How do I Crusade?

[Quintus.JC]

unfortunately this is really the only way to do it from England; i once tried to sai a crusading army from london to Jerusalem, and somehow people still deserted, even when i was just trying to sail around france.

You could sail your ships to Southern France first, then send your land forces to march through France to join your fleet. That way there won't be any desertions since you are never marching away from the target settlement (this route was used by Richard and Philip II in the 3rd crusade, they marched through France first and then sailed at Italy). Alternatively you could start from Caen, march toward the southern France coast, then hire mercenary ships to carry your men to the holy land. But beware of this method because the mercenary ships are mostly of poor quality (cogs) and would be in trouble when facing any naval oppositions.

It is troublesome for English forces to reach the Holy land entirely by sea. Sailing around the Iberian penisular will lose you massive amount of men. In my opinion the best method is still to do a bit of travelling by foot and then by ship, instead of getting there entirely on foot.