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crystal serenity holiday cruise
​the first day

Celebrating the Season on the Seven Seas

Read the Daily Diary
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By GERRY and
PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
December, 2019.


There are all kinds of ways to celebrate the holiday season: Visit loved ones; throw parties; attend special events. For us, we like to cruise. 

This year, we had the special opportunity to take the "Haute Caribbean Holidays" cruise on Crystal Serenity -- seven ports in 15 days over Christmas and New Year's, sailing round-trip from Miami.

You can read a detailed account of our trip in our DAILY DIARY on All Things Cruise. In the meantime, come along and share our adventures in these photo pages. All aboard!!

Article Index

Port of Call: Grand Turk

Port of Call: St. Maarten

Port of Call:  Antigua's Donkey Sanctuary

Port of Call: St. Lucia

Port of Call: Barbados

Port of Call: Virgin Gorda

Cruise Wrap-Up

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We had a veranda stateroom on deck 9. It was finished in rich woods with tasteful furnishings and art. The bath featured double sinks and a tub/shower combination, along with upscale toiletries. It also included a generous balcony with
​full-size furniture. We appreciated the extras, too -- like a pair of binoculars, an umbrella and USB outlets.
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Festive Decorations

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The holidays were in evidence all
​around the ship, including the
beautifully-decorated atrium staircase. 
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The chefs made this gingerbread house and had fresh-baked cookies available throughout the day.
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The Palm Court (above) -- a wonderful retreat on deck 12 with 360-degree views -- had their own tree, while this surfing Santa, right, prepares to deliver presents to the Aloha State.
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As we explored our new home for next two weeks, we wandered into the Martketplace on deck 12, which has breakfast and lunch buffets. Love the Mark Rothko-inspired art.
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We toured the spa, where we saw this sand bed. Like a day at
​the beach with pampering.
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The pool on Lido deck offered a welcome retreat both day and night. It was surrounded by upscale loungers and sofas, with attendants ready to bring you your drink of choice.
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We fell in love with The Bistro on deck 6 -- a European-style cafe that offered all kinds of coffees and teas, as well as a selection of light snacks and pastries until 11 pm. Grab a cup of Joe and watch the waves go by from a window seat table. 

​On Crystal, most drinks are complimentary, and there are a number of bars and lounges to relax with one. On the left is our favorite -- Avenue Saloon on deck 6.  Dark and elegant, with a piano player, it's perfect. Those drinks are a special cocktail they made for us -- the Teeny Weeny Lemon Martini, a variation of a lemon drop that is oh-so-good!
There's still so much to discover about our new "home" for the next two weeks. With several "sea days" coming up, it will give us a chance to experience everything Serenity has to offer.  
NEXT PORT OF CALL: GRAND TURK
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Contact us: [email protected]

© COPYRIGHT  2024  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise/Travel
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi's Wine Shelf
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Travel Bistro
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Explore
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
      • Yellowstone Camping Tales
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search