1st timer cruise review - Explorer of the Seas 11/5/11

[mets550]

The casino floor freaked me out. It was at least 5 or 6 times before I didn't flinch every time I walked over that...and mostly because my husband would remind me lol.

 

Kelly--I just finished reading your excellent review. Thanks so much for posting. The pictures and level of detail really made me feel like I was there with you guys. We sail in three weeks from Friday (New Year's cruise) and cannot wait!

[Datachick1213]

The casino floor freaked me out. It was at least 5 or 6 times before I didn't flinch every time I walked over that...and mostly because my husband would remind me lol.

 

Me Too!

[OHCruisin]

Me Too!

 

 

I still get dizzy every time I walk over one of those!

[edbk35]

Day 5 – At Sea – Wednesday - 11/09/2011

After our full day of fun on the ship the day before, I decided to sleep in a little this morning. DH headed to MDR for more eggs benedict. Once I found the energy to get out of bed, I headed to WJ for mass quantities of breakfast.

 

After breakfast, I roamed around the ship some more and eventually met up with DH and some of our traveling companions that afternoon. (must remember walkie-talkies for next time) We all went to MDR for lunch. The salad bar was amazing!

 

After some more exploring and mini-golf, DH and I went to another Champagne Art Auction. We were lucky and won a bottle of champagne! After the auction, DH headed back to our cabin with champagne and glasses in hand and I went to WJ for strawberries, grapes and cheese. Snacking and drinking champagne on our balcony with the open sea as our view was incredibly romantic and so totally awesome. ;)

 

Once again we enjoyed Calypso music on the Promenade and then headed to the pool deck for some DOD, which happened to be Margaritas. (YIPPEE!) I of course had to pose for a “Queen of the World” picture on the front of the ship.

 

After our on deck fun, we went to the Palace Theatre for the “Farewell Variety Show”. We really enjoyed the comedian and the production number. Luke, the cruise director, was once again quite entertaining. We really liked his “Top 10 Stupid Questions” bit.

 

It was our final day at sea and our final dinner in MDR. We all talked about how much fun we had during the past few days and were sad that it had to end. After dinner we went to the Promenade for the “Island Frenzy” parade and then back to “The Chamber” for some music and dancing. The club was fairly empty so we only stayed for a little while. However, The Schooner Bar was jumping but we wanted to eat more than dance and went to the Promenade Café for pizza and sandwiches. Since it was our last night on the ship and we had to be up early, we decided to head back to our cabin for our final room check.

 

Man, oh man, we really, really, really miss being on the boat.:(

 

 

Thursday Morning - 11/10/11 - back in New Jersey

We had a report time of 10:45 for disembarkation. We awoke early and went to WJ for our last meal on the ship. Since most of our traveling companions from the wedding were all on the same deck, we were all able to meet up and leave together. We all talked about our time on the ship and most planned to do it again. We exited the ship fairly quickly and rode the shuttle back to the port. We were able to get our luggage quickly and customs was a breeze. We are so looking forward to our next cruise. We’re planning a Spring 2015 cruise for our daughter’s 21st birthday. Although, I think we can sneak away again before then.:D

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this review as much as I had writing it. Cruises are the best thing ever!

 

I enjoyed your trip report. We are taking our first cruise next June 2012 on the Explorer. We are taking the 9 day cruise to the Caribbean and it stops in Bermuda too. Our daughter is 21, son 18 (this is graduation present for him from high school and an early college graduation gift for her) and our son 13 are excited. I hope the kids have enough to do on the cruise. We started to book Oasis or Allure because they seem to have a lot of young people's activities. We live in MD so we wanted to take a cruise out NJ so we didn't have the airfare cost to deal with and could take a longer cruise. I hope we have as much fun as you did. :)

[johneeo]

I enjoyed your trip report. We are taking our first cruise next June 2012 on the Explorer. We are taking the 9 day cruise to the Caribbean and it stops in Bermuda too. Our daughter is 21, son 18 (this is graduation present for him from high school and an early college graduation gift for her) and our son 13 are excited. I hope the kids have enough to do on the cruise. We started to book Oasis or Allure because they seem to have a lot of young people's activities. We live in MD so we wanted to take a cruise out NJ so we didn't have the airfare cost to deal with and could take a longer cruise. I hope we have as much fun as you did. :)

 

Did June and July cruise. Absolutely perfect time to do it.

 

Cannot describe how good it was.

 

Check out my review of our last cruise. Will give you an idea of what you are in for.

[poncho1973]

Nice review. Nice to see someone so excited about a wonderful vacation.

[nancronin]

Nice review - and now you're hooked!:D