happy cruzin

6 minutes ago, kidless said:

Chefs kitchen I believe had an additional charge. Marble & Sakura require a reservation. Yes, now you can get in additional nights if you are flexible plus because the guest on-board numbers are so pitifully low. What happens when the ship is sailing closer to capacity? 

I think our 14-day Caribbean sailing on November 3rd might just be the test case for that concern!

Just now, kidless said:

Very true! Especially since when agents were first selling the product they made promises that EJ did not fulfill. For example, many were led to believe the experience would be like YC on steroids. For example, butlers yet only the residence staterooms have butlers. All dining venues are included yet two have a charge and two more require a reservation with only one reservation allowed. 

 Exactly....you have identified many of the things that we thought would be one way when we booked that now, of course, we know will be different!

2 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

While on MSC Seashore we had this new brochure heralding the new cruise line. I asked the butler if it was a gift. He said by all means take it. In discussing the possibility of booking on board with the future cruise desk, they stated no, it will be a separate entity. They intimated that it was more a rival for them and did not appreciate having the brochure in the suites. The following month all brochures were no where to be seen.

Yes - it will be interesting to see how this all plays out! 

10 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

This is a sea day, but there are very few “activities” on the ship.  This morning there is a lecture on travel photography.  There is supposed to be a 2 1/2 hour Chefs Kitchen class on making pasta.  That venue can only hold 12 passengers and the cost is 150 Euros.  Nothing in the daily schedule mentions the cost although an asterisk indicates there is a fee.  The chef cancelled the class because sea conditions are too rough to be work with knives and hot water.  
 

Something we are noticing is that quite a few things involve big fees, but finding out the cost is not always easy.  They have added some culinary tours (in the ports), and they sound amazing until one learns that the cost can be 600+ Euros per person.

We have been disappointed in the "experiences" (excursions) offered for our sailing in November.  Not very many are offered and most are very expensive. Add that to the pay now - can't apply OBC - it's another disappointment.

4 minutes ago, kidless said:

Indeed! I've seen no perks or status matches offered to MSC diamond members booked on Explora.  I personally feel EJ has made a mistake not offering fabulous deals to its MSC YC Diamond members.   I agree with Mr. Luxury on branding. Those who already love MSC, especially the yacht club product will make the leap to EJ. Those however that feel MSC is equivalent to Walmart of cruising will abstain at least for the time being.  

Yes - 100%, but many previous YC guests have balked at the EJ rates. And now are they hearing that the onboard experiences have been less than perfect for some.  That's a lot to overcome!

13 minutes ago, vistaman said:

Opel tried it as well with an Opel Diplomat ... years ago 

it seems initially they tried that : and then executives of MSC overruled  the people hired for Explora - I was told - with a lot of decisions 

also as bookings were far from good  : they started to send specials to MSC Diamond members

example : on my cancelled cruise for Caribbean I got a double upgrade as Diamond and 500 $ obc 

 

Yes - they have created a "tough" spot....expensive cruises come with great expectations.  It's been a very rough start. Lots of things went sideways and now they are scrambling, IMO.

If they do not find their footing in the market soon I am not sure they will!

13 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Branding is so important.

This reminds me of when the Chairman of VW decided that he wanted to build a car that was luxurious and better made than a BMW or a Mercedes.

They over engineered the car and it was a lovely car. The car was called the Phaeton.

It never sold because it had the usual VW badge on it.

Buyers of luxury cars didn't want to drive a VW badged car as it wasn't prestigious enough.

Explora should have its own identity and be apart from MSC as Lexus is apart from Toyota.

Agreed!

2 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

They need to detach from all of that

Detach....or embrace.  But - IMO - they can not have it both ways!

3 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Funny thing is that when we had drinks at the large Lobby Bar, the

cocktail napkins were printed with the MSC logo.

Sheez….they need to make up their mind! 

2 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We can all speculate, but I think they missed a huge marketing opportunity by not actively promoting EJ in all the Yacht Clubs.

 

So far, all the passengers we have met seem to be normal cruisers and paying passengers.

 

At the moment I am enjoying my cappuccino in Crema and just saw the NYC Sandy Hook Harboe pilot boat come aside and pick up our pilot.  Seas are about 2-3 meters and it is starting to feel like we are on a ship  😋

Yes - I do wonder how much EJ has hurt themselves by pushing the “we are a different cruise line” and not tapping more in to the existing YC market. Even just a match to current MSC status would have give a long way, IMO. 

1 hour ago, Critically Cruising said:

And the "Burger Station" turns out to be a ONE DAY experiment.

 

Can't run it two days in a row, it seems.

 

The fails continue.  And no matter how impressive one might find the ship, the other issues are death by a thousand cuts.  No one single problem is deal-breaking, but the cumulative effect is telling.

 

 

9 minutes ago, Wallys_World said:

Today is a Sea Day, right? Two of the pools/bars are closed - all day??? 

 

We’re in Canada today and due to local regulations only one bar per deck can be open while in port. 

Ahh….thanks!

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

They do this on MSC, but only on Ocean Cay day. Those bartenders are needed on the island. On sea days all 11 bars are open for business and even on port days all 11 are open.

On another page someone said there is construction happening on the Astern Pool deck and she hopes this means they are fixing to roof of the Conservatory pool too. 🤷🏻‍♀️

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

They needed someone to flip the newly opened burger option? All day means prep and cleanup?

Maybe! 

Today is a Sea Day, right? Two of the pools/bars are closed - all day??? 😬

Awesome!  Could you grab a snapshot of the menu? 

1 hour ago, Critically Cruising said:

 

There are 18 slot machines, one roulette table, one blackjack table and one mini-holdem table.

 

 

Thanks for confirming! 

5 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

Apples and oranges from New York.  Explora I is being certified for US ports in New York, not Miami. CG and CDC/PHS will be in New York.

Yes I understand the NYC vs Miami certification/inspections. But, that’s not what I meant.
 

I mean just glitchy (not running smoothly/general confusion) because it will be the first time to flip over the ship in Miami. 

15 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Two points.  1.  That letter seems to confirm that EJ1 will definitely be docking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (12th Ave).  and 2.  Since this will be EJ1s initial visit to a US Port, they will likely be subject to a thorough USCG Inspection.   We are hoping that an inspection does not delay embarkation, but we have seen that happen in Florida ports.

 

Hank

Delayed embarkation is a valid concern!
 

I have the same thoughts about our embarkation in Miami November 3rd being glitchy, since it’s the first time for EJ to disembark and embark in Miami. 
 

Hope I am wrong….but we will see! 

11 minutes ago, Chefdi13 said:

Has anyone received notice from EJ that they must disembark a day early in NYC in order for the ship to be christened?
We have received a letter from EJ via our travel agent that we must leave the ship with all luggage a day early. They have offered to cover one night at the Edison Hotel in Times Square, but no offer of transportation, food, beverages, etc…

I’m sure there are more details to follow, but in true EJ fashion the communication has been awful. Another last minute fumble!

Wow!

Some on other pages have reported they can not see their booking info. Only the TA listed on the booking can see the details. 🤷🏻‍♀️

19 minutes ago, vistaman said:

My review is published and all the items I wrote  are the truth in full.

Can you post the link to the review here? 

We know that the casino is small, it looks like here are only 3 table games. Can anyone confirm which games are offered? 

5 minutes ago, Critically Cruising said:

 

Let's see if this works.  The first is from Feb of 2022:

 

 

EXPLORA_JOURNEYS_STORY_COLLECTION_20220225_HR.pdf 192.75 MB · 4 downloads

2 minutes ago, Critically Cruising said:

A later version, I think from Sept 2022.

 

 

EXPLORA_JOURNEYS_STORY_COLLECTION.pdf 270.77 MB · 0 downloads

Thanks….I will look. I think what I’m looking for was in the the 2021 documents. 🥺

1 minute ago, sasejm said:

I was notified all Explora 2 cruises in 2024 & 2025 have been canceled. This was according to the onboard future cruise consultant from Explora 1.

WOW......I had not heard that!