2018 Crystal World Cruise as seen by a 4-Star Mariner

[erewhon]

Roy,

We enjoyed meeting you and visiting on the beautiful ship.

Thank you again.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Roy,

We enjoyed meeting you and visiting on the beautiful ship.

Thank you again.

 

 

Did visiting Roy on the Symphony convince you that you would want to cruise on Crystal some day?

[rafinmd]

Thank you bennybear, Krazy Kruizers, and erewhon. Kind of funny, while we were eating the Future Cruise consultant came by and I asked her if there was an onboard booking discount for visitiors. The answer was regrettably no.

 

Day Symphony8, Saturday, February 24, Christchurch

 

The Crystal Serenity is on a maiden call in Cooktown, the final port in Australia, 2194 miles away.

 

I did most of my sea-day 6-lap walk around sunrise. The sky was quite cloudy but the little slit the sun found on it’s way up was a beautiful red.

 

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The entry to Lyttleton harbor requires tight turns and was a bit of a navigational challenge both in and out but we docked safely about 8AM opposite one of the biggest fishing vessels I have ever seen. The Mainstream is about midway in size between the Crystal Esprit and the Wind Spirit, quite impressive.

 

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My tour was among the last to leave, departing at 9AM. Sean was our driver and he doubled as guide, providing commentary as we made out way to the Antarctic Center near Christchurch airport. Our journey began with a long tunnel leading to a flat area which Sean called the largest flat area on the South Island. The Christchurch end of the tunnel was also the epicenter of the 2011 earthquake. It was not the most powerful earthquake Christchurch has felt, but was particularly devastating because it was so close and also very near the surface.

 

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We got a first hand look at the damage as we drove through Christchurch on the way to the center, at Christchurch airport on the other side of town. One building I thought looked ok as we approached but looking up to the top floors curtains or tarps were blowing out from where windows once sat.

 

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We arrived at the center about 10. It sits directly across from the US hanger for flights to Antarctica and one of the buildings is the “passenger terminal” for flights to bases. There were even luggage trolleys outside.

 

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Our tour started with a drive over an obstacle course in the type of vehicle used in Antarctica. The Hagglund is a personnel carrier designed by the Swedish army. It consists of a cab and a trailer, both on crawler tracks with a driveshaft between the 2 units and steered by articulating the 2 halves of the unit. I rode in the back half for a very bumpy ride around the course. It handles extreme grades well, can climb over logs and the like, and the vehicle weight is spread out among the crawler tracks to exert very low pressure on the underlying land. We drove over a series of tires and the weight is distributed enough that we did not crush the tires as we went over.

 

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Our next stop was a “4D” movie depicting a cruise to Antarctica. It would have been an expedition ship as there were people out in zodiacs. In addition to the 3D effects the chairs shook with the ice and waves and we were occasionally sprayed with water. Staff washed down the seats as we left.

 

There was a tank where we could see “little blue” penguins. The only penguin that lives on the main New Zealand Islands these animals are a bit smaller than chickens. The animals at the center have all been stressed and could not survive in the wild. Birds in the wild have an average 7-year life span; in the sheltered habitat of the center one has lived to 25 years.

 

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Our final exhibit was an “Antarctic storm”. We were given parkas and sent to a small room which was maintained at 18F. As a wind machine began working a display in the room showed the wind chill dropping below zero. It was a bit daunting but far from what conditions would really be like at an Antarctic base.

 

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Outside the center there was a display of huskies. The foundation of early Antarctic exploration they have been banned since the 90's due to concerns about spreading diseases to native seal populations.

 

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On the way out of the center Sean pointed out one of the aircraft being readied for a flight to Antarctica.

 

 

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Returning to the ship we passed the Avon River and made our way past the Cathedral, now “the world’s largest pigeon rookery”. Damaged beyond repair, it has been slated for demolition several times by the city but that has so far been prevented by citizen petitions.

 

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We also passed the Catholic Cathedral. It is repairable but the church hierarchy has not yet authorized the work. A bit later Sean pointed out the “cardboard cathedral”. A Japanese architect devised a plan for a temporary building which uses cardboard for the structural beams. It actually looks quite nice.

 

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I was back at the ship about 1, time enough to visit the lido and get a simple salad to go with my ham and cheese. The afternoon was pretty quiet. All aboard was at 4:30 and Louis sang at 4:50. It was a slow departure with a VERY tight turn to port needed as we cleared the breakwater.

 

I was invited to a 5:30 cocktail party in the Captain’s Quarters. I chatted briefly with Vice Captain Torburn Stenkula who I do not remember seeing before but said he has been on the ship over 2 years. Captain Larsen arrived after me and I saw him standing at the door greeting others until 5:45 when we got the second “Code Bravo” of the cruise. The deck officers disappeared quite quickly.

 

It was my second shared dinner in Waterside, this time with 2 other guests and 3 Ambassador hosts. I chose the beef consume and the T-Bone Steak. Captain Larsen came on the PA midway through dinner and reported that the alarm was an overload alarm on one of the engines and the situation was under control. I was out in time for the 7:30 show.

 

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The featured entertainment was a vocal performance by Jonathan Hawkins. While I’ve sailed with him several times, I think it’s the first time I’ve heard him sing more than briefly. His major function is actually coordinating special events and he keeps very busy with that but he can put on an excellent show when time permits.

 

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My parting shot will be a wish for a continuing ane accelerated recovery for Christchurch. It’s people are extremely resilient but they are far overdue for some good news.

 

Roy

[DeeniEncinitas]

Hi Roy!!!!

Sorry I haven’t been on the boards for awhile trying to get things finalized with our trip!

Right now we are downtown across from the ship terminal leaving tomorrow on The Maasdam. So looking forward to our cruise. Great room will watch the ship come in at 5:30am🙄DH will watch.

I have WiFi on ship so fingers crossed I will be able to read your wonderful blog!! I will think of you often especially when I do my 5 miles on the promenade 🤗

Denise🤗

[bennybear]

Oh I like those little blue penguins! And your t bone! Thanks for the pictures and info onChristchurch.

 

Found the Antarctic expedition interesting. As a Canadian, it didn’t look that cold in the simulator. A couple of years ago we had a couple of pilots fly down to do a medical evacuation in Antarctica. Not a place some times of the year that is accessible. Luckily they were successful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The tour you chose for Christchurch would have been the one we would have booked.

Those little blue penguins are adorable.

[rafinmd]

Hi Roy!!!!

Sorry I haven’t been on the boards for awhile trying to get things finalized with our trip!

Right now we are downtown across from the ship terminal leaving tomorrow on The Maasdam. So looking forward to our cruise. Great room will watch the ship come in at 5:30am🙄DH will watch.

I have WiFi on ship so fingers crossed I will be able to read your wonderful blog!! I will think of you often especially when I do my 5 miles on the promenade 🤗

Denise🤗

Have a wonderful time on the Maasdam.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Day Symphony9, Sunday, February 25, Nelson

 

The Crystal Serenity is at sea from Cooktown (2122 miles away) to Alotau, Papua New Guinea(2212 miles)

 

It was quite windy when I first went for coffee but by 7 when the sun was due to come up it had quieted down quite a bit.

 

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We had been due for this Crystal Cruises maiden call at 9 but in fact were tying up about 8 and cleared about 8:30. This is an industrial port with no cruise facilities and it looked like a shuttle might have been required to get to the port gate but there was a walking path, mostly a narrow lane between 2 rows of orange barriers.

 

We were originally supposed to have a Protestant Chaplain on board but he became ill at the last minute and at least so far he has not been replaced. I had seen 2 promising churches in Nelson, both Anglican, with services starting at 10 at the Cathedral and 10:30 at All Saints (both just about a mile from the ship).

 

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There was a shuttle but I decided I would rather walk. The map was not quite clear about streets near the dock and I ended walking through a couple of parks on the way into the city, passing by a memorial to the troops involved in Anzac operations.

 

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I was in ample time for the cathedral service and as I turned onto Trafalgar street the Cathedral’s steeple was directly in front of me.

 

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I thought the Cathedral interior was fairly simple with the exception of some rather prominent pipes for the organ. The service was more of a formal liturgy than I’m accustomed to but did have a chance to partake of communion.

 

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After the service I did a bit of shopping, starting with some dental supplies that got misplaced in the transfer between ships. I have also heard for years about big bills people run up on their smart phones when they look to the ship’s interface to keep updating data. My normal cell phone is dumb and that hasn’t been a problem but the NZ simm on my travel phone did and I got a morning text that my balance was less than $1. Before stopping at McDonalds for lunch I bought another voucher for air time. At McDonalds in the US lunch might have been fries and milk, they did not have milk but I got the fries and a couple of extra salt packets to have a salt gargle if I get a sore throat. By the time I had installed the extra air time on my phone (and made sure it was in airplane mode) the fries were not very good. I also found a grocery store and got some apples and they had a small jug of milk.

 

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I walked back to the ship by a somewhat different route. On the way I encountered a lady who thought I was going the wrong way and she walked with me until the direction to the ship was obvious. I’m not convinced the way I was going was significantly longer but appreciate her thoughtfulness.

 

I did attend Fr. Klemmer’s Interdenominational Service at 5:15. I could have skipped it but think it is important to support these services when they are offered. Fr. Klemmer server for some time as the ecumenical liaison in his diocese so he is well suited to the role. I was chosen to read the bible lesson. Crystal Cove pianist Scott Mitchell also helped with the service. Near the end of the service the lights flickered a couple of times which I interpreted as a side effect of starting the engines.

 

Louis sang at 5:55. The exit from the harbor was another movement which required precision, requiring a 180 degree reversal as we left the dock, then a very tight 90 degree turn about a mile later.

 

Silk restaurant was closed in the evening for a private dinner/show for those on the Full World Cruise. The theme was “Hurray for Hollywood” and the set had been staged in the morning.

 

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Most of the entertainers on the ship were involved including the show band, Latin dance team, Crystal Ensemble, and violinist Tanya Tingarova. Even Shane Morely reprised his original role as a singer/dancer for a while. The ladies of the Ensemble were dressed as movie stars and the theme was kind of “a night at the Oscars” with the menu reflecting the titles of various movies.’

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/hollywood.pdf

 

The regular featured entertainment was singer/comedian Jo Little, but I called it a night soon after our event ended.

 

I’ve been following several blogs from the Amsterdam World Cruise and will take my parting shot from there. By policy, the majority of the crew on Holland America ships is from Indonesia and the Philippines. The ship will soon be visiting Bali and Manila. One of the bloggers has reported that on those days the main dining room will be closed for lunch (sort of). On those days lunch will be served there for visiting family members of the crew. The way a company treats it’s employees is sure to be reflected in the way they interact with their customers. Well done, Holland America.

 

Roy

[Happily@Sea]

Day Symphony9, Sunday, February 25, Nelson

 

I walked back to the ship by a somewhat different route. On the way I encountered a lady who thought I was going the wrong way and she walked with me until the direction to the ship was obvious. I’m not convinced the way I was going was significantly longer but appreciate her thoughtfulness.

 

Roy

 

Roy,

 

You didn't make a good enough impression with the locals that one had to make sure you made it back to the ship and not get left behind? ;p

 

I wish I had your stamina and walking agility to be able to explore the towns, I like getting out of the purely tourist areas.

 

It's interesting following two different World Voyages at the same time. I'm really enjoying your different points of interest.

 

Carole

[Krazy Kruizers]

Nelson looks to be a delightful little town.

Why did you buy apples? Aren't you able to get them any time on the ship?

Loved the menu for your special dinner.

[rafinmd]

Nelson looks to be a delightful little town.

Why did you buy apples? Aren't you able to get them any time on the ship?

Loved the menu for your special dinner.

 

There normally are but they haven't (except for green ones) been in the lido for several days. Of course, now that I just bought some my stewardess left 3 very nice ones in my fruit basket at turndown. I wonder if it's ok to take apples with a New Zealand producer sticker off the ship.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

I don't think that you can take any kind of fruit off a ship.

In many ports we have seen barrels where security tells you to throw away such items and there are sniff dogs all around.

[erewhon]

Roy,

Pleased that you were able to attend the service at the Nelson City Cathedral.

The new seasons apples have just started arriving in the shops.

[erewhon]

Did visiting Roy on the Symphony convince you that you would want to cruise on Crystal some day?

 

Would depend on the itinerary.

 

We thought that the ship was light and spacious.

[Krazy Kruizers]

After our last bad experience on HAL, and had I not developed health problems, we were considering Crystal.

[kazu]

There normally are but they haven't (except for green ones) been in the lido for several days. Of course, now that I just bought some my stewardess left 3 very nice ones in my fruit basket at turndown. I wonder if it's ok to take apples with a New Zealand producer sticker off the ship.

 

Roy

 

Isn't that the way of things, Roy? If you hadn't bought them there wouldn't be 3 new ones in your fruit basket ;)

 

Enjoy them all but I fear you won't be able to take them off the ship.

[rafinmd]

Thanks all. Just a heads up, I'll probably be posting just on the Crystal forum for a while unless something looks like it will be of special interest here.

 

Roy

[bennybear]

Thanks for heads up Roy!

 

Denise, have a wonderful time on Maasdam, we will be on her in the fall!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks all. Just a heads up, I'll probably be posting just on the Crystal forum for a while unless something looks like it will be of special interest here.

 

Roy

 

 

Thanks for letting us know Roy.

[erewhon]

Thanks all. Just a heads up, I'll probably be posting just on the Crystal forum for a while unless something looks like it will be of special interest here.

 

Roy

 

Thanks for letting us know.

[rafinmd]

I'm going to take my prerogative here as op and go off topic. The only relationship this has to the cruise I'm on is that for a minute I'm caught up in my posting and have free unlimited wifi, so I had a look at my HAL account.

 

Never say never

 

I've been booked for quite a while on a summer Alaska/Panama grand itinerary starting with a cruise tour on the Volendam July 18, continuing with the Westerdam back to Vancouver, and then Crystal Symphony San Francisco to New York. It's also around my 75th birthday and my brother has decided to join me on the Alaska/Denali portion. I had booked an inside cabin when it was just me but I just looked at my record. We're now in a Neptune Suite.

 

I'm not generally a suite person but Never say never.

 

Roy

[MMDown Under]

I'm going to take my prerogative here as op and go off topic. The only relationship this has to the cruise I'm on is that for a minute I'm caught up in my posting and have free unlimited wifi, so I had a look at my HAL account.

Never say never

I've been booked for quite a while on a summer Alaska/Panama grand itinerary starting with a cruise tour on the Volendam July 18, continuing with the Westerdam back to Vancouver, and then Crystal Symphony San Francisco to New York. It's also around my 75th birthday and my brother has decided to join me on the Alaska/Denali portion. I had booked an inside cabin when it was just me but I just looked at my record. We're now in a Neptune Suite.

I'm not generally a suite person but Never say never.

Roy

 

What a wonderful surprise! Couldn't have happened to a more deserving cruiser. You might just adjust to the luxury of a suite. Nice that your brother is joining you on the Alaska Denali portion for your birthday celebration.

[superoma]

Excellent! What a great way to celebrate.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[erewhon]

I'm going to take my prerogative here as op and go off topic. The only relationship this has to the cruise I'm on is that for a minute I'm caught up in my posting and have free unlimited wifi, so I had a look at my HAL account.

 

Never say never

 

I've been booked for quite a while on a summer Alaska/Panama grand itinerary starting with a cruise tour on the Volendam July 18, continuing with the Westerdam back to Vancouver, and then Crystal Symphony San Francisco to New York. It's also around my 75th birthday and my brother has decided to join me on the Alaska/Denali portion. I had booked an inside cabin when it was just me but I just looked at my record. We're now in a Neptune Suite.

 

I'm not generally a suite person but Never say never.

 

Roy

 

That is good news, did you get a free upgrade?

Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill can be a pleasant start to the day. Laundry and Dry Cleaning are included. Good coffee from the machine in the Neptune Lounge.

 

The Symphony will berth at Mount Maunganui (Tauranga), about 2 blocks from the shops, cafes etc.

If you don't do an excursion, weather permitting, it's a nice walk around the base of the Mount, or walk up to the top of the Mount, for a good view of the surrounding area. Usually a few sheep grazing on the side of the Mount.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'm going to take my prerogative here as op and go off topic. The only relationship this has to the cruise I'm on is that for a minute I'm caught up in my posting and have free unlimited wifi, so I had a look at my HAL account.

 

Never say never

 

I've been booked for quite a while on a summer Alaska/Panama grand itinerary starting with a cruise tour on the Volendam July 18, continuing with the Westerdam back to Vancouver, and then Crystal Symphony San Francisco to New York. It's also around my 75th birthday and my brother has decided to join me on the Alaska/Denali portion. I had booked an inside cabin when it was just me but I just looked at my record. We're now in a Neptune Suite.

 

I'm not generally a suite person but Never say never.

 

Roy

 

 

What a grand way to celebrate your 75th birthday.

You are going to love the Neptune Suite.