Current and future status of Explorer OTS Concierge lounge

[DandDM]

This is a bit early, but I've got some time to kill while in Covid isolation...

 

Sailing on the Explorer next April for a Trans-Atlantic.  Was surprised to see the ship still has the CL on deck 9...and furthermore, the deckplan for after its dry dock (directly before the TA, apparently)  still shows that same lounge location.  Sailed on Explorer a while ago and found the lounge crowded, dark and kinda depressing; had a drink package so never used it (other than coffee in the morning).  Much prefer the deck 16 location on other ships in the class.  Don't plan to get a drink package this time, so expect to use the lounge more.

 

Two questions: 1) the future deckplans notwithstanding, is there any expectations (rumors) the CL Lounge might be relocated during dry dock? and

2) assuming it stays in the same location, are they offering full bar options and what are they doing to control capacity?  Expect the TA to be chock full of high level C&A folks:)

 

Cheers,

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, DandDM said:

2) assuming it stays in the same location, are they offering full bar options and what are they doing to control capacity?  Expect the TA to be chock full of high level C&A folks:)

The Pins may be relegated to a different venue. Don't count on any changes during the dry dock.

Edited August 8, 2022 by Biker19

[smokeybandit]

Unless it's getting amped, they won't move the lounge.

 

Dry dock for the near future for these ships will just be the requisite infrastructure/engine maintenance.

Edited August 8, 2022 by smokeybandit

[SummerBeee]

Will you be doing the TA in a suite?

[DandDM]

Thanks for the quick replies..guess it makes sense that Royal won't be putting big money into non-necessary ship modifications right now!

 

Anyone know if they have a full bar set up, or just the little cart with five or six options?

 

Cheers,

[DandDM]

1 minute ago, SummerBeee said:

Will you be doing the TA in a suite?

That's the plan

[island lady]

We only used it for coffee in the morning.  Just steps away from our JS on the hump around the corner on deck nine.  Perfect location for us.  🤗

 

Closed in lounge...no windows...no real atmosphere.  Preferred to spend our time up in the VCL for happy hour.  

[DandDM]

44 minutes ago, island lady said:

Closed in lounge...no windows...no real atmosphere.  Preferred to spend our time up in the VCL for happy hour.  

Agree!

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, DandDM said:

Agree!

 

Still the best morning Latte on the ship.  😉 

[Merion_Mom]

1 hour ago, DandDM said:

 Much prefer the deck 16 location on other ships in the class. 

 

Please don't attempt to go to Deck 16 on the Explorer or any other Voyager class ship.

 

There isn't one.

[DandDM]

17 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Please don't attempt to go to Deck 16 on the Explorer or any other Voyager class ship.

 

There isn't one.

Whoops; don't know where I got 16 from!  Looks like deck 14...

 

Thanks

[Billy Baltic]

I thought someone reported from the hotel director onboard that Explorer was getting amped. Maybe recalling incorrectly. 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, Billy Baltic said:

I thought someone reported from the hotel director onboard that Explorer was getting amped. Maybe recalling incorrectly. 

It was supposed to be amped in 2020

[Billy Baltic]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

It was supposed to be amped in 2020

Yes, but EOS is out of service for 5 weeks in early 2023. I thought that included amp’ing. 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, Billy Baltic said:

Yes, but EOS is out of service for 5 weeks in early 2023. I thought that included amp’ing. 

I don't believe RC has announced and rescheduled amping dates yet.

[SummerBeee]

7 hours ago, DandDM said:

That's the plan

This was back in 2018, we sailed in a GS and wasn’t yet diamond. I wasn’t expecting the CL to look so icky after being on Radiance the previous summer. The CL concierge said our key would also work the DL and it did. We enjoyed the  D lounge on sea days for quiet spots with a good view

[island lady]

11 hours ago, SummerBeee said:

This was back in 2018, we sailed in a GS and wasn’t yet diamond. I wasn’t expecting the CL to look so icky after being on Radiance the previous summer. The CL concierge said our key would also work the DL and it did. We enjoyed the  D lounge on sea days for quiet spots with a good view

 

That actually is not supposed to happen.  You were lucky.  

 

DL is for Diamonds and above only.  

[AlohaLivin]

On the topic of Explorer, does anyone know a concierge by the name of Belkis?  Federico was onboard, but said he is leaving on 8/14/22 to be replaced by Belkis. 

[Ashland]

On 8/8/2022 at 12:25 PM, Billy Baltic said:

I thought someone reported from the hotel director onboard that Explorer was getting amped. Maybe recalling incorrectly. 

When we were on Explorer this past March we also heard from the hotel director that it was going to be amped in 2023...but you never know what actually ends up happening until it does.

[Mango Tango]

We are going to be on the Explorer January 21, 2023 for the last sailing before the Amplification.  It is going to be a 110 million dollar update.