Dover, United Kingdom

Bill thank you very much about your comments regarding our tour of the Jewish Quarter and what we shared about the two minutes of silence.

Yesterday afternoon, Keith got in quite a bit of paddle tennis. It was lots of fun.

In the afternoon all guests had to get an exit stamp to leave the EU with local officials from Amsterdam.

Dinner menu from last evening from Waterside

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Last evening we dined at Beefbar with fellow guests David and Chris.

Breaking news. We moved the clocks back one hour.

Today's Daily Reflections

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Today, we docked in the Dover, United Kingdom.  Our maiden voyage on the Crystal Symphony in 2023 kicked off in Dover, complete with a pre-cruise transfer courtesy of Crystal's Hotel Program. After checking out we took a tour they provided on the way to the ship with a stop at the Wartime tunnels at the White Cliffs. Afterwards, we were taken to the ship where we embarked at noon. In past years we could not board until 3:00 PM so that they could get the rooms ready for embarking guests. It was on this voyage where we checked in and had lunch at around 12:00 noon on-board Crystal Symphony

We wanted to mention a couple of items making this itinerary unique from most. On this itinerary we have two back to back ports; two days with one night in Amsterdam and two days with one night in Dover. Additionally, often with an overnight in Dover it is turnaround day meaning one cruise ends and the next one begins. This is not the case. 

The overnight in Dover does expand what is possible to do such as going on excursions on both days or going on an excursion one day and exploring Dover and nearby areas such as Canterbury on another day. For those who have not been to London although it is a long drive it could provide the opportunity to visit for a quick visit or to stay overnight in another location. Crystal did provide some tours for those who did want to visit London.


Before we could leave the ship, we went through a mandatory inspection for all guests with officials from the United Kingdom.


We arranged a private tour today! Our adventure featured a royal stop at Dover Castle, another visit to the Wartime tunnels, lunch and a visit to Dover.

Dover is known for its White Cliffs by those arriving by sea. The Dover Castle has faced invasions by Roman, French and even English troops. Within 80 miles are many iconic locations in London but with traffic and construction it can take as much as three hours to reach these locations by motor vehicle.

Major locations in and nearby to Dover include the Dover Castle, Wartime Tunnel System, Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery, White Cliffs, Samphire Coe and the town of Catenbury.

The Dover Castle sits above Dover. This 11th century fortress contains the Queen's Regiment museum, the Wartime Tunnels and a Roman Lighthouse used to guide ships from France across the English Channel.

The Wartime Tunnel System is called a system because it is a network of tunnels located below Dover Castle. It was used as a barracks for soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. It was used as a hospital for troops fighting in World War II. In the 1960's it was equipped to serve as a Regional Seat of Government in the event of nuclear war. In the United States bunkers below the Greenbriar Resort were planned to be used for Congress in the event of a Nuclear War but they were no longer used starting in 1992 when this became public.

Cheers,

Anne Marie & Keith