Before dinner we went down to the Crystal Plaza and sat by some of the chairs near the window on the side of the Crystal Dining Room. We skipped our pre-dinner drink as we got down there a little later than we usually do. We met a very nice couple from Florida, originally from New Orleans. They have their family on board including daughter and son in law and two granddaughters. They said they were all having a great time and how much they have enjoyed this voyage. The sea swells picked up quite a bit and were rougher than they had been since we boarded Serenity. They were still very manageable. As you walked you had the feeling that maybe you had something to drink. We enjoyed dinner in the Crystal Dining Room. As has been the case for most of this cruise, it was relatively quiet. Many guests were dining at other venues. We each began our meal with an appetizer. Keith had spotted the Caviar on the menu and decided to have that so Anne Marie happily asked for Shrimp Cocktail. Caviar is offered when it is available on the menu rather than whenever you want it. Keith prefers it this way as to him it makes having it very special and notes that the caviar that is served is of a higher quality than when you could order it anytime. We each had salads for our next course. For our entree, Keith had Broiled Alaskan Salmon while Anne Marie had Broiled Alaskan King Crab Legs. We each finished the meal with some fruit. We had a great time. Wonderful food, great wine, fantastic service and lots of conversation. Life is good. The first photo include our outstanding Senior Waiter, Lylian. We have known her for a couple of years. While on board in 2015, often she was working the Lido Cafe during lunchtime and was always very kind and helpful to us. After dinner we went to the Crystal Society Reception. The reception honors all guests who have previously sailed Crystal Cruises. We were one of two couples who were recognized for the number of times we have cruised with Crystal Cruises. Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown introduced us providing a brief highlight about our introduction to Crystal Cruises and also highlighting why we frequently sail Crystal. We will share with you one of the items she mentioned which is the number one reason we do cruise Crystal is because of our love for the officers and the crew. Yes, there are other reasons but this is clearly number one in our book. Anne Marie was presented with a bouquet of flowers, and I received a boutonniere and we posed for a photo with Captain Birger, Cruise Director, Rick and Crystal Society Hostess Jaque. By the time we returned to our room, our wonderful stewardess was down the hallway and stopped by to ask us if she could deliver the flowers to our room. After we went through the receiving line, Anne Marie posted for a photo with some of the wonderful members of the Crystal Cruises team. We didn't stay up beyond the end of the reception. We were tired from our late nights on the two previous evenings. We read and wrote and went to sleep. We began the morning with our same routine of an early morning workout for Keith, some coffee in the Lido Cafe, followed with us both having coffee in our room. Jijo brought us breakfast at 7:00 AM as Keith had an 8:00 AM indoor cycling class. Keith enjoyed the final class of this voyage. As has been the case with each and every class, the class has a full signup sheet with a waitlist. As it turned out there were three empty bikes but think that was attributable to it being the last day of the cruise. Keith spoke with fellow guest Martie who was next to him and will also be on the Northwest Passage about their experiences in indoor clicking While Keith was at the class, Anne Marie walked for one hour. Before walking, she stopped by the Fitness Center to take a couple of photos. Keith was certainly talking with his hands as you can see with the photo on the left. Photo on the right is Keith and Marty stretching as the class began. Class was taught by Fitness Director Kyle. The focus of this morning was Hubbard Glacier. It is not often on an Alaskan Voyage that the itinerary includes cruising of both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier so we were fortunate to have the opportunity to view both Glaciers this time around. Our last visit was in 2009. It is amazing to realize that Glaciers have been moving, advancing, retreating and advancing again for 12+ million years. Hubbard Glacier measures seventy-five miles long and covers over 1,350 square miles. This makes Hubbard Glacier the largest tidewater glacier in all of North America. This glacier has been advancing the last one-hundred years. Guests and Crew enjoyed views of Hubbard Glacier from various vantage point around the ship. In order for guests to enjoy it from the Palm Court with the large bay windows coffee, juices and danish were available at Palm Court from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Although the weather was not ideal with low cloud cover and rain, we were able to still enjoyed views of the Glacier. Keith was able to view them right after class ended and a little from his seat on the bike and Anne Marie viewed them during her walk. Serenity was able to get within 1/2 miles of the glacier. For safety reasons with respect to ice it was not possible to get any closer. As we left the area, Captain Birger noted that we would proceed very slowly due to ice. This was certainly an appetizer of things to come on the Northwest Passage Voyage. There were 50+ activities on today's schedule, including three lectures. We were able to view all three lectures in the comfort of our room as they are all recorded. Kurt Dunbar spoke about the marine mammals that inhabit the seas off Alaska. This was followed by a talk by Destination Lecturer Ed Larson who spoke about who owns the North and South Pole and why it is very important. He also covered the historical and legal claims. The afternoon talk changed gears with Special Interest Lecturer Jan Wahl talking about what has changed in Hollywood from the days of Gone From The Wind to todays' Hollywood. In preparation for the Northwest Passage cruise Anne Marie picked up this Polar Bear for our (well for Keith) room. This is one of many items that are being sold by the on-board stores. She couldn't resist. For those on the Northwest Passage voyage they are also going to be selling items related to that voyage including logo items. In the meantime, this is the kind of Polar Bear that we don't mind being too close to. We do want to be much further away from the "real thing". Before lunch we ended up speaking with a few of our fellow guests. One had sailed with us on two other voyages and this was the first time we saw them on this voyage. Had lunch at the Lido Cafe. Since this was a sea day and it featured the Asian Buffet it was busy. Although it is buffet with food stations the waitstaff is very helpful at the stations and once seated. They stop by often to ask if we need assistance, clear dishes and also bring beverages. We still kept to our salad entrees. Anne Marie got in her one hour afternoon walk. She walked inside as it was still raining and windy. Keith worked out at the Fitness Center. We read, wrote and watched the lectures we mentioned earlier. This evening we dine at Silk Road. It is hard to believe that this ten day voyage is coming to a close tomorrow morning when we arrive to Seward, Alaska.
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