willcan

On Explorer recently, and these photos are correct. Last renovation saw the wooded sauna door replaced with a solid smoked glass door that is difficult to latch closed. Steam room seems to have more light than before and there is not much steam. My travel companion said the Female steam room is dimly light and has too much steam.

Just book both and compare. They are both good but Mariner is more updated.

I like Mariner the best of the three. I'm impressed that they managed to "amp" this ship without screwing up the sauna.

I was on both last fall and there had a perfect setup. The same layout at the Explorer. Photos of Explorer were posted here a few days ago.

Thanks for the update. Does the Pearl have great free amenities or is an extra fee required to make it worth it? If required, do you know how much the extra fee is?

Damn. I was getting excited. I guess we'll have to wait to hear from someone who has been on her recently. Do you know if the Jade, Gem or Pearl are still a good choice?

That's great, thanks for posting. Is one of the glass doors a steam room? Is there an extra fee to use this area or is it included?

Good News for Royal Caribbean fans. Explorer of the seas recently completed a drydock refurbishment. Although they made some upgrades, including twin waterslides there was no change to the sauna, steam room, men's changing room or gym.

I'm glad it was well used. Was there a big difference between see and port days? I bet your had an amazing cruise. What port did your sail from and where did you go?

Thanks for the update Sounds amazing. Was it well used or were you often the only person there? What are the operating hours?

I'm on Explorer in July. I checked the floor plan and it does not show any changes to the gym/sauna area (deck 11), after the dry dock. But sometimes the floor plans are incorrect. Today I spent some time making mock bookings for almost every cabin type. I didn't find any cabins on deck 11. So maybe RC will not make the same changes they have to similar ships. Such as replacing the sauna space with cabins.

You make an excellent point. Someone trying too hard to make things "equal" without careful thought. Rather than make things accessable to everyone, they make them accessable to no one. Sad.

I was also on Adventure in the fall and can confirm nothing had changed. I don't think Adventure has been in dry dock since. Deck plans for Freedom show the gym still in place with cabins added on either side. Removing the sauna to make space. I'd be interested to know if this is the same approach taken on Explorer. If you're friend is still on the ship maybe he can verify. Iet's hope Royal decided to leave the sauna in place.

My apologies. I just confirmed with my friend. He said the Brilliance still has a free sauna. I misunderstood what he told me last time. So sorry.

I was on Adventure in the Fall and everything was still in place. It was well maintained and well used.

Better to know before you book for sure. If you are set on RC they still have ships with great man's areas. Liberty, Adventure and Mariner for starters. (Unless they have been in drydock in 2023). And most of their older ships too.

A friend of mine was on the ship. He said the men's only area has been removed and replaced with a paid co-ed thermal suite.

What ship was this about?

Any idea why it's only clothing optional for 2 hours a day?

Great photos, thanks for the info. Sorry it was not well used during your cruise.

Yes, it was well used ever day. Good to see.

Yes, they are usually available for use early in the afternoon. However, almost no one uses them before to the ship's departure. I'm my experience very few guests use it on day 1 at all.

Thanks for the great pics.

Thanks for the detailed update. Good information. Do they have a good gym as well?

Thinking of booking this as well. Love to chat with you or others that make be on the ship. Feel free to chat by email. Littlebro@live.ca