Explorer of the seas - refurbishment

[Shelley61]

Thank you.

 

I think what confused me was the photos from the Explorer in the US that looked really casual. Do the ladies normally go for maxi dresses or cocktail dresses?

 

I have only been on one 7 day Med cruise before. No effort was made on the second evening, so we felt ridiculous and out of place. Trying to avoid looking daft!

 

I can only really speak for myself, but I can't recall ever feeling out of place. I wear a maxi dress on a casual or semi-formal night. If it's a semi-formal night I just dress it up a bit more, or wear a darker maxi dress. My light coloured maxi dress is used on full casual nights, but again could easily be dressed up a bit for more formal, though I probably wouldn't wear it on a full formal night.

 

Formal nights is more cocktail dresses, but if I had a black maxi dress I'd certainly consider wearing it. I've only got one full length dress that I would use for formal nights and I don't even remember wearing that last time.

 

I think you'll notice the difference on a longer cruise - I've never done anything less than 13 nights and formal nights have been well attended and thoroughly enjoyed! It somehow makes everyone more chatty as well... we always seemed to chat to other passengers more on formal nights.

 

I've learned over the years to not care what other people think of me anyway. The first cruise we went on, there was a woman in shorts and t-shirt on the Promenade on formal night openly laughing at people that had made an effort. Let me tell you, it wasn't those correctly dressed that looked the idiot!

[AquaBushbaby]

This is so funny! Thanks for the giggles, Shelley61!

 

Really good to know and very helpful! Sounds much more formal than my last cruise with RCI. :)

[*Libby*]

Deck 9 & 10 category J all got them. Here is the new plans: http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/RCI_Deck_Plans/Explorer_v2015_mar.pdf

 

Thank you so so much for this information. I just booked the 14 day Med cruise from Southampton on 3rd June yesterday. Preferred an inside further up the ship to an oceanview on deck 2-3. I've just looked at this deck plan and it looks like our cabin 9605 has the new virtual balcony! What a lovely surprise!

 

Thanks again! :)

[sky0000547]

The first cruise we went on, there was a woman in shorts and t-shirt on the Promenade on formal night openly laughing at people that had made an effort. Let me tell you, it wasn't those correctly dressed that looked the idiot!

 

I don't get it, what's wrong with wearing shorts and t-shirt on the promenade on formal night?

[swimming with spaniels]

i swam in the salt pools every day last week and loved them, their temperature varied, from warm to icy, but i enjoyed it none the less - the hot tubs were all set at different temps too, i loved the really hot one :) be warned though, the tubs took the colour out of my nail varnish and turned my silver bracelet black - a lovely guy at the jewellery shop cleaned it for me though... luckily my hair and skin seemed to be unaffected, despite hours of immersion :D

 

I went with full length and sparkly for the two formal nights, I love dressing up though and wouldn't worry if others were less dressed up than me. There were lots of people looking lovely - dressing up was definitely the majority decision.:)

[Meg67]

i swam in the salt pools every day last week and loved them, their temperature varied, from warm to icy, but i enjoyed it none the less - the hot tubs were all set at different temps too, i loved the really hot one :) be warned though, the tubs took the colour out of my nail varnish and turned my silver bracelet black - a lovely guy at the jewellery shop cleaned it for me though... luckily my hair and skin seemed to be unaffected, despite hours of immersion :D

 

I went with full length and sparkly for the two formal nights, I love dressing up though and wouldn't worry if others were less dressed up than me. There were lots of people looking lovely - dressing up was definitely the majority decision.:)

 

What about the men? would you say the majority dressed in lounge suits, Tuxedo's or good mixture of both:)

[Island.Hopper]

What about the men? would you say the majority dressed in lounge suits, Tuxedo's or good mixture of both:)

 

I think you could get away with both, I tend to wear a normal suit lately but was thinking of going back to a Tux, for anyone wearing shorts on the promenade (coz you can) :( you're either missing the point of a FORMAL night or you have little to no respect for the effort other people are making to look nice :rolleyes:

[newcastlemam]

I think you could get away with both, I tend to wear a normal suit lately but was thinking of going back to a Tux, for anyone wearing shorts on the promenade (coz you can) :( you're either missing the point of a FORMAL night or you have little to no respect for the effort other people are making to look nice :rolleyes:

 

 

I'm normally in shorts on the promenade still once people are dressed as we go to dinner later but I'm always into my room to change by 6.30 and love dressing up for formal nights

[sky0000547]

I think you could get away with both, I tend to wear a normal suit lately but was thinking of going back to a Tux, for anyone wearing shorts on the promenade (coz you can) :( you're either missing the point of a FORMAL night or you have little to no respect for the effort other people are making to look nice :rolleyes:

 

Always thought the suggested dress code of formal nights is for the dining room and not for the rest of the ship? Those who do not wear formal heads up to Windjammer for dinner, are you telling me they are frowned upon on the promenade too?

Edited May 6, 2015 by sky0000547

[Mim Lloyd]

I don't do 'frocks' and my husband certainly won't waste his luggage allowance on a full suit and suit shoes. As an accountant before taking early retirement, he had to wear suits everyday for work so they're not something that excite him very much when on holiday. We go to dinner in the MDR as usual on formal nights and dress in our usual way - him in pants and open necked short sleeved shirt, and me in pants and a nice top. We certainly don't feel that we should avoid a nice, waiter served meal that we've already paid for in the MDR just because it's formal night. We've always found lots of people there who don't do dressing up and no one, least of the dining room staff, care a hoot about. Wear what you feel comfortable in.

[Daveyp1471]

Personally I love dressing up in my tux but generally you should be comfortable up to a point. Saw some people in shorts in the MDR which I wouldn't feel comfortable in wearing.

 

 

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[Shelley61]

I don't get it, what's wrong with wearing shorts and t-shirt on the promenade on formal night?

 

Nothing whatsoever... it's entirely your own choice what you wear, but sitting there openly pointing and laughing at others who have chosen to dress formally doesn't make you look very good!

[AquaBushbaby]

The grim tweets continue about the Explorer with photos. Sucking the life out of my holiday excitement and I have just been informed today that my Travel Agent has booked me a bad connecting flight to Southampton and I won't make it in time for departure.

 

This holiday is not supposed to happen. I should read the signs! :eek:

[Clarea]

The grim tweets continue about the Explorer with photos. Sucking the life out of my holiday excitement and I have just been informed today that my Travel Agent has booked me a bad connecting flight to Southampton and I won't make it in time for departure.

 

This holiday is not supposed to happen. I should read the signs! :eek:

I think you need to consider a new travel agent.

[sky0000547]

but sitting there openly pointing and laughing at others who have chosen to dress formally doesn't make you look very good!

 

Yes this bit isn't right

[saxopete]

Have you got a link to these pictures?

 

I am getting married onboard in 52 days and worrying now!

[buchhalm]

So, when has the subject "refurbishment" morphed into "formal night?"

:-)

But since we are at it:

A lounge suit isn't formal wear. Pants and shirt without tie or jacket even less so.

I am in the fortunate position to work for an airline and I get away with lots of luggage (most of it for DW's shoes) and I will take a tux or two, with the appropriate shirts and shoes.

Shorts etc on the promenade deck on "formal nights" don't bother me personally. We hardly get out there on these nights as the wind tends to mess up DW's hair (and mine as well). But all too casual attire is a no-no in the dining room, especially on these nights.

We tend to work out with out table mates to how much of an effort the group will go.

 

What would be appreciated is that the cruise lines would actually make the evening more special (as pointed out in various posts and threads), by upgrading table linens and/or décor and of course a "better" menu.

If THEY tread the "formal" nights like any other night, I can understand that some folks are not willing to play along either.

From our past cruises, only Holland-America made a special effort on such nights. It was pretty much business as usual on Cunard, Celebrity, MSC and Costa - apart from borderline embarrassing waiter's parades, conga lines and Baked Alaska (sans sparkle) on some lines.

:-)

[swimming with spaniels]

The promenade on explorer is the inside space with bars and shops - not an outside deck. Definitely agree that more needs to be done by the cruise lines to make these nights worth dressing up for

 

 

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[pinkcrush]

Sorry to jump on the post with all my questions. My mom and I will be cruising on the explorer at the end of the month on a short cruise, but my husband and I will be on the explorer in September on a 16 night cruise. None of us have cruised before so we are very excited, but filled with questions.

 

If we buy the soda package how will that work in the MDR and Windjammer, and are there other places to fill up throughout the day?

 

Are there snacks available when it isn't meal time? Is there ice cream on the ship?

 

My mom believes that on the first day, when we first get on the ship, nothing will be open and we will have to wait a long time for a meal. Are shops and the casino not open right away?

 

I've heard in the MDR you can order multiple entrees or desserts, is this true? And what about in the specialty dining? Is it $4.95 at Johnny Rockets, but you can order 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings?

 

This may be a weird questions to most, but does the explorer have ranch dressing on it? I'm an American who has been living in England for a few years now and ranch is hard to find, I would love to dip some fries in it ;)

 

Again, sorry for jumping on your post, I'm still pretty new to cruise critic and don't know all the etiquette yet :confused:, but thank you so much for any help!

[Daveyp1471]

Drinks package works in MDR as you order drinks except speciality water I believe, windjammer is the same although they have coke machines

 

 

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[Clarea]

Sorry to jump on the post with all my questions. My mom and I will be cruising on the explorer at the end of the month on a short cruise, but my husband and I will be on the explorer in September on a 16 night cruise. None of us have cruised before so we are very excited, but filled with questions.

 

If we buy the soda package how will that work in the MDR and Windjammer, and are there other places to fill up throughout the day? You can get a soda at any bar. You can also use the Freestyle machines, should they still be available.

 

Are there snacks available when it isn't meal time? Is there ice cream on the ship? Cafe Promenade and room service are available 24 hours. Soft serve ice cream is available on the pool deck for no extra charge during the day. Ben & Jerry's ice cream is available for extra cost.

My mom believes that on the first day, when we first get on the ship, nothing will be open and we will have to wait a long time for a meal. Are shops and the casino not open right away? The buffet and Cafe Promenade will be open when you board. Shops and casino may not be open depending on local laws.

 

I've heard in the MDR you can order multiple entrees or desserts, is this true? Yes. And what about in the specialty dining? Is it $4.95 at Johnny Rockets, but you can order 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings? Entrees at specialty dining after the first one per person are extra. I believe JR's is now $5.95.

 

This may be a weird questions to most, but does the explorer have ranch dressing on it? I'm an American who has been living in England for a few years now and ranch is hard to find, I would love to dip some fries in it ;)

Don't know this one.

 

Again, sorry for jumping on your post, I'm still pretty new to cruise critic and don't know all the etiquette yet :confused:, but thank you so much for any help!

See answers in RED above.

Edited May 7, 2015 by clarea

[Daveyp1471]

Always food available, there is ice cream self serve or Ben and jerries for a few. Windjammer will be open once on board .

Johnny Rockets is all you can order really for $5 except milkshakes which are extra

 

 

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[kkfw1994]

Sorry to jump on the post with all my questions. My mom and I will be cruising on the explorer at the end of the month on a short cruise, but my husband and I will be on the explorer in September on a 16 night cruise. None of us have cruised before so we are very excited, but filled with questions.

 

If we buy the soda package how will that work in the MDR and Windjammer, and are there other places to fill up throughout the day?

 

You can show your card and get soda at any bar or bar service including the MDR & Windjammer our MDR waiters new our soda choices and had them at the table when we arrived last year. In addition there are Freestyle machines in Café Promenade, Windjammer and the teen club

 

Are there snacks available when it isn't meal time? Is there ice cream on the ship?

 

Café Promenade is open 24 hours and it has Ben & Jerry's ice cream (extra charge)

 

My mom believes that on the first day, when we first get on the ship, nothing will be open and we will have to wait a long time for a meal. Are shops and the casino not open right away?

 

Windjammer and Café Promenade will be open when boarding

 

I've heard in the MDR you can order multiple entrees or desserts, is this true? And what about in the specialty dining? Is it $4.95 at Johnny Rockets, but you can order 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings?

 

You can order as much as you want in the MDR, Johnny Rockets is one fee and then eat all you want (shakes are extra)

 

This may be a weird questions to most, but does the explorer have ranch dressing on it? I'm an American who has been living in England for a few years now and ranch is hard to find, I would love to dip some fries in it ;)

 

Not sure about the Ranch dressing

 

Again, sorry for jumping on your post, I'm still pretty new to cruise critic and don't know all the etiquette yet :confused:, but thank you so much for any help!

 

Enjoy Explorer!

[trudi30]

Hi ha!

 

I'm pretty sure that Jonny Rockets uses Ranch Dressing to dip your chips & onion rings in... It's delicious! :)

 

We're going on the 23rd with a B2B going to Norway too! Looking forward to seeing the ship, went on adventure last year and exited by the upgrades to explorer! especially can't wait to go to Chops Grille! Always an amazing meal!

[ched999uk]

With ref to the refurb. Can anyone tell me what sort of 'soda' machines are now on the Explorer? I believe it used to have freestyle Coke machines that could make many different customised drinks but I believe they need support staff in ports. When in US the staff were there to support machines but I am not sure the staff are in Europe.

 

Any ideas?

 

If they don't have any of the freestyle machines anyone know what diet soft drinks are available? I need a diet drink without caffeine otherwise I wont sleep!

 

Thanks for any advice you can give.