextet for those who wanted to dance or to listen to music and Marcie Castro played the piano at the Avenue Saloon. The evening movie was The American.
We enjoyed another nice sleep on the Serenity as we sailed to Puerto Vallarta.
Keith awoke early and enjoyed another nice workout in the fitness center. During the time of day that Keith works out the crew are washing down the outside of the ship and this includes the outside deck area and all of the windows outside the Fitness Center. Keith waved to the gentlemen cleaning this morning and there was a smile on his face. You can see that the crew takes great pride in the ship and it really shows. The ship is scheduled for dry-dock at the end of this World Cruise and it looks beautiful as it has in prior years. The crew continually works to keep it looking clean and attending to what we’d call pro-active maintenance related items.
In terms of how clean the ship is, we have seen the assistant head housekeepers check the outside of the decks on the floors where the staterooms are located and with a white glove check along where the walls and the ceiling meets for dust. This just is one of many examples of keeping the ship looking neat and clean.
By the time he finished up, there were just a couple of passengers working out., Anne Marie enjoyed a very nice workout in the Fitness Center rather than on the Promenade Deck as it was a bit foggy outside.
Keith stopped by the Lido Café for some coffee. Lido Deck Steward Reggie assisted him. They laughed because Keith struggles to get those lids on the coffee and today Reggie did it in a couple of second and with one hand. As they say, practice makes perfect. We highlight from time to time how wonderful the Lido Deck Stewards are and just want to mention this again because they are outstanding. They are so very kind and go out of their way to assist others and how they remember all that we enjoy is amazing. We have known many of these stewards for many years and it’s been nice to see how they have grown over the years. For us they represent the heart and soul of the ship.
This is our second time to Puerto Vallarta in the past few months as we visited this port of call in November. We had a nice time here.
Our first visit was in the last 1990’s, with our most recent visit in November 2010. During that ten year plus period there has been quite a lot of construction of hotels, condominiums, restaurants and retail shopping between the cruise ship pier and the downtown area on the road that runs along the beach and ocean. It is located in the Bahia Region on the Pacific Ocean. Although it is believed that humans inhabited this area as far back as 580 BC,
Puerto Vallarta’s population totals around 200,000 inhabitants. The major driver of its economy is tourism where it is estimated that almost 50% of all jobs are part of the tourist industry. It boasts 100 miles of coastline, which is ringed by mountains.
When we first got off the ship it was on the cooler side and there was quite a bit of fog. One of the locals we spoke with said that this was very unusual weather and the fog was a rarity. We ended up going out twice and the second time around the fog dissipated and the sun was out with no clouds in the sky. Once again, we had perfect weather.
After we arrived to the port went off the ship. Last time we were here we walked about 45 minutes each way to and from the downtown area. This time our mission was to look for a new Paddle Tennis Racket for Keith. We first walked around for about an hour and then went back out over to a nearby shopping mall where we remembered that there was a sporting goods store that sells paddle tennis rackets. We got there a few minutes before it opened and another fellow passenger got there about a minute after we did. As it turned out, they only had two rackets left so we each bought one. Typically, these types of rackets are not available in the USA except on the Internet and the other places we have seen them are in Spain and in Argentina.
We arrived back to the ship at lunchtime and we had lunch at the Lido Café. Once again, we each enjoyed a very nice salad entrée.
This afternoon Anne Marie took another nice long walk on the Promenade Deck and Keith played paddle tennis.
This evening we will be dining at the Main Dining Room and will post about this tomorrow.
More good news! Tonight we sent the clocks back one hour as we sail into another new time zone.
The news continues to get better tomorrow evening as well as we will set the clocks back yet another hour in preparation for our arrival to Los Angeles on January 17.
TODAY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…..
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Keith and Anne Marie
I so njoy reading your blog and the pictures are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this advenure with us. ( And Anne Marie you have the most beautiful dresses. :) )
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