Alaska 2004

San Francisco    Ketchikan    Juneau    Skagway    Glacier Bay    Sitka    Vancouver    Victoria    Crystal Harmony

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Dining room. Cool plates.

During the galley tour

A chef assistant preparing an appetizer.

The Bistro. Star and I went here almost every morning.

mmmmm....mochas!

Deck 11, Lido Deck. This was our last day, cruising back to San Francisco

Covered Pool area on the Lido Deck

The Repertory Theatre at Sea

They performed 1st rate production shows!

Art Auction

Our room!

the obligatory chocolate

Making ourselves at home in the Crystal Suite

 
 

Captain's 'Welcome Aboard' Cocktail Party

The ship threw a special cocktail party for all of us to meet the Captain of the ship. The funny thing was that he wouldn't shake anyone's hands because of the fear of germs and contamination. Related to that, at each and every port, as we got back onto the ship we had to sanitize our hands. They had a special alcohol based gel dispenser that automatically dispensed gel when you waved your hands under the machine. During the cocktail party, we met Robert and Marilyn Horton, who, come to find out after we got back home, were actors in the 1950's and 60's. Star and I of course didn't recognize him, and it was only after we told Rosie that he was on Wagon Train that she recognized him.

Jim, Star and Madeline at the Captain's Cocktail Party

 

Robert Horton

Bob and Marilyn Horton

 

 

Mozart Tea

What a totally decadent event!! So over the top, it could only be allowed on a cruise ship of this class. Even though Star and I only had a wee-bit to eat, we decided to skip dinner that night.

The chocolate Mozart Bust - wonder if anyone actually eats it? Or if they just save it in the freezer for the next cruise? I'm pretty sure they're not suppose to do that, but what a waste if they don't!

mmmmmm....sweets!

All of the servers were dressed in period costumes. I'll bet they look forward to this event every cruise...yea. But they totally looked cool to me!!! Which is why I guess we paid them the big bucks to be on that boat, yes?

Star and I were good - we each had one treat (me a scone and Star a tart) and a chocolate mousse, along with our English Breakfast tea. Despite our minimal gluttony, we still decided to skip dinner that night.

 

 

Grand Gala Buffet

Grant it, I am food obsessed, but I'm also high impressed with the amount of detail shown in every single piece of food art displayed at the Grand Gala Buffet. From the intricate carvings in fruit displays and ice to the cute egg and seaweed penguins, everything was good enough to eat! Not only does it take a master chef or 12 to pull this off, but also a plethora of creative foresight to know how to make it all look so amazing.

Look at the details!! check out the fish and cute little seahorse!

Egg penguins!!

Pineapple Fruit Tree

on a bed of...roast beef (?)...guarded by egg penguins

such a cute lil' fruit bowl

this requires patience and a skilled knife-handling

Pearl...onion

The carving station

Look at the size of that roast beef!!!

It wouldn't be a buffet without the ice sculptures.

The Crystal Seahorses

Ice basket of fruit

I guess this is an eagle - maybe my angle is just skewed

And of course the obligatory butter sculptures

 

And now for the desserts. drum roll please....

They set up the entire 5th floor lobby for this. It was rather chaotic once they started serving because we had to stand in line and imagine 600 people trying to eat all at once.

The Grand Masters!

Much applause!!!

The Crystal Cove Pianist, for our audible entertainment as well as our visual and gastronomical pleasure.

Our head waiter, Martin, on the right.

A line of waiters assist us to our table

Let the games begin!! Time to chow down.

 

Medieval Feast

I don't know how they did it, but they served a medieval feast on the same day they did that grand gala buffet. The food was ok, nothing memorable, but seeing our waiters all dressed up in those costumes was priceless!

Yup, they served us a weird medieval grog, some blechy warm wine. They served chicken, but I can't recall if they actually served chicken legs, but we certainly didn't eat with our hands.

Daniel, our wine steward and Rosie's best friend on the ship. He was very good, he always knew what we were going to drink, and always made sure that Rosie got her coke in a can without any ice. He's been their wine steward in several cruises in the past.

A priceless Kodak moment. He didn't want to have this picture taken, but...of course they're always suppose to oblige. He was kind and posed for me, but he begged me to not show anyone this picture. I lied and said, "Just my husband."

   San Francisco    Ketchikan    Juneau    Skagway    Glacier Bay    Sitka    Vancouver    Victoria    Crystal Harmony

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