Last night we went to Tastes for dinner for the second time since we boarded Serenity in Vancouver. We were invited to dine there by Crystal Society Hostess Jaque Brown for a Crystal Society Dinner. On Board Cruise Sales Consultant Daniele Puma also joined us. We had an absolutely wonderful time at dinner. We do love the cuisine at Tastes. It takes us out of our routine pattern of dining since the food is served Tapa style so we are having small portions of some very tasty items. We also love the ambience of Tastes and the service is very warm and friendly. Add to this being with two wonderful people who we have know for many years and you couldn't ask for more. First photo with Jaque and Daniele. Second photo with Photo Manager Neil and with Jaque. Once Daniele arrived, Neil took a Crystal Society photo which we will receive from Jaque in a couple of days. Final two photos with some of the wait staff team from Tastes including headwaiter German (G pronounced more like a Y). These are some of the items that we had last night for dinner. First item is of Alaskan Halibut which was introduced to the menu for the Alaskan season. This one is very tasty. The second item is relatively new as well and this is the first time we have tried it. Its called Eggplant-Kasha Dip. It too was very tasty. The challenge was eating it. Third items we have had several times in the past and is the Oven Roasted Cauliflower. A favorite of Keith's. The next item is a favorite of both of ours. It is the Alsatian Tart. On our first visit to Tastes a few years ago we were introduced to this item and since that time we have had it each time we return to Tastes. Next item is Gambas a la Plancha. Similar to so many of the items it is enhanced with the very tasty Paprika Lemon Butter sauce. We had a couple of items that we didn't take a photo of. One was Salmon Sliders. This was another item added for the Alaska cruise season and replaced beef sliders. We also were able to get half orders (one piece) of the Taco (for Anne Marie) and the Lamb Kababs (for Keith) For dessert we shared the dark chocolate creme brûlée and bananas foster. We always find that it's ideal when the wait staff team brings two items at a time. For whatever reason they started to bring out four items and we kindly asked that they slow it down and not bring out so many items since by the time we would eat two items the others would get cool. They removed a couple of the items, and allowed sufficient time between courses. We always recommend just speaking up in a polite manner on something like this and we find that the feedback is taken constructively as it was. Often we say that we sleep well each night That is normally the case. However, Keith had felt a cold coming on yesterday and shortly after we returned back to the room he was not feeling too well. In fact, when we arrived to dinner last evening he let Jaque and Daniele know so there was not the usual hugging and he kept his distance from everyone. Since this cruise began there was a cold/virus going around. In fact, the last couple of days we both stopped attending the lectures in person and started to watch them on them live on the television in our room. As much as we try to keep distances from someone who appears to be sick and to wash our hands constantly these types of things are hard to avoid on land or at sea. We were booked on the 8:30 AM tour of Cambridge Bay, but given how Keith was feeling and that we would be in a zodiac and it would be cooler in the morning we decided it best to stay on board. It's never an easy decision since we likely will not be returning to this area but nevertheless health should always come first. Keith knows too well from fainting on board Serenity in 2014 and spending most of an evening at a hospital in Yokohama, Japan to put health above all other things and that situation started with an upper respiratory virus. Although we didn't go on tour, we have learned about Cambridge Bay through our readings, the lectures and the talks given by the shore excursion group so we will provide some information about the area. Cambridge Bay has a population of close to 1,750 residents. It is a transportation and administrative center for the Kitikmeot Region. It is the most important stop for vessels transiting the Northwest Passage. In our case it allowed for various entertainers and enrichment personnel to join/leave the ship. It also allowed for a container of food and other items which had been sent to this area via a 737 airplane to be delivered to Serenity. Cambridge Bay has two schools, and regional college. One of the schools was used for the shuttle drop-off area. It is located in the middle of town and was open for cultural activities and food tasting. Guests were advised that shoes/boots needed to be removed to enter the school. Three churches are in-town. They represent the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Pentecostal faiths. Businesses included a Northern Store with a quick-stop selling Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken, a coop, and a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada as well as a Post Office. There are two hotels and a modern health center and community radio station. There is a community hall and the Nunavut Arts. The Nunavut Arts festival has been running the past few days and today was its final day. We are sure that our visit was considered with respect to the timing of the festival. Arctic Coast Visitors Centre. This facility provides tourism information about Cambridge Bay and the Kitikmeot Region . It contains displays of artifacts depicting people, history and the culture of Cambridge Bay and the Arctic Coast Region. Cambridge Bay is also home for the remains of the Norwegian Maud vessel. Plans are underway to relocate the remains of the vessel to Norway. There are many archaeological sites in the area. This is also a hunting and fishing location. These include caribou, musk ox, ringed seal, Arctic char and lake trout. There is also a nearby beach which is noted for bird watching. The zodiacs actually go to the beach area and at the beach area there were some places for the guests to walk to and locals had items for sale. The actual town is about a fifteen minute drive from the zodiac landing. Although a complimentary shuttle was provided there are very few vehicles there so many people just stayed at the beach area. There was also an arts festival that has been going on the past few days and today was the final day. We are sure that the timing took into account Crystal Serenity visiting Cambridge Bay today. We had breakfast in our room. We had originally requested breakfast at 6:30 AM given the time of our tour and stayed with that time. We had posted some photos from yesterday's buffet and wanted to include a few photos of some of the chefs who are a big part of the buffet. The buffet is a team effort. It involves many chefs and other personnel who work tirelessly at the galley preparing a wonderful meal along with all of the other meals they prepare several times a day. The wait-staff plays an integral role. Their involvement begins by 7:00 AM when tables are placed in the Crystal Plaza along with heating dishes and many other items. It continues as table cloths are placed on all of the tables in the Crystal Plaza area and after breakfast the dining room tables that were used are all reset for the buffet. When the buffet begins the waiters assist guests by carrying their plates to each table and assisting the guests throughout the meal. Sommelier's are on hand to serve items such as wine and champagne. The coordination of the tables, and much of the set up and inside the dining room is overseen by the head waiters. Let's not forget that when the guests are done eating the dining room must be reset for dinner and all tables and all the other items must be removed from the Crystal Plaza and that area must be reset. Housekeeping also is very involved as well. It truly is a team effort. From Left to Right. Chef Alda Chef de Cuisine from the Outlet Kitchen which includes areas on the Lido Deck including Tastes. Executive Chef Werner. Pastry Chef Harald. The woman that Harald was speaking with was concerned with the high calorie count of each dessert. Harald was trying to point out desserts which would not be so high in calorie content. Keith recommended just taking a couple of small desserts and eating them slowly and savoring the taste and Harald seconded Keith's suggestion. These are some food photos from the buffet. The Zodiac's began making trips at around 7:00 AM. Although we didn’t go ashore, some of the locals came on board Serenity to sell some of their handicrafts and to also demonstrate throat singing. This took place at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Shortly after 10:00 AM, Captain Birger, and John Stoll Vice President of Crystal Cruises Land Program and Port Operations presented the Mayor and the Associate Mayor of Cambridge Bay with a plaque commemorating our visit along with a check for $2,000.00 for the Youth Recreation Fund For Cambridge Bay. Captain Birger and John Stoll met with the Mayor a few months ago on their visit to Cambridge Bay. The two women throat singers had Cruise Director Rick and Guest Chuck Porter do throat singing as well. We don’t think that Cruise Director Rick should change careers anytime soon. LOL. Even Ventriloquist/Comedian Mark Merchant and Captain Birger got into the act as Mark had Captain Birger move his lips as Mark worked his magic. All of this was well attended. Since I wasn’t feeling well we had lunch in our room, will have dinner there too this evening and we are watching movies that we had taken our from the library the other day.
Life is good and we continue to have a great time on this epic and historic voyage Keith & Anne Marie Comments are closed.
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