Noggins

I don't know how long it will be before I bitterly regret setting out to do this but I'll try my best to keep anyone interested appraised of our trip starting next week. From the get go let's set some expectations: this is not going to be one of those 'live from's' that show you a picture of every moment / every drink / every toilet stop. It might well just be a summary catch up of the previous day or it might be a bit more than that - we'll just have to see...... By way of background, we moved to Scotland last year and absolutely love it. We have a small estate and our son and daughter (plus partners) live in properties on the estate and we share all that is involved in moving a bit of a time capsule into the 21st Century. Whilst I do some of the work we have full time contractors who have been here a year now slowly working through a huge maintenance backlog. It has meant that our once busy cruising lives have changed into vacations being much less frequent. We are both approaching a major milestone this year - it has a seven in it. Actually it has a seven in rather a prominent position.... I can't explain how it has crept up on us but all I do know is that I could do with a bit of 'modernisation' and a decorative upgrade (not to mention a plumbing overhaul 😳) myself. That said we're not in bad shape and live active lives. Our cruising careers started quite late in life - 2007, I believe - with a Queen Mary crossing and Silverjet return (who remembers Silverjet??). We have never looked back and have since cruised many many times on pretty much every line from the cheapest all the way up. We are not the sort of folk who need to always be enveloped in luxury - but we do recognise it when we see it and know how to enjoy it. We stay firmly able to have a jolly good time enjoying simpler things too. To illustrate our eclectic taste, especially memorable cruises have been on Star Clippers, Silversea to the Arctic, an expedition cruise up the Rio Negro and every Crystal cruise we have ever been on (bar the first one when the weather was appalling!). We have never had a 'bad' cruise experience, we are glass half full folk and are not the complaining type - but we're not pushovers either! Most cruises have been just the two of us but we have also cruised with 'cruising friends' and sometimes with a small group of lifelong friends. This time it will be just the two of us. (next cruise we'll be a party of 6) We booked this cruise in the Spring of '22 when 'you know what' was still impacting us all so much. Crystal had gone bust and the lure of a new luxury line was what was needed to pop into the 'things to look forward to when this mess is over' folder. It has finally come round - although it is not our first since the shutdown. We've recently (in the last year) been on Silver Dawn (meh) and Crystal Symphony (back and wonderful). I have been following along with the very mixed reviews of EJ since start up but have placed much store in the positives reported by CC chums Terry (Stickman) and Colin (kool kruiser). Don't let me down guys.....! We leave home on Wednesday to fly to Heathrow for an overnight before our Virgin flight to Miami on Thursday. Then another overnight on Miami Beach before it begins proper - as it were. More to come. Probably..... Adrian

My experience was similar in most regards to what you mention - but specifically on the 'money owed' front it turned out that whilst I had paid my TA all that was due they had not paid EJ the full amount (commission related, I believe - it seems EJ work differently to other cruise lines. Probably call it something different too!?). Once the TA paid the missing small sum the screen changed and I was able to check in. Of course it meant I had to call EJ but they just couldn't bring themselves to actually explain what the problem was - but they did efficiently book specialty restaurants whilst I was on the line. Looking forward to a 'bug free' cruise in a few days time!

Well, I just hope to goodness Anne-Marie does not get to read that last sentence, Keith....👀

Thank you - what an amazing account of a special journey. Many of us will have read many cruise blogs (even provided one or two..) but your consistency and focus on the task really was the best and much appreciated. And as others have said, the photography was just amazing. One thing that puzzles me a little is how bird and animal life can be so celebrated alongside the consumption (by some, presumably) of foie gras. Do people still not know how it is produced?

Have a wonderful time, Keith - I'll check in from time to time to make sure everything is fine! As for St Martin, you will be quite close to Anse Marcel - a tucked away small marina with smart shopping and bars and, nearby, a hotel with a fine beachside restaurant. We stayed there for a few days pre-cruise a year or so ago. The setting and location take some beating and it would make a fine day out. You definitely need to book the restaurant. https://www.ledomaineansemarcelbeach.com/details-anse+marcel+beach+restaurant-33.html Adrian

Yes, it has affected us and 4 friends. Disappointing, yes, however the options offered are both varied and extremely generous (and include canal options). My suggestion is you take another look at that glass - it's actually half full not half empty... (and have another look at the options too!) Whichever option you choose, you'll have a fabulous time, I guarantee it!

Hello Ivi - yes, my CC visits are much reduced. When our family, who flew the nest years ago, conspired to return little did I realise that they would work me from dawn to dusk (and those are not ship names - although we have been on the dawn. Is there a dusk??) with rarely a day off! The November cruise seemed an odd one in that, if I remember correctly, it could be booked as a 7 night cruise ending in Puerto Rico or an 11 night cruise ending in Costa Rica - but no option to book a 4 night cruise. I imagine the 2 canal transits (the ship was heading back in the subsequent cruise, I believe) were going to be costly - 'operational reasons' normally means 'we need to spend less money on something' doesn't it? The 7 night cruise remains and the 4 night cruise is now a 7 night San Juan to San Juan, followed by a return to Ft L. (how the 4 nights could become 7 nights is a mystery that is beyond me). I bet you wish you hadn't asked? Adrian ps Quebec to Ft L sounds a fine itinerary!

Well done, Colin - about as comprehensive and useful a review as I have ever read! (maybe Steph dictated it to you and you just typed her words?! No, wait, she'd never get involved in such an activity - for too many more important things to do!) Were you always expecting to do a Caribbean trip or was your original booked trip changed? I thought I remember you mentioning quite a different itinerary. Our early March trip is getting nearer and, naturally, we are in trepidation of it being a sell-out cruise....

How interesting, Terry! Having followed your Explora trip (in particular) it seemed that maybe your head had been turned and that Crystal would slip away in interest to you as being simply 'too old'. 'Hardware' is important but 'software' (the product / staff ) are so much more important. Your comparison notes will, in due course, make an interesting read, I'm sure. (As an aside our 11 night Nov '24 trip on Serenity has just been cancelled (Ft L - Costa Rico). We've been offered a selection of alternatives. Whilst surprised to have to re-choose (and change booked outbound flights) I think we may be switching to the first leg of the WC in Jan '25. We'd be happy with that change. Anyone else booked on that - or maybe the WC?)

Vince - it's fine! I think most of us around here find the extra level of detail, background and historical context fascinating and it does make you view things a little differently. I will forever appreciate now the differences between Starlite and Stardust. (hands up who never realised they had different names!) Vince, if you could only get on the lecture circuit you would fill the room with people interested to hear the historical evolution, intentions, mishaps, successes along the way! Imagine if everyone brought along their memorobilia for a 'show and tell' table!! Adrian

Once again - and it happens most days - I'm reminded of how little I know..🙄

Well, Vince, to be honest I hadn't previously noticed that ceiling until you mentioned it. You're right - hideous! I was going to add to my list that dreadful fluted canopy on the pool deck which I have always disliked but took the chance to demonstrate an ability to read / remember / look - even at my age. Looking forward to reading your updated observations in due course. Adrian

Thanks Rob We too were very fond of QE2. We have even been known to search out older ships because of their characteristics. But as is often pointed out to me I am a long way from being 'normal'..... Adrian

Will look out for your comments - on both ships! I'm sure you'll be very happy with both although we too favour Symphony because we just prefer her version of Starlight and The Avenue. Otherwise we hardly notice the differences - except perhaps in future those extra passengers on Serenity will be important to the vibe?! (Symphony's passenger load at the moment sounds terrible. If only they had said I would have willingly stayed on to help out ..) Best to you and S Adrian

In case of interest to others, here is the separate vegetarian / vegan menu from the Osteria. Dishes are based on those on the main menu. The Impossible burger is also back in Trident 👍

Sorry for the wait but, in summary, we had a great time on a ship that has the feel, the quality, the history of what we had come to really enjoy in old Crystal. Bear this in mind in anything that follows! Trying to set things out with a degree of logic.... Hardware It’s strange how the passing of time can make you see things a little differently. Seeing Symphony again after such an enforced gap left me with slightly mixed feelings. Great pleasure to know that we were heading back into a safe, known, quality environment but also realizing that, crumbs, whilst Symphony does look elegant, yes, she also looks, well, a bit old fashioned…. Anyone new to Crystal could be forgiven for thinking that they would have to wait and see the quality of what is on board whereas there are many competing ships that externally look (are) new, ‘on trend’ and you just know are going to be fabulous inside when you see them. There is no doubt, and in many ways I am sorry to say it, but Crystal needs those new ships to survive. Longstanding, returning Crystal passengers will not be enough. On board, she is just as she was, quietly elegant in an understated way but with some glaring outdated parts (atrium, Starlight ceiling, to name two of the most obvious). And for the first time we were struck by the almost complete absence of artwork anywhere. This absence does leave several venues looking unfinished – especially the Osteria (Italian restaurant). Anyone out there with a large art collection that they don’t have enough walls for….?! Our room was brand new, spacious and lovely. But it was not necessarily entirely well thought out or fully snagged – all features of the refit being done in a huge and understandable hurry, I am sure. For instance, the luxurious shower is fitted with a handheld shower that has virtually no adjustment when in its bracket making it next to useless unless you use it handheld. The two wall jets are so powerful (and initially cold) that they could knock you over / drill holes through you! The rainfall is Amazonian in water quantity and great if are happy to be immersed head to toe. When it comes to the end of the bathing ritual, there is no towel rail – unless you were in our friends identical room where there was a towel rail – just where you expected there to be one! We had our fire alarm go off in the middle of the night one night, the lighting in the bathroom partly stopped working and the loo stopped working briefly. All new Crystal experiences. The public rooms remain spacious and beautifully furnished but as mentioned previously it is starting to feel as if there is just a bit too much space for the number of passengers. Spaces seemed to regularly feel empty of people and vibe – Starlight and Palm Court in particular. Software This bit is a little more complicated, so I’ll break it down a bit to food, service and entertainment. Food is just as we remembered it – quality fine dining in elegant surroundings, inventive menus with multiple choices. This goes for Marketplace and Waterside especially. Osteria needs a special mention in view of the apparent controversy over the menu. Make no mistake this is fine dining of Michelin standard. Perhaps it is not appealing to the masses in quite the same way as Prego did but it is certainly very high quality fare. Service is, on the whole, of that special Crystal standard that no-one else (that we have experienced) manages to achieve. The team in the Osteria were the best example of Crystal service – they were just brilliant. For the whole crew, it is partly the training, partly the selection of confident intelligent people, partly making sure they feel happy in their work and partly by empowering them to interact with the customer and make decisions. We were surprised there were so many new faces (to us) but most of them had ‘got’ new Crystal and delivered exceptionally. A few didn’t – service slightly marred a Waterside dinner experience and breakfast service in Waterside was off beam. Astonishingly we were recognized by some staff. This gives a very nice fuzzy feeling when it happens! When one is a sommelier you wonder whether a previous search for that other pleasant fuzzy feeling might have been a little too enthusiastic (how else would we have made such a mark that we seemed to be instantly recognizable…?!) Entertainment has been something that has always impressed us and new Crystal have maintained the standard. High quality professional and highly skilled entertainers wherever you looked. The Avenue, in particular, delivered (for us) with one evening the band joining to deliver an outstanding jazz / jamming session with contributions from other members of the entertainment team and from guests who were themselves professionals in the entertainment industry contributing. Truly an exceptional evening. What next? (after Explora...) Serenity, next year. To be honest our bags are unpacked right now – but we can’t wait to re-pack. Rest assured that this will be the only time I will feel the need to compare OC with NC - as far as we are concerned Crystal remains outstanding. Long may that last. (apologies if you hoped for more but it has been a bit of a whirl since coming home. A months worth of rain fell at the weekend and we’ve been busy with the consequences of that and the rivers that border us and run through the property. Goodness what a lot of water!) Adrian

Oh, I don't recall reading that. I'm ambivalent about casinos but one observation I would make (sorry we're still in Venice and wider comments will take a little longer yet to pull together) is that we were 500 souls (to use the old fashioned expression!) - about the typical number I think Vince has told us to expect? With so much public space it does mean that several venues feel deserted and lacking in appeal for lack of atmosphere. The key exceptions being the Cove and the Avenue which become crowded because that's where the vibe and the action is. The ship certainly felt empty at times. And that's not necessarily a good thing? A casino would not draw off many folk, I suspect, so wouldn't affect the situation. Adrian

I think you may need to search for treasure elsewhere - I can't see there being any chance of an about turn on a casino anytime soon.

Symphony has arrived in Venice this morning (Fusina) and is being readied for a 3 day charter (for a wedding - wow, that's some wedding party!). I'll post some thoughts on how we found things shortly but suffice to say that NC is very hard to differentiate from OC (in a good way). Adrian

Do it! They are both wonderful countries to visit whether by ship or overland - or both! You can expect some rocky seas if you cross between the two. If it's not obvious fly biz - ideally on a ME airline wioth a stopover there - Abu Dhabi ideally. If you require a Passepartout I can make myself available - given some notice (10 minutes would be adequate). Enjoy!

Goodness me, Roy... It is great to see you travelling again - and to have you entertain us, as you have for years. But you are a bit of a worry! Whilst you are clearly not one to overplay any niggles for goodness sake do take things easy. Obviously there is nowhere quite like a cruise ship - pardon me, ocean liner - to relax and I hope you will do just that. Have a wonderful time. Adrian

sorry to correct you there, old chap, but English for an umbrella is actually 'brolly' - don't you know..... (you need a plum in your mouth to articulate this correctly)

Maybe not just formal nights, Colin.... And we have had an incrdible hot and dry Summer - believe it or not. I'm sure the world of CC is gagging to hear of our two upcoming EJ experiences! Wishing you both a fab time and am looking forward to a good read. Adrian

Hi Colin - are we due to hear some pearls of wisdom from you guys very soon? EJ trip still coming up? Hope you enjoy as much as Stickman is currently enjoying his experience. Adrian

could someone possibly ask whether one might take along one's own 'roll' and have it filled....?