Day 9 - At Sea off the Coast of Panama - Jan 11

Day 9 – At Sea, off the coast of Panama (Wednesday, 2012-01-11)

Weather: Sun, Hot and Humid, 34c+

Today is another day at sea as we continue to head South down the Pacific Coasts of Costa Rica and Panama, tomorrow is the trip through the Panama Canal, and the main reason for taking this cruise.

At precisely at 8:00am, and we are now back on Eastern Standard Time (EST), there is an at sea rendezvous with our sister ship the Crystal Serenity. With everything else so far on this cruise this is a well planned operation, which included an “at sea photo op”, stagged by a PR firm hired by Crystal to capture the moment for some future publication or travel brochure. Just so you also know this was not a chance meeting, these cruises/routes are planned 2+ years in advance, this is a very well run cruise ship company with lots of technology including an on ship TV production studio with live programming - awesome!

This is how it went:

(Some notations: CY=Crystal Symphony. CS=Crystal Serenity)

CY is South Bound, CS is North Bound, we are 50km of the coasts of Costa Rica and on the border with Panama.

CY turns 180degrees to the Starboard side and North and reduces speed, CS turns West towards us and then returns to due North. Now both ships are Northbound, CS closes the ship to ship distance to one cable width or about 150m.

CS launches a high speed jet boat for MOB (Man Over Board) rescue from their Starboard side. This boat has the camera crew of three + one driver. They go out long and North, both ships maintain a slow 2knots plus the separation space. CS pulls ahead so we are now in staggered formation, cameras roll.

There are full signal pennants on both ships and everyone is on deck on both ships, CS plays music “we are the champions”, we play “its a wonderful world”, ships sound 4 blasts on the ships horns (and they are loud). Camera crews also work the ship as well as the photo op of one's self with the CS in the background is a must have, and at $39@ they will be big sellers on this ship for sure.

After the MOB boat is on board CS, CY, make a 180degree turn to Port and South, increase speed back to 21knots and we are on our way, CS resumes full power and its North course, whole process takes about 35 minutes. But the meeting of a “sister ship” at sea is a big thing and the CS is bigger, wider and has 999 passengers, we have 888 passengers on board this trip.

Well after that action packed event it is time for late breakfast in the Bistro followed by the continuation of the Speakers Series, this time it is Dr. Richard Detrich and the best viewing locations for the Panama Canal transit which is tomorrow at 5am.

After lunch another speaker is Dr. Robert Freedman who is taking on “US Policy in the Middle East – Part 2”, so far both of these sessions have been excellent.

Tomorrow is the Canal.