Lovely weather on the Explorer May 25 sailing!

Just returned from the Explorer - we lucked out with lovely weather (only a short sprinkle while at Mendenhall Glacier). Had an excellent week - interior virtual balcony rooms for each couple which worked out just fine. Very easy boarding, arrived at about 11 am (after flying in that morning) and meeting up with the family. Used Seattle Elite Town Car for pickup of 6 adults/luggage - they met us at baggage claim quickly after our calling them. We had arranged for a stop at Whole Foods by the pier so we could purchase wine. Be careful when dropping luggage to go to the Explorer handlers as we heard of at least one couple sending their luggage on the Celebrity ship sharing the pier. Almost no line and even the non-priority line (worker would not allow our kids to use the Diamond line, but not a big difference). We were able to find a seat in the Windjammer for a little lunch then off to explore - so much fun for the girls as they had not been on a ship before. Rooms were ready at one - love the virtual balcony. Sail away was cool but not cold.

Then off to dinner - we had MTD every evening at 6:15 which worked out great. Our wait staff was lovely and we had the same table each night. Food was fine to excellent depending on the dish. We had a gluten free need and they took great care of her, almost to the point she was embarrassed. Food in the Windjammer was less impressive but I found something tasty when we were there.

They offered a 15 drink coffee card for $44 - any size drink was just one punch. On day 4 there was a 10 drink card for $65 available at the bar.

Ice show was so nice - there was some sea movement that day and they performed so well. The only production show was the Dance show on Wednesday - this cast first performance which was excellent. Other headliners - magician (so so),comic (not funny),

jugglers (good) and pianist (good) : understand my opinion is subjective.

As I started with - lovely port weather. In Juneau we rented a car and drove out to Mendenhall Glacier Park. A stop at the Alaskan Brewing Company tasting room (the Magic porter was excellent). Then back into town for dinner at the The Twisted Fish, all meals were rated as very good.

Skagway was windy and cold at the pierside but better in town. We again rented a car, this time for a drive up the highway into Canada and the Yukon. Awe inspiring drive - easy to stop along the way to take in the vista. With only 2 ships in town we were able to really enjoy the historical exhibits in the park area.

The Glacier day dawned early - 6 am, only to find us stocked in with fog. Captain Mal waited patiently (not so some of our fellow passengers) and it finally started clearing around 7:45 so we started up the water, threading through some ice bits. Entered the Dawes Glacier waterway and were greeted with a large calving at the center of the Glacier front - the sun was shining so it was quite a sight. We were treated to sunshine and calm seas the entire sail of the inner passage that afternoon. We did see a number of northern porpoises playing beside the ship.

Passage back to Victoria on the open ocean remained very calm on Wednesday - the pools and hot tubs were popular places.

Our final day in Victoria was also sunny- their flowers were starting to bloom. We spent our time walking and enjoying the architecture and all the greenery of the downtown area.

Easiest departure ever - walk off announced at 6:45, we went down at 7, walked off, in cab and at the airport by 8 am for our 10am flight.

If you have any questions I will attempt to answer. Great trip for our family - made lots of good memories.

Sounds like a lovely cruise. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for your review.

I enjoyed reading.

12 weeks for us.

Cannot wait.

Thanks for your review.

 

I enjoyed reading.

 

12 weeks for us.

 

Cannot wait.

Me too; Only 6 weeks for us

Nice review. Looking forward to going again . Do you remember what time the ship docked in Juneau

Thanks so much

Nice review. Looking forward to going again . Do you remember what time the ship docked in Juneau

 

Thanks so much

We docked at just before noon - there were 4 ships in port but Mendenhall Glacier Park did not feel crowded.

Thank you for the review. Glad to hear about the weather.

Do you know if the Café Promenade was open on Friday afternoon or just the Windjammer? Thanks!

Glad to hear about the weather.

Do you know if the Café Promenade was open on Friday afternoon or just the Windjammer? Thanks!

If I remember correctly it was open when we boarded.

Awesome! Thanks!

Just one question if you might know, we'll be aboard her in September and had sailed the Navagator previously so it had a large hot tub inside where the gym was......is this still the case on the Explorer....? Some said they are removing this.....thanks

Just one question if you might know, we'll be aboard her in September and had sailed the Navagator previously so it had a large hot tub inside where the gym was......is this still the case on the Explorer....? Some said they are removing this.....thanks

That hot tub was still in the gym last week. We did use the hot tubs in the Solarium during sail away from Juneau and Skagway - amazing as it was still only dusky at 10pm.

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise.

Just returned from the Explorer - we lucked out with lovely weather (only a short sprinkle while at Mendenhall Glacier). Had an excellent week - interior virtual balcony rooms for each couple which worked out just fine. Very easy boarding, arrived at about 11 am (after flying in that morning) and meeting up with the family. Used Seattle Elite Town Car for pickup of 6 adults/luggage - they met us at baggage claim quickly after our calling them. We had arranged for a stop at Whole Foods by the pier so we could purchase wine. Be careful when dropping luggage to go to the Explorer handlers as we heard of at least one couple sending their luggage on the Celebrity ship sharing the pier. Almost no line and even the non-priority line (worker would not allow our kids to use the Diamond line, but not a big difference). We were able to find a seat in the Windjammer for a little lunch then off to explore - so much fun for the girls as they had not been on a ship before. Rooms were ready at one - love the virtual balcony. Sail away was cool but not cold.

 

Then off to dinner - we had MTD every evening at 6:15 which worked out great. Our wait staff was lovely and we had the same table each night. Food was fine to excellent depending on the dish. We had a gluten free need and they took great care of her, almost to the point she was embarrassed. Food in the Windjammer was less impressive but I found something tasty when we were there.

 

They offered a 15 drink coffee card for $44 - any size drink was just one punch. On day 4 there was a 10 drink card for $65 available at the bar.

 

Ice show was so nice - there was some sea movement that day and they performed so well. The only production show was the Dance show on Wednesday - this cast first performance which was excellent. Other headliners - magician (so so),comic (not funny),

jugglers (good) and pianist (good) : understand my opinion is subjective.

 

As I started with - lovely port weather. In Juneau we rented a car and drove out to Mendenhall Glacier Park. A stop at the Alaskan Brewing Company tasting room (the Magic porter was excellent). Then back into town for dinner at the The Twisted Fish, all meals were rated as very good.

 

Skagway was windy and cold at the pierside but better in town. We again rented a car, this time for a drive up the highway into Canada and the Yukon. Awe inspiring drive - easy to stop along the way to take in the vista. With only 2 ships in town we were able to really enjoy the historical exhibits in the park area.

 

The Glacier day dawned early - 6 am, only to find us stocked in with fog. Captain Mal waited patiently (not so some of our fellow passengers) and it finally started clearing around 7:45 so we started up the water, threading through some ice bits. Entered the Dawes Glacier waterway and were greeted with a large calving at the center of the Glacier front - the sun was shining so it was quite a sight. We were treated to sunshine and calm seas the entire sail of the inner passage that afternoon. We did see a number of northern porpoises playing beside the ship.

 

Passage back to Victoria on the open ocean remained very calm on Wednesday - the pools and hot tubs were popular places.

 

Our final day in Victoria was also sunny- their flowers were starting to bloom. We spent our time walking and enjoying the architecture and all the greenery of the downtown area.

 

Easiest departure ever - walk off announced at 6:45, we went down at 7, walked off, in cab and at the airport by 8 am for our 10am flight.

 

If you have any questions I will attempt to answer. Great trip for our family - made lots of good memories.

What day was the 15 coffee drink for $44 offered?

Thanks for sharing your review! I'll be on this sailing in August. Happy to hear the drink card was offered on Day 4. Hoping for the drink card instead of purchasing the drink package :)