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

[Judie]

Still don't like the cookies of the day.

 

 

 

Tell your chef that white chocolate is not healthy.

 

 

 

Yea -- I got all 5 trivia questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the white chocolate. Sometimes ya have to live on the edge! :-))))

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Keith1010]

Roy great update.

 

It's nice to see places around the world. I am not a beach person either but looking at Face Book several people enjoyed their day there. It's good that a diverse set of stops is offered. Thanks for all of the efforts you are putting into your blog and daily posts. Very well done.

 

Keith

[rafinmd]

Thank you Keith, Judie, erewhon, and Krazy Kruizers. I'm not sure I've ever seen a celebrity chef be very concerned about "healthy". I do enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate each night.

 

Day Symphony22, Saturday, March 10, 2018, Nuku’alofa, Tonga

 

The Crystal Serenity is in Boracay, 3644 miles away.

 

I was a bit surprised when I first went out on my walk that it was windier than expected. There was just a bit of a hint of a sunrise about 7, just a little bit before we approached the Vanu wharf in the center of Nuku’ alofa.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/vuna.jpg

 

This is my second visit to Nuku’ alofa; the first was on a segment of the 2011 World Cruise. In looking back at reports on that trip I did virtually the same tour both times, not by plan so much as by necessity. On the way out we made a quick stop for a view of the Royal Palace as well as the Royal Tombs.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/palace.jpg

 

On the way to our destination we made a couple of stops, a longer one at a blowhole along the coast and a shorter one at a place where bats hang out on trees during the day.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/blowhole.jpg

 

There was a lunch buffet with a show at a resort about 10 miles from town, the same resort we visited in 2011. It was supposed to be a different one but the one originally planned was not available; closed due to damage from Cyclone Gita. On the way we saw a lot of Cyclone damage.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/gitacountry.jpg

 

We arrived at Liku’alofa resort about noon. We waited about half an hour in a large room; I think lunch was delayed in part because the resort had just gotten power back in the last 24 hours.

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/likucafe.jpg

 

Lunch was a buffet that culminated with slices from a large roasted pig. I opted for a relatively small plate; I found it interesting that the guides entered the late and all came out with plates fully piled about 3 inches high.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/likubuffet.jpg

 

Just before we left there was a show featuring native dancers.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/dancer2.jpg

 

We were back at the pier a little after 2. I walked around a bit and evidence of Gita was everywhere. What had been the Parliament building was just a pile of rubble, not even enough sticking up above the fence for a good photo.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/gitacity.jpg

 

On the way back to the ship there was a sculpture garden, a gift from the UK when Tonga became a constitutional monarchy and joined the Commonwealth in 1970.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/ukgift.jpg

 

The cookie of the day was Fig and Cardamon. I thought it was kind of a dud.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/cookie5.jpg

 

At the shared table we had 3 people early and 3 more late but service continued for the early people without waiting for the late group to catch up. We started moving as our main courses were delivered. I opted for the fruit and berry medley, consume double, pasta, and ice cream.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/dishes010a.jpg

 

The featured entertainment had a bit of a twist. The show was “Imagine”, the one where the cast wears led-adorned costumes. It’s performed in total darkness and photography is not permitted during the show. One of the dancers was under the weather and it’s a show that apparently cannot be adjusted to work one dancer short. In the tradition of “the show must go on” we had a substitution. I believe these shows were implemented right about the time Shane Morley moved from Line Captain/Dancer to Cruise Director and don’t know if he ever appeared in these shows as a dancer but he stepped up to the plate for these shows.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/dancershane.jpg

 

My parting shot will be a wish for an expeditious recovery for both Tonga and dancer Craig Blake.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'll pass on the fig cookie of the day.

Thanks for the pictures showing the damage the cyclone caused.

A couple of pictures -- I got an error report.

[rafinmd]

I'll pass on the fig cookie of the day.

Thanks for the pictures showing the damage the cyclone caused.

A couple of pictures -- I got an error report.

 

 

Thank you for the heads up. I think there were 2 that I goofed on, one typo in a link and one I forgot to upload.

 

Gita damage in the city:

And the not quite food porn:

 

 

Roy

[erewhon]

Thanks for the update.

Did your tour guide mention if the King was in Tonga when the Cyclone hit?

[rafinmd]

Erewhon, the guide did not say. What he did say is that he has a second palace on the other side of the island and usually is on that side. I don't know if he was there and how bad the storm was in that area. Fortunately, I did hear that the storm caused no fatalities.

Trivia Patrol March 10, (reprise)

 

After Captain Larson reassured us that the ship was free of scurvy and talked about shipwrecks I headed down to the Starlite a little earlier than usual (I usually stop at the Trident for lunch first). Some of the day’s questions (including a few giveaways):

1 Who wrote “The Prince”?

4. What did Fred Astaire, Heidi Clune, Michael Flatley, and Betty Grable all do to their legs?

6. Who gave their name to the Month of July?

8. Who was Mozart’s rival in Amadeus?

10. What record does Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, hold?

 

 

The cookie of the day was “Particularly Lovely Peanut Butter”. It was another dud for me.

 

 

 

Trivia answers:

 

1. Machiavelli

4. They all insured their legs

6. Julius Caesar

8. Salieri

10. Gene Autry has the most stars of anyone on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (5).

 

I knew 3 of the 5 and several others; the winning team had 15 of 17 right. I’ll take my parting shot from trivia. Sometimes, I think especially in recalling facts, we are right an uncanny percentage of the time with our first thought. I encountered that today with the musical question. I knew immediately that the song was “That’s Impossible” and said to myself “by Perry Como”. Doubts crept into my head and by the time we got to the answers I had changed mine to Frank Sinatra. Of course I was right the first time. In trivia, especially, once you chose an answer change it at your peril.

 

Roy

[erewhon]

Thanks for your reply,Roy.

Would not like those cookies.

[rafinmd]

I'm taking a little break from writing to collect my thoughts. We visited Alofi, Niue today and I’m amazed at the responses to this port. Since HAL has many ships I searched the HAL boards and found that it was on the Amsterdam’s World Cruise, and also on a Sunday. Looking back at port calls in Alofi (which is pretty much closed on Sundays)

 

Amsterdam 10/28/16 - Friday

Unknown, 10/30/17 -Monday

Amsterdam 1/28/18 - Sunday

Crystal Symphony 3/11/18- Sunday

Maasdam 11/15/18 - Thursday

Europa 2 2/8/19 - Friday

Maasdam - 4/18/19 - Thursday

 

Despite 2 apparently successive Sunday calls, they do seem to be rare. I’ve looked at several blogs from both ships and it appears that this is a port that has potential for quite a few people but also turns a lot of people off. Quite a variation in perspective. It was certainly not one of my favorite ports but not every port can be.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Erewhon, the guide did not say. What he did say is that he has a second palace on the other side of the island and usually is on that side. I don't know if he was there and how bad the storm was in that area. Fortunately, I did hear that the storm caused no fatalities.

Trivia Patrol March 10, (reprise)

 

After Captain Larson reassured us that the ship was free of scurvy and talked about shipwrecks I headed down to the Starlite a little earlier than usual (I usually stop at the Trident for lunch first). Some of the day’s questions (including a few giveaways):

1 Who wrote “The Prince”?

4. What did Fred Astaire, Heidi Clune, Michael Flatley, and Betty Grable all do to their legs?

6. Who gave their name to the Month of July?

8. Who was Mozart’s rival in Amadeus?

10. What record does Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, hold?

 

 

The cookie of the day was “Particularly Lovely Peanut Butter”. It was another dud for me.

 

 

 

Trivia answers:

 

1. Machiavelli

4. They all insured their legs

6. Julius Caesar

8. Salieri

10. Gene Autry has the most stars of anyone on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (5).

 

I knew 3 of the 5 and several others; the winning team had 15 of 17 right. I’ll take my parting shot from trivia. Sometimes, I think especially in recalling facts, we are right an uncanny percentage of the time with our first thought. I encountered that today with the musical question. I knew immediately that the song was “That’s Impossible” and said to myself “by Perry Como”. Doubts crept into my head and by the time we got to the answers I had changed mine to Frank Sinatra. Of course I was right the first time. In trivia, especially, once you chose an answer change it at your peril.

 

Roy

 

 

I got only 3 of the trivia questions as well.

As much as I like peanut butter (rarely have it on a sandwich), I do not like peanut butter cookies either.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'm taking a little break from writing to collect my thoughts. We visited Alofi, Niue today and I’m amazed at the responses to this port. Since HAL has many ships I searched the HAL boards and found that it was on the Amsterdam’s World Cruise, and also on a Sunday. Looking back at port calls in Alofi (which is pretty much closed on Sundays)

 

Amsterdam 10/28/16 - Friday

Unknown, 10/30/17 -Monday

Amsterdam 1/28/18 - Sunday

Crystal Symphony 3/11/18- Sunday

Maasdam 11/15/18 - Thursday

Europa 2 2/8/19 - Friday

Maasdam - 4/18/19 - Thursday

 

Despite 2 apparently successive Sunday calls, they do seem to be rare. I’ve looked at several blogs from both ships and it appears that this is a port that has potential for quite a few people but also turns a lot of people off. Quite a variation in perspective. It was certainly not one of my favorite ports but not every port can be.

 

Roy

 

 

All too often HAL visits ports where everything is closed on Sundays and then HAL wonders why people don't like those ports.

You deserve time off from all your writing of reports, blogs and posting pictures in both.

[kazu]

I'm taking a little break from writing to collect my thoughts. We visited Alofi, Niue today and I’m amazed at the responses to this port. Since HAL has many ships I searched the HAL boards and found that it was on the Amsterdam’s World Cruise, and also on a Sunday. Looking back at port calls in Alofi (which is pretty much closed on Sundays)

 

Amsterdam 10/28/16 - Friday

Unknown, 10/30/17 -Monday

Amsterdam 1/28/18 - Sunday

Crystal Symphony 3/11/18- Sunday

Maasdam 11/15/18 - Thursday

Europa 2 2/8/19 - Friday

Maasdam - 4/18/19 - Thursday

 

Despite 2 apparently successive Sunday calls, they do seem to be rare. I’ve looked at several blogs from both ships and it appears that this is a port that has potential for quite a few people but also turns a lot of people off. Quite a variation in perspective. It was certainly not one of my favorite ports but not every port can be.

 

Roy

 

Ships have to go somewhere on Sunday, Roy. If this one was not your favourite then maybe it is best it was the Sunday stop ;). (Trying to find a silver lining here).

 

I admire your discipline in keeping us and your blog up to date. And, we really appreciate it.

 

You certainly deserve a break.

[Floridiana]

Sunday stop in a deeply religious South Pacific country? Go to church and enjoy the marvelous singing of the Polynesian choirs. Niue is not for everyone.

[rafinmd]

Day Symphony24, Sunday, March 11, 2018 Alofi, Niue

 

The Crystal Serenity is starting a Crystal Cruises Maiden Call in Manila, 4555 miles away.

 

I was not planning a lot of walking in port and thus extended my walk until just about the time the crew was ready to start lowering the tenders, walking a total of about 2 ½ miles on the ship. The sun came up off our starboard side while I was walking.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/dawn0311.jpg

 

Not really expecting to spend a lot of time ashore, I joined the Cruise Critic HAL forum’s “sailaway gang” attempting to watch the ships sail out of Ft. Lauderdale on the webcam. The wifi gods were not very cooperative and in hind sight it might have been better to leave earlier.

 

Most if not all the Polynesian Islands are very devoutly Christian and pretty much shut down on Sundays. When Serenity visited Nuku’alofa on Sunday on the 2011 World Cruise there was special permission given to run tours but that was not the case this time. We were pretty much on our own as to what to do.

 

From early on I had thought about visiting one of the churches but was hesitant because frequently fundamentalist churches run very long services but other people did not share my concerns. Despite having a population of only 1600 on the island, there are 5 churches, and a map on whatsinport gave me an idea of what to expect. The list narrowed very quickly. The churches listed were Ekalesia, Latter Day Saints, Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, and Apostolic. I quickly eliminated LDS, Catholic, and Seven Day Adventists, leaving Apostolic and Ekalesia, which appeared to be the best choice and closest to the likely tender dock.

 

I boarded the tender around 10 and the ride was relatively short. It took me a few minutes to orient myself to the map which was given out on shore:

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/alofi.pdf

 

It was about 10:30 when I arrived at the church and the service was in progress. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the service which ended at 11. It was conducted in both Niuean and English although the pastor had a heavy accent and I had difficulty following it. The hymn was projected up on the wall in both languages and sung in both languages.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/hymns2.jpg

 

The sermon was given passage by passage in one language, then repeated in the other. The one negative about the service was that the church was not air conditioned and was quite hot but overall I was very pleased. However, I would call it more of a cultural experience than a religious experience given that I often had difficulty following the service. It seemed interesting that in this tiny community most of the churches did not post service times (I assume everyone just knew). Another cruiser was told the service began at 10, a very brief service given the repetition of parts in 2 languages.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/ekalesia.jpg

 

With not a lot open I decided to try to find the 5 churches. On the way to the LDS church (a half mile beyond “mine” I passed the town market (vacant on Sunday) and the Parliament building. The Apostolic church was supposed to be near the LDS Church but I never found it. There were solar panels on a number of houses labeled “Heat” although that would not be necessary in Niue as the average low in the coldest month is about 70F. On the way back I passed an overlook with a nice view of the Symphony.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/parliament.jpg

 

The other 2 churches were in the opposite direction. I found the Seventh Day Adventist church pretty quickly but the heat was getting to me before I got as far as the Catholic Church (daytime high was close to 90F). I was back at the tender dock just a little after noon.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/sda.jpg

 

I was back in time to get to the Lido Marketplace before lunch closed and found some nice ham and peas and carrots for lunch. I returned to the Trident for french fries a little after 3. Since the drydock the Trident Grill has very limited seating. The former Neptune Pool area is now divided in half. Immediately behind the Trident is the Silk restaurant. Lunch is served there 1-3 PM which severely limits seating options at the Trident. The other side of the former pool is the Silk Lounge, a nice relaxing area and as the ship was sitting the tables there were in the shade. Getting to those tables feels a lot more natural once Silk has closed.

 

After my fries I stopped by the Bistro for the “Cookie of the Day”, “Espresso and Hazelnut”. It was not a dud but still nowhere near as good (to me) as the regular Oatmeal Raisin (on the right in the photo).

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/cookie7.jpg

 

These cookies are put out each day in the Bistro. It’s the closest thing Crystal has to the Explorations Café. The layout is a bit different between the ships but the offerings are pretty much the same. The especially nice thing about the Bistro is everything is included.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/bistro.jpg

 

 

There was a 4PM presentation by Dr. Teri Sowell “A World of Islands”. I watched from my room.

 

I was again chosen to read at Fr. Klemmer’s Interdenominational Service at 5:30. Captain Larsen’s sailaway message also came right at 5:30 and I could feel we were moving during the service. There were 5 of us at my usual shared table, number 48. I went for the melon plate from the “Modern” menu, the Rib Eye, and Cherry Garcia Ice Cream.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/dishes0311.jpg

 

The featured entertainment was DivaLicious, a pair of sopranos. They were not my cup of tea. I called it a night early as we lost an hour going to the first time zone which corresponds with the time somewhere in the US, Hawaii time.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/divalicious.jpg

 

My planned parting shot has grown unwieldy enough that it will be it’s own separate post.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful report with great pictures.

That was good that the service was in English as well.

As for the cookie of the day -- I don't drink coffee -- so I wouldn't like it.

[bennybear]

Thanks again for your details. It was interesting to see these churches and read about them.

 

As to the cookies, I too hate peanut butter, I do like Cardamon, but agree chewy oatmeal raisin are best!

[kazu]

Great posts and pics, Roy.

 

Curiosity is getting the better of me waiting for your parting shot.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Krazy Kruizers, bennybear, and Jacqui.

 

Parting Shot for March 11

 

I don’t think I have ever seen the range of reactions to a port that I did for Alofi, and I was quite taken aback by some of them. That set me wondering about what was “normal” for Alofi and what Crystal might or should have done differently.

 

Most if not all Polynesian islands take Christianity very seriously and it is common for activity on the islands to come to a halt on Sunday. When Crystal Serenity visited Tonga in 2011 special dispensation was given for the ship to run tours, but that was not the case here.

 

A look at the cruise schedule showed that while cruise ship calls in Nuie in general and on Sunday in particular are rare, we were not unique. These were the calls I was able to identify:

 

Amsterdam 10/28/16 - Friday

Unknown, 10/30/17 -Monday

Amsterdam 1/28/18 - Sunday

Crystal Symphony 3/11/18- Sunday

Maasdam 11/15/18 - Thursday

Europa 2 2/8/19 - Friday

Maasdam - 4/18/19 - Thursday

 

The only reports of ship visits I found were from Amsterdam and Symphony and no reports of actual visits on week days. Amsterdam’s 10/28/16 visit on a Friday was called due to poor tendering conditions but the Captain did a scenic circling of the island. That may well have been one of the better visits for some people.

 

With a population of only 1600 Niue might not have had the tourist infrastructure to offer a lot more on a week day than it did for us but cannot sure. For me, Niue might even have been more interesting than on a week day, but Niue is a very pretty lush island and would have been nice to just sit on the pool deck and admire it.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/niue.jpg

 

I do think Crystal could have been more forthcoming with information. There was a port leaflet but it was not at the shore excursion desk as usual, and available only by asking at the front desk. Especially for Crystal regulars, that is just not the expectation. The desk also had information on opening times and worship times and it could have been more widely disseminated. They could have done better but I don’t feel that should ruined anyone’s plans.

 

There are probably 2 extremes in cruisers. At one end of the scale are the extreme planners, and they did research and found things to do.

 

That was especially the case with people on the Amsterdam World Cruise. Jeff F and Pete & Judy both found places where they could rent cars and I think both had excellent days on the island. One of my tablemates did check the front desk, got the service times for the Apostolic church and actually found it. After the service she was invited by a fellow worshiper to a tour of the island. I think the number of vehicles available for tours was quite small but some people actually did find them and enjoyed them

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/2churches.jpg

 

The other extreme is people who just go with the flow. The walk to the snorkeling beach was a bit of a challenge but some people persevered and declared the port a “home run”. Another just walked around a bit taking in the beauty of the island and what sights there were and celebrating the fact they had been somewhere visited by very few people..

 

Others went with reasonable expectations (one frequent blogger commented “Every time we call at Niue we wonder why”. They and another cruiser both took a manageable slice of the port and called it a day.

 

I know of one or possibly 2 people from the Symphony who were seriously disappointed in the call (one on Cruise Critic and either the same one or someone else at the interdenominational service) . There disappointment is real and I think there could be lessons learned on both sides. I think Crystal should have been more proactive in providing port information, at least a note in Reflections that the port information folder was available at the front desk. They probably could have gotten an idea from the port agent on what businesses would be open and the hours and put that in the folder. I would especially think with the Amsterdam having made a recent Sunday call the port agent would have a very good idea of what to expect and it could have been furnished to Crystal and the guests.

 

I also think that if a guest is looking for specific information from the ship and don’t find it by the day before they bear some responsibility to be proactive and inquire, rather than just expecting it to magically appear on shore.

 

I think the port did do their best to welcome us. I think normally all business stops on a Sunday and several did open after church. The tourist office does seem to faithfully maintain a day of rest. There was a sign in the window that since we were on port on Sunday, they would not open on Monday, and they actually did provide some people at the dock handing out maps even during the service.

 

http://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/notice.jpg

 

There is one thing I really like about Holland America here. Each ship has a “Location Guide” (the name has changed but the job is the same). Some are better than others but I’ve generally found them very helpful. In addition to port talks where they offer pointers about what to do and how to go about it, at each port they stand at the gangway for an hour or so and answer last minute questions. I wish other cruise lines would copy the concept.

 

I guess I fall somewhere between the 2 extremes. I had not really planned to visit a church service until Saturday evening and should have left the ship earlier in order to be on time, but still thought the experience was rewarding. If I had rigidly planned my day that would not have happened but I did research at least enough to know what churches were available. For me the day was nowhere near a home run but was certainly a worthwhile experience. At least in part I went with the flow ans was rewarded for it.

 

I have a probably over-used quotation that bears repeating once more. It sounds like it should be Casey Stengel but in reality it’s from Col. Potter in M*A*S*H: “If you’re not where you are, you’re nowhere”.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Roy

I did read the other posters comments on the Crystal board. I just shook my head.

We have become very laid back in the last several years and do not plan things weeks in advance. Thus we would have not any idea of what we wanted to do in that port and would have counted on the being supplied information by the cruise line. Which in your case, Crystal didn't. Crystal screwed up. We are not ones to arrange car rentals and drive ourselves around strange ports.

Ignore that person -- he/she should have started their own thread when they got on the ship in Hong Kong instead of reporting on your thread.

I love reading what you are doing.

Keep up they good work. And your pictures are great.

[Krazy Kruizers]

PS Roy

We watch a lot of M*A*S*H shows when we don't have the various CSI's shows or the food channel. One of our many favorite reruns for years. COZI TV is also showing a lot of reruns of Adam12 and Emergency.

[rafinmd]

Thanks again for your details. It was interesting to see these churches and read about them.

 

As to the cookies, I too hate peanut butter, I do like Cardamon, but agree chewy oatmeal raisin are best!

By the way, maybe my memory is failing but I think those cookies are almost identical to the ones in the HAL lido. Devilishly delicious and addictive both places.

 

 

PS, I don't want to get ahead of myself in my posting but today the tendering conditions in Roratonga were the best either Amsterdam or Crystal has seen in the 2 years (2011 & 2018) that I've visited this area.

 

 

Roy

[bennybear]

By the way, maybe my memory is failing but I think those cookies are almost identical to the ones in the HAL lido. Devilishly delicious and addictive both places.

 

 

PS, I don't want to get ahead of myself in my posting but today the tendering conditions in Roratonga were the best either Amsterdam or Crystal has seen in the 2 years (2011 & 2018) that I've visited this area.

 

 

Roy

 

Oh good to hear, we are hoping to tender there in the Fall, fingers crossed!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you had great tendering conditions today.

[rafinmd]

I won't repeat my Tuesday post over here today; other than getting very lucky on this port, Pete & Judy, Bill & Maryann, and Scrapnana have covered it beautifully. As usual no trivia on port days but cookie of the day goes on. Tuesday cookie was Date Walnut Pinwheel, not a favorite but better than I imagined.

 

 

Wednesday's port, Aitutaki is very seldom visited by large cruise shops so I will put that post here.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Not impressed with Crystal's cookies.