Crystal Plaza

We arrived in LA at the Beverly Hilton hotel and settled in. Took an afternoon tour of the stars homes up in the Hollywood Hills. Saw the Kodak Theatre where the academy awards are handed out and peeked a look into the room in our hotel where one week ago, the Golden Globe awards were handed out. We dressed for the evening gala reception and dinner which was something else. There are 242 World Cruisers who were all dressed up in their formals. We milled around and tried the different appetizers, drank our champagne and were escorted into this large dining room with tall white roses and orchid centre pieces and elaborate table settings and an orchestra from the ship playing.. We were seated with a dance host, a couple from Sweden and other people at the table. Listened to some speeches from the Crystal Cruise Line and then wined and dined but didn’t dance. Too tired. Service was great. Treated royally.
Next day were met with limos that took one couple at a time to the ship. All these black limos were lined up at the Hilton which was something to see. Arrived at our ship and were processed quickly. Had a latte at the bistro and waited to get into the rooms. Rooms are quite small but organized. Unpacked 5 huge suitcases and then down to the dining room to meet our table mates. One couple are the computer instructors from the ship and the other couple are from Newport Beach California, and our friends Mary Anne and Harry from Edmonton and us. Great conversation and wonderful people so we are glad. Wed. we had our boat drills. Came back to the room and was ready to leave when all this commotion in the hallway. Two doors down and gentleman had a heart attack. All the medical people came running and they told me to wait. They were giving CPR, cleared the hallways, put a white sheet up so no one could see. Our maid was beside me and said this is bad. I had to go. Came back and found out they stabilized him, wife no where to be found, took him down to the medical centre and he died. First death, already. They found the wife, who is devastated. They were from Canada for the entire world cruise. Wow, one death, how many more to go? Our maid was very upset. Another day in our cruise. Took golf lessons today, Doug went to a lecture by Nigel West on American Foreign Policy under President Barack Obama. Talked to the gentleman afterward who answered any questions we might have. He feels our CSISA in Canada are very good. Good to know. This evening we meet the captain of the ship and our second formal evening. Many more formals to go, ugh. Have to go for an hour walk with Doug out on the deck to walk off this food. Only 63 degrees outside. The news is usually there are 400 and more world cruisers on any given year, but because of the economy only half this amount this year. This leg has 300 and some cruisers so total cruisers including those for this leg only and the world cruisers makes it in the 500s which is small considering the ship holds 1000 people. There are 650 staff to take care of us so we can’t complain.