Ports-of-Call
Crystal Serenity

The Crystal Serenity in Key West, Florida

The Crystal Serenity in Acajutla, El Salvadore

The Crystal Serenity in Caldera, Costa Rica

The Fountain from The Avenue of the Stars

Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove

The Astoria Strings in Crystal Plaza

Christmas on the Seeenity

Crystal Plaza at Christmas

Crystal Plaza at Christmas

Cruise 4 - Christmas aboard the Serenity

Cruise 4 - Christmas aboard the Serenity

The elevators are forward, midship and aft. Yes, that's real marble.

The public restrooms provide
cloth hand towelsand little paper towels for opening the door
Serenity Cabins

Our cabin on Cruise 5

Our cabin #8125 for cruise 7 & 8

Our Cabin on Cruise 10, was on Deck 10, next door to a Penthouse Suite

The aft cabins have slightly larger verandas

Room service at breakfast lets us get an early start on tour days

Room service is available 24 hours a day at no charge

Joan's favorite message "Set clocks back one hour."

The itinerary on TV

View from the bridge on TV

Position, Speed, and Wind on TV
Serenity Dinning
Crystal Dinning Room

Formerly the

Dinning Room, center

Dinning Room, Starboard side

Dinning Room, Port side

Cruise 7 Assistant Waiter, Igor. Joan wanted to bring him home!

A Variety of Elegant Chargers Decorate the Tables

There is always a selection of very fine wines at no extra charge

Perfect

Vichyssoise. One of my very favorite cold soups.

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 10

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

Cruise 7

This dessert transfoms from its cotton-candy form to cherries jubilee!

When the cotton-candy melts!
Click Here To Watch The Video

Joan loved the dinning room's "skinny capuchino"

Lunch in the Dinning Room. Yummmmmy

The New Serenity Waterside Dinning Room
Prego

Gourmet Italian Speciality Restaurant

Prego Restuarant

Carpacio when served

Carpacio after the waiter adds his touch

Prego's Breadbowl of Mushroom Soup is a "must have" on every cruise

Breadbowl mushroom soup at "Prego"

Cruise 7 - Prego

Cruise 7 - Prego
Silk Road

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's Sushi Bar

Silk Road Restaurant

Chilled Saki

Sushimi

Lobster

Sushi Bar
The Vintage Room

An exclusive evening of dining with family and friends
Four or five wines are chosen and appropriate food courses are presented

There is a minimum charge of $2,500
These private diners include wines and gratuity
Serenity Causual Dinning
The Lido Buffet Serenity

The Buffet Servs Breakfast and Lunch

The Lido Cafe - Port and Starboard sides Cruise 4

Cruise 10 - The New Lido Cafe with port and starboard buffet "stations."

Lido dinning Port and Starboard sides

The chic, new flat-screen menus change to display breakfast and lunch
Trident Serenity

Cruise 1 - Lunch served around the indoor pool had a special theme

Cruise 1 - Roast pig

Trident Serving Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chili, Soup, Salads

The swimming pool was eplaced with "Living Walls"

The remodeled Trident Bar serving wine, beer, and speciality drinks
Tastes Serenity

At night Trident becomes "Tastes" with - family-style, street-food creations

Tastes offers the opportunity to explore international flavors

Cruise 10 - Dinner at "Tastes" dining under the stars

Tastes menu is in partnership with Sapphire Restaurant, Laguna Beach, CA with Chef Azmin Ghahreman

Roasted Califlower

A wine to compliment dinner at 'Tastes.'

How to remember a good wine in the day of 'smart phones!'
The Bistro Senerity

The Bistro is on the mezanine above Crystal Cove

The Bistro is open 11:30 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. serving speciality teas, coffee, espresso & wine

Breads, rolls, meats, cheeses, fruit, pastries, and petit desserts

The Bistro

Hi from Santa & Joan

A Christmas in the Bistro
Scoops Ice Cream Bar

All-You-Can-Eat Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream daily 10:00 to 10:00

Scoops has fresh waffle cones, cookies and all your favorite toppings
The Grand Buffet Serenity

Grand Buffet replaces the extinct Midnight Buffet

The Grand Buffet is set up in Crystal Plaza

The Grand Buffet lets Crystal's amazing chefs show off their culinary expertise

Meat

Fish

Crab legs

Lobster

Shrimp

Shrimp

Appetizers

The pasta bar

Bread

Breads

Cheeses and nuts

Their now-famous boiled egg penguins

These hardboild egg penquins are pretty, pretty, pretty clever

Jello

Cake

Cake

Pastry

Pastry

Pastry

Pastry

Chocolate covered fruits

Fruits

Fruit

Fruit

Carved watemellon

Ice carving

Ice carving

Ice carving

Ice carving
Serenity Galley 2009

The Galley. It takes amazing technology to keep
the fish, meats, fruits and vegetables fresh for two weeks

The food and service on Serenity was outstanding

The Galley
Serenity Lounges
Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove is located off Crystal Plaza
It's our favorite place for Happy Hour cocktails

The Crystal Piano in Crystal Cove

Music every afternoon and evening in Crystal Cove

The Crystal Cove is a great place to relax
and have an afternoon champaign or a Bloody Mary

Edwin, our favorite mixologist
cheerfully serves us for Happy Hour and every night until midnight

Malt scotches available at the Crystal Bar At No Extra Charge

A variety of hors d'oeuvres are always served
before dinner and again until the lounges close

Happy Hour in Crystal Cove

Bruce Johnson plays in Crystal Cove during Happy Hour

The Galaxy Orchestra entertain in Crystal Cove
Stardust

Stardust had dancining nightly with the Crystal Quartet

Stardust

The NEW Stardust Dinner Theater
Avenue Saloon

Cruise 10 - The Avenue Saloon

Cruise 10 - The Avenue Saloon

Cruise 10 - The Avenue Saloon

The Avenue Saloon

Dan Hodge at the Piano, Avenue Saloon, Cruise 10

Hal Fraser at the Piano, Avenue Saloon, Cruise 5

Joel Spire at the Piano, Avenue Saloon, Cruise 4

The Avenue was a popular après dance hangout

Joan wants to be sure she gets a dance with one of the Ambassador Hosts

It's hot in here!
Pulse Disco

The NEW Pulse Disco

The old Pulse Disco

Joan ∓ I danced here every night after the Stardust closed

The bar at Pulse

The DJ plays requests for your dancing pleasure
Connoisseur Club

The Connoiseur Club is "the most beautiful room on the high seas"

Enjoy a collection of cigars, cognacs, port wines, single malt whiskies and fine liquors in this elegant club

The Matchbox Holders in The Connoisseur Club
Palm Court

Get a 'bridge-eye' view from Palm Court

Palm Court

Palm Court Bar

The Palm Court dance floor

Palm Court dance floor

Palm Court is a beautiful room with a 270º view

Palm Court

Palm Court offers a view from above the bridge and skylights over the live the palm trees

Dance classes every morning and afternoon

Big Band Orchestra for nightly dancing

Crystal Sextet for Latin and Ballroom nightly dancing

Afternoon Tea is served daily in Palm Court

The staff dresses the part

Tea and pastries

The Servers Are In Period Dress

The Servers Are In Period Dress

A Selection of Pastries and Snacks Are Available For Afternoon Tea

Another chance to eat is at Afternoon Tea

Chamber Music By The Astoria Strings

Chamber Music By The Bellisimo Strings

Palm Court Decorated For Christmas
Serenity Activities
Galaxy Theater

The NEW Galaxy Lounge

The Galaxy Lounge

Cocktails before a show in the "Galaxy"

Galaxy Lounge
Great matinee and nightly shows featuring celebrity entertainers and the Crystal Singers, Dancers and Orchestra

This night's performances

Across the Pond
Musical with the Crystal Singers, Dancers and Orchestra

iLuminate
Performed by the Crystal Dancers

Classical Pianist Umi Garret and Cruise Director/Vantriloquist Gary Hunter (inset, Mrs. Ethel Tweed with Gary)
See the Umi Garrett video. You WILL be amazed
Movie Theater

Hollywood Theater - Daily movies and lectures

The NEW Hollywood Theater
Casino

The NEW Casino

The Old Casino
Avenue of the Stars

Avenue of the Stars is home to three great shops

Apropo - Apparel and Accessories

Facets - Fine Jewelry

Crystal Collections - There was a pair of diamond cufflinks in this shop for $6,600

Stored for the night on the mezanine

How fun would it be to take these on late night spin around the Avenue of the Stars?
Computers, Library, & Bridge

Computer University
Computers avaiable for emails, games, and even lessons

The Library

The Bridge Lounge

Play and learn to play Bridge
360 ° Promenade Deck

Crystal ships still have a 360° Prominade Deck

Crystal ships still have a 360º Prominade Deck

Count your laps around the Promenade Deck

What it's like on the Promenade Deck with a 17.8 knot wind

The ocean at 17.8 knots (Beaufort 7)
The waves look small from our veranda but they are 8 to 10 feet high

An anchor lies in the bow area on deck 7
Seahorse Pool

Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzies

The pool is pretty quiet during chilly or stormy days

There is plenty of room to relax on the Pool Deck

Enjoying the Jacuzzi

Enjoying the pool

There was always music somewhere, even at the pool

The Crystal Sextet
Golf & Table Tennis

Golf nets and putting green are located aft on Deck 6
Free instructions are offered daily

Joan just hanging out enjoying the ocean view

Looks like someone's been eating too much. Pull that gut in!
Tennis & Observation

Paddle Tennis courts

Paddle Tennis is a very popular sport on board

Deck 13 is a great place to be during the
sail away parties

Seahorse Pool from the Sun Deck

Outdoor on Deck 13 on a warm evening

Looking aft on Deck 13

View of Lisbon from Deck 13
Joan has sailed many times on that
Seaborn ship in dry dock
Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Length: 781 ft, Width: 98 ft, Draft: 25 ft
Speed: 22 knots, Engines: 2 electric motors with 53,000 horse power

Crystal Symphony docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Crystal Symphony docked in Ochos Rios, Jamaica

Crystal Symphony anchored off the coast of Bimini, Bahamas

Watching the Captain & Pilot take the ship out of port
Symphony Cabins

Cruise 3 cabin

Double sinks in the bathroom

Meet Louie. Our stewardess posed Louie on our bed every night.

Touch his paw and Louie sings
It's a Wonderful World like Louie Armstrong.

We've taken cabin #8126 on cruises 11 & 12.

Cabin 8126 is aft where the verandas are wider

The wider veranda of 8126

Access to this great deck is across the hall from cabin #8126

The room before the nightly makeup

24 Hour Room Service. Great for breakfast on the days we have an early tour

We love the new "Flatscreen TV" and technology.
This menu is also available for Tablets and Smart Phones.
Internet is
free.

This channel has "The View From The Bridge"

Other channels have Port and Starboard side views

This TV channel provides ship Info
like Position, Speed, Wind, Tempearture, Ship's Time and etc.

Ship Info on TV when in port

This channel shows our intinerary and current location

We read
Reflctions every night to see what's going on for tomorrow
Reflections and all the Menus are available on our cell phones
Symphony Fine Dinning
Waterside Dinning Room

Waterside serves breakfast, lunch and dinner

Waterside Hawaiian Serenade (Dec 2019)

Waterside Colonial Charms Golf Cruise (Oct 2018)

Hawaiian Serenade (Dec 2019)

Senior Waiter Ramazon
He took care of our carry-ons when we boarded so we could meet friends in NYC

Colonial Charms Golf Cruise (Oct 2018)

Senior waiter Magda. The best!

There is Always a Selection of Fine Wines at No Charge
Wairau River Became Our Favorite

Head waiter preparing a Caesar salad
The Video is available in Cruise Videos "On the Ship"

Pasta

Steak Tartar

Shrimp Cocktail

Cookie plate desserts

Cruise 6

Cruise 6

Cruise 6

Cruise 6

Cruise 6

Desert

Pumkin pie ala mode

Canoli

A "Deconstructed" Cannoli

A Deconstructed Cannoli is cannoli filling laced with bits of cannoli crust
Prego

Ready to Cha Cha Cha after dinner at Prego Italian

Prego Italian

Carpacio when served

Carpacio after the waiter adds his touch

Mushroom soup in a bread bowl. So yummy!
Umi Uma (Formerly Silk Road)

Umi Uma by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa

Soup at Umi Uma
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The Vintage Room

The Vintage Room A Unique Concept In Wining and Dining

The Vintage Room
Chef's dinner with wine pairings is the only venue that costs extra
Symphony Casual Dinning
Lido Buffet

On Cruise 11 the Lido became The Market Place

Market Place Buffet Omlet bar at breakfast, carving station at lunch

Market Place buffet stations

No long lines with these nice buffet stations

The Market Place Port side

Market Place fresh juice bar

Cruise 6 - Milan spoiled Joan bringing her breakfast from the Lido buffet each morning

Cruises 4 - Christmas in the Lido
Deck 11 - Trident Grill

Ricki takes great care of us
We like having a late breakfast at Trident

Trident Grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, beer, wine and ice cream

Trident

Trident

Cruise 6 - Trident

The "living Wall" in Trident

Trident Bar

Always room for another cup of coffee

Before Silk! Trident Grill with the ceiling open

Trident Grill is open all day for beer and wine

How You Feel when relaxing in Trident, Deck 11
Silk (formerly Trident)

Cruise 11 Trident became "Silk"

The "living wall" in Silk dining room

Silk Port side

A "living wall" in Silk Port side

Lunch menu at Silk

Silk Lounge Starboard side

A "living wall" in Silk Lounge

Ricki Senior Bartender
Ricki always remebers us from our first Symphony cruise

Silk bar

An afternoon glass of wine at Silk Bar
The Bistro

The Bistro serves speciality teas, coffee, espresso & wine 9am to 11pm daily

The Bistro bar has a wide variety of bread, rolls, meats, lox, cheeses, and fruits

The Bistro bar offers bread, rolls, meats, fish, lox, and cheeses

The Bistro bar offers a variety of fruits and petit desserts

Crystal uses Reidel stemware and Julius Meinl cups

The Bistro at Christmas
Scoops Ice Cream Bar

Serving Ben & Jerry's 10 to 10
The Grand Buffet

Crystal's amazing chefs show of their culinary expertise
Here hard boiled eggs are transformed into tiny penguins

Desert station at the Grand Buffet

The Grand Buffet

The Grand Buffet

The Grand Gala Buffet in Crystal Cove

The wait staff

Executive Chef Manfred Schaller and his galley staff

Shrimp, crab and lobster

Fruits

WOW. Look at these

Oh. It's the hard-boiled-egg penquins again. We saw these last cruise and Charlie made them for a neighborhood event

Who wanted to know if the food was good?

Presentation, presentation, presentation!

Crystal's 20th anniversary buffet luncheon

Just look at this dessert

The wait staff. Our dinning room waiter, Daniel, is at the extreme right

The chefs featuring head chef Marcus Nufer (center)

The pasta bar

The cheese sommelier

Crystal logo in ice

Anniversary ice sculpture

Angel fish ice sculpture

Love these 'penguin" hardboiled eggs
Symphony Lounges
Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove is located adjacent to Crystal Plaza

The 'Crystal Piano" in the lounge on Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove is our favorite place for Happy Hour cocktails

Crystal Cove at Christmas

Happy Hour cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Never an extra charge on Crystal Cruises

Fancy hors d'oeuvres. Pate on the left and a tartar slider shaped like a little island

Crystal Cove is a great place to relax any time of the day

Even an afternoon Marguarita

Grand Buffet seating in Crystal Cove
The dinning room is also open for seating
Starlite Club
Lounge, Dancing, and Entertainment

Starlite lounge

Starlite dance floor

Starlite dance floor

Starlite decorated for Halloween

The Starlite Ballroom. We will spend a lot of time here

The Starlite's circular bar is open and ready

Afternoon dance class is in the Starlite

The Starlite is a great place to finish your night-cap

The Starlite is home to games, presentations and social events. Here Alissa Gustafsson emcees Captain Egil Giske's Welcome Reception

Cruise #3, Cruise Director Paul McFarland

Cruise #3, Captain Egil Giske

Cruise #2, Cruise Director, Scott Peterson
The Avenue Saloon

The Avenue Saloon

Carl Wishneusky entertains in the Avenue Saloon, Cruise #11

Carl Wishneusky on accordian

Marcie Castro on Piano, Cruise #6

Marcie Castro

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night

Jazz Dagen with Danny on drums, Pete on clarinet and Mark at the piano, Cruise #3

Jazz Dagen's music was super fantastic. Here Pete plays one of his saxaphones

Martin Orbidans entertained nightly at the Avenue Saloon, Cruise #2

The Avenue Saloon waitress Camilla
Connoisseur Club
Cigars, Cognacs, Single Malt Whiskies and Fine Liquors

Connoisseur Club. A comfortable and elegant gentleman's smoking club

Connoisseur Club. Relax and enjoy from a collection of cigars, cognacs, wines and single malt whiskies

The Cigar Lounge
Palm Court
A Beautul View and Dance Floor

Palm Court

Palm Court offers a beautiful room with a view over the bow

Palm Court dance floor

Palm Court is directly above the bridge. What a view

Palm Court bar area

The bar in Palm Court

Palm Court offers Starboard and Port views

How "Palm Court" got its name

Afternoon tea buffet of lite bites in Palm Court

Afternoon tea buffet of lite bites in Palm Court

Afternoon tea in Palm Court

Afternoon tea in the Palm Court pays tribute to Mozart. Here he is in chocolate"

A lavish display of pastries and confectionary treats

Period costumes for the lovely waitresses

Period costumes for the waiters

Lovely Kamilla (left) served us in Palm Court for afternoon tea and pre dinner cocktails
Thank You Kamilla

Crystal String Quartet (left to right) Anna, Joanna, Renata and Martyna
Activities
Galaxy Therater

Galaxy Theater

Galaxy at Showtime

Cocktails in the Galaxy before performances

Cocktails in the Galaxy Theater
Avenue of the Stars

Deck 6 is home to three shops
Apropos, Crystal Collections and Facets

Judith Lieber purses for sale in Apropos

Judith Lieber

Judith Lieber

Judith Lieber

Chamber music every afternoon with these pretty musicians

Avenue of the Stars at Christmas

Avenue of the Stars at Christmas
360° Promenade Deck 7

Crystal ships still have a 360° promenade deck - Deck 7

Crew's Pool in the Bow on Deck 7

Life preserver

Extra life jackets

Life rafts?

How those little
pods inflate into man-size life rafts

Life boats

Promenade deck workout

Promenade deck workout

Promenade deck workout but what is it?

The crew's outdoor lounge on deck 5

Looking aft from Deck 6
Seahorse Pool

Pool Deck #11

A quiet day around the pool

Crystal Sextet entertains at the pool each afternoon

Enjoying the jacuzzi

Deck 11 at night
Golf

Golf driving nets left and right on Deck 12

Private lessons with Karen Kneissler on Deck 12

Lessons at the golf nets

Putting green on Deck 12

Looking Forward on Deck 12

Looking Aft on Deck 12
Tennis

Paddle Tennis Court on Deck 12

Padddle Tennis Court on Deck 12

Deck 12 Paddle Tennis

Deck 12 Paddle Tennis

The View From Deck 12

See where you're headed

See where you've been

Play "Titanic" star

Get a new hair do

Watch paddle tennis, walk or jog on Deck 12

Check out the pool deck

Look for a familiar face

The view from Deck 12 while in port

The retractible roof over the Silk Restaurant

The Skylights Over Palm Court
Crossing The Equator by Sea
A Centuries-old Ceremony, King Neptune himself transforms pollywogs into bona fide shellbacks

Crossing the Equator is a BIG Deal
All "polywogs" must appear in the court of King Neptune

The "polywogs" are marched into King Neptune's court

The "polywog's" fate awaits

The "polywogs" are sentenced for rediculous crimes and doused with 'slim"

That's me in the T-shirt

Sentenced, slimmed and thrown overboard (the pool)

I have been initiated into the 'Order of Shellbacks"

Eric and Andre celebrate their initiation into the 'Order of Shellbacks"

Jeff and Joette take advantage of the music

I think the pool suffered the most damage
Crew's "Tug-of-War"

Hundreds gathered for the Crew's Tug-of-War

Cruise Director, Paul McFarland, moderates the event

The Engine Room Crew

The Deck Crew

The Entertainers (guys of the Crystal Singers and Dancers)

The Cheerleaders (girls of the Crystal Singers and Dancers)

Paul gets some help with the judging

Engine Room vs Maintenance

The deck crew is challenged but win

The Entertainers are challenged but win

The Semi-finals

The Finals

The Entertainers finish in second place

The Cheerleaders are disappointed
Social Scene
Cruise 1 - Serenity (Nov 2009)
Dance Cruise Lisbon to Miami

Meet Joan and Charlie from Arizona

Meet Andre and Nancy from California

Meet Jerry and Marcia from Tennessee

Dinning Room
We had a fun group at our table
Cruise 2 - Symphony (Sept 2010)
North Atlantic Cruise - Dover to New York

Our table mates for this cruise are (from lrft) Tom, Ann, Joan, Me, Arty and Julie

Comedian, Tom Sutton, joins us for dinner

Happy Birthday Charlie!
A special desert for my 70th birthday

My Birthday Breakfast, the 1st course (CCW from center)
Doughnut, Bagel with lox and cream cheese, strawberries and whipped cream in a cone, blueberries with sugared flakes

My Birthday Breakfast, the 2nd course
Caviar, sour cream and chives paired with cream spinach (top), Monte Cristo sandwich, steak and truffle omlet

These gentlemen saved us seats every night at the Galaxy shows. This formal night they wore matching bow ties

Our new friends, Charles and Leonard, join us for an evening of fun at the disco, Luxe

This fun group including lecturer Kevin Carlisle (white glasses) gathered in the Avenue Saloon every night before dinner

Joan and I with singer

One of the entertainers (blue dress) joins the fun at Luxe

Dr. Craig Suiter, opthomologist from Scottsdale
Cruise 3 - Symphony (Mar 2012)
Glen Miller Dance Cruise - Miami to Lisbon

The first formal night

The second formal nigh

At our table (standing) Tom & Nancy, (seated) Yona, David & Joan

Erik and Andreas (right) compete professionally in the waltz. Here they are joined by friends and ballroom dancer Patricia (gold dress)

Our friend Catherine, a terrific singer and dancer

Father Mike Jones and Joan in the Avenue Saloon

The Cruise Critic
Meet & Greet in Palm Court

Joan meets Cruise Critic friend John

Our new friend Sherrie from Isreal

Joan and the two Margarets

Me, Sherrie, Nancy & Mike (left to right) dance the waltz in
That's Ballroom.With Professionals Elena, Adam, Aleksandr and Patricia respectively

Meet Smooch (left), as nice as she is pretty. And that's her real name, too

Smooch (red dress) organized a get-together dinner at
Kauis for this group
We were all staying in Lisbon after the cruise
Cruise 4 - Serenity (Dec 2012)
Artie Shaw Dance Cruise - Barcelona to Miami

Hi from Joan & Charlie

Here we are with our dinning companions Fay & Norman and Ann & Don (seated)

Hi from Fay & Norman

Hi from Ann & Don

Ann celebrates a birthday.
Best wishes from the Head Waiter (left), Wait Staff and Sommelier (right side)

A birthday kiss!

Happy Birthday Ann

Maya, Our Head Waiter, and the best by a wide margin

Oscar, Assistant Waiter

Dinner at Prego with Derek & Janet, from England

Leonard & Charles with Joan.
This is our 2nd cruise meeting Leonard & Charles

Charles and Joan in St. Martin

Mike & Mary. Mary is from Scottsdale, AZ

Cynthia W. and her mom. Cynthia is a lovely dancer

Meet Betty. Betty sat next to Joan on the plane from Newark to Barcelona
Cruise 5 - Serenity (Dec 2013)
Tommy Dorsey Dance Cruise Barcelona to Miami

Joan and Charlie

Dining with Judy and Larry

Dinning with Caroline and Dick

Charlie, Betty, Ernesto, Joan and Bryan

Cocktails with a couple from France

Vallerie, Betty, Will and Joan

Charlie & Joan with Maria, her friend, Bryan and Betty

Joan and Vallerie

Maria and Joan

Maria and Joan in Palm Court

Joan and Liane with Dance Hosts John and Rick

Betty and Will

Mark and Deborah

Tom and Brenda

Jim and Pat

Joan and Charlie

Dopplegangers Stephen Dolye (Crystal Singers and Dancers) and Will Nestler (Tommy Dorsey Band)

Joan and Entertainer after the iLuminare show

Entertainer Umi Garrett
This 13 year old celebrity pianist has spellbound audiences throughout the World since the age of 8

Umi Garrett with Cruise Director Gary Hunter

Joan and Charlie

Joan and Charlie

Joan and Charlie
Cruise 6 - Symphony (Nov 2014)
San Diego, Hawaii & New Zealand

Charlie and Joan, First Formal Night
The bow tie is adorned with martinis

Table Mates Neville and Maggie, First Formal Night

Table Mates Wayne and Lee, First Formal Night

Neville and Maggie, Second Formal Night

Wayne and Lee, Second Formal Night

Charlie and Joan, Second Formal Night

Selecting a fine wine

A pre-dinner cocktail in Palm Court

Having fun on Halloween night

Bruce Johnson plays the Crystal Piano

Members of the Galaxy Orchestra entertain in the Crystal Lounge

Magician, Jason England, provides some impromptu magic in Crystal Cove

Our favorite mixologist, Edwin, who served us until midnight

We first met Eric and Andrea on Cruise #3

George & Petra
Ballroom dance instructors

Marcie Castro Entertained Nightly In The Avenus Saloon

Marcie Castro

Marcie Castro's Purple Hat

Marcie Castro and Joan

Marcie Castro Fans

Our Third Cruise Meeting Charles and Leonard

Joan and Joette

Eric and Andre at the Marcie Castro Show (Avenue Saloon)

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night

Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night
Cruise 7 & 8 - Serenity (Nov 2015) Marseille to Lisbon
Jazz Band Nikki Perrot Does Big Band

Charlie and Joan, Formal Night
The bow tie print is martinis

Joanne and Doug - Canada

Barry and Hope's friends, the Greenbergs, from Dubai

Friends Jen and William from Singapore

Dinner at 'Tastes' with Jen and William

A photo-op with professional dancers Curtis (left), Beverly, Yourie and Natalie (right)

Happy Birthday Jen

Amigos

Friends Gale and Betty

Friends Betty, Vallerie and Gale

Friend Betty

Our
shy UK friend Vallerie

Our
shy UK friend Vallerie

Vallerie and Jen

Our dance partners at 1:00 A.M.

The 'gang' that closed Crystal Cove each night. Hey! Where's Jen and William?
Cruise 9 - Symphony (Oct 2016)
Tommy Dorsey Big Band Cruise - Lisbon to Miami

Charlie & Joan

Gerry & Janet - Tallahassee, FL

This lovely couple joined us on formal night since we had two extra seats

Teo is the bartender at the Avenue Saloon and author of
Cruising Through Life. Joan has known Teo since her days sailing with
Silver Seas. And NO, she wasn't mentioned in the book!

Dance instructors Dmitri & Andrea

Dance instructors Leighton & Jo

Dance professionals and hosts Dora (left), Christopher, Katalin & Andras

Dance Instructor Andrea

Andrea &
lucky Me

Tommy Dorsey Band leader Terry and wife Linda
Just Engaged! Our friends Will & Michelle, trombonist and singer respectively, for the Tommy Dorsey Band

Our new friend Mary from London with dance instructor Leighton

Mary "hams" it up with dance host Allen

Allen and one of many lovely dancers on this cruise

Charlie & Joan on formal night

Charlie & Joan on formal night
Cruise 10 - Serenity (Apr 2017) - Miami to Los Angelos
Panama Canal with Tommy Dorsey

Crystal Cove Happy Hour

Our table

Kim, friend and host at happy hour in Crystal Cove

Gi Gi with Singer Michelle Amato and Trombonist Will Nester

Jim and Rob join us at happy hour in Crystal Cove

Formal Night

Joan and Linda

Valerie and Host

Nancy and Hubby

Donna and Mike

Linda and Mike

Dr & Mrs Robinson from Honolulu

Tommy Dorsey Singers Michelle Amato and Brian Anthony

Joan, Kim and Vallerie in the Avenue Saloon for a Night Cap

The Liar's Club Starring Rabbi Hershman, Golf Pro Shannon Kneisler and Ventriloquist Mark Merchant

I won This Hat
Cruise 11 - Symphony (Oct 2018)
Colonial Charms Golf

Formal night

On the Lido deck

Another Formal night

With Beverly Durand, Dance Instructor

Halloween decorations

Joan with Curtis Collins, Dance Instructor

Curtis and Guest

Patricia

DJ Dayna

DJ Dayna

Beverly and Guest

Patricia and Cruise Director

Gemma of The Crystal Singers & Dancers

"White Night" on the Symphony

Our friends from Mexico City (forground) in the Avenue

The "regular crowd" at the Avenue

The "regular crowd" at the Avenue
Cruise 12 - Symphony (Dec 2019)
Hawaiian Serenade

Great way to start our Holiday Cruise
Dinner the night before with our good friends Charles and Leonard
at Symphony Tower in San Diego

Club Corp's Symphony Towers

First night's dinner on the Symphony

Captain's Welcome Aboard formal night

The lovely Luca and Georgina of the Crystal Latin Dance Quartet.
See their videos

Friends Charles and Leonard

Coctails

Steak Tartar appetizers

First Formal Night

Celebrating formal night on Christmas

Celebrating Crystal's "White Night"

"White Night"

"White Night"

"White Night"

"White Night"

Charles and Joan

Decorated for New Year's Celebration

Decorated for New Year's Celebration

New Year's Countdown

New Year's Countdown

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

New friends David and Lilly at the Captain's Farewell formal night
Dance & Music
Cruise 1 - Serenity (Nov 2009)
Dance Cruise Lisbon to Miami

Joan with dancer Junior Cervila
Junior is a champion Argintine Tango dancer

Charlie with dancer Beverly Durand
Beverly is a professional ballroom dancer

Joan with dancer Curtis Collins
Curtis is a professional ballroom dancer

Starlight Ballroom
You could find us dancing here every night

Everyone always had a great time.
Check out our videos!

It was fun to practice the steps/moves we learned in the dance classes

This night we were joined by Andre and Nancy

The band was great. They played everything; Waltz, Fox Trot, Mambo, Samba, Cha Cha, Hustle - the list went on and on

Junior Cervila joins the six hosts to dance with some of the single ladies

Argentine Tango private lessons
Junior and Beverly demonstrate a step for us. See their
Tango video

The Crystal Sextet
The Dance Showcase where guests perform with their partners or instructor

Dance Showcase
Tango with Junior Cervila

Dance Showcase
Waltz with Natalie Mavor

Dance Showcase
Jive with Curtis Collins

Dance Showcase
Samba, Bob with Beverly Durand

Dance Showcase
American Tango with Curtis Collins

Dance Showcase
Hustle with Joan and Charlie

Joan & I were the only guests who did not perform with a pro!

The Showcase Finale
The four professional dancers perform

You've probably seen this stunt on
Dancing with the Stars

Don't miss watching the Dance Videos!

Joan and Junior ham it up

Beverly Durand (left), Junior Cervila, Curtis Collins & Natalie Mavor.
A photoshop trick put me in the middle!
Cruise 2 - Symphony (Sept 2010)
North Atlantic Cruise - Dover to New York

The Crystal Sextet plays ballroom music nightly in the Starlight

Joan dances with Norman

Joan and Norman. Is this
Dancing With the Stars?

Couples dancing in the Starlight Club

Ambassador Host, Jim (center) dances with a guest. Hosts Jim, Wayne and Rob were among the hosts on our last cruise

Mark Sasnovski and Lisl Jooste, Latin Dance Champions, were our instructors for the daily dance classes

Couples dancing in Palm Court

Palm Court has two dance floors

Dancing after hours at the Disco, Luxe

Partying at the Disco, Luxe

Partying at the Disco, Luxe
Cruise 3 - Symphony (Mar 2012)
Glen Miller Dance Cruise - Miami to Lisbon

Glen Miller Orchestra
Every night we could dance to the Big Band sounds of Glen Miller in the Starlight Ballroom

Carol sang with the orchestra for our dancing pleasure

There was a lot of dancing on this cruise

We were always ready to dance

Troy and Barbara
Honeymooners but they have have been a professional dancing couple for ten years. Troy runs a dance studio

Bob and Smooch
Bob has been on our other three cruises. He found a lovely dancing partner with Smooch. Yes, that's her real name

Elena and Aleksandr Belousov taught the morning dance class. They became a dance couple nine years ago and married in 2009. They appeared in TV's Dancing with the Stars in the Ukraine

Patricia Kent and Adam Kent taught the afternoon dance class. They are a sibling dance team and have appeared on Broadway and in Las Vegas

There were 125 people attending the first days of the dance classes

Joan parctices her dance steps with the two Margarets

Charlie reviews the tango routine with Margaret

Charlie reviews the tango routine with the other Margaret

A pose with our professional ballroom dancers Elena and Aleksandr

Joan dances with Aleksandr

Elena finds a partner

Our professional ballroom dancers Patricia and Adam

Charlie dances with Patricia Kent

Joan poses with Patricia

The Crystal Sextet played in Palm Court when the orchestra was playing in the Starlight Ballroom

We liked the Latin variety played by the Sextet in Palm Court

When the music stops in Palm Court, where can I go to get another drink?

After hours we headed for the disco, Luxe

The disco dance floor was tiny

Everyone could party at the disco

Some nights Luxe was quite crowded

Karaoke night at Luxe was popular. Catherine and Marty sing a duet

Another singer joins in

Not bad for age 72

No singing for Charlie but he is joined on the dance floor by the Glen Miller Orchestra singer, Carol

Say Good Night Chuck. It's 3 AM and the clock goes ahead another hour tonight
Cruise 4 - Serenity (Dec 2012)
Artie Shaw Dance Cruise - Barcelona to Miami

The Artie Shaw Orchestra performed nightly in Palm Court or here in Crystal Cove

The Artie Shaw Orchestra in Crystal Cove

The Artie Shaw Orchestra jazz night in Crystal Cove

The Crystal Sextet performed nightly in The Galaxy for ballroom dancing

The lovely Bellisimo Strings performed chamber music daily at Afternoon Tea and early evening in Crystal Cove

Dance lessons every morning and afternoon by our talented ballroom professionals

Dancing to Artie Shaw at Happy Hour in Crystal Cove

There was always an audience on the balcony

The Dance Showcase
Couple Mike and Mary perform a Waltz in this popular event

The Dance Showcase
Cha-Cha-Cha by guests Andy & Shelly

The Dance Showcase
Merengue by guests Gilberto & Phyllis

The Dance Showcase
Bolero by guests Dennis & Yoko

The Dance Showcase
Swing by guests Charlie & Joan

The Dance Showcase
Argentine Tango by guest Trudy-Joy with Curtis Collins

The Dance Showcase
Quick Step by guest Claudette with Curtis Collins

The Dance Showcase
Waltz by guest Valerie with Curtis

The Dance Showcase
Rumba by guest Bob with Natalie Mavor

The Dance Showcase
American Tango by guest Bob with Beverly Durand

The Dance Showcase
The Hustle by guest Bryan with Beverly Durand

The Dance Showcase
Waltz by guest Mama with Rudy Hernandez

The Dance Showcase
Foxtrot by sisters Sherry & Marcie with Curtis Collins & Rudy Hernandez

Ambassador Host and new friend, Ron

Rudy, Vallerie, Joan & Charlie

Rudy, Vallerie & Joan

Trudi-Joy, Bob & Beverly

Beverly strikes a Tango pose with Bob

We definitely enjoy our dancing cruises

The Ambassador Hosts. The single ladies keep them very busy on the dance floor

Check out the great videos from this cruise
Cruise 5 - Serenity (Dec 2013)
Tommy Dorsey Dance Cruise Barcelona to Miami

A formal night

Dancing in Palm Court

Joan and Charlie

Betty and Ernesto

Betty and Tom

Liane and Dance Host Joe

Liane and Dance Host Emery

Liane and Dance Host Constantino

Elizabeth and Tom

Cynthia and Dance Host Joe

Cynthia and Dance Host Emery

Nelson and his wife

Joan and Dance Host Joe

Joan and Dance Host Sam

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
The best of the four Big Bands we've had

Under the direction of Terry Myers

Featuring vocalist Bryan Anthony

Bass trombone, Will Nestler

We wanted to adopt Will

Back stage jam session with the rythem section.
See the video

After hours in the disco, Pulse

After hours in the disco, Pulse

After hours in the disco, Pulse
Cruise 6 - Symphony (Nov 2014)
San Diego, Hawaii & New Zealand

Members of the Galaxy Orchestra entertain in Crystal Cove

George & Petra
Ballroom dance instructors

Dance class was a great social event

Joan and dance host, Jeff Morris while hosts Norman and Steve take a break

Joan with dance host Steve Ong

Marcie Castro Entertains In The Avenue Saloon

Marcie Castro

The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing

The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing

The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing

The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing

The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing

The Marcie Castro Show Invited "Singing" Guests

The Marcie Castro Show Attracted Every Entertainer On Board

The Marcie Castro Show Attracted Every Entertainer On Board

The Marcie Castro Show Attracted Every Entertainer On Board

The Marcie Castro Show Attracted Every Entertainer On Board
Cruise 7 & 8 - Serenity (Nov 2015) Marseille to Lisbon
Jazz Band Nikki Perrot Does Big Band

Charlie & Joan

Jen, William, Joan & Charlie

The Lovely, Talented Beverly Durand - Dancer & Instructor

Jen & William

Jen and Curtis Collins - Dancer & Instructor

Stardust Club, Nikki Parrott and her Atlantic Big Band

Stardust Club, Nikki Parrott and her Atlantic Big Band

Stardust Club

Stardust Club, Crystal Sextet

Stardust Club, Crystal Sextet

Crystal Cove with Nikki Parrott

Crystal Cove with Nikki Parrott

Joan & Ricky - Ambassador Host

Palm Court

Palm Court

Palm Court, Beverly & William

Palm Court, Cynthia & Ping - Ambassador Host

Cynthia & Curtis (left), Mamma & Rick - Ambassador Host

Palm Court

Palm Court

Palm Court, Jen & William

Palm Court, Jen & William

Palm Court, Jen & William

Hisako & Constatino - Ambassadore Host

Charlie & Joan
Cruise 9 - Symphony (Oct 2016)
Tommy Dorsey Big Band Cruise - Lisbon to Miami

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Dancing to Tommy Dorsey in the Starlight Loung

Dancing to the Crystal Sextet in the Starlight Lounge

David & Cynthia (center) - Pat & Jim (right)

Mary (center)

Charlie and Professional Dancer Andrea

Dance instructors Dmitri & Andrea

Dance instructors Leighton & Jo

Professionals Dora (left), Christopher, Katalin & Andras

Lessons with Leighton & Jo

Cruise 10 - Serenity (Apr 2017) - Miami to Los Angelos
Panama Canal with Tommy Dorsey

Violinist Irina Guskova

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in Palm Court

Michele Amato (singer), Terry (white jacket) leader of the Tommy Dorsey Band

Nicola Ward and the Crystal Orchestra play Crystal Cove

Nicola Ward in the Starlight Club

Crystal Quartet plays Crystal Cove

Crystal Quartet plays poolside

Michele Amato late night entertainment at Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove Happy Hour with Richard Pucci at the Crystal Piano and Irina Guskova on violin

Dan Hodge at the Piano, Avenue Saloon

Gigi (left) and Kim (right) dance with ambassadore hosts in Crystal Cove

The Crystal Singers and Dancers join the Sock-Hop in Crystal Cove



Formal night in Palm Court

Dancing in the Starlight Club

Dance Instructor Beverly Durand

Dance lessons with Beverly Durand

Dance lessons with Natalie Miles (mic in hand) and Youri

Cruise 11 Colonial Charms Golf - Symphony (Oct 2018)

Dancing in the Starlight Club

Halloween Dance Party

Beverly and Superwoman (the Pilates Instructor)

The Crystal Singers & Dancers in costume

Jump & Swing-A-Mania
Crystal Show Band with Crystal Singers & Dancers

Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran

Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran

Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran

Helen Kovalenko
Cruise 12 "Hawaiian Serenade" - Symphony (Dec 2019)

The lovely Helen Kovalenko

Crystal Quartet

Alice and the Crystal Quartet

Helen Kovalenko on "White Night"

Dance floor on "White Night"

Mike and Rhoda dance during "White Night"

New Year's Eve
Ocean Moods
Cruise 1 - Serenity (Nov 2009)
Dance Cruise Lisbon to Miami

The Stormy Atlantic

We had 20 foot waves for the first three days at sea

Fighting the rough seas, we were not able to make the Azores

Christopher Columbus must have been a lucky guy. I think these waves could have crushed the Santa Maria

Hitting a big Wave
Some waves splashed all the way up to our balcony (8th deck, midship)

After 3 days the ocean calmed a little

Ocean waves are caused by the wind!

Each day got clearer and calmer

Soon there was no pitching and rolling

One day there were no waves

Time at sea, 8 days

Every night there was a beautiful sunset

So many different colors

Pink clouds, reminds me of Arizona
Cruise 2 - Symphony (Sept 2010) North Atlantic Cruise

The Milwaukee Depth" is 30,240 feet deep, the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean

Cruising Prince Christian Sound, off the southeast tip of Greenland

Greenland produces so many icebergs that navigation is tricky even during the summer

A distant iceberg


Cruise 3 - Symphony (Mar 2012) Miami to Lisbon






Cruise 4 - Serenity (Dec 2012)
Artie Shaw Dance Cruise - Barcelona to Miami

A foggy morning

Sunrise on the Atlantic

Sunrise on the Atlantic
Cruise 5 - Serenity (Dec 2013) Barcelona to Miami

The Mediterranian

The Mediterranian


The Atlantic



Cruise 6 - Symphony (Nov 2014) Hawaii & New Zealand

The Pacific Ocean



1,000 Miles From Land In Any Direction

Cruise 7 & 8 - Serenity (Nov 2015) Marseille to Lisbon

Ocean Trivia: The Atlantic measures 8,000 miles north to south and averages 18,900 feet deep




Rough seas

Calm seas

The Mediterranian




Sunrise

Sunset

Cruise 10 - Serenity (Apr 2017) - Miami to Los Angelos

The Serenity passes the Symphony in the Pacific, Apr 2017

Passing the Symphony

Passing the Symphony

Passing the Symphony





Pacific Apr 2017

Cruise 11 - Symphony (Oct 2018)

The Atlantic. First day at sea out of New York


Cuba

Sailing through the Bermuda Triangle

Sailing out of the Bermuda Triangle
Rescuing a Sail Boat | Serenity (Nov 2009)

The calm Atlantic has stranded a sail boat with 6 sailors on their way to Nassau

With no wind for their sails, they were running out of fuel

The Serenity comes to the rescue

Rocking on the ocean swells, the captain of the small craft feared his mast would be damaged if it hit our ship

The Serenity launches a rescue craft

The rescue boat heads out with fuel and food for the sailors


Handing off the supplies

Hope they made it to Nassau
Link to Videos