Explorer 3/5/2013 - 3/15/2013 Review

[BellaAurora]

Great pictures!! Now, you are just teasing us! :) Cannot wait to read and see more of this trip. Thank You for sharing!:D

[happycruiser90]

I was wondering if anyone knows if they have the chocolate breakfast on the 5 night? Thanks.

[Grandma Gail]

[IMG]http://c3270052.r52.cf0.rackcdn.com/pixel.gif[/IMG]
[IMG]http://c3270052.r52.cf0.rackcdn.com/pixel.gif[/IMG]Embarkation
After Baltimore, Cape Liberty is a chaotic mess for dropping off the luggage and getting to the ship. We were in line for about 20 minutes to drop off the luggage. You pull up to a loading area to drop off your luggage and there are passengers there who are trying to load their luggage into their cars. Then someone has to go and park the car and meet you back in the terminal to check in. We were in a Suite and were separated from the people we were with since they were not in a Suite. Check in was very fast and then we were told to get on the bus to the ship. On the bus we met up with some friends who had left several hours before us. You ride this bus for a very short ride to the ship but it was very crowded and everyone had their carry-ons with them. The Porter's wouldn't take my husband's Golf Clubs so he had to carry them himself.

We had lunch in the Windjammer and had no trouble finding a table for the six of us. After lunch we explored the ship until our Staterooms were available, around 1:30. We were in G.S. 1588 and the very first thing we noticed was that it was smaller than the G.S. on Enchantment. We had enough storage space but I had it all filled up, where on Enchantment there were drawers that weren't even used. We met our Stateroom Attendant, Argus, who was very friendly and was superb the whole trip.

In my opinion, the ship was in very good condition with only a little bit of wear visible.

The first sea day we had the Meet & Mingle and Cabin Crawl. We had quite a few people at both. Had a fun Gift Exchange at the M&M.

Dining Room

We were in the Magellan Dining Room on Deck 3 and both our Waiter, Cendric, and Assistant Waiter, Marko, gave great service throughout our cruise. They both knew our wants and needs after the first dinner. I was very surprised that the Head Waiter came to our table almost nightly and had conversations with all of us. Most of us did not care for the new menu. I know this is subjective but we were disappointed in the choices. We ate once in the Windjammer and had a great meal with a Mongolian Stir Fry. It was outstanding. Had dinner in Portofino's. I must say the food was good but really prefer CHOPS. Had a fun dinner in Johnny Rockets. Everything was great.

The Casino was very small and crowded. The small space made it very smokey from the cigarettes. I was surprised by how small it was for the size of the Ship.

Excursions

We had a rough trip down through a very bad storm and missed Labadee. We had nothing planned for San Juan and ended up being there over 12 hours. In St. Thomas we went to Sapphire Beach. The water was very rough and knocked us down a few times. Also, a "ledge" that made getting in and out of the water difficult. In St. Maarten we had a Sail and Snorkel excursion which was really bad. I know you can't control the weather but due to the storm we came through we were told you could go in the water but we wouldn't see anything because it was all murky. I would have rather been told this beforehand and not spent 4 ½ hours sitting on an uncomfortable boat. You had to sit on a "railing" which ran the whole roof of the lower deck cabin and that is where you sat. We made our complaints known back on board and were given a small credit for the excursion.

DisembarkationThis was a breeze. Our concierge, Mario, had us in the "Chamber" with Coffee and Pastries. When it was our time to leave he led us out to the appropriate elevator to leave the Ship. Mario, the Concierge, was fantastic. Had a voicemail from him every morning with details of the day and well wishes. We were off early so we did not encounter anyone who was coming to board the ship. We found our luggage very easy and a Porter was there to load the luggage and take us through Customs.

[ibcnusoon]

Subscribing! Looking forward to more of your review, sailing on Explorer in 2014!

[HASHTAG]

[quote name='ibcnusoon']Subscribing! Looking forward to more of your review, sailing on Explorer in 2014![/quote]


me too:)

[Curly locks]

[quote name='Jenn31708']No delay at customs at all!! I think disembarking and luggage claim and customs in Bayonne was SOOO much smoother than at Ft. Lauderdale.[/quote]
Great news - thank you! Really enjoying your review. Thanks.:)

[barbiebrit]

hellooooooo everyone we are on this trip with our 14 year old son anyone else got kids...Our son LOVES the explorer he knows every inch of that ship.
Yeahhhhhhhhhh so happy herad our captain is LOY he is brilliant our favorite.
And LEIGH Cruise director is our favorite sooooooooo looks like were in good shape. Anyone done anything cool in san quan ? We have been so many times but just walked around I am sooo excited about this LONG CRUISE Just what the doctor ordered Im going to get my MARDI GRAS BEADS TODAY before doller shop ends season we wear these first day of cruise right into sail away party ! Lets get this party started ! We have people from 3- 96 wearing them it was fantastic the atmosphere was electric everyone was having so much fun! Cant wait:D