First ever cruise on Exploer of the Seas

[Bountygirl75]

Hi,

I am really new to this. Due to a very sad family situation we are going on our first ever cruise (me, Hubby, childs aged :14,12,10)

We are doing Explorer of the Seas Canary cruise in a little over a weeks time.

Our children have never been abroad, we all have never experienced a cruise environment. I was advised that for atmosphere and family time Royal Caribbean were the guys to go with.

 

Reading some of the views I feel a little worried that it will be an over crowded mess of people watching sport and fighting over sunbeds and I would like some positive comments...also some advice on of things to bring/to do that will make are holiday the best ever!

Questions.....If you take breakfast in the main hall, is this still free?

Is room service free in the sociable hours?

Are the rooms quiet so you can sleep...we are deck 8.

 

any advice would be welcome ...really just want some lovely family time together ...thanks in advance

[Rewind]

The Main Dining Room, Windjammer (buffet), and Cafe Promenade are included in your fare at all times. There might be a few items on the MDR menu that will have an upcharge. There are also a couple of specialty restaurants that have a cover charge.

 

Room service is included at all times but they require a tip between midnight and 5am (I believe).

 

Deck 8 should be quiet as it is sandwiched between other cabin decks.

 

As for the pool deck - it can get a bit crowded, especially on sea days. You will find more loungers on deck 12 but it will be a bit more windy and a little bit harder to keep an eye on the kids. If you are early risers, you should be able to grab good chairs.

[Rewind]

Also, I recommend a couple of items if you can get them either with fast shipping or find them at a local office supply store.

 

As there are only a couple of outlets in each cabin, my first recommendation is Mini Surge protector with USB charging ports (make sure you get the 2.1 amp version and not the 1 amp version).

Belkin Mini SurgePlus

 

The second is if you have a lot of devices that charge with a USB cable (tablets, phones, cameras, ereaders, etc):

Anker 40w USB Charger 5-port

This is a lot smaller than it looks - it's just barely larger than a credit card.

 

I have the 1amp version of the Belkin surge but as I only use it to charge USB devices, I switched to the Anker USB charger so I can charge lots of things at once.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Rewind

[Rewind]

My last comment for now - relax. Cruises are completely what you make of them. You can sit in the sun all day with a book, float in the pool, or do your best attempt to see every demonstration from ice and fruit carvings to line dancing and feel like you didn't have enough time to do them all. Do what sounds interesting but don't worry too much if you miss something as there will be some other event coming up soon.

 

OH - the Quest is not a family event but if you can get away for a bit, you and your husband should go.

[champagne123]

Explorer is a wonderful ship. We have been on her twice. Don't pay attentions to bad reviews. You will see bad reviews on the best ships. People just like to complain about anything and everything.

 

You and your family will have a wonderful time. There are many relaxing and quiet places on the ship. Also...please don't sit in your cabin and order room service. (menu is very limited)....get out there and go to the eating venues. They are wonderful.

[HiCSailor]

My kids (14, 12) and I have enjoyed our three cruises with Royal Caribbean and I think you have chosen well for what you are looking for.

 

Royal has top-notch children's programs, with adventure ocean for your 10 year old and the "living room" teen center for your older kids to meet their peers.

 

In addition to the food mentioned above, onboard entertainment is included, as are a basic set of drinks: fruit-flavored drinks, regular coffee, tea, lemonade and juice at breakfast. There is no need to spend additional money onboard, but ample opportunity to do so if you choose.

 

I spend more time planning what to do in the ports than on the ship. There are sections here for most ports that can help frame your plans.

 

As you plan, feel free to ask away. Many folks here enjoy helping others and there is much in the archives to be searched as well. Given the shortness of your planning horizon though, just blurt out questions as they arise and we'll respond in kind.

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[cymru cruiser]

Hi

Firstly try not to panic, it sounds like you have had a dreadful time and are well in need of a break!

Your kids are the ideal age for their first cruise - be prepared to only see them at dinner as they makes loads of friends and join in ample activities.

Even if they are wary or shy encourage them to go to the first meeting before deciding not to join in.

With rock climbing, adventure golf, ice skating, table tennis, shuffleboard, Wii tournaments, arcades, a full sports court and much much more they will have a ball.

 

My friend has just returned from Explorer on her first ever cruise. Her 11 year old son cried his eyes out saying goodbye to the waiters on the last night. Not good for his cred but he was overcome with emotion that the best holiday he had ever had was over.

 

You can always read negative reviews in all walks of life. Folk are much more inclined to complain when things go wrong than praise when things go right.

 

Here is a link to the review I wrote when I was on Explorer at the end of June. She was our third family cruise and we had a fabulous time. My review is 98% positive.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2235280

 

You've had some good advice already. The people on here are great so you've come to the right place for info. Have you been and joined in on your roll call? and signed up for your meet and mingle, which is a gathering put on by royal caribbean for you to meet and have fun with other cruise critic members the first sea day of your cruise.

 

In answer to one of your questions room service is $3.95 per order between midnight and 5am. It is to try and prevent sheer wastage of food when folk order a mid night snack and are then too tired to eat it.

 

Deck 8 is a good position a you have cabins above and below you, so no noise from the deck or bars/dining rooms. What type of cabin do you have?

 

The main dining room is open for breakfast daily and for lunch on sea days. Go and try it on a sea day, we did for the first time this year and were hooked on the Tutti salad bar.

 

The only food you pay extra for is in a specialty restaurant or room service in the early hours, everything else is included. There are some drinks available for free in the buffet restaurant windjammer and tea, coffee and hot chocolate can be found for free in Cafe promenade.

You'll pay extra for the specialty coffee's, bottled water and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. if you have a drinks package you don't have to worry about that.

 

The only down side to cruising is that you become hooked easily.

 

We cruised in October 2012 on Independence of the Seas. It was supposed to be a bucklist cruise and a one off, paid for with a huge redundancy pay out my husband got. He thought it would tick a box and stop me nagging. He was hugged within days and if you look at my signature below you'll see what we have done since and what we have coming up.

 

Ask as many questions as you can think of, we will all help you. But best of all just go with the flow and have an amazing time, it will be what you make it. x

[Bountygirl75]

Thank you everybody, I am relieved to read such lovely responses. We have had a family bereavement due to cancer and I can not tell you all how much as a family we need this. We only have interior staterooms, but were advised that you hardly spend times in the room anyway. My 14/15 year old is adamant that he wont join a club but the other two want to and he won't let them out of his sight!

I feel so much better, how do I join the meet and greet ...posted on the rollcall thing, dose that mean I have joined?? will check this now...thank you again x

[diggers dad]

You have made a good choice of ship for your first cruise. I have sailed on Explorer of the Seas 3 times and have enjoyed every cruise.

 

As mentioned earlier, the Quest is always fun but is more adult themed so don't take the kids.

 

I always recommend that people go to the ice show. All shows on the ship will be free but you may need to get tickets in advance for some, like the ice show.

 

Rethink the clothes you are taking. You probably won't need as many clothes as you think. Try to pack clothing that you can mix-n-match.

 

If you want or need something, just ask, you may be surprised how accommodating the crew can be.

 

In the dining room, if you see something on the menu you want to try but fear you may not like it, order it. If you don't care for it, the waiter will bring you something else. You can order multiple entrees, desserts, etc. if you wish.

 

Relax and have a great time. When traveling on any vacation, don't expect everything to be perfect. Go with the flow.

[Bountygirl75]

Right guys, what is the quest??? secondly there was mention of the ports on here that you can look what you can do. I have signed up for Loro Park in Tenerife and Jameos Del Agua And Mirador in Lanz , but there was no water park excursion so was going to go to the water park in Grand Canaria...anyone done this?:)

[cymru cruiser]

The quest is an interactive game show where teams have to grab items the quickest out of the audience. It can be hilarious and great fun. Quickest one back to the stage with false teeth, a bra, heeled shoes etc.

 

loro parque in tenerife is fab we went there on our first cruise.

 

Gran canaria not sure on a water park without googling it. But there is a stunning several mile long sandy beach in las palmas within ten minute walking distance of the ship. we used gran canaria as our beach day on our canaries cruise.

There are shops and cafés public toilets and showers on the beach front.

4 sunbeds and 2 parasols were only 27 euro in 2012.

Las palmas also has a massive shopping mall next to the port and plenty of places to buy duty free perfume.

 

Another point on dining. The age your kids are they will be offered the main menu. If you have fussy eaters ask for the kids menu. My 16 year old tends to mix and match the menus depending on whats on.

[The BarCarres]

First my condolences on your loss and yes this is a great mind-taker-offer (did something similar after I lost my mom in 2011).

 

We just returned from a cruise where all the teenagers were having a blast and made friends so easily (I know everyone is different, but there is something about being on a ship). I loved sitting on a deck chair having a group of kids come and ask if I was a certain nationality or other questions (scavenger hunts).

 

You have some awesome advice. Try and sit back and relax and do what this ship is named for EXPLORE. She is a lovely ship with (in our opinion) great art. Every deck, staircase, nook and cranny has great stuff to look at and enjoy. Don't be afraid to ask when you are on board, other guests and crew love giving hints on how to enjoy. Cruising is a wonderful way to see tiny bits and pieces of this fabulous planet.

Take Care

[Bountygirl75]

Ohhh I forgot to tell them that my daughter is vegetarian!

[cb at sea]

Call the "special needs" dept and inform them of your daughter's vegetarian status...they do everything in their power to accommodate special diets!!!!

[The BarCarres]

No Problem just ask for the vegetarian menu in the Main Dining Room, there is usually a vegetarian option each night but there is also a special menu.

Actually while on that, if you see one two or three appetizers you like order all three, you can order what you want in what quantity, they are extremely happy to accomodate. My husband is a picky eater so usually takes whatever beef is offered with potatoes from another menu item. Get to know your waiter and assistant waiter and they will love helping you enjoy your meals. LOL they would be offended if we refused dessert -- always took it as a challenge to make my husband happy.

[Bizzie07]

Try and get all your kids to go along to the Kids/Teen Club on the first night. First night is very informal and usually just explains the rules of the clubs. Quite a few of the ships then offer a free hour or so in the arcade so the kids can mingle. It really is the best time to go.

Food - they can have what they want. My daughter (who is now 17) still orders the chicken noodle soup from the kids menu then orders from the Main menu with subtle changes to all the dishes - like no veg of any description. Or fries instead of potatoes or even a baked potato with cheese (which is not on the menu but if they can accommodate your request they will). It doesn't matter if they order something then don't like it - the waiters will change it for something else.

I'm sure you will all have an wonderful time.

[travelplus]

Thank you everybody, I am relieved to read such lovely responses. We have had a family bereavement due to cancer and I can not tell you all how much as a family we need this. We only have interior staterooms, but were advised that you hardly spend times in the room anyway. My 14/15 year old is adamant that he wont join a club but the other two want to and he won't let them out of his sight!

I feel so much better, how do I join the meet and greet ...posted on the rollcall thing, dose that mean I have joined?? will check this now...thank you again x

 

I'm so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I have experienced a few deaths in my family due to cancer. A cruise is a healing way to shade the memories of your family member. You have my sympathies and I'm sure the family member would have wanted you to remember them on a cruise. Yrs there will be moments of sadness laughter and silence. Grieving is hard but please know you have our support and well wishes.

[Jimnbigd]

Ohhh I forgot to tell them that my daughter is vegetarian!

There are usually a couple of vegetarian dishes in the MDR (main dining room) each evening. Also your waiter or head waiter can take special MDR orders for the following evening, assuming the ingredients are already on the ship. You won't have any problem getting vegetarian or vegan. No problem at the buffet either. If not sure, just ask one of the waiters in the buffet.

 

More tips:

Assuming the Explorer is like other voyager class ships, the main buffet (deck 11) is towards the back. The food section you see when you first enter might be Asian, or at least not as many selections as the back part. The back part has way more selections.

 

Cafe Promenade (deck 5) is free. This is open just about all the time, closed maybe in the early morning hours for cleaning. Sandwiches (pre-made), desserts, and pizza. I think it has the best free coffee.

 

There are soft serve ice cream (frozen yogurt) machines on deck 11 outside near the back of the pool and inside in the buffet.

 

Don't miss the free ice show. There will probably be 4 shows (same show each time). Check your daily newsletter. Sometimes tickets (free) are needed, with standby (no tickets) seated around 10 minutes before the show. Tickets are usually handed out at 9am, maybe the first full day on the ship, probably in front of the ice rink (Studio B deck 3). Public ice skating is free, including skates and helmets.

 

Helipad: You can take the stairs or elevator to deck 4, go outside, walk towards the front of the ship, go up some stairs, and continue walking towards the front. Or you can go out a side door in the front lounge on deck 5. The helipad is very windy when the ship is moving, but it is kind of a neat place. It is also a place to see stars out at night.

 

MDR (main dining room) is "all you can eat". I often order 4 or 5 starters (appetizers) and sometimes 2 main courses (entrees). This is a good time for you to try something new. No harm if you don't like it -- order something else. MDR is open for breakfast and dinner every day, and lunch on sea days (when not at a port).

 

For sunbeds, deck 12 towards the front of the ship is not crowded. Even better and hardly used is an area one flight up deck 12 front. Take some stairs (either side) outside near the front elevators on deck 12. There is a nice unused area here, including a shaded area. And quiet. A little windy, but nice.

 

Is this your first cruise ever, or just your first on the Explorer?

Edited August 12, 2015 by Jimnbigd

[Bountygirl75]

Thank you all of you, I feel we will have a wonderful time, your advice has been brilliant x x x

[Bountygirl75]

Hi Jimnbigd, It's our first cruise ever! Your advice sounds brilliant and I will take note of all you have suggested :-)

[moshek]

I just came back from 2 weeks on Explorer this week.

Let me add the ice show is now done by muster station so just check the cruise compass (daily list of events which is delivered to your cabin each evening for the following day). If you miss you slot don't worry go along to another show there is usually room for people on stand by. It is fab you won't want to miss it.

As a mum of 3 teens I would certainly recommend teens go to first evening meet up (8pm) they will make loads of friends on board if they want to, my youngest (age 15) has added 75 new friends on fb this week from our cruise!

 

You can do as much or as little as you want on board. Relax in the sun or be busy busy busy.

 

Hope you have a lovely relaxing family time x

[rolloman]

I was on this ship this past year...you will have a great time...deck 8 is a quiet deck for sleeping and I doubt if you will feel overcrowded. In the event you want a quiet place to go there are plenty of spaces for this. My only issue on this ship was with a jerk who worked in the casino cage but other than that it was a fun cruise on RCCL as usual. Enjoy your cruise, come back and let us know how it went.

[Alohaaloha]

I was on Explorer in May and we had the most wonderful time. I'm sure you guys will too, I hope you have the lovely break you all need.

 

 

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[heatherb1958]

Hello Bountygirl welcome to Cruise critic.

I am guessing you are from the UK. Just one thing to remember . The electrical outlets in the cabin are US and European so don't forget adaptors for all the multitude of gadgets the kids can't be without:).

[Jimnbigd]

Since you have a 14yo, you might like this old commercial:

Edited August 13, 2015 by Jimnbigd