August 11,2024. Stockholm, Sweeden
So when we booked this cruise, last December, there were only “classic” Aqua staterooms available. Our travel agent booked us into a “redesigned in 2017” stateroom on deck 9 for the first leg of this back to back and then into a “classic” on deck 10 for this leg. …thus necessitating a move on embarkation day of the second leg.
Here’s Tim setting up our tech. While it is true that the classic stateroom has a more spacious feel (and is in fact more spacious by a few inches), I really prefer the newer stateroom. …I’m not a fan of old brown wood. (Remember when we redid our New York home in 2020? We gave away every piece of wood furniture…) Whatever…we are here…still on the port side of the ship and the really good news? Fernando, our Butler, moved with us! We did not request that he continue to be our butler, because we realize the extra work involved for him. He insisted…like really insisted. I think he likes us…we really love him. He is the quintessential Crystal butler. .IYKYK.
Anyway the move was relatively smooth…folks from Crystal’s valet service moved our closet intact and we spent about an hour unpacking the rest of our things.
Our view is essentially the same view that we had on deck 9…pretty darn spectacular on such a beautiful day.
Lunch time found us in Marketplace. I think I’ve mentioned before how much we love seeing the new passengers come on board…their excitement and the reunions with crew and fellow guests are beyond heartwarming.
After lunch, I headed to the gym and instead of playing Mahjong on the treadmill, I watched some young people ride their motorcycles up and down the pier…some of the wheelies were spectacular. Here’s one. Look closely.
This is our wonderful butler, Fernando…please note that he covers the cushions with towels. His attention to detail is very much appreciated.
All set for Sailaway through the Stockholm Archipelago…cheese, crackers and The Ned Sauvignon Blanc. Oh and stuffed olives😊
So this was a little nutty…as we are leaving port, we see this ferry speeding towards us…it honestly looked like it was going to smack into us…
I leaned over the balcony to try to capture just how close they came to us…
Sailaway began at 5:00 pm and we listened to our sailaway playlist for the next two hours…felt like heaven😊
As usual, I took tons of photos…here are my favorites…
Finally we had to leave the balcony and prepare for dinner.
The mirror in the classic Aqua suite is more conducive to mirror selfies…doesn’t mean the quality will be any better…just means they are easier to take
When we arrived at the Cove, we were delighted to see Rodion has been promoted to Bartender. Yay! Here he is with Petar.
Tim’s Chocolate Martini, my Strawberry Margarita 😊
Another delight…Carlos Rayan playing before dinner…just like the old days. Double yay!
…and then dinner at Umi Uma
Octopus carpaccio
Willie showed us to window seats so that we could continue to enjoy sailaway…
…as we enjoyed the super sushi, sashimi and tempura…
Waygu beef…
Hot Soba Noodles
I couldn’t believe the Pilot Boat was still with us
Mark, the Food and Beverage director stopped by. (Slavko went home yesterday).
Ten points if you remember what I always order for dessert …
The welcome show … “Crystal in Motion” in The Galaxy Lounge…we were a little late …but thankfully didn’t miss any of Anna Alonso’s stellar performance.
After the show we made a beeline to the Avenue …
Evidently word travels quickly in CrystalWorld because within minutes of our arrival, the newly embarked guests filled up the bar.
Here I am with a long time Crystal guest and fellow New Yorker. If you know, you know.
Another wonderful day on this beautiful ship. Thanks for following along 🩵
