the griswolds

Hey all,

 

Can someone help me out with a dilema? I know the center hump balconies on Voyager class ending with 18 and 20 are the best. The only ones that are free for my B2B are on deck 6. Deck 7 and 8 has some of them free, but not for both my cruises and I don't want to move between. What other balconies allow you to see all the way forward and all the way back? 7616 is still available, but I prefer starboard, don't know why. I guess all those balconies will be quite warm in the Caribbean.... I am looking into an E2, simply because they are not too expensive. I have asked a similar question before, but I need more advise from you balcony pros :). I am used to travel in inside or ocean views. Since the price dropped, I might give it a try. Thanks

 

Cindy

Hi. Why do you say that hump balcony rooms ending in 18 and 20 are the best? I'm only asking because we have 6320 on explorer in august. Is just the location for stairs and elevators?

Thanks for your review. Best one so far since the refit.

We are cruising in September and really looking forward to our holiday, more so now since seeing all your photos ☺

That's weird, we are on the same cruise as you but I'm sure we sail in august, . I think either you or me need to double check our holidays. Lol:D:confused:

sean.

Thanks for the review so far, the pictures look amazing.

Be aware (as it caught us out!) that the Select package is the only one that doesn't include bottled water. We thought we would be OK for taking a bottle off on shore days, but no go! We did put it on our comment form that it seems a bit odd that the Select is the only one you don't get water with.

 

Simon

That is correct, but the next package up does include bottled water, so not only does the wife stay happy on the spirits and cocktails, she can also get bottled water which we can share (he whispers quietly) back in the cabin.

Sean;)

Yes we have also just come off cruise, and being a first timers we were very pleased and had a wonderful time. Yes venues were busy but we did get seats, several people reserve them, which I think is wrong! Explorer hotel manager is well aware of this problem and said it was being monitored. There was plenty of seats at the shows so no problem there. All in all I would go again funds permitting.

I think this is the thing, We have never cruised before either so i presume we will find everything amazing when we go. I can understand however why those of you who have cruised many times will find things slipping down the pan. A friend of mine who has cruised a couple of times with rcc told me that when he was cruising, you could'nt sneeze without a member of staff waiting with a hanky when you opened your eyes. I know that this is not the case anymore.

We also have the select drinks package for our August cruise. I only drink beer so mine is fine but my wife drinks spirits and cocktails so i will be upgrading her package. I believe it will cost an extra £140 approx for the 14 night cruise. So basically 2 or 3 cocktails a day and we are quids in. I think lol.

Sean:p

Thanks Jaz33 for your review, we are sailing on her in August and i do hope they get the staffing issue and seating areas sorted by then.

Sean

so if your short as I am- when your sitting you don't get so much of a view on Deck 6 - I get to look at a metal "wall". If there isn't much of a price difference Id definitely change.

Believe it or not i got a reduction of over £2000 to go from deck 8 to deck 6 balcony. It was a no brainer for me. We now have dulxe balcony cabin 6320 hump cabin.

I for one take those reviews with a pinch of salt. When you think there would've been over 3000 passengers on board to read 3 or 4 bad reviews will not put me off. Don't get me wrong, I have never cruised before and I have spent over 5k for a cruise on explorer in august. We will make the holiday the best we can and are looking forward to visiting a lot of new countries. As long as we can eat, drink and be merry, (and my wife can sunbathe) we'll be happy. Oh yeah, and the ship doesn't sink..;)

Thanks for your replies. My son and wife will be happy.

I know this question is on the forum somewhere but I'll ask anyway. Will there be sushi on the explorer? I know there is a new sushi restaurant on board but is it free or is there a cover charge? Also will there be sushi in the windjammer?

Pics I have seen show her polished however the photos on twitter from people on board showing the dirty pool etc and cabins that are falling apart dont look good :-( Just hoping its post dry dock blues

Where are you seeing these pictures etc on twitter lol i can't seem to find them.:confused:

Thanks NikC, my wife will be pleased, she just needs to drink maybe 1 cocktail per day and we have our money back. She will of course drink half a dozen lol. I'm sure it works out around £10 per day extra. No brainer really, plus she can get some bottled water for me.

Drink packages allow up to 9$ per glass for select and 14$ for premium.

 

Also, to correct my earlier post, cocktails are indeed limited to their value, as well as glasses of wine, but none of them are over 14$ anyway.

 

 

We had the Select package with the all inclusive deal for this cruise, but I have paid the 15$ per day difference to upgrade mine to premium, as I only need to have more than one cocktail a day to be 'in profit'. I'd never have paid $57 per day for it though, would have just drunk less!

 

 

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If you check the royal website regarding the drink packages it states that the premium package also includes house spirits with mixer. On the drinks list above it does not show that anymore. We are on the select package but i am also going to upgrade the wifes package to premium as she drinks spirits and cocktails.

I'm sure i read somewhere that the premium package also included house spirits. Is this not the case anymore?

Thanks for the video link dccooper. That's my home for 2 weeks in august. We can't wait now .

Those pictures make me smile :D

That must mean he's home or nearly home. Great pictures of her also. Thanks for posting.

Thanks nickc, looking forward to seeing them. :)

It will probably stay for a couple more days then. I gathered that regarding the pictures on dry dock daves thread when all the pictures disappeared. We are on explorer in august so it should still look brand new.

Hi, I'm just wondering if there is any news or new pictures of explorer since the refit. I believe the 1st sailing from Southampton is 24th April so just a few days away. Will she be on her way over to the UK now?

That sounds ok then, not bothered about the glass vs steel. I believe the hump is sort of midship so there should'nt be much movement from the ship. My wife and son are a bit nervous about the rocking and rolling lol Thanks for your replies.:)

Hi we have booked a balcony cabin on the hump on deck 6 on explorer for a 2 week cruise later in the year. Has anyone had a similar cabin on this ship? Would like any info regarding the cabins if possible. I have read elsewhere that the hump balconies are great but also that deck 6 isn't. :rolleyes:

Great review, we are sailing on the explorer this year from the uk for 2 weeks. We have never been on a cruise so we do not know what to expect. I'm getting all my information from reviews like this and I thank you for that.

sean.

Geezer looks like we were ripped off

 

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It works out pretty much the same as you paid, but we are only taking the 1 child. My first cabin was balcony deck 8 but the price was £6800. I understand deck 6 balconies have metal barrier rather than glass but to save 1500 was a no brainer.

sean

We paid £5300 for balcony cabin on deck 6 with free gratuities and all inclusive drinks package. 2 adults and 1 brat.

sean