Explorer last refurbished in 2005 is this correct?

[missemo12345]

Thinking of sailing but I see this ship was built in 2000 and redone in 2005 that being 9 years of the same carpet, linens etc. I know its getting done in 3/2015 we are considering before this but very concerned about the wear and tear that the ship will show. Please feel free to share your thoughts if you have sailed recently.

Thank you

[Clarea]

Sailed on Explorer twice last year and thought the public areas were in excellent condition.

[missemo12345]

Thank you how about the cabins?

[red devil]

Thinking of sailing but I see this ship was built in 2000 and redone in 2005 that being 9 years of the same carpet, linens etc. I know its getting done in 3/2015 we are considering before this but very concerned about the wear and tear that the ship will show. Please feel free to share your thoughts if you have sailed recently.

Thank you

 

January 2010 plus on going up keep.

We were on the Ex in Feb. 2014 looked good.

Casino was done in 2012.

[Jenn31708]

We were on Explorer just over a year ago There is some wear and tear that you would expect on a ship that takes a beating from the north Atlantic ocean year around. You will see small rust spots on the balcony if you look hard enough, or maybe a worn spot in the carpeting....

 

But that being said, I think she is an amazing ship. Her crew seems to take so much pride in working there. Everyone was always cleaning, polishing, painting etc. And no, it wasn't intrusive at all. They are just always doing general upkeep. Painting the hull on port days, scrubbing the decks, polishing banisters... stuff I saw every day.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to go back on the Explorer.

[EmpressofPurple]

I sailed explorer January 2012 and again last month. She looks great! A few issues with the built ins in the cabin (drawers, etc) being a bit out of alignment, but didn't cause any problems. Check out my recent review of the ship from March, loss of pics, judge for yourself.

 

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[BonnieSte]

I must have had a bad room because my balcony was very rusty and paint chips all over the floor of the balcony. The solarium was pretty banged up too but the rest of the ship looked great.

[marci22]

Thank you how about the cabins?

 

Cabins are variable. We have had better luck (condition wise) with suites than balcony/inside. ymmv

[jmrothermel]

Between my family we have had all levels of rooms on Explorer, and as you can see from my signature we're going back on her again :)

 

 

~Jacqui~ Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[chengkp75]

Thinking of sailing but I see this ship was built in 2000 and redone in 2005 that being 9 years of the same carpet, linens etc. I know its getting done in 3/2015 we are considering before this but very concerned about the wear and tear that the ship will show. Please feel free to share your thoughts if you have sailed recently.

Thank you

 

Not sure when Explorer had its last "refurbishment" (maybe Bob can answer, he's better on RCI details), but the ship is drydocked every 5 years, as someone pointed out, last in Jan 2010. Even without a "refurbishment", during normal drydocking, things like carpets, upholstery, curtains, furniture, will be replaced or repaired as needed (cost to value being the key, so what passengers think needs to be replaced isn't necessarily what the line thinks needs replacing). Linens are constantly being renewed. There is a hotel storeroom onboard where extra sheets, tablecloths, napkins, duvets, pillows, and mattresses are stored. Housekeeping evaluates these items on an individual basis, and renews as needed. Every trip, 2-3 semi-trailers will have stores just for the hotel storeroom, including new glasses, dishware, mattresses and linens.

 

The deck department works pretty hard to keep ahead of the rust in public areas on deck. It's very difficult for them to deal with balconies, as they don't want to take away a balcony for a day to chip, prime, and paint rusty areas, and allow for proper drying time for the epoxy paints used. Handrails are always being taken down for sanding and varnishing. There will be carpenters who fix the cabin furniture, but sometimes it is beyond repair, and then the company has to decide whether to remove the cabin from inventory (losing revenue) until replacement furniture can be obtained, or whether to give partial compensation for the damage and keep the cabin in inventory.

 

A refurbishment generally means that they have completely redone the décor, or added new attractions or changed dining venues. The normal 5 year drydock repairs are not considered refurbishments. I have even seen cabins removed from inventory for a trip to renew that cabin's carpet during the week by the crew.

Edited May 2, 2014 by chengkp75

[marci22]

And here's my general opinion on 'ship condition' threads:

 

There are no Royal Caribbean ships that are falling apart. Older ships will always have areas in need of repair. Just know this and book accordingly.

 

I find that the less I pay, the less demanding I am in terms of condition. If you get a good price, don't get mad if you see rust on the balcony or stains on the sofa. They will never have everything repaired at the same time.

[ryano]

And here's my general opinion on 'ship condition' threads:

 

There are no Royal Caribbean ships that are falling apart. Older ships will always have areas in need of repair. Just know this and book accordingly.

 

I find that the less I pay, the less demanding I am in terms of condition. If you get a good price, don't get mad if you see rust on the balcony or stains on the sofa. They will never have everything repaired at the same time.

 

I agree. Even Monarch at 20 years old at the time was in no way what I consider ran down and falling apart. Other than a stain or two on the carpet and some rust on the outside, I thought she was in excellent shape. Rust happens even on Allure. ITs a never ending battle.

[EmpressofPurple]

Not sure when Explorer had its last "refurbishment" (maybe Bob can answer, he's better on RCI details), but the ship is drydocked every 5 years, as someone pointed out, last in Jan 2010. Even without a "refurbishment", during normal drydocking, things like carpets, upholstery, curtains, furniture, will be replaced or repaired as needed (cost to value being the key, so what passengers think needs to be replaced isn't necessarily what the line thinks needs replacing). Linens are constantly being renewed. There is a hotel storeroom onboard where extra sheets, tablecloths, napkins, duvets, pillows, and mattresses are stored. Housekeeping evaluates these items on an individual basis, and renews as needed. Every trip, 2-3 semi-trailers will have stores just for the hotel storeroom, including new glasses, dishware, mattresses and linens.

 

The deck department works pretty hard to keep ahead of the rust in public areas on deck. It's very difficult for them to deal with balconies, as they don't want to take away a balcony for a day to chip, prime, and paint rusty areas, and allow for proper drying time for the epoxy paints used. Handrails are always being taken down for sanding and varnishing. There will be carpenters who fix the cabin furniture, but sometimes it is beyond repair, and then the company has to decide whether to remove the cabin from inventory (losing revenue) until replacement furniture can be obtained, or whether to give partial compensation for the damage and keep the cabin in inventory.

 

A refurbishment generally means that they have completely redone the décor, or added new attractions or changed dining venues. The normal 5 year drydock repairs are not considered refurbishments. I have even seen cabins removed from inventory for a trip to renew that cabin's carpet during the week by the crew.

 

I always appreciate your thoughtful and knowledgeable replies. In fact, I forgot to report in my recent review of the explorer that we came back from port one day and all the railings in our halfway were down... but before I could take a photo, they were back up! I guess they were doing the sanding and polishing you described, our of the passengers' way, so we never knew what happened.

 

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[missemo12345]

Thank you all for your comments

[chengkp75]

I always appreciate your thoughtful and knowledgeable replies. In fact, I forgot to report in my recent review of the explorer that we came back from port one day and all the railings in our halfway were down... but before I could take a photo, they were back up! I guess they were doing the sanding and polishing you described, our of the passengers' way, so we never knew what happened.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

 

For things like passageway handrails, they will generally have a couple of extra sections, so that they can take one down for varnishing or repair, and put another up. Really bad for customer relations when you slap your hand down on wet varnish. :eek:

 

Anyone who has owned a boat knows that maintenance is a never ending job.

Edited May 2, 2014 by chengkp75