Live from EJ1 - Miami to Barbados 8/3 (or 3/8 if you insist) >

[Noggins]

Gustavia today (St Barts).

A mini version of Monte Carlo dripping with wealth and top notch shopping opportunities. We've been a few times in recent years and so had little on the 'must do' list - other than keep the AMEX firmly under control.

It was interesting to see Sea Dream here. Their shore station generously plied our tender crew with cookies - possibly to underline the fact that our shore station had no cookies. I think Sea Dream might have been feeling especially smug because their ship was proudly sporting their devastating (new?) weapon in the fight for market share in the luxury market. (those interested, please form a line)

 

[PrivateIdaho]

On 3/11/2024 at 9:13 AM, kelleherdl said:

The stateroom ‘libraries’ have been stocked since day one.  The books are not lefts, they are provided by EJ.

The books in stateroom were mostly in French or Spanish and not really topics that interested me. Bring your own books. The only library is actually an art installation and not to be touched. Did miss a real library, but loved the ship. 

[Beamafar]

Do they intend to re-instate Moët as and when the supply situation improves?

[PrivateIdaho]

3 hours ago, English Tim said:

We were 2 of about 6 there and caught the last 2 items from the pianist, Justine.

We really enjoyed Justine. Best voice on the ship and a really nice playlist. 

[Noggins]

The pastry department continue to impress - and I keep feeling an obligation to make a daily check that standards are not slipping. Best cup of tea so far today. Water served to us directly from the urn - a problem very simply solved.

 

 

 

[Noggins]

 

[Noggins]

There's no denying we're in a beautiful part of the world with beautiful weather - and on a ship with some amazing outside spaces (with libations to match 🥂....)

In fact, it's hard to imagine how things would work on a cold weather cruise especially as so much of the outdoor furniture is absolutely not suited to being left outside in a wet / salty environment 🤔.

 

 

 

I realise others have experienced 'cold' on the westbound crossing. Do jump in with any thoughts!

 

Adrian 

[Noggins]

The first thing to say is that you only have to mention it on CC and it gets sorted ....

Do you remember me saying the band could do with some brass? Well, tonight we got brass 🎺. The musical director mainly plays keyboard but tonight he unfurled (possibly not the correct word) his trumpet - and gave it some. 

I know some people think the entertainment is a bit repetitive and too dependent upon the band and two house artists. But the show (songs from  the divas) was very good again - but somehow not quite as good as last night. But that may more to do with my musical taste. 

What is clear is that the entertainment is a lot better than at start up and I'm sure it will continue to evolve.

 

Dinner was at Sakura but outside on the aft pool deck. A delightful change to dine alfresco whilst still at anchor. We pretty much ate the same as last time and enjoyed it just as much. We also enjoyed conversation across a number of tables - including with EJ's UK lead person who happened to be on the table beside us. It's a very sociable ship and we've been enjoying many conversations with some delightful folk.

 

We've set off again now after a late sailaway. Next stop Antigua. The days are racing by which can only mean one thing.....

 

Adrian 

[Noggins]

Back for a 'main dining room ' (Fil Rouge) breakfast. It makes for a calm and relaxed breakfast and is pretty well paced.

Of course, the menu is unchanging here too and you'd think a daily special could be managed. (The Yacht Club restaurant does manage a daily pasta special.)

But the menu is quite extensive and I had the signature dish - minus the caviar. For those that have learnt the need to have their hollandaise on the side - that seems not to be a necessary precaution here. It was very good.

Increasingly we are being greeted by name wherever we go. I'm not sure if it's notoriety or not (!) but it does underline how much effort individuals are putting in to doing their job well. 

 

[Noggins]

Today I'm reminded why Americans often seem to feel that the Caribbean is boring. I'm sure it's partly the 'backyard' effect but also that several stops are a bit, well, meh. Especially if it's a grey day in Antigua and if you're not a beachy person.

But for a Brit the draw is that in March you can swap the warmth that comes from a log fire to warmth that requires shorts. That's what we've come for. And have been perfectly happy having a - mostly - ship day. (We did visit the cathedral and my interest in grass cutting machinery meant my eye was caught where others might not! 😳)

 

But that's not what we're here for!

I mentioned our chance conversation last night with the UK head of EJ. An delightful lady and certainly full of passion and belief. The most important thing she said, maybe, was recognition that EJ is, there's no other word for it, on a journey. And the product will evolve further

. From a standing start just a few months ago how could this not be the case? Having followed various accounts right from the beginning it is clear the product has evolved a fair bit and my task here is simply to reflect the point they're currently at. Others can tell us later about future changes. 

They'll be more to say later but it does feel that a fair number of the changes so far bring the product more in line with what 'cruisers' expect / want and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'resort speak' fades a little more. 

 

It will be harder to sort some of the hardware mistakes although I understand EJ2 has some issues dealt with.

 

To be clear, I offer the following not as a gleeful moan but as information that could be useful to some 

 

Here are the steps from an outside table to reach the buffet / food court.

 

 

 

(in fairness staff are quick to carry your plate for you)

 

And here are steps to reach one of the lift lobbies.

 

 

And out on deck, a hazard for the unwary. Looking like a level service but, oops, it's not.

 

 

[Stickman1990]

49 minutes ago, Noggins said:

And here are steps to reach one of the lift lobbies.

 

I fell down those particular stairs which lead down to the specialty restaurants reservations desk - only to rescued by one of the officers (great way to meet officers) and the landing was on luxurious carpet so no injuries

 

The way they have the dark marble strip at the bottom always gets me as it’s hard to tell whether it’s another step or the floor

 

Pleased to say there were no stairs incidents on our recent Crystal cruise - I think given the age of the ships the design concepts are different and steps are easily navigated 

[PrivateIdaho]

1 hour ago, Noggins said:

It will be harder to sort some of the hardware mistakes although I understand EJ2 has some issues dealt with.

We did witness a lady falling on those steps near Crema Cafe. What concerned us more, were the people slipping and falling from the chairs in Sakura. At least 4 instances that we saw and very dangerous. Definitely a design failure. 

[Noggins]

Two surprises in tomorrow's programme. Firstly the big screen at the conservatory  pool is going to be used for something other than displaying the brand name. I think I remember someone suggesting it should be used for movie screening. Hopefully there will be enough seats. (There will be with that choice of movie! 🤔)

 

 

Secondly the comedian is being given a second chance after all. Did he make a special pleading or was there a hidden clause in the contract...?

 

 

[Dr. Cocktail]

3 hours ago, Noggins said:

 

 

And out on deck, a hazard for the unwary. Looking like a level service but, oops, it's not.

 

 

I can trip over an imaginary line and always keep a sharp eye.  If that's the deck in front of the Helios pool, that would be such an easy repair. Just take the mitred end piece and replace it in a contrasting colour.

 

EVERYONE out there would warn each other!

Edited March 14 by Dr. Cocktail

[Noggins]

1 hour ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I can trip over an imaginary line and always keep a sharp eye.  If that's the deck in front of the Helios pool, that would be such an easy repair. Just take the mitred end piece and replace it in a contrasting colour.

 

EVERYONE out there would warn each other!

It's no good, I've read this three times and still don't get the punch line....

(But I do agree)

[Noggins]

A evening of hits and misses.

 

The Atrium Bar really is a mess and just not acceptable. If you manage to snag one of the handful of seats you are looked after. If not then expect to wait 10/15 minutes standing at the bar and then be prepared to have to take your drink off to the closed Crema to use the seating there. Where is management? Why has this not been fixed? Roving bar staff upstairs at Crema would help for a start. 

 

Dinner at a quiet Fil Rouge was fine and with the help of our waiter we managed to cobble together a vegetarian meal that was slightly different to last time. The repetitive menus are beginning to take their toll.  Service was very good but I was left wondering what was the role of 3/4 dark suited gentlemen who looked like security and who stand around chatting to each other with occasional surly interaction with the staff. They never seem to approach guests nor, seemingly, even glance in their direction. Pictured is the most successful / important course and a nice Cabernet Sauvignon that is not on the included list - a list which increasingly I think can only be used as a guide.

 

Then the show - the dancers.

Well, there were about 20 in the audience - illustrating the difficult job the ship has in producing a varied, quality entertainment programme that guests want to support. The show started well enough, slightly odd, but there was no doubting the dance quality. But then we were treated to images of ritual slaughter of a bull (don't let anyone tell you it is 'bull fighting'). It is 2024 for heaven's sake and this is not acceptable in this sort of environment. We walked out in (somewhat ineffectual) protest - leaving 18 in the audience.

 

Onwards to Guadalupe.

 

(I don't usually spare the time to review what I've written but I have tonight and am left wondering where the 'hits' are hiding amongst all those misses / rants!)

 

 

 

 

[Noggins]

Exceptionally quiet at Emporium breakfast today. (well, at the time we got there - either the trips left early or we missed a cracking late night party?). There were plenty of shady tables.

 

 

There are also some unusual seating options - this one for groups, others just for two 

 

 

It's not usual to have shakshouka on the menu so it had to be tried. (Not sure I'll get this offered regularly at home..)

 

 

Guadalupe has probably the best botanical garden in the Caribbean so we might make a return visit there if we can summon the wherewithal. 💪

[Beamafar]

Unusual looking shakshuka (I make it for DH now and again).  The eggs should be poached in the spicy tomato sauce. 

Edited March 15 by Beamafar

[travelberlin]

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Unusual looking shakshuka (I make it for DH now and again).  The eggs should be poached in the spicy tomato sauce. 

It looks unusual to me also. I remeber the ones that Azamara makes and those are cleary different. 

[Beamafar]

Just now, travelberlin said:

It looks unusual to me also. I remeber the ones that Azamara makes and those are cleary different. 

It was on Az that I first came across it.  I make it more spicy, though (for him - I don’t eat it).  I poach the eggs separately as I find the whites run through the sauce when you try to drop them into the ‘well’ that you make in the sauce.  This how it should look when you cook it as a one-pot dish

 

 

(Apologies to the OP for being slightly off-topic.  Enjoying the ‘Journey’). 

[Noggins]

6 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

It was on Az that I first came across it.  I make it more spicy, though (for him - I don’t eat it).  I poach the eggs separately as I find the whites run through the sauce when you try to drop them into the ‘well’ that you make in the sauce.  This how it should look when you cook it as a one-pot dish

 

 

(Apologies to the OP for being slightly off-topic.  Enjoying the ‘Journey’). 

You're fine - but I feel short changed now.

OK if I pop round for breakfast tomorrow?

 

[Beamafar]

3 minutes ago, Noggins said:

You're fine - but I feel short changed now.

OK if I pop round for breakfast tomorrow?

 

That one isn’t one of my creations lol but my single serving version isn’t far off. 

[Dr. Cocktail]

1 hour ago, Noggins said:

You're fine - but I feel short changed now.

OK if I pop round for breakfast tomorrow?

 

 

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

That one isn’t one of my creations lol but my single serving version isn’t far off. 

[Noggins]

We got to the botanical gardens not so much by summoning our wherewithal as by summoning a taxi. The gardens are wonderfully tranquil, shady and taking full advantage of their hillside location.

 

 

 

 

 

useful to be able to check you've not been left behind.. .

 

The town has a certain charm.  

 

 

[Noggins]

Tomorrow's programme....

 

 

 

and in other news that I couldn't mention until I'd had my fill and didn't face a wave of competition - there were custard tarts in Crema! (anyone who knows me knows I have particular weakness for a custard tart.)

These were 👍💪

 

 

Normal service took place on deck 14 at sunset and there's a rumour that supplies of Mercier champagne are now under pressure. I gather there are plentiful supplies of lemonade being prepared for the next cruise. (and before you get all angsty please remember I'm British and have a particular tongue-in-cheek approach sometimes....🙄)

 

An evening awaits. Let's hope it is full of +++'s....