Today was a Oh My God day.  We had a nice breakfast in Lido Cafe.  First time so far on this cruise.  Our senior waiter from dinner served us and we relaxed.  There are only about 600 people on this segment so nothing is crowded.There is also 600 crew members so that is a 1 to 1 ration.   We went to a lecture this morning by Harm de Blij he is a Author, Professor and Television personality (Good morning America) who is a professional geographer.  I will be honest I was not going I thought he would be boring but he was absolutely fabulous.  After his lecture went to the shops to see if there was anything new and by that time it was time to go the Meet & Greet cocktail party for full World Cruisers.  Bloody Marys, and Mimosas were flowing as was shrimp, procuitto and melon and mozzerella and tomatoes.  They had dancing and all the senior officers were there.  World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivey spoke and said that instead of sending a few gifts to the house this year they were changing it up and as we were there housekeeping was delivering to each cabin an IPAD 2 for each World Cruise Guest.  Yes, you heard right. They each came with an engraved leather case and pen.  After all the shouts of joy they also said they will be giving lessons on how to use them.  Everyone was really excited especially me as I was going to go and buy myself and Bill one before we left but didn't have time so this was fabulous. Bill said he felt like we were on Oprah or Ellen's show!

After our afternoon cocktail party I had a 50 minute hot stone massage and Bill had a 90 minute deep tissue massage.  Came back to the cabin Bill napped and I sent a few emails.  Before you knew it it was time to get dressed up and go to yet another cocktail party for cruise critic!  I only got one picture of Bill, myself and Becky as we were too busy talking to get pictures taken.  Captain Glen, Rick (Cruise Director), James, excursion manager and a few other senior officers attended the Cruise Critic meet and mingle.  We spoke to James about a few of the excursions we are signed up for and he is going to reserve the first seat on the buses for us so that I won't have to walk to the back.  We have sailed with James many many times before and I must say all of the excursion department is really great.  They go that extra mile and w spoke about this.  He mentioned that most cruise lines they are on commission and therefore have to sell the tours but not at Crystal and that they would rather have the guest happy.  This is what happened to me in the Falkland Islands  I was called up by Storme in excursions and she told me that she really didn't think I could do the excursions out to the penquins  and she didn't want me upset.  Bill went on that one alone and said that I could never have gotten in the 4 x 4 WE then went to eat in Prego Italian Restaurant.  I had a caesar salad, gnocchi with buffalo mozzerella and fresh tomatoes for an appi and Veal parmgaiana for dinner.  Pictures to follow.  Bill had the same except he had the mushroom soup in a bread bowl instead of the pasta.  He had gelato for dessert I had dark chocolate mousse with strawberry tartofo.  It was fabulous.  Went to casino and gave back the money I won yesterday by hitting 4 aces on the poker machine.  Time to call it a night.  We turned our clocks back last night and will do it again tomorrow night but with all the excitment and the massage I am tired.

Well I know that this was a really special day.  We have received a World Cruise hat, jacket, a beautiful engraved map of where were are going  and now the IPAD2 we know we will get WC shirts as we had to tell them our size and I hear scuttlebutt about some kind of backpack or tote.  Wow it's been a fun day.  So to each of you reading this you can make comments if you do and it is annonymous just sign it so I know who it is.....

God night and God bless!

The I Pad2 on the bed

The letter telling us where to go to get it hooked up

Becky Bill and I @ cruise critic party