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
Junior and Beverly demonstrate a step during our private Argentine Tango lessons.
Dance Showcase
The Crystal Sextet
The Dance Showcase where guests perform with their partners or instructor
Tango with Junior Cervila
Waltz with Natalie Mavor
Jive with Curtis Collins
Samba, Bob with Beverly Durand
American Tango with Curtis Collins
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!
Dinning
Dinning Room
We had a fun group at our table
Meet Joan and Charlie from Arizona
Meet Andre and Nancy from California
Meet Jerry and Marcia from Tennessee
Cruise 2 - Symphony (Sept 2010)
North Atlantic Cruise - Dover to New York
The Crystal Sextet plays ballroom music nightly in the Starlight
Couples dancing in the Starlight Club
Joan dances with Ambassador Host Norman
Joan and Norman. Is this
Dancing With the Stars?
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
The Avenue Saloon
This fun group including lecturer Kevin Carlisle (white glasses) gathered in the Avenue every night before dinner
Luxe Disco
Luxe is a beautiful nightclub
Dancing after hours at the Disco, Luxe
Partying at the Disco, Luxe
Dr. Craig Suiter, opthomologist from Scottsdale
Charles and Leonard saved us seats every night at the Galaxy shows. This formal night they wore matching bow ties
Charles and Leonard join us for an evening of fun at the disco, Luxe
Galaxy entertainer
Galaxy entertainer
Dinning
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
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
Honeymooners Troy and Barbaraare professional dancers. Troy runs a dance studio
Bob and Smooch. Yes, that's her real name and Bob has been on 3 of our Crystal Cruises
Erik and Andreas (right) compete professionally in the waltz. Here they are joined by friends and ballroom dancer Patricia (gold dress)
Elena and Aleksandr Belousov
Elena and Aleksandr appeared on
Dancing with the Stars in the Ukraine. They became a dance couple nine years ago and married in 2009.
Professional ballroom dancers Patricia and Adam Kent are siblings
Patricia Kent and Adam Kent taught the afternoon dance class. They 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
Joan dances with Aleksandr
Elena finds a partner
Charlie dances with Patricia Kent
Joan poses with Patricia
The show
That's Ballroom featured Charlie, Sherrie, Nancy & Mike dancing with professionals Elena, Adam, Aleksandr and Patricia respectively
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?
Luxe Disco
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
Our friend Catherine, a terrific singer and dancer
No singing for Charlie but he is joined on the dance floor by the Glen Miller Orchestra singer, Carol
Not bad for age 72
Catholic priest Father Mike Jones and Jewish girl Joan
Say
Good Night Chuck. It's 3 AM and the clock goes ahead another hour tonight
Dinning
Dinner begins with cocktails in the Avenue Saloon
Jazz Dagon entertained nightly
The first formal night
The second formal nigh
At our table (standing) Tom & Nancy, (seated) Yona, David & Joan
The Cruise Critic
Meet & Greet in Palm Court
Joan meets Cruise Critic friend John
On Tour
Our new friend Sherrie from Isreal
Joan and the two Margarets
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
The Artie Shaw Orchestra in Crystal Cove
The Artie Shaw Orchestra jazz night in Crystal Cove
The Artie Shaw Orchestra performed nightly in Palm Court or here 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
Dancing to Artie Shaw at Happy Hour in Crystal Cove
There was always an audience on the balcony
Dance lessons every morning and afternoon by our talented ballroom professionals
Dance Showcase
Waltz by Mike and Mary
Cha-Cha-Cha by Andy & Shelly
Merengue by Gilberto & Phyllis
Bolero by Dennis & Yoko
Swing by Charlie & Joan
Argentine Tango by Trudy-Joy with instructor Curtis Collins
Quick Step by guest Claudette with instructor Curtis Collins
Waltz by guest Valerie with instructor Curtis
Rumba by guest Bob with instructor Natalie Mavor
American Tango by guest Bob with instructor Beverly Durand
The Hustle by guest Bryan with instructor Beverly Durand
Waltz by guest Mama with instructor Rudy Hernandez
Foxtrot by sisters Sherry & Marcie with instructors Curtis Collins & Rudy Hernandez
Ambassador Host 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
Dinning
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
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
The best of the four Big Bands we've had
Under the direction of Terry Myers
Featuring vocalist Bryan Anthony
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
Bass trombone, Will Nestler
We wanted to adopt Will
Back stage jam session with the rythem section.
See the video
Pulse Disco
After hours in the disco, Pulse
After hours in the disco, Pulse
After hours in the disco, Pulse
Dinning
Joan and Charlie
Dining with Judy and Larry
Dinning with Caroline and Dick
Joan and Charlie
Joan and Charlie
Joan and Charlie
Friends
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
Cruise 6 - Symphony (Nov 2014)
San Diego, Hawaii & New Zealand
Members of the Galaxy Orchestra entertain in Crystal Cove
Joan and dance host, Jeff Morris while hosts Norman and Steve take a break
Joan with dance host Steve Ong
George & Petra
Ballroom dance instructors
Dance class was a great social event
Avenue Saloon & Marcie Castro
Marcie Castro Entertains In The Avenue Saloon
Marcie Castro
Marcie Castro's Purple Hat
Marcie Castro and Joan
Marcie Castro Fans
Our Third Cruise Meeting Charles and Leonard
The Marcie Castro Show Invited "Singing" Guests
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
Joan and Joette
Eric and Andre at the Marcie Castro Show (Avenue Saloon)
The Marcie Castro Show Got Everyone Dancing
Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night
Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night
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
Marcie Castro's Show "packed" the Avenue Saloon Every Night
Dinning
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
Cruise 7 & 8 - Serenity (Nov 2015)
Marseille to Lisbon
Jazz Band Nikki Perrot Does Big Band
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
Charlie & Joan
Jen & William
Jen, William, Joan & Charlie
Jen and instructor Curtis Collins
The Lovely, talented Beverly Durand - Dancer & Instructor
Beverly & William
Cynthia & Ambassador Host Ping
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
Palm Court
Palm Court
Dinning
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
Friends
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?
To our next Crystal Cruise
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)
Dance instructors Dmitri & Andrea
Dance instructors Leighton & Jo
Dance professionals and hosts Dora (left), Christopher, Katalin & Andras
Charlie and Professional Dancer Andrea
Lessons with Leighton & Jo
Dance Instructor Andrea
Dinning
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!
Friends
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
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in Palm Court
Michele Amato (singer), Terry (white jacket) leader of the Tommy Dorsey Band
Formal night in Palm Court
Dancing in the Starlight Club
Gigi (left) and Kim (right) dance with ambassadore hosts in Crystal Cove
The Crystal Singers and Dancers join the Sock-Hop in Crystal Cove
Dance Instructor Beverly Durand
Dance lessons with Beverly Durand
Dance lessons with Natalie Miles (mic in hand) and Youri
Dan Hodge at the Piano, Avenue Saloon
Nicola Ward in the Starlight Club
Nicola Ward and the Crystal Orchestra play Crystal Cove
Michele Amato late night entertainment at Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove Happy Hour with Richard Pucci at the Crystal Piano and Irina Guskova on violin
Crystal Quartet plays Crystal Cove
Crystal Quartet plays Palm Court
Crystal Quartet plays poolside
Dinning
Crystal Cove Happy Hour
Our table
Violinist Irina Guskova
Friends
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
Dancing in the Starlight Club
Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran
Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran
Crystal Show Band and Melissa Maugran
Helen Kovalenko
Jump & Swing-A-Mania
Crystal Show Band with Crystal Singers & Dancers
On the Lido deck
Another Formal night
Halloween
Halloween decorations
Halloween Dance Party
Beverly and Superwoman (the Pilates Instructor)
The Crystal Singers & Dancers in costume
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
Dinning
Formal night
Friends
With Beverly Durand, Dance Instructor
"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 Helen Kovalenko
Crystal Quartet
Alice and the Crystal Quartet
Friends Charles and Leonard
Coctails
Steak Tartar appetizers
First Formal Night
The lovely Luca and Georgina of the Crystal Latin Dance Quartet.
See their videos
White Night
Helen Kovalenko on "White Night"
Celebrating Crystal's "White Night"
Dance floor on "White Night"
Mike and Rhoda dance during "White Night"
"White Night"
"White Night"
"White Night"
Christmas & New Year's
Celebrating formal night on Christmas
Charles and Joan
New Year's Countdown
Decorated for New Year's Celebration
Decorated for New Year's Celebration
New Year's Eve
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
New friends David and Lilly at the Captain's Farewell formal night