2011 SFC Vintage Room

We wore out the kids for a reason....the "grownups" (very loose terminology, I know....it only is grown-up by age......) had an evening in the Vintage Room.

The Vintage Room on Crystal Cruises is a singular event. If you are even REMOTELY interested in wine or food-or BOTH- it will be an event you do NOT want to pass up. I had been lucky to attend Vintage Room dinners on two past cruises, and was very much looking forward to this one.

The meal is prepared by the executive chef- in our case, the wonderfully creative Werner Brenner. He developed a menu based around the wines that Head Sommelier Leonard de Vries selected for us to taste. (Leo is the "relief" Head Sommelier for Crystal. When my buddy Bart Dufour, who is Serenity's Head Sommelier, goes on vacation, Leo takes over. He swings between Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, covering both Head Sommeliers.) I totally forgot to get a photo of Leo in action. Drat!!!!!

May I say that, as usual, they excelled.

The nine of us- we thought Alix and Austin were old enough to be included with the adults- were joined by two couples. Leo passed around glasses of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve for us to enjoy as we got to know our new friends.



Even the roses had a vintage room feel.



Anticipation of things to come.



We were surprised to find our tablemates had Shreveport connections.



First course- Pan-Seared Sea Scallop with a sweet pea puree and vanilla champagne sabayon.



Besides the champagne, Leo poured us a yummy Austrian Grüner Veltliner-- 2010 Schloss Gobelsburg "Lamm".

Next, we had lovely Butternut Squash Tortelli with noisette butter and black truffles.



Nope this ain't your everyday teenage fare.



How about a little Sun-dried tomato crusted black cod? With a little fine herb salad and saffron beurre sauce.



Oh, and with that, a chardonnay- Darioush Signature- Napa Valley 2007.

Oh, but I'm not done yet. Not by a long shot.

It gets even "funner"---



What wino doesn't like having the option of 4 different glasses?



When was the last time you had short ribs like THIS?



Duo of beef- Grilled Wagyu filet mignon and short rib with Sauce Bordelaise and a little potato mousseline and veggies!

A lovely burgundy from Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes- 2008 Sérafin Père & Fils and a 2008 Caymus Special Selection from Napa.

Alix is happy.



But then, she's a cabernet girl.

Buzz was enjoying himself, too.



But wait........


There's still cheese.......with apricot chutney and walnut bread.



And what goes better with cheese than a Graham's 20year-old Tawny Port?

Do you think we would leave off dessert??? Not THIS bunch...

How about white chocolate trifle with mango gelee and passion fruit sherbet?



OOPS- I forgot to take the photo until it was half-gone..... but with that Leo poured my beloved Trockenbeerenauslese--the Austrian 2000 Kracher Grand Cuvée No. 6. God, I love this stuff...it is truly the Nectar of the Gods......

Yep, life is good.

2011 SFC Sail-Away

As Crystal Serenity set sail a little earlier than usual, we had a sail-away party around the Lido deck's Seahorse Pool, complete with band.

There's nothing like a summer swim, even in the Baltic.



Remember that this was during one of the hottest heatwaves the Baltic has seen.



Whilst the kiddos swam, the grownups lounged around and sampled some of the daily cocktails du maison!!



Hi Clark!



The band was terrific!





JuJu, now completely awake, was a dancin' machine.



And managed to talk the Junior Activity Directors into a little cuddle time!



The Estonian flag was flying as long as we were in port.



Could the weather have been any nicer?



There's always time for ANOTHER one, isn't there?





Hutch got in a little nap with his dad...



But Julia...well, she was up to her old tricks.....

2011 SFC More Tallinn

Just a few more views of Tallinn!

I can never resist a rose, and these were superb!







The sun was JUST RIGHT when we visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.



Evidence of the age of the area.



Centuries-old cobbles.









Everyone needs a rest now and then!









And it wasn't even lunchtime!!

2011 SFC Tallinn

It was our first visit to Tallinn and the country of Estonia.

Our excursion was early, but we were awake. Well, all except Julia....



She has two speeds. On and Off.

Tallinn's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is stunning.

First stop- the Tall Hermann Tower.



Beautiful day, beautiful setting. Everywhere we turned, there was something new to see.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.



The spire of St. Mary's Cathedral.



We rested a bit.



Mary Cecile and Alix are all smiles, but Julia needs another cup of something, I think.





From a viewing platform we could see past St. Olaf's Church all the way down to the sea.



And another angle, toward the town hall.



Again, past St. Olaf's to Crystal Serenity in the background.



WHAT A VIEW!!!

Proof we made it up the steep cobblestone hill!



In the middle of everything old, there was an enterprising Estonian in a perfect setting.



Who could resist?



We walked along medieval stone walls, still standing strong.



Absolutely CHARMING.



At times, we felt as if we had all stepped into a time machine and been transported back 700 years.



The gates of the old city were built in the 14th century. So old, I can barely comprehend it.



Then it was on to the Song Festival Amphitheatre. A rehearsal was in progress, so we could not go in, but the gates were decorated with a charming assortment of ribbons.



All too soon, as the Crystal guidebooks are wont to say, we were headed back to the ship, ready for a sailaway party.

Hooray for Minus-Green!

Now, most of you know about my love affair with the color pink.

Well, turns out that there is no pink light.

I thank "The Improvised Life" for letting me know.

I don't believe a word of this youtube video, I don't care how it is explained.



And isn't that pink staircase in the blog post AMAZING?????

Let's hear it for Minus-GREEN!!