Last day in LA

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A storm front came through overnight and it got colder, windier and a lot rainier. We had already bought our tickets to Battleship Iowa docked here at the cruise terminal, so around 10am we set out. We wound up soaked to the skin everywhere except center mass under our waterproof layer. The puddles onboard the ship and during the walk along the waterfront were so deep we had water in our shoes! Other than that it would have been a nice visit. We were told and saw signs that there was a special entry for ticketed cruisers but since we'd already purchased online I don't know what it was. We spent a couple of hours climbing steep ladders/stairs and ducking in and out of rain touring the ship.

When we got back to the cruise terminal and Serenity, the crowds we'd seen earlier had thinned. They were checking in onboard today vs. our shore side check in on Sunday.

Back in the cabin, we had a mishap with Clay dropping some pieces out of a sewing kit down his sink. Since we know the plumbing is sensitive, he called in to let Reception know and we waited for a specialist to retrieve the bits before lunch. We had picked up a signature Crystal Portuguese tart on the way to the room fortunately to hold us over. Once the button and straight pin were retrieved, we went down to Waterside for lunch. It was ok. I had pasta and Clay had a burger. He said he wouldn't have a burger there again. We had discussed lunch at Silk, but since we have dinner reservations there tonight Chinese for 2 meals in a row seemed excessive. We skipped dessert and went to Ben & Jerry's on deck 12 for ice cream instead.

I want to share a link to another cruiser's blog. We met him on NWP16 on this same ship.  He is linking menus and daily Reflections every day. So, if you're really interested in what is happening onboard, that is the place to read up. My musings, observations and Clay's photos will never be that detailed. Plus Keith is much more upbeat and ready with praise than I tend to be. With over 90 cruises on Crystal, he also has a lot of inside information.

Right before the cocktail party last night we received some very nice WC logo gifts. We had been asked for sizes to order from measurement charts right after booking. The clothes fit quite well. We both got ballcaps and quilted vests. I wore mine today under a rain poncho. Clay got a polo shirt and I got a jersey knit wrap sweater. Today around 3pm more gifts arrived. A huge wall calendar and 2 leather bound journals along with a WC scheduling calendar. Less useful. A nice gesture anyway. When we came back from lunch alongside our orchid sprig on the coffee table was one of the cocktail tables' hydrangea arrangements. That was nice! Bob loves flowers!

Last night's Gala was nearly excruciating for us. We sat with and met a delightful Michigander traveling alone on her latest WC during cocktail hour. We were assigned different dinner tables. Our table was awkward with a block of non-native English speakers in the center dividing 4 of us Americans from a woman traveling alone from AZ. In addition, the new dining room chairs are taller than they used to be and my feet didn't touch the floor. Final complaint was that I didn't love the fixed meal. The only choice was between beef and halibut. I did order well done beef and it came that way, so credit where it was due. After the hour long cocktail party, I really needed to be able to take off my right shoe under the table and flatten my foot and straighten my toes but I couldn't because my legs were just dangling. I thought dinner would never end. Then to the 8:30 show, Broadway Bound, about the development of a new musical theater show based on Mrs. Doubtfire. We weren't the first to walk out but we left before the encore! It was interesting, but not really compelling entertainment to us and I just couldn't get comfortable.

That brings me up to date. I will wait and try to publish this after we sail at 6pm. I am considering the 4 pm stretch class in the gym. Muster drill is 5:15 pm. Our reservation at Silk is 6pm. We've heard rumors that rough sailing is expected pretty immediately and maybe for more than the first day. I'll let you know!

After the drill, the captain broadcast his official rough seas warning over the PA. He said the seas we faced were 18 to 20 feet, but he was heading further south than our original course to shoot for 8 to 12 foot seas. We are definitely at sea!

Dinner at Silk was all good. We both liked everything we ordered. I had chicken wonton soup, black pepper beef with rice, and five spice dark chocolate slice. Clay had crispy duck salad, sea bass and tapioca soup with matcha ice cream. We look forward to returning some day for lunch. They used to charge $30 for more than 1 dinner per cruise in Silk, but it has been poorly received and now you can go as often as they'll give you a reservation. We hope to return some night with a day of reservation when we don't like the Waterside menu or don't want Churrascaria.

We skipped tonight's musical show and got back too early for turndown service. We failed to turn on the service light at the door so that may have contributed. It is fine. Tomorrow's Reflections was on the mail holder outside. Tomorrow starts a long stretch of sea days...

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