July 31,2024 on board Crystal Symphony
I opened the curtain and this fellow was on our balcony…I sat down to observe him… Timmy said “Don’t move”… and snapped this photo.
Well I did move, grabbed my phone and took a few pics…thinking he’d soon be on his way…not so …I think he knew we like to have breakfast on the balcony …
…we decided that our pastries were too yummy to share, so in spite of the beautiful weather we dined in our room #firstbreakfast
We did spend some time on the balcony watching small boats come and go…
Then we headed to Tastes for Late Risers breakfast…again we failed to take photos…because we were so engaged with the crew. Here’s Remi, Milli and Santana IYKYK🩵
…and this is why I love port side staterooms …watching the sand being loaded on the ship was mesmerizing. So mesmerizing that it put me to sleep. Yes, I joined Timmy in a nap. We’d decided not to take the Crystal provided shuttle into Amsterdam…it was at least a 75 minute trek and then another 25 minute walk into the city center…what do we look like? 50 year olds?… Whatever.
…Anyway, turns out we both needed the nap…we woke energized and ready to take on Crystal’s evening offerings.
First stop Palm Court…we greatly enjoyed listening to Edmund, who goes by “Heartbeat”… sorry no photo, yet.
We first met Ayumi last September, during her first contract. Ayumi embodies Ctystal’s ethos. We love her🩵
I took her photo, then she took ours.
…This is Pandian, Palm Court’s bartender who came by to ensure that we had everything we needed.
…Ayumi brought us these wasabi nuts…oh my goodness! So darn yummy. And spicy.
…Next stop the Cove with pianist Viktor Luzin …very talented, very charming…he’s on his second contract, and in our opinion, a definite keeper.
…butterscotch carrot soup
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Quail tempura
My yummy Caesar salad with prawns
Timmy had lamb with some delicious accompaniments but I don’t remember what they were. He had a Chilean wine…too full bodied for me.
We asked to be seated in Ramazan’s section… I’ll never forget seeing Ramazan when we returned to Crystal in September of 2021…Symphony’s first cruise out of New York after Covid…he was wearing a mask…but his eyes were dancing. My eyes were streaming…
Post dinner we headed to the Starlight Club for Rock n Pop a Mania and found Petar behind the bar. What a great show…
…The Crystal Singers, Dancers and Showband were spot on …
…and Crystal’s newest Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel charmed everyone present with her delightful humor…she is marvelous…energetic and a great addition to the team.
And the wonderful entertainment continued with a dance party featuring Anna Alonso…so many folks on the dance floor, Timmy had to elbow us on. Yes, I am so grateful to report that my Sweetheart has begun to dance again (the five screws in his ankle seem to be working well). 😊 We stayed until the dancing ended, then…
…headed over to the Avenue Saloon where Neil Fullerton was tearing things up to another packed house…we settled in…had some pizza…
…and some cookies.
So, yes, we are so happy to be back on Symphony…it really does feel like home.
Thanks for following along 🩵
