Great Time on the Explorer--Quick Assessment!

[roscoegirl]

Hubby and I just returned from a 5niter to Berumda on the beautiful Explorer of the Seas! I still can't believe that after a year of waiting, those short five days are gone and I'm back here talking to Cruise Critic:eek:

 

Sail Dates: June 30 - July 5, 2012

 

Embarkation: From car service to ship was no more than 20 minutes...using the suite line helped tremendously! We were on board a few minutes before the Windjammer even opened. This day would be the only day I made it to the Windjammer (hubby loved it and found something--a lot of things--very satisfying almost every day).

 

The ship was very clean and the only time I smelled any unpleasant odors was on day 4 outside of Johnny Rockets. There was a strong garbage smell but for only a few minutes.

 

We were in JS 9618, center hump and it was simply fabulous!! Great location, very spacious and the view from the balcony was the best I've ever had!:) Our cabin attendant (that's what they prefer to be called now...no more 'stewards'--lol!) was named Rosa and she was excellent.

 

Over the 5 day period, hubby and I enjoyed:

-all the lounges and clubs on board; good live music at Boleros

-we stopped in one evening to the Chamber for the Silent Party (super fun),

-attended and purchased art from the art auction, won champagne and a

free print

- checked out the Peek-A-Boo bridge

- Solarium (hot and crowded)

- Johnny Rockets (not as good as on the Majesty)

- the Ice Show (unbelievably good considering the ship was going thru a

small/short storm)

- slept thru formal night dinner and Captain stuff (we ventured out later and

took our formal pics in casual clothes--photographer had a lot of fun with us

- our first 'upper tier' event...Capt Henrik was in attendance...nice affair

- dinner at Portofino's - excellent!

- MDR tablemates were funny as hell! We enjoyed dining with them very

much

- Bermuda...took an Island tour (we stayed in Berumda back in the early '90s

so we just wanted an overview as to what has changed and see some of

our fav places)

- Made it to Glass Beach and collected some glass (some of it just looked like

broken bottle bottoms! Don't plan to swim there--very rocky and lots of

glass under foot

- shopped at Dockyard for some hand-blown glass and rum cakes (gooood!)

- spending time together without our grown kids and grandkids

 

We did not enjoy our time in the casino! Very, very tight!!!:mad:

 

Disembarkation was very easy and as fast as day one embarkation...I didn't think of any Platinum benefit for leaving the ship as it was very smooth and quick for everyone (at least it was for us!)

 

All in all it was a fabulous getway and I look forward to going to Bermuda once again by cruise ship!!

 

If you have any questions, I'll try to answer if it is something that I experienced on learned while on board.

[leaveitallbehind]

Interesting in that we will also be in 9618 in a few weeks - knew it was a good location but glad to hear of your opinion. Look forward to meeting Rosa! Also have reservatations at Portofino - the menu posted on line (that I could find) looks great! The suite line is always a plus - makes boarding easy and fast. Plan to be on early (as always) as well for lunch. The only thing wrong with a 5-day is that it isn't 7! Glad you enjoyed it - looking forward to ours.

 

BTW - looking on your signature we were also on Majesty in '93. Great ship at the time and nice western Caribbean itinerary that (unusual for today) had Coco Cay instead of Labadee. Still have the "guest list" booklet that was printed for the passengers!

[roscoegirl]

Interesting in that we will also be in 9618 in a few weeks - knew it was a good location but glad to hear of your opinion. Look forward to meeting Rosa! Also have reservatations at Portofino - the menu posted on line (that I could find) looks great! The suite line is always a plus - makes boarding easy and fast. Plan to be on early (as always) as well for lunch. The only thing wrong with a 5-day is that it isn't 7! Glad you enjoyed it - looking forward to ours.

 

BTW - looking on your signature we were also on Majesty in '93. Great ship at the time and nice western Caribbean itinerary that (unusual for today) had Coco Cay instead of Labadee. Still have the "guest list" booklet that was printed for the passengers!

 

I know you will love #9618...be prepared that the corridor seems very narrow as they have two beautiful display cases just outside of that stateroom. The only negative with this cabin was the tacky lounge furniture; partial dirty, paint chipped from the chair frames, etc. It didn't bother me much as I used the in-room robes to cover the chairs I sat on:eek:

 

I've had a hard time with trying to upload a few pics to this site...may try later. I hope you enjoy your cruise!

 

And yes...back in the day, the Majesty of the Seas was the badest ship on the ocean!!:)

[roscoegirl]

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-05d9-3c3e-fc22?ln

 

You can try this link to view pics...hope it works!

[AF-1]

Thanks for your review. I sailed Majesty back in 1998. Back then she did 7 nighters out of Miami. You are correct; a great ship and still fun. Sailed Explorer in 2004; also based in Miami at the time. Both ships are excellent. Have only been to Bermuda by air; must try cruising there.

[AF-1]

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-05d9-3c3e-fc22?ln

 

You can try this link to view pics...hope it works!

 

It works great, lovely picture show

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Can you tell me what the upper tier event was like? We recently got to Platinum and went to this event on the Enhantment in March. It was VERY underwhelming. It included a little dance music from the band, champagne and fruit punch. There was no beer, mixed drinks or even soft drinks served. (I do not like champagne) I was not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth--but, I did not consider this top-tier!

[roscoegirl]

Can you tell me what the upper tier event was like? We recently got to Platinum and went to this event on the Enhantment in March. It was VERY underwhelming. It included a little dance music from the band, champagne and fruit punch. There was no beer, mixed drinks or even soft drinks served. (I do not like champagne) I was not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth--but, I did not consider this top-tier!

 

Pretty much exactly as you have described it!!:) We also had a band and singer of sorts; Capt.Henrik spoke and that was about it... I guess it was fun for me due to being a 'platinum virgin'!;)

[kcbookworm]

I am excited to see this thread! We leave Saturday on the same 5 nighter :D

 

We are going to a specialty restaurant for the first time. It as a perk from our travel agent. What did you have at Portofinos?

 

Did you book the island tour from RCI or just winged it once off the ship?

[Heidils]

That was great! Thank you!

[nelblu]

Can you tell me what the upper tier event was like? We recently got to Platinum and went to this event on the Enhantment in March. It was VERY underwhelming. It included a little dance music from the band, champagne and fruit punch. There was no beer, mixed drinks or even soft drinks served. (I do not like champagne) I was not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth--but, I did not consider this top-tier!

 

The Diamond event was basically the same, however, I asked for a beer and got it and my wife had a pina colada--If you don't see it ask any server.

[roscoegirl]

I am excited to see this thread! We leave Saturday on the same 5 nighter :D

 

We are going to a specialty restaurant for the first time. It as a perk from our travel agent. What did you have at Portofinos?

 

Did you book the island tour from RCI or just winged it once off the ship?

 

Haha! We did the 5hr Island Tour thru RCI...It was really good but very long on the knees/legs being in/out of a van that long. We did get to spend about 45min. in St.George's for lunch and shopping. I would recommend this tour for anyone who has never been to Bermuda and just wants an overview of the island without having to do the buses/ferries/motorscooters.

 

As for Portofino's, I had the lamb (melts in your mouth!!) and husb had the Seafood scewers (sp?) He loved it! I can't remember the appetizers but I know I enjoyed it...I had the Tiramisu for dessert--stellar! Oh, and the breads are to die for!!!! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Portofino's...highly recommended!!!

[roscoegirl]

That was great! Thank you!

 

Thank you!:)

[roscoegirl]

The Diamond event was basically the same, however, I asked for a beer and got it and my wife had a pina colada--If you don't see it ask any server.

 

I stayed with the champagne and husb enjoyed the fruity drink... I was surprised that I actually appreciated leveling up to Platinum...didn't think I would care, but receiving my lapel pin did make me feel good. (the 'warm fuzzies' thing does work--I booked another cruise!:eek:) LOL!

[DragonOfTheSeas]

The Diamond event was basically the same, however, I asked for a beer and got it and my wife had a pina colada--If you don't see it ask any server.

I did ask--but, that was it.

[Karma5]

Thank you for thr review and the pictures, very nice.

[tigger-ttfn]

I stayed with the champagne and husb enjoyed the fruity drink... I was surprised that I actually appreciated leveling up to Platinum...didn't think I would care, but receiving my lapel pin did make me feel good. (the 'warm fuzzies' thing does work--I booked another cruise!:eek:) LOL!

 

I'm D + and the perks get better the higher up. Thanks for the review. We are going on a 7 day in Oct. Looking forward to 3 days in Bermuda. To answer the question, I've gotten mixed drinks and martini's at the tier party with no problem.

[gerif]

I'm D + and the perks get better the higher up. Thanks for the review. We are going on a 7 day in Oct. Looking forward to 3 days in Bermuda. To answer the question, I've gotten mixed drinks and martini's at the tier party with no problem.

 

Is there yet another party after D? I thought it was the same party for Platinum on up. Just wondering how you got drinks the OP could not. I know we were able to get cosmos and other drinks but wasn't sure if things changed.

[Motorman23]

In the past I have had no problem getting drink choices at the plat, diamond, diamond plus event but recently on Explorer in March of 2012 they would not give us anything other than the drinks they were passing around. Our event was held at the ice show and I went up to the bar and asked for whisky on the rocks and they said no, I then asked for a beer and they said no, I settled on a diet coke :(. I saw the head of beverage services in the line and later asked her why and she said new rules. I am not sure what the rules are but I will keep asking and hope I find the right server.

 

Mike