After 17 months on dry land, I have just returned from 7 days cruising on the Crystal Serenity. Jack and I made 4 cruises on Crystal, starting in 1996. I have always said it is my favorite line.
I had the cruise scheduled in July, but some necessary surgery forced me to cancel (or postpone.) Then the Delta variant hit us, and I almost canceled again. Right up to the last I was preparing, but thought I probably would not go!
The Serenity is much smaller than the mega ships I've been on. It carries 900 passengers, and there were fewer than 200 on my trip. Vaccinations were mandatory, and we all had to test negative at the pier or go back home! Masks were required in all public areas onboard. It was very easy to distance myself from others in all venues. I was conscientiously careful and felt totally safe.
Jay and Terri treated me to a Carey Limousine ride to the ship!It was so exciting! And a driver was there to pick me up when I returned to Miami! Yes, I felt like a princess!
Excitement is runing high!
There she is--my first sighting of the Crystal Serenity!
I will never have another cruise like this one. It was a bit like having one's own private ship. Here is my welcome into the dining room one day for lunch! I was the only one there.
But I'm skipping ahead! Here are my embarkation photos. I may have been the first guest to ever ask the porter taking my bag to also take my picture! (I hope he was better at bag handling!)
He missed the "Welcome" part of the sign!
And my shoes! He missed my shoes!Can you tell they're parrots?
Embarkation was a breeze. We had our Covid test and were onboard in a matter of minutes. Our rooms were ready. I'm just shaking with excitement remembering and telling you about it!
The ship is classy and beautiful. I was taken aback when I saw my cabin! But I failed to get my trademark "overview" shot from the door. Out of practice!
And I had a surprise--a bathtub! Had missed that fact!
The elevators are elegant but small. Not a problem.
When I stepped off the elevator on the 9th floor, my darling cabin attendant was waiting, walked me to my room, and took my picture.
I think it may be time for a little disclaimer here. You're all wondering, "Where did you go?" Let's just say...You definitely don't long to go to any of these ports. They were in the Bahamas. You've heard of Nassau, of course. And maybe Exuma (where one can swim with the pigs.) But how about Bimini, and Long Island, and Cockburn Town? No? Me neither.
I didn't get off the ship but twice--to take a picture of the ship. I would have loved to go swimming with the pigs in Exuma, but I would have had to leave my cocoon of safety on the ship. So here are my pictures in Nassau:
First you must see my darling sweat (which is what I did in it) shirt, which Susan and Madeline bought me! I got LOTS of
"Sea You Laters!"
Then in Bimini:
It's all about the outfits! This is my painter's shirt and scarf
(I copied the idea from Susan!)
I actually rode a little trolley around the island. I was the only one on the second car. It was so rough that I was holding on
for dear life! Thus the blurry photo!
Taken by fellow cruisers.
Another day - another outfit!
I ate here:
I must learn to use chopsticks!
and here:
And I ate here every single morning...room service.
Everyone got to sit at the cherished tables "by the window"
This is the Bistro. Every afternoon I had a vanilla lattépick me up.
The Bistro on Crystal was one of Jack's and my favorite spots.
See how empty it is? And I'm in the back corner--my table!
The walking deck was not too crowded!
Nor was the theatre! I had this section all to myself.
I even made myself at home and put my swollen feet
up on the loveseat!
(Being careful to avoid the performers' eyes!)
I went to three classes on improving iPhone photos.
The first was Facetune, then Snapseed, and Phonto.
I "learned" to do a lot. We'll see if I remember.
This is from Phonto:
Yes! I can make all those! (HaHaHa)
But I did practice my new selfie skills.
I must show you these gorgeous cloud formations!
What looks like a mountain in the first is actually clouds dipping all the way down to the horizon.
And the most beautiful man made spot on the ship?
Jack and I would definitely have had our picture made in front of this!
I'll leave you with one final warning.
Do not bother to spend hours choosing a new bag to carry
on a cruise or a flying trip of any kind.
I had to buy a new bag because my good one was ruined on my
last cruise, and I got stuck with a fake Louis Vuitton replacement in Cozumel. Which had bad wheels. Of course.
At least I didn't choose the champagne color in this one.
It came off the belt in Miami, after one measly leg, in
sad condition. You really can't see all the wounds inflicted
upon it. One DENT is obvious there on the left side, but
there are others!
and...the Princess had burned m.a.n.y Aadvantage miles
to fly first class, so these are the tags that were on her new bag.
Yes, even the "Priority" tags are ripped.
I wonder what would have happened to it had it not
been given such priority treatment.
If you're reading this on something small like your phone,
you're going to miss my tag.
"She could see no good reason to act her age"
And I can't!
