Third Annual Cruise
January 4 to January 17, 2012
Submitted by Rhona Gorder

Crystal Cruises lived up to its reputation of exceptional customer service as a small group of classmates cruised on CRYSTAL SYMPHONY.  The cruise was titled Between Two Seas.  We left Long Beach, CA on January 4th stopping in Cabo San Lucas, Costa Rica, cruised the Panama Canal, and visited Columbia all with incredibly calm and smooth seas and glorious weather.  We missed disembarking in the Grand Caymans as the weather became too windy, but all was forgiven when the Captain authorized free cocktails for guests that evening!  Classmates cruising were Bill Kanzler 11th Co. and Marcia Adams, Muriel and Bill Pierson 10th Co., Marilyn and Mike Rose 22nd Co., Ann and Boyd Sibert 9th Co., Walt Spangenberg 2nd Co. and Sonia Kazanjian, Rhona and Chuck Gorder 12th Co.  Both Ann Sibert and Mike Rose celebrated birthdays on the cruise and were treated to bottles of champagne, birthday breakfasts and other treats by the crew.  Crystal also hosted a lovely private reception for the Class with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.  The ship’s band played Anchors Away and Navy Blue and Gold, the captain and other officers stopped by to say Hi, and fun was had by all.  As always, on the last evening aboard, the classmates sang Navy Blue and Gold again and also The Goat is Old and Gnarly.  Bill Pierson remembers the words to any song you want to sing and makes the time special by leading the singing.  We made port in Miami on Jan. 17th.