Day 3 - At Sea
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Today Crystal Serenity is at sea sailing en route to Gaspé, Quebec. The seas through the St. Lawrence Seaway have been incredibly smooth so far. We have not noticed any motion thus far on this cruise.
This day starts like most every cruise day for me, with early morning coffee and working on my daily cruise blog (https://cruisereport.com). It usually takes me two to three hours each morning to go through all of the photos and video clips from the previous day and write the blog. Fortunately, Crystal Serenity has the perfect work place for me: The Bistro on Deck 6 midship.
Working on Daily Blog at The Bistro
The Bistro opens at 6am with coffee service. They offer some pastries, as well, which look very good, but unfortunately, I am unable to partake in those treats (trying to watch my weight).
As I am working on my blog and photos, Rickee is getting ready back in our suite. By the time I am done with my work, she is ready to proof what I have written, add her own tweaks and fix any of my grammatical and spelling errors.
At 10am this morning, Rickee attended a Computer University @ Sea class titled “Traveling With Your iPad/iPhone” conducted by Maria Monroe. Crystal offers several tech-oriented workshops like this on every cruise and they are extremely informative. Rickee learned a lot!
Traveling With Your iPad or iPhone
At 11am this morning, Rickee and I, along with our friends and fellow journalists, John and Sandra Nowlan, had the opportunity to visit with and interview Hotel Director, and twenty-year Crystal veteran, Scott Peterson. We were able to get some great insight into what went into the ship’s recent refurbishment. Mr. Peterson explained what areas of the ship were completely refurbished and which ones were “refreshed” on a deck-by-deck basis.
Interview With Scott Petersen
After our meeting with the Hotel Director, we had just enough time to run up to Palm Court for Team Trivia conducted by Sarah Combs. Rickee and I teamed up with John Nowlan to make a three-person team. While we did not win today’s challenge, we did get 11 out of 15 answers correct. However, we were the smallest team in the competition!
Sarah Conducts Team Trivia In Palm Court
After having a quick lunch at Marketplace buffet, we met this afternoon with Emmalee, the Future Cruise and Loyalty Manager on board, for a complete ship tour. We started on Deck 13, and worked our way down, deck-by deck. Our first stop was the totally renovated Aurora Spa and Salon on Deck 13.
While we were at the salon, we were able to make future appointments for a variety of treatments. Rickee will be treating herself to a facial, while I am in desperate need of a manicure.
The spa and salon is modern and fresh and there are amazing sea views that you can enjoy while getting your favorite treatment.
Renovated Aurora Spa and Salon
Outdoors on Deck 13 we come to a sports deck with pickle ball courts. This pickle ball thing just seems to have cropped up out of nowhere, hasn’t it? Do you play pickle ball?
Pickle Ball Anyone?
The Fitness Center was also completely renovated with all new Techno Gym weight training and cardio equipment. We were surprised at how large and well equipped the fitness center is for this size vessel. Emmalee told us that when the gym equipment was replaced, the previous equipment was taken down to the crew fitness center.
All New Techno-Gym Equipment In Renovated Fitness Center
At one point in the tour, Emmalee took us to an outdoor Sports Area on Deck 6 aft that I never knew existed. This area has a golf putting green, two driving cages and two table tennis tables (or ping pong). PGA Professional Golf Instructor, Greg Milligan was in the middle of conducting a short game (chipping and putting) clinic during our visit.
Golf Short Game Clinic - Greg Milligan
This afternoon, Rao once again showed up at our suite with today’s selection of canapés, which again, were delicious. The lemon bars were to die for.
Today’s Afternoon Canapés
As we were enjoying our canapés, there was a knock on the door from one of the maintenance staff. We reported a banging sound coming from our veranda which we discovered was a loose panel between our veranda and the suite next door to us. Rickee had reported the issue to Guest Services earlier today. Within a few minutes, the technician had the problem fixed. No more banging!
For dinner this evening, we have reservations at Osteria d’Ovidio, the ship’s Italian specialty restaurant. The restaurant name is an homage to Crystal’s new owner, Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio. On our last Crystal Serenity sailing, this space was Prego Italian Restaurant. As with Umi Uma next door, this space was completely gutted during the refurb and converted into an elegant Italian-themed dining room.
The menu has completely transformed and no longer features the signature Cream of Mushroom Soup served in a bread bowl, nor the Beef Carpaccio (Rickee’s favorite). Nevertheless, those popular items do appear from time-to-time on the evening menu at Waterfront Restaurant.
Dinner at Osteria d’Ovidio
Of course, we will do a complete review of our meal at Osteria d’Ovidio in our Crystal Serenity Dining Review video on our YouTube channel after we return from this cruise. So, make sure you are subscribed!
Our waiter, Michael from South Africa, delivered excellent and attentive service throughout our multi-course meal. We were even treated to a Happy Anniversary cake at the end of our meal.
Anniversary Cake
It was a wonderful day at sea today aboard Crystal Serenity. Tomorrow, the ship will be anchored off the coast of Gaspé, Quebec. This is a place we have never visited and we have a whale watching tour booked for tomorrow. Stay tuned.
