Princess Regular--Will I love the Explorer?

[Mikeandme]

DH and I are almost Elite on Princess and live in NY. We prefer not to fly and have booked Explorer for 1/14 in an OS (per your recommendation, 1300). My TA doesn't care for the food and also says the ship is a bit tired, and we'll be going just before she's refurbished. We enjoy ballroom dancing but are sensitive to smoke. We're going on Celebrity for the first time in May, b2b on Princess in Sept., and will then do Explorer in Jan., all without flying. We've never had a bad cruise. What do you think? It seems that all lines are cutting back and figure all of you wouldn't still be on RCCL if you didn't love it.

 

Thanks!

 

..cheryl

[Guest maddycat]

DH and I are almost Elite on Princess and live in NY. We prefer not to fly and have booked Explorer for 1/14 in an OS (per your recommendation, 1300). My TA doesn't care for the food and also says the ship is a bit tired, and we'll be going just before she's refurbished. We enjoy ballroom dancing but are sensitive to smoke. We're going on Celebrity for the first time in May, b2b on Princess in Sept., and will then do Explorer in Jan., all without flying. We've never had a bad cruise. What do you think? It seems that all lines are cutting back and figure all of you wouldn't still be on RCCL if you didn't love it.

 

Thanks!

 

..cheryl

 

RCI is our favorite cruise line and we have sailed on others (Princess, Costa, NCL and Celebrity). We love the Explorer. It's very clean and well maintained. The crew is very friendly and accommodating. We find the food to be good, sometimes it's very good. The Explorer goes in for a major drydock 12/2014.

 

Celebrity has the best smoking policy. Their ships are almost smoke free.....no smoking on the verandas or in the casino.

[papaflamingo]

I am a RCCL loyalist (14 cruises). We have done 1 Princess on Grand Princess in 2001. Loved it. However we went back to RCCL. What we love about Royal Caribbean is the ships. Explorer is older now. But she still has the Promenade which was the big change in Voyager Class ships. I have never been on her, but did Voyager last year and although older, she was still great. I think you'll find differences, but the service and food should be very similar to Princess. RCCL has a nice mixture of old to young passengers and has some fun evening activities. I think you will enjoy the amenities of Explorer.

[George C]

I have sailed on several Princess ships but in general perfer RCCL, RCCL ships do not seem as crowded as Princess even when they are much larger.Would give Princess a edge on food.

[Sandy Sails]

And the beds on RCCL are very comfortable. Princess? Not so much!!!

[JMG]

I find the layout of the RCCL ships to be far superior to Princess. On Princess I seemed to hit a lot of dead ends. I also think that RCCL ships really have that WOW factor. The variety of shows is something else. Ice shows!!! The Promenade parades! Lots of fun. All that being said...I also have not have a really bad cruise. The closest was on the old SS Norway and given the age of the ship (and problems of a truly OLD ship)...the beauty was in the details of days past.

If rumors are true, in time NJ may be the home of a newer class of RCCL ships and that would be well worth trying! (Sunshine class) Hope you enjoy your cruise!

[davy jones]

The Explorer has more glitz factor than Princess ships, which have more refined decor. The Explorer has an very friendly crew.

 

I prefer the food on Princess, especially the buffet. The Explorer buffet closes at 9PM, where Princess has part of the buffet open 24 hours.

 

I did not see any ballroom dancing on the Explorer, but don't take that to mean that it doesn't exist. I just didn't see it. Some of the "interactive" entertainment can be a bit racier than on Princess.

 

I didn't have any issues with smoke, except the casino. Which I do not frequent much.

 

As you said, you'll have a good cruise. It will just be a little different.

[Karma5]

The Explorer is a tired ship................it will be better after it has a facelift.

The current layout is not for everyone..............

[iheartbda]

The Explorer is a tired ship................it will be better after it has a facelift.

The current layout is not for everyone..............

Really? I guess I have low standards because I didn't see anything wrong with it.

 

OP, if you've neve had a bad cruise, I don't think one on the Explorer will be your first. Food is very subjective but I found it to be very similar on Princess except Princess wins with their buffet and I thought the International Cafe was outstanding.

[ts548]

I too, love the Explorer. I love the layout and having central area of the ship run the length of the ship rather than up and down through the center (if that makes sense). I never felt crowded into a small area except during parade times perhaps. I have been on Explorer and similar class many times and I also say you will not have a bad experience!