Miami to Miami - November 3-17, 2023

[InsGuy3]

Well, after reading all the reviews and posts about Explora, we finally embarked yesterday full of excitement and bated breadth. The ground crew in Miami was disorganized and sorta lost control of the check-in process. After passing thru security we were asked to take a seat in a designated area. Then some people noticed that people were being called to check-in and so everyone started getting in line no matter when they arrived inside the terminal. Communication was lost and people refused to sit back down until their turn. A couple next to us, also in a Residence Suite, spoke to someone in charge and was told we were to all checkin based on when we entered the terminal. Five minutes later we being escorted to checkin. At checkin, Residence Suite guests were to be escorted to the gangplank where a butler was to take us up to our suite. Went well after that initial hiccup. Our Suite is absolutely superb. Lunch at the Emporium was delicious and included Tandoori chicken, vegetable curry and basmati rice, and grilled lobster tails. The hosts across the ship are very friendly and overachievers, wanting to do anything to please you. 

[InsGuy3]

Since we were tired the first day, we decided to do the Emporium for dinner also. Again, wonderful service from the hosts each one eager to please and serve. More grilled lobster tails, sides and lemon meringue tart for dessert. Delicious!!!!!

With full tummies and after imbibing a few, we were ready for bed. Bed was very comfortable. However, there was this consistent loud creaking noise all night while we were enroute to Key West. Needless to say we did not sleep well at all. Spoke to our Residence Host (butler) this morning who said he well report it to Guest Services. So far, no action on this yet. Had room service breakfast and lunch at Emporium again. Great English fish and chips, chicken yakitori with wasabi and soy sauce. Dinner is at Sakura tonight which we are so looking forward to. Will post again after that. 

[InsGuy3]

Per our Residence Host, we have about 400 guests on this sailing. Still a bunch of influencers walking around filming everything. I don’t take literary possession of this post. It’s open to all for your comments and contributions.

[PaulMCO]

please post some photos of your suite.  We are in a Cove residence in Jan.

 

Interesting to know if Explora is living up to their published promises, like free transfers (was told up to 50 miles), departure lounge for air disembarking, butler service. 

 

[InsGuy3]

36 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

please post some photos of your suite.  We are in a Cove residence in Jan.

 

Interesting to know if Explora is living up to their published promises, like free transfers (was told up to 50 miles), departure lounge for air disembarking, butler service. 

 

We had a car service take us to the terminal since we are about 90 miles each way. We did not fly so no idea about departure lounges. We definitely have a great butler. 

[florisdekort]

The loud creaking noises were there every night in our suite. We slept with earplugs in.

 

 

[kelleherdl]

3 hours ago, InsGuy3 said:

The ground crew in Miami was disorganized and sorta lost control of the check-in process. After passing thru security we were asked to take a seat in a designated area. Then some people noticed that people were being called to check-in and so everyone started getting in line no matter when they arrived inside the terminal. Communication was lost and people refused to sit back down until their turn. A couple next to us, also in a Residence Suite, spoke to someone in charge and was told we were to all checkin based on when we entered the terminal. Five minutes later we being escorted to checkin. At checkin, Residence Suite guests were to be escorted to the gangplank where a butler was to take us up to our suite. Went well after that initial hiccup. 

Trust me this was better than using just the ship’s management to do checkin. Miami was far superior to Reykjavik in my opinion. EJ did not use the regular port operations company that MSC uses so their experience with the iPad app for MSC may have played a little role. But you are right the shore operations people were not trained for EJ suite class differences. 

[InsGuy3]

4 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

The loud creaking noises were there every night in our suite. We slept with earplugs in.

 

 

That’s horrible. Guest Services Manager was here a little while ago and will have maintenance check on it while we are at Sakura. We are underway now and will have 2 days at sea. Hoping they can resolve the issue. Fingers crossed!

[kelleherdl]

After gaining 12 pounds on the 16 days from Reykjavik to NYC I’m doing this 14 days back on strict Atkins.  That is actually easier than you might think. The protein and fats are good to go, but there are virtually no dessert options. I’ll just have fill my belly with MEAT!  

[kelleherdl]

12 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

The loud creaking noises were there every night in our suite. We slept with earplugs in.

 

 

Our lowly OT2 is right next to a section bulkhead, so I was concerned.  Absolutely nothing. 

[florisdekort]

1 minute ago, kelleherdl said:

Our lowly OT2 is right next to a section bulkhead, so I was concerned.  Absolutely nothing. 

It honestly didn’t bother us. We don’t mind sleeping with earplugs. 
 

[kelleherdl]

The pizza hullabaloo has been solved. One can now get pizza with salami, artichokes, olives and other stuff. The pizza cooks are excited as well. They must have known that the limited choices from before was not accepted well. But alas pizza is not Atkins compliant, along with my beloved blueberry pancakes. I told both stations I’ll visit them at least once during the 14 days.

Edited November 4, 2023 by kelleherdl

[InsGuy3]

2 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

The pizza hullabaloo has been solved. One can now get pizza with salami, artichokes, olives and other stuff. The pizza cooks are excited as well. They must have known that the limited choices from before was not accepted well.

So true,

[Dr. Cocktail]

1 hour ago, florisdekort said:

The loud creaking noises were there every night in our suite. We slept with earplugs in.

 

 

As a fellow cruise fanatic who (I think...) is a bit older than you are, I am disappointed (but not surprised) to hear this.

 

I am one of the truly lousy sleepers out there so travel with ear plugs (useless) and sleeping pills (addictive but.....).

 

I am increasingly reading reviews of new ships with some amazing noise issues - while I'm not an engineer, I guess it's related to how the actual cabins are inserted, attached and insulated to the hull.

 

If you want a laugh, do a Google search on Celebrity Beyond Noise and watch the YouTube videos .... it literally sounds like the cabin is being attacked by a rabid posse of squirrels and (do they get rabies?) woodpeckers!

 

Thanks again for you much appreciated and excellent review!

 

 

[saminina]

Everyday, the most flavorful blueberries.    I have no such luck on land.  Always hit or miss.

[Waltershipman]

3 hours ago, InsGuy3 said:

We had a car service take us to the terminal since we are about 90 miles each way. We did not fly so no idea about departure lounges. We definitely have a great butler. 

Suite looks exquisite 

[Host Jazzbeau]

6 hours ago, kelleherdl said:

Our lowly OT2 is right next to a section bulkhead, so I was concerned.  Absolutely nothing. 

I would think that the bulkhead would add stability, so the cabins on either side would have fewer problems with the ship flexing.  [But I was only an Engineering Major for a little over a year, so who knows?  If you want to know about Russian history, I'm your man!]

[PrivateIdaho]

6 hours ago, florisdekort said:

The loud creaking noises were there every night

Lots of creaking on our two cruises especially during periods of rough weather. We got used to it. 

[InsGuy3]

Slept like a baby last night. Full tummies and calmer seas and no creaking noises. Had a wonderful dinner at Sakura last night. Sushi, soups, and Pad Thai. Absolutely no room for desserts so we ended up back in our suite and sipped a couple shots of cognac in the balcony before bed. We are too old to stay up for the shows. WE are sailing the northern coast of Cuba on our way to Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands in the wake of MSC Seascape. Massages scheduled for both of us this morning. We woke up to this beautiful sunrise.

[InsGuy3]

Absolutely awesome massages for both of us this morning. Pandemonium ensued this morning due to the time change unexpectedly causing all on the ship to be frantic. Crew was caught off-guard and late to their assigned tasks. We were having a leisurely breakfast in our suite just before 9:00 am when the phone rang and it was the Spa asking us to come right away for out 10:00 am massage. Our Butler said we were not supposed to have a time change but the ship must have entered the Twilight Zone and automatically changed all the clocks (LOL)! Anyways, the massages were incredible even with the high prices. We found it totally worth it and  price included gratuity. I had Martin and DW had Chandra. Highly recommend them both. In fact we will be scheduling another massage for the return to Miami leg of this trip. Lunch at Emporium again with usual sushi.  The highlight was a batter-fried lobster roll with spicy mayo. Also had beef bourguignon with jasmine rice and some sautéed potatoes. Dessert was scoops of raspberry and mango sorbet. Back to Suite balcony to read and DIGEST before we get ready for another wonderful meal. The food has been consistently delicious. More later…..

[CJANDH]

19 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

Suite looks exquisite 

But the bathroom looks small by suite standards.

[InsGuy3]

1 hour ago, CJANDH said:

But the bathroom looks small by suite standards.

But there are two bathrooms in the suite.

[LostAtSeaForever]

Part of the cluster mess in port on Friday was because they were letting Travel Agents tour the ship.  So boarding did not begin until after 11 and there was no real direction from anyone so everyone made for the check in area…who can blame them! No mimosas, champagne or any other delights in the waiting area other than funky tasting cucumber water. Did not feel like luxury cruise line. 
 

We had OT1 cabin and it was very small and narrow. We went to customer service to inquire about upgrading. Especially since we heard only 450 on board so we expected availability. They literally told us the only thing they had were the very best premium penthouses and above because all the TA’s were upgraded to the penthouses. Did not sit well with us or others we know that also inquired about upgrading because the Ocean Terrace Categories are quite small not at all as promised. They wanted another 10k to upgrade!! Unbelievable!!! there also was no room for negotiation.  
 

The night from Miami to Key West it was also quite loud in our cabin. Ship groaned and moaned all night. Second evening was much quieter. 
 

Food and service is amazing as reported and ship is lovely. Although the very low chairs are a struggle for some. 

[no1talks]

11 minutes ago, LostAtSeaForever said:

"Although the very low chairs are a struggle for some." 

This is one of Explora's biggest red flags for me, in a series of red flags. I'm nearly 2m tall and I do not relish the thought of such low seating.

[aururab]

I am curious to hear how your port times line up with what is listed. I was told the ship stays on Miami time, which is standard, but some of the timings don't quite make sense to me if that is the case and I'm curious to see how it plays out.