Crystal's Visions Enrichments Programs and Special Interest Lecturers really are good touches to nourish the mind, since our bodies and spirits have all been taken care of by the cuisine/bar & hospitality staff.
Never mind that we wanted to try the casino or the dance / yoga / computer classes, I was able to catch-up on the lecturer for the day during nighttime as the program is broadcast on the cabin TV. Sooo very enjoyable and fascinating to get a slice of what an expert in his/her field has to share. The topics run a gambit from geopolitical concerns to astroids' hitting earth from a planetary scientist, to habits of exotic species from Exec. Dir. Ecolife Foundations...etc.
On this excursion, David Davenport from the Hoover Institute ( think tank @ Stanford University) was on hand several times in the Hollywood Theatre. Toward latter part of cruise, Jeff Greenberg Hollywood casting director & Emmy recipient shared his experiences on Frazer Unplugged & Modern Family. We never had the chance to make our way to personally sit in on lectures, but I must say, I nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed his and other insightful talks replayed later on in the cabin.
Mozart Tea Time @ Palm Court
Astoria String Quartet
Palm Court is where we came almost nightly for ballroom/latin dancing to work off that sumptuous diner
Formal night - Tom was actually able to fit into his 27 year old tux!
Beautiful sea day with our dancing friends on Serenity
Ship pulling into the mouth of Gironde towards the cargo dock of Bassens
somewhere in this vicinity of sundrunk vineyards are Chateau Lafite-Rothchild, Chateau Mouton-Rothchild, Pauillac and Chateau LaTour
Ship meandering slowly through the river valleys leading to Bordeaux...the largest wine growing region in France..where the river splits, the regions of Medoc and St. Emilion are nearby for further exploration by wine connoisseurs on this stop... the town of Cognac is also only about 2 hrs away
Air bus parts manufactured to be shipped over to Toulouse for assembly
Musical band the Crystal Sextet
Ellen made it a point to try their specialty 'drink of the day' each day + lots of good wine :D
must say the all-inclusive aspect of Crystal makes this pursuit just that much more enjoyable ;~)
Photo compliments of Don of Las Vegas
