Before dinner last evening we had our usual pre-dinner drink that the Avenue Saloon. We also made a stop to the store that featured the Alaska items from the night before which were on-sale. Other items were also marked down including a sweater that we purchased for Anne Marie. Afterwards, we had dinner with dear friends Bob and Glo at the Prego Italian Specialty Restaurant. It has been wonderful to be on this special voyage with the two of them. We first met Bob and Glo on the 2008 World Cruise and since that time have sailed with them many times. Prego was quite busy when we arrived. We are used to getting there at 6:00 PM when people are seated every 15 minutes or so. We arrived at 7:00 PM many people were already seated. This was our last dinner at Prego for this voyage. Waiter Costa took excellent care of us as did Sommelier Jiri. We added a couple of photos from the Avenue Saloon. Food was delicious and the best part of the meal was being with dear friends and enjoying a wonderful discussion. We all ordered some of our favorite dishes and all four of us had appetizers, salads, and entrees and three of us had fruit for dessert. First two photos are from the Avenue Saloon. Third photo is one of the Italian wines we had at Prego. Following dinner was the showing of My Life: The Music of Bill Joel. This is a very uplifting show and it takes you through so many memorable songs of the Billy Joel era. We slept well as we were sailing to our next port of call in Newport, Rhode Island. Although it didn't keep us from sleeping, one up we could hear the howling of the wind from outside. We followed our normal morning routine which you have come to know well. This included an early workout for Keith followed by breakfast and a one hour walk for Anne Marie. Keith also went to the salon for a haircut. While Keith was in the salon, Anne Marie was packing and that continued even after Keith returned. Keith spent some time in the Crystal Cove reading and writing and speaking with fellow guests and members of the crew. There was some change of crew in Boston as for some it is an easier city to bring on board some crew and for others to go home. Keith saw for the first time Bar Manager Florent as Bar Manager Ross just went home for a well-deserved holiday. While Keith was in the Cove, Senior Vice President of Operations and Guest Relations, Christian Sauleau, stopped by to say hello to Keith. Christian joined Crystal four months ago with 25 years of experience in the luxury industry. We met him at the beginning of the cruise and he just returned in Boston. We anchored off of Newport, Rhode Island by 10:00 AM. We have visited Newport many times in the past starting in 2004. Newport has a city population of close to 25,000 residents. It is well known for being a yachting center. It was the home for America's Cup for a century and a half. Newport has many beautiful and historic buildings with some dating back to the 1600's. With that said it is the very large mansions which sets this city aside from many other similar sized locations. It has many opulent mansions which were built in the early 1900's. Major attractions include: The Breakers. This is one of those beautiful mansions. It was built as a summer house and served as the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt. We visited this mansion in 2004. City Walk. This area includes 3.5 miles of public access that borders the shoreline. It offers stunning views and we have walked this several times starting with our 2004 visit to Newport. Art Museum. This museum was founded in 1912. It has housed many works including art by William post Richards and Catherine Morris Wright. Touro Synagogue. This is the oldest Jewish synagogue building in all of North America. Kingscote House & Bellevue Avenue Mansions. This is a National Historic landmark which is owned by the Preservation Society of Newport Country. Beechwood Mansion. This mansion was built in 1851 for New York merchant Daniel Parrish and is operated as Newport's only living history museum. We spent a portion of the day packing. We had various reminders that disembarkation day is getting closer. Yesterday afternoon we received our shipping labels for the items we are sending home via the Luggage Concierge Service. This morning we received information related to disembarkation day including confirming time for the private vehicle that we had the concierge book for us to take us from the ship to the hotel we will be staying at along with our disembarkation tags. We decided that we would stay on the ship and not get off in Newport. As we mentioned we have visited here numerous times. We just decided to enjoy the ship instead. After having an early lunch in the Lido Cafe (the Cafe opened at 11:30 AM since tender service did not begin until around 10:30 AM and there were tours in the early afternoon). Anne Marie walked for another hour in the afternoon on the promenade deck as the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Keith read and wrote also met up later in the afternoon with friend Bob. Some photos that we took from the ship. Some photos from the Lido Cafe. This evening we will be dining at the Crystal Dining Room for the final time of this cruise.
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