Due to delays on my end, my husband and I boarded the Ocean just minutes before the scheduled 18h35 departure time. Although we were the last sleeper class passengers to arrive, the staff did not seem put out by the sight of us bustling down the platform. In fact, they were friendly, warm and welcoming from the beginning...
NOTE 1: The staff are as friendly as the brochures promise. Their enthusiasm was a pleasure!
Our train had a full complement of Renaissance cars – only the Park car was a stainless steel HEP. Some people had warned me about the Renaissance cars – that they wouldn’t be as comfortable – but my husband and I were pleased with our accommodations. Our two packsacks fit snugly under the sofa in our double deluxe bedroom (Car 38) and once we had changed our shoes, we rushed up to the Evangeline Park car (named after the Acadian heroine) to enjoy the scenery from the glassed-in observation dome.
The Learning Coordinators were already in the dome and they greeted us with sparkling wine to toast our trip. Lyne was the seasoned pro and Jessica was the trainee. It was nice to see the interaction between them. As a cynical traveller, I was wary about the whole idea of a Learning Coordinator – worried that they might be too intrusive – but they were such a pleasure to chat with that I actually started looking forward to some of their presentations later!
NOTE 2: As the Learning Coordinators tended to stay in the dome car, you could choose to be present or not. We found the lobster trap demonstration to be highly entertaining, but when we wanted a little quiet time, we descended to the lounge for a cup of tea and some quiet.
It was Lyne who told us that we were on the inaugural voyage from Montreal to Halifax. Easterly class service started on the 13th with a departure from Halifax. We were travelling on the 14th from Montreal. My husband was a little wary that the service may not be tweaked yet, but I cannot say that his doubts were founded.
We stayed in the dome until dinnertime. I have to say that I am a rather clumsy person and it took me a few hours to learn how to walk down a sleeper car hallway without bumping into door handles. The key, I quickly learned is to walk...quickly...rather than more slowly. Same principle as carrying an egg on a spoon I guess, lol!
We had the later dinner sitting and were able to enjoy the last of the daylight as we savoured the tasty seafood chowder that opened the meal. I had a succulent pork tenderloin with an apple-blueberry compote and fresh vegetables. My husband had a sweet chicken breast in partridge-berry sauce served with delicious cheesy mashed red potatoes.
I was going to turn down the dessert, but the waiter coaxed me into having what was easily the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten. It was made from layers of creamy chocolate pudding, crispy chocolate pudding and a dusting of cocoa powder on top.
NOTE no.3: As the food in Easterly class is prepared beforehand, I knew that my meal was going to be reheated, but they have this high-powered convection oven that produced a thoroughly hot meal - with crisp vegetables to boot!
After another tea, we retired to the dome car once again to read our books and talk a little about everything we wanted to do in Halifax. It was a very relaxing and contemplative experience – I don’t think I have experienced such peacefulness in a long time.
We finally retired at about 10pm. Being seasoned travellers accustomed to sleeping in other beds, we had no trouble climbing into our double bunks and coaxing ourselves to sleep. The only disturbance we had to deal with was the clattering of metal clothes hangers in the closet! Once we hung a jacket to pad them, problem was solved!
Old habits die hard – my husband and I woke early. We’re the only people who beg for jet lag because it would mean sleeping later than usual! Before breakfast we sneaked up the Panorama car again to chat with the Learning Coordinator girls and get our first glimpse of New Brunswick. The lovely British couple from yesterday was there, as was the quiet German couple. All in all, the passengers were mostly 50+ and/or European. Isn’t it amazing that Europeans are so fascinated by Canada, while Canadians are scrambling to get far away from here on vacation?
We choose the continental breakfast (yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit) because my husband and I don’t like to overdo the eating when all we’re doing is sitting around and relaxing. We spent the rest of the morning alternating between the dome car, the movie lounge (next to the dining car) and chilling out in our room. Lunch came quickly and we both choose an exquisitely fresh chicken caesar salad with savoury parmesan chips and big croutons. Dessert was a three-tiered chocolate mousse that absolutely melted in your mouth. I didn’t try arguing with the waiter this time – I just took the dessert. After all, as he so kindly reminded me, I’m on vacation so “calories don’t count”!
NOTE 4: My mother had been really sceptical about spending 22 hours on the train, but I have to say that between the relaxing and the eating and the tea drinking, the voyage passed remarkably fast.
The train arrived in Halifax only 15 minutes later than scheduled and we were positively blissed out when it came time to disembark. Between the delicious food, the relaxing downtime, and the gorgeous scenery, my husband and I were almost limp with pleasure.
Thank you Easterly class crew!
NOTE 1: The staff are as friendly as the brochures promise. Their enthusiasm was a pleasure!
Our train had a full complement of Renaissance cars – only the Park car was a stainless steel HEP. Some people had warned me about the Renaissance cars – that they wouldn’t be as comfortable – but my husband and I were pleased with our accommodations. Our two packsacks fit snugly under the sofa in our double deluxe bedroom (Car 38) and once we had changed our shoes, we rushed up to the Evangeline Park car (named after the Acadian heroine) to enjoy the scenery from the glassed-in observation dome.
The Learning Coordinators were already in the dome and they greeted us with sparkling wine to toast our trip. Lyne was the seasoned pro and Jessica was the trainee. It was nice to see the interaction between them. As a cynical traveller, I was wary about the whole idea of a Learning Coordinator – worried that they might be too intrusive – but they were such a pleasure to chat with that I actually started looking forward to some of their presentations later!
NOTE 2: As the Learning Coordinators tended to stay in the dome car, you could choose to be present or not. We found the lobster trap demonstration to be highly entertaining, but when we wanted a little quiet time, we descended to the lounge for a cup of tea and some quiet.
It was Lyne who told us that we were on the inaugural voyage from Montreal to Halifax. Easterly class service started on the 13th with a departure from Halifax. We were travelling on the 14th from Montreal. My husband was a little wary that the service may not be tweaked yet, but I cannot say that his doubts were founded.
We stayed in the dome until dinnertime. I have to say that I am a rather clumsy person and it took me a few hours to learn how to walk down a sleeper car hallway without bumping into door handles. The key, I quickly learned is to walk...quickly...rather than more slowly. Same principle as carrying an egg on a spoon I guess, lol!
We had the later dinner sitting and were able to enjoy the last of the daylight as we savoured the tasty seafood chowder that opened the meal. I had a succulent pork tenderloin with an apple-blueberry compote and fresh vegetables. My husband had a sweet chicken breast in partridge-berry sauce served with delicious cheesy mashed red potatoes.
I was going to turn down the dessert, but the waiter coaxed me into having what was easily the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten. It was made from layers of creamy chocolate pudding, crispy chocolate pudding and a dusting of cocoa powder on top.
NOTE no.3: As the food in Easterly class is prepared beforehand, I knew that my meal was going to be reheated, but they have this high-powered convection oven that produced a thoroughly hot meal - with crisp vegetables to boot!
After another tea, we retired to the dome car once again to read our books and talk a little about everything we wanted to do in Halifax. It was a very relaxing and contemplative experience – I don’t think I have experienced such peacefulness in a long time.
We finally retired at about 10pm. Being seasoned travellers accustomed to sleeping in other beds, we had no trouble climbing into our double bunks and coaxing ourselves to sleep. The only disturbance we had to deal with was the clattering of metal clothes hangers in the closet! Once we hung a jacket to pad them, problem was solved!
Old habits die hard – my husband and I woke early. We’re the only people who beg for jet lag because it would mean sleeping later than usual! Before breakfast we sneaked up the Panorama car again to chat with the Learning Coordinator girls and get our first glimpse of New Brunswick. The lovely British couple from yesterday was there, as was the quiet German couple. All in all, the passengers were mostly 50+ and/or European. Isn’t it amazing that Europeans are so fascinated by Canada, while Canadians are scrambling to get far away from here on vacation?
We choose the continental breakfast (yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit) because my husband and I don’t like to overdo the eating when all we’re doing is sitting around and relaxing. We spent the rest of the morning alternating between the dome car, the movie lounge (next to the dining car) and chilling out in our room. Lunch came quickly and we both choose an exquisitely fresh chicken caesar salad with savoury parmesan chips and big croutons. Dessert was a three-tiered chocolate mousse that absolutely melted in your mouth. I didn’t try arguing with the waiter this time – I just took the dessert. After all, as he so kindly reminded me, I’m on vacation so “calories don’t count”!
NOTE 4: My mother had been really sceptical about spending 22 hours on the train, but I have to say that between the relaxing and the eating and the tea drinking, the voyage passed remarkably fast.
The train arrived in Halifax only 15 minutes later than scheduled and we were positively blissed out when it came time to disembark. Between the delicious food, the relaxing downtime, and the gorgeous scenery, my husband and I were almost limp with pleasure.
Thank you Easterly class crew!
