All Things Explorer of the Seas! -- Part 2

[Clarea]

We were toying with the idea of booking Chops one night, and then I noticed Chops isn't on Explorer. Guess they removed it or I got my ships confused. I remember reading awhile back the the steaks in Portofino were actually better than those in Chops. Can anyone confirm or deny that, or was I hallucinating that too?

There's never been a Portofino on Explorer. Explorer is scheduled to get Giovanni's Table during her refit sometime in 2014. The steak in Portofino is very good, so that part is not a hallucination.:)

[mets550]

There's never been a Portofino on Explorer. Explorer is scheduled to get Giovanni's Table during her refit sometime in 2014. The steak in Portofino is very good, so that part is not a hallucination.:)

 

I think you mean there's never been a Chops on Explorer.

[Cotswold Eagle]

There's never been a Portofino on Explorer. Explorer is scheduled to get Giovanni's Table during her refit sometime in 2014. The steak in Portofino is very good, so that part is not a hallucination.:)

 

Portofino is on Deck 11 on the Explorer, next to the Windjammer :)

[sweet angel]

There's never been a Portofino on Explorer. Explorer is scheduled to get Giovanni's Table during her refit sometime in 2014. The steak in Portofino is very good, so that part is not a hallucination.:)

Thanks. I figured I got my ships confused, but then thought maybe since they serve Chops steaks in the MDR (right??) they did away with it.

 

Maybe we will give Portofino a try.

[Clarea]

Portofino is on Deck 11 on the Explorer, next to the Windjammer :)

 

Thanks. I figured I got my ships confused, but then thought maybe since they serve Chops steaks in the MDR (right??) they did away with it.

 

Maybe we will give Portofino a try.

Oops, thanks for the correction. Of course I should have said there's been no Chops on Explorer. Sorry for the confusion.

[mets550]

Portofino on Explorer was excellent when we went last year. We just returned from a Jewel of the Seas cruise, and our Portofino experience there (both in food quality and service) did not even compare to our experience on Explorer. I also found the porterhouse in Portofino on Explorer to be better than the MDR chops steak and even the Chops steak in Chops on Jewel.

[monteman]

I hear they are lovely. Expensive but lovely. If you don't get one, here's a tip. Go early! And go to the last beach all the way to the right! We got chairs righ on the beach, a few hours later, people couldn't find a spot. The water there is wonderful!

 

There is actually decent shopping there. You can't Hard Rock t-shirts for $7.

 

Thanks so much--I have added this info to my notes. I have been trying to book a cabana for about 6 months! Always the same thing happens. I agree they are expensive--we decided to splurge to celebrate my birthday (on the day we are on Labadee) and our anniversary. Always good to have a solid (?) rationale, lol. :-)

[JulieRose]

What kind of photo opportunities can we expect? Of course, I know there will be the ones on embarkation day and when disembarking in each of the ports along with shots at and before dinner but are there other opportunities onboard? Do they sometimes have "roaming" photographers on the pool decks or casino or whatever? We're thinking of buying the photo package but not sure if it will really be worth it at a price tag of $300 for a 9 day cruise...

[luckyprincess]

I have them all which day would you like?

 

Would you hate me if I said all of them? :D

[mets550]

What kind of photo opportunities can we expect? Of course, I know there will be the ones on embarkation day and when disembarking in each of the ports along with shots at and before dinner but are there other opportunities onboard? Do they sometimes have "roaming" photographers on the pool decks or casino or whatever? We're thinking of buying the photo package but not sure if it will really be worth it at a price tag of $300 for a 9 day cruise...

 

There are a handful of photographers roaming the pool deck, but most of the opportunities are in the evening before dinner. They usually have at least two differen types of photo opportunities before dinner each night. If you are really interested, I would seek out the photographers on the first day and ask for a list of all the places and times they are working. I'm sure you could arrange for someone to come to meet you on the pool deck so you don't have to hunt them down.

[sweet angel]

I wonder if that package includes the lifestyle portraits? Probably not, but I think it would be worth it for that.

[JulieRose]

I wonder if that package includes the lifestyle portraits? Probably not, but I think it would be worth it for that.

 

Is that the sitting that you have to book in advance? If so, then no, those are not included. Only the standard photo ops are.

[sweet angel]

Is that the sitting that you have to book in advance? If so, then no, those are not included. Only the standard photo ops are.

 

Probably, although we just waited in line on Serenade. If I'm not mistaken, I think 8x10 pics are $19.99 and 5x7 are $9.99. Not 100% on that though.

[JulieRose]

From what I have found, it's all the embarkation/debarkation photos, photos at dinner, posed photos before dinner and now someone says there are occasionally photographers on the pool deck. If you were going to a studio (not a backdrop set up on the fly) I think those would not be included.

[music]

I am going with a group of first time cruisers, about 25 or so, on the Explorer next June.

I would like to put together an information sheet about the ship. Things a first timer would have no idea of knowing or even know to ask about.

 

Anything you know now that you wish some one would have told you about the Explorer?

Edited January 4, 2013 by music

[mets550]

I am going with a group of first time cruisers, about 25 or so, on the Explorer next June.

I would like to put together an information sheet about the ship. Things a first timer would have no idea of knowing or even know to ask about.

 

Anything you know now that you wish some one would have told you about the Explorer?

 

Promenade is great--take advantage of it!

[stevea36]

I am going with a group of first time cruisers, about 25 or so, on the Explorer next June.

I would like to put together an information sheet about the ship. Things a first timer would have no idea of knowing or even know to ask about.

 

Anything you know now that you wish some one would have told you about the Explorer?

 

The nicest cruisers in the world are on the ship :)

[Cotswold Eagle]

There are a handful of photographers roaming the pool deck, but most of the opportunities are in the evening before dinner. They usually have at least two differen types of photo opportunities before dinner each night. If you are really interested, I would seek out the photographers on the first day and ask for a list of all the places and times they are working. I'm sure you could arrange for someone to come to meet you on the pool deck so you don't have to hunt them down.

 

I was chatting to one of the guys on deck in December and he was struggling to make his shot quota for the day, so I'm sure they'd be delighted to find some people who positively want their photos taken :)

 

I found some of the quality a bit poor - a nice photo of me at a dinner was rather spoiled by cutting off the top of my head. Having noticed that I had a closer look at the photos on display and some were quite badly composed. I'd suggest seeking out two or three of them early in the cruise, then looking at their work and deciding which one to focus on (excuse the pun!)

[mutzy]

make sure they see the ice show

[LICRUISEAHOLICS]

I want to look into reserving a cabana once I board (the website keeps telling me they are available then when I submit the request, it says to check once on board). Can someone tell me where on board the excursions desk would be, and what deck we board? Have never been on this ship. Many thanks in advance.

 

Hi right next to guest relations on deck 5 is the excursion desk. Not sure why its not showing on the deck plans. We were on the Ex in November and booked the cabana over the water in nellies beach. It was magnificent. They supply just water bottles in a cooler with ice. But there are 2 lounge chairs a wrap around couch and a few tables. Plenty of shade and area to sun bathe. Ours had a ladder to get into the water, some were just a couple of steps

It was well worth it and our cabana attendant was awesome. Plus you are offered a much better lunch buffet and its less crowded.

Lastly I would keep looking back on the web site because our people booked them and then change their mind. By the time you get on board I would almost guarantee they will be gone!

 

Enjoy!!!

[138east]

I am going with a group of first time cruisers, about 25 or so, on the Explorer next June.

I would like to put together an information sheet about the ship. Things a first timer would have no idea of knowing or even know to ask about.

 

Anything you know now that you wish some one would have told you about the Explorer?

 

Fitness Center - giant indoor hot tub. Locker rooms have sauna, steam room, and larger square showers including an accessible shower plus tons of towels. A lot of folks don't even go into this area if they aren't into fitness.

 

MDR is open every day for a civilized table service breakfast with the same stuff as the Windjammer plus a daily special - the food tends to be hotter and fresher than the WJ - doesn't seem to come from steam trays. MDR is open for lunch on sea days - menu is posted and has entrees not available in the WJ including the best "free" hamburger on the ship and a fabulous "tutti" salad bar. If you are in a rush, they will get you out in 30 minutes. You can also order real ice cream at lunch for dessert.

 

If you want ice in your cabin, tell your cabin attendant.

 

You have a large enough group to plan some activities of your own like a slot pull, cabin crawl, and mini golf on the sea days. If you want your group to explore the ship, you could set up a camera scavenger hunt for 20-30 minutes to find and take pictures of the helipad, the peekaboo bridge, the rock wall, Studio B, Adventure Ocean, Johnny Rockets, the elephant, the fish, the champagne bottle, the Crypt, the cigar lounge, the video arcade, the chapel, the conference rooms, the indoor hot tub, the Library,etc. This will send your group scrambling all over the ship.

[DianeMMHH]

Fitness Center - giant indoor hot tub. Locker rooms have sauna, steam room, and larger square showers including an accessible shower plus tons of towels. A lot of folks don't even go into this area if they aren't into fitness.

 

MDR is open every day for a civilized table service breakfast with the same stuff as the Windjammer plus a daily special - the food tends to be hotter and fresher than the WJ - doesn't seem to come from steam trays. MDR is open for lunch on sea days - menu is posted and has entrees not available in the WJ including the best "free" hamburger on the ship and a fabulous "tutti" salad bar. If you are in a rush, they will get you out in 30 minutes. You can also order real ice cream at lunch for dessert.

 

If you want ice in your cabin, tell your cabin attendant.

 

You have a large enough group to plan some activities of your own like a slot pull, cabin crawl, and mini golf on the sea days. If you want your group to explore the ship, you could set up a camera scavenger hunt for 20-30 minutes to find and take pictures of the helipad, the peekaboo bridge, the rock wall, Studio B, Adventure Ocean, Johnny Rockets, the elephant, the fish, the champagne bottle, the Crypt, the cigar lounge, the video arcade, the chapel, the conference rooms, the indoor hot tub, the Library,etc. This will send your group scrambling all over the ship.

 

Hi Carol,

 

Happy New Year! Good advice! We are cruising in 17 days! Looking forward to a Caribbean cruise to relax and get warm. Sorry we will not get to see one another!

 

One more thing.........walking up to the front of the ship, past the helipad, in the middle of the ocean!

 

Diane

[monteman]

Hi right next to guest relations on deck 5 is the excursion desk. Not sure why its not showing on the deck plans. We were on the Ex in November and booked the cabana over the water in nellies beach. It was magnificent. They supply just water bottles in a cooler with ice. But there are 2 lounge chairs a wrap around couch and a few tables. Plenty of shade and area to sun bathe. Ours had a ladder to get into the water, some were just a couple of steps

It was well worth it and our cabana attendant was awesome. Plus you are offered a much better lunch buffet and its less crowded.

Lastly I would keep looking back on the web site because our people booked them and then change their mind. By the time you get on board I would almost guarantee they will be gone!

 

Enjoy!!!

 

Thanks so much. I have been checking several times a week--sometimes every day! Oh well. I don't have my hopes up, but will continue trying. Would love an over-the-water one, but would be happy for any of them! Thanks again for the info.

[JulieRose]

I was chatting to one of the guys on deck in December and he was struggling to make his shot quota for the day, so I'm sure they'd be delighted to find some people who positively want their photos taken

 

That's very good to know. I'm sure that that combined with a nice tip would make sure the photographer grabbed us when they saw us and hopefully result in some nice photos. I would absolutely love to get one with the photographer looking up at us standing behind the EoS sign on the pool deck, on the promenade, etc...

[138east]

Hi Carol,

 

Happy New Year! Good advice! We are cruising in 17 days! Looking forward to a Caribbean cruise to relax and get warm. Sorry we will not get to see one another!

 

One more thing.........walking up to the front of the ship, past the helipad, in the middle of the ocean!

 

Diane

 

Happy New Year to you and Steve! I am getting on the EX for 16 days when you get off and you are getting back on when I get off. We're just not on the same wave length this year! I will take good car of your aft balcony for you.