Back on the High Seas Again!!!

 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:

The best lasagna ever!

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 latté

pick 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!

New York, New York...It's a Wonderful Town

It was a very short trip, but it was still traveling!

Susan and I flew to New York after we finished 

Bible Study Fellowship last Wednesday.

Feelin' the love!

We took a taxi from LaGuardia to our hotel.

The Arthouse at 77th and Broadway

It was a gorgeous day in NYC

Photo Cred: Susannah McCaskill

One of the advantages of our hotel was that it was connected

to a lovely Italian restaurant, Serafina.

We conveniently ate at Serafina both nights I was there!

Susannah and Nick joined us the first night, and 

Madeline the second!

We neglected to take many pics (out of practice) but

here I am with Susannah and Nick walking across the

street after dinner to get cream puffs for dessert.

Bummer...they were closed.

So Susannah walked to Insomnia Cookies and got us

this "warm" deliciousness!

Here we are...Nick had to go home and work!

Lovely areas to sit and visit and eat cookies in the hotel!

Thursday morning and we're walking in New York!

We walked to a very special restaurant, Sarabeth's.

I am so cool when I'm with this group!!!

And I got to see my Madeline! 

The lights of my life. 

That's Maddie on the left and Susie on the right.

ś

We got the perfect window table!

Okay, here goes. Maddie taught me a new phrase--

very appropoś for me:

"The camera eats first!" 

Madeline's avacado toast

Susannah's popovers and the best orange juice ever

Susan's and my crab benedict

Now Susannah had to leave us. She had to go work!

It was pouring rain so

we jumped in an Uber and headed for the 

Museum of Natural History.

I had never been and unbelievable to Susan had never

 seen "Night at the Museum," which was filmed there.

Now I have! I watched the movie last night!

Here we three are with Dum-Dum!

For Sarah Lynn Festger, who loves giraffes

Elephants are truly gigantic

Teddy was so good in the movie!

I was pretty proud of this shot. I got the whole thing!

Dinner at Serafina again with Maddie

Our profiteroles for dessert!

And then it was Friday. Highlight of the day? 

Seeing Susannah's and Nick's new apartment.

It is so New York, right across the street from Central Park.

They have it decorated so appealingly and attractively!

Lots of beautiful wedding gifts displayed and used!

This is her total counter space! What a memory this will be.

They do absolutely great with their space and LOVE it.

And each other. They so obviously love each other!

Nick was there working!

We had to be kinda quiet, not so easy for us!

We walked a short distance to a food stand. They all got 

breakfast croissants. I got the world's biggest doughnut!

We walked across to Central Park!

This is the bridge leading to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Reservoir. If you enlarge it you can see a man under the

bridge playing a musical instrument. There is often a band

playing there because of the excellent acoustics.

Again, if you enlarge there are beautiful flowers there.

The girls and the city from Central Park West!

This empty church is right next to Sus and Nick's apartment.

The back windows of their bedroom look on stained glass

windows in the church. Pretty cool.

This is a shared patio area. Pictures taken from the street.

Time for me to catch a flight home.

LaGuardia was deserted.

And my flight was at 4:30 in the afternoon!

A lot of steps for me!

A lot of miles!

I'll tell you more about what's happening with my 

New York girls soon.

It's complicated, and I'm out of practice with this blogging.

Too bad my Fitbit doesn't show how long it's taken me

to get all these pics from my little 3 day trip on here!