luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 8, 2013 We set off on Sunday to the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal at Bayonne. I live 30 minutes away so we took a car service to avoid the $20 a day parking fee and chance of having to dig ourselves out when we got back. The ship looked huge when we got close! We waited about 5 minutes to drive up and then were able to pull into a spot outside of a white tent. Our luggage got unloaded to a porter and we went in the tent to wait for the rest of our party. It was pretty cold, the tent is unheated and has maybe 4 park benches available. I put my mom and dad on the bench and tried to get the rest of our party contacted. It was a bit chaotic but eventually we headed up to the screening line and then check in. From there you take a bus about 1 minute to the ship and get on. The Windjammer was packed so we hung out until the rooms were ready and got to exploring the Explorer. So I went on this cruise with my family. I bunked with my Mom and Dad in an oceanview cabin on deck #2. I was 2260. My sister, her husband and their 2.5 year old were in 2560. Our best friends Jen and Tommy were in 2618. We all really like our rooms and felt that they were well organized and laid out and spacious for an oceanview. I'm used to hump balcony cabins so for me it was small and I really missed the balcony. I used the pullman bed which pulled down from the ceiling right over my parents bed. I have to say, climbing the ladder to bed and out was pretty fun. There is a little night light in the ceiling above the bed and my view from my pillow was directly out the window so that was super nice. I think we all napped and hit the Windjammer for dinner. I was able to see the parade which was really fun and cute. This day was actually a bit tiring and stressful due to having worked so much before this day and the stress of getting everyone together, getting on the ship, finding our rooms, doing the muster and then figuring out our schedule. P2240091 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Deck 2 movie theatre: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8537773947_fdbb28a481_n.jpg' alt='8537773947_fdbb28a481_n.jpg'> P2240089 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #2 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Centrum: P2240095 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Studio B: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8537799305_2dc03a98d2_z.jpg' alt='8537799305_2dc03a98d2_z.jpg'> P2240103 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Casino Floor: P2240118 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Solarium pool: P2240115 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Portofino's: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8537807651_0b445c687f_z.jpg' alt='8537807651_0b445c687f_z.jpg'> P2240109 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Schooner Bar: P2240120 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgo Surfer Posted March 8, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Great review so far! The Motorcycle didn't used to be lifted up with a railing around it like that. My guess is that too many people wanted their picture taken sitting on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curly locks Posted March 8, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for posting the great photos - I leave on the EOS, for the first time, in just over 3 weeks! Your post has made me even more excited! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks! That's my guess about the motorcycle too, Gilgo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharod Posted March 8, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for the review and the pics! Hubby and I will be on her in 40 days:D We are very excited. Taking our Harley along (small TA group cruise, 35 bikes max) and riding the islands. Looking forward to a different and wonderful cruising experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psupa Posted March 8, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Great pics. We were just on the Explorer Feb 10th. Great ship and staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauriPedal Posted March 8, 2013 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Nice pictures! Thanks for posting. I'm going on EOS in November, can't wait! Do you have any cruise compasses you can post? Any recommendations for shore excursions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poohb Posted March 8, 2013 #11 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Sometimes the EOS 9 days have 2 formal nights, sometimes 3 formal nights. We go in May. Did you have 2 or 3 formal nights, please. And thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibcnusoon Posted March 8, 2013 #12 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Looking forward to your review. We just booked Explorer for our Spring Break 2014 cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHcruisergirl Posted March 8, 2013 #13 Share Posted March 8, 2013 my family was on this cruise too and we had 2 formal nights. Loved this cruise! This was our 7th cruise and the staff was by leaps and bounds the best we have ever experienced. Have fun!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narrow56 Posted March 8, 2013 #14 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I can't wait to see more! We're sailing on the Explorer very soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooter90 Posted March 8, 2013 #15 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Going on the Explorer in a little over a YEAR so looking forward to any info and pics anyone posts! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazzys Posted March 8, 2013 #16 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks!!Going in April sounds and looks like the boat is still in good shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBumb Posted March 8, 2013 #17 Share Posted March 8, 2013 great pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalBlue Posted March 8, 2013 #18 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Love the pics! I leave in 16 days and I can't wait. Look forward to reading more of your review. I never left from NJ before and was wondering when did they open up the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianCruiser Posted March 8, 2013 #19 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Love the pics! I leave in 16 days and I can't wait. Look forward to reading more of your review. I never left from NJ before and was wondering when did they open up the pool. And I'll be on a week today. Can't wait. Great pics, thanks :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #20 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work! For shore excursions I did: Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum! Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well! Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol! We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's. I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobH5849 Posted March 8, 2013 #21 Share Posted March 8, 2013 We have been on Explorer 3 times so far. Glad to see she's still in great shape! Nice review bring on more!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianCruiser Posted March 8, 2013 #22 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work! For shore excursions I did: Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum! Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well! Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol! We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's. I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D Cayenos del mar - how did you do that and how far is it from the port? I don't see it on RC tours and I read somewhere on CC that the local Police aren't that flexible. Also how long does it take to get to Sapphire from the ship and is it realistic to be able to spend 3 or 4 hours there and get dropped into Charlotte? I saw your pics on Sapphire, they look amazing. Thanks for your help :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianCruiser Posted March 8, 2013 #23 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work! For shore excursions I did: Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum! Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well! Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol! We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's. I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D P.S. how far is the shopping area of SJ from the port and are there many there (and open late)? I went in 1997 and I can't really remember too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristy1277 Posted March 8, 2013 #24 Share Posted March 8, 2013 We will be on the Explorer next Friday. How much was the taxi to Sapphire beach? Your review of Cayenas Del Mar is making me rethink my options. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyprincess Posted March 8, 2013 Author #25 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The Cayenas Del Mar Beach Club has its own website. I took a recommendation from someone on the boards and checked out the site. The place is exactly as pictured, gorgeous water, nice beach, good food and super clean bathrooms. They have something called the Day Pass for $18 per adult. It includes round trip transportation (WILD ride on little benches in the back of a pick up :eek:), two drink tickets per adult (one per child), a lounge chair (no umbrellas but there is shady areas) and use of the premises. If you book online they take 10% off so it came out to all that for $16.20 per person and the 3 year old was free. If you go to their site you'll find their cruise menu from the restaurant. The food was really good and there is a 15% off discount for the restaurant. They accepted it with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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