Explorer of the Seas Dec 1st - Dec 8th

[Oakman58]

I would have posted this sooner but a couple of days after the cruise I came down with Covid.  I’m convinced I caught it at the Charlotte Airport.  Once I recovered my time was taken up with the Christmas season.  Once I started writing this review I discovered I lost all of my notes from the cruise which really bummed me out.

 

Some thoughts on our cruise on the Explorer of the Seas.  My wife and I are in our 70’s, so this is a review from the perspective of old people.  This was one of the best cruises we’ve taken.  We’ve cruised most major cruise lines and this one was our 19th cruise but just our second RCI cruise.  Of course there is no such thing as a bad cruise and most of the negatives we experienced were fairly minor.

 

We flew in one day early and stayed at the Comfort Suites Miami Airport North.  I chose this hotel because along with an included breakfast, it also offered complimentary transportation from the airport and BONUS, complimentary transportation to the cruise terminal.

 

EMBARKATION

Due to highway construction the complimentary bus was 30 minutes late picking us up from the hotel.  It was past our check-in time of 11:30 when we arrived at the terminal.  Explorer of the Seas departed from terminal G and the bus dropped passengers off at all the other terminals before finally dropping us off.

 

Check-in was smooth and quick and we boarded the ship around 12:45.  We headed up to the buffet for lunch but after two circuits of the seating area we gave up trying to a place to sit.  I was getting hangry (angry and hungry) so we went up one deck to Johnny Rocket’s which was completely void of customers.  We ordered burger, fries, and a milkshake.  The milkshake was free with our beverage package.

 

OUR CABIN

Our balcony cabin, 7620, was more than adequate with good storage space.  I enjoyed sitting on the balcony with my coffee in the morning.  Our bed was comfortable and so was the love seat.  The TV was smaller than what we’ve had on all our other recent cruises which included some ships that were just as old.  Regardless, the TV was fine for the little time we watched it.

CABIN NEGATIVES

The bathroom was smaller than other ships we’ve been on, and the shower had doors and was like a circular tube that was so small, if you dropped something, you had to open the door to bend over to pick it up.  I referred to it as the “Beam Me Up Scotty” transporter tube.  Another negative was the absence of USB ports in the cabin for charging electronic devices.  We always bring an outlet extension that includes USB ports so it was no big deal. The final negative was our cabin steward.  He wasn’t very friendly and when he changed our bedding mid-cruise the top sheet he put on the bed was stained.

 

THE SHIP

I thought the ship looked beautiful.  To me it didn’t feel like an older ship at all.  My wife and I really enjoyed the central Promenade on deck 5 and it was great for having a drink and people watching.  The bands and entertainment in the promenade were fun and enjoyable also.  One of our favorite places to people watch was the Crown and Kettle Pub.  The Café Promenade on deck 5 was the place to get a late-night snack or pizza and also an early morning cup of coffee before the buffet opened.

Outside on deck 4 where the promenade deck was, it did not completely wrap around the ship as it was cut off at the front of the ship.  However, it was possible to walk completely around the ship but at the front there was a set of stairs that took you up to deck 5.  So to go completely around the ship, you would have to walk up to deck 5, around the bow, and then back down to deck 4 to do a complete circuit.  I’m 78 years old and I don’t like stairs, but I can do them when push comes to shove.

At the front of the ship on deck 5 there was an outdoor deck and a few steps up to an observation area that was at the very front of the ship.  I thought that was awesome and it seemed that very few people bothered going there.

 

THE CASINO

The casino on deck 4 seemed small to me.  We didn’t gamble at all on this cruise because the smoke smell was the worst we have ever experienced on any cruise line or any ship.  It was horrible.  Unfortunately that smell extended to the Schooner Bar.  We always tried to avoid walking through the casino.  I did like the glass floor at the entrance to the casino with its simulated riches.

 

FOOD

Overall I thought the food in the Windjammer was very good.  The food served in the main dining room was good but not impressive.  We had early assigned dining time and our wait staff was outstanding.  The night that lobster tail was on the menu I was served a larger than expected lobster tail compared to what I’ve had on Holland and Carnival.  We paid to eat at the Chops Grill one evening and while the service was outstanding, the filet, while tender was pretty much tasteless.  That was disappointing.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

WOW, great entertainment.  However, first let me mention the one thing we didn’t like, the tribute to Elton John that was in the theater.  I didn’t like the choice of songs nor the way he sang them.  I didn’t think it was even worthy of a lounge act.

We enjoyed all the other entertainment on the ship.  The Carnival Parade in the Royal Promenade the first night was so much fun.  The ice show on deck 3 is not to be missed.  The skill of the skaters combined with the fantastic costuming and music was absolutely outstanding.  I believe they did four performances over two nights, go early to get the best seating. Dario El Gaucho did two performances in the theater and he was a fabulous entertainer.  He combined comedy, bolos, dancing, guitar, drum, and magic into one act.  I still laugh when I think of his slow-motion replay of one of his magic tricks.  Don’t miss his act.

 

We enjoyed this cruise so much that I booked a cruise on the Brilliance of the Seas for our 50th wedding anniversary in November.  I hope it’s as enjoyable as our cruise on Explorer of the Seas.

 

[Mum2Mercury]

Nice write-up!  Random thoughts: 

- Sorry you caught Covid.  

- Mid-sized ships like Explorer are our favorites.  

- People who board after noon tend to have more trouble finding seats in the Windjammer. 

- Love the name "Beam Me Up, Scotty" shower.  

- I've finally reached the point that I don't "stutter-step" over that glass floor in the casino.  

- I also despise the smoke in the casino.  

- I agree with your assessment of most MDR food as "good but not impressive".  I think most of the bad-bad reviews on this site are unfair.  

- I agree that the ice show is not to be missed, and -- yes -- go early.  It is best enjoyed from the front row.  

 

 

[Ashland]

Thanks for your post.

We've been on Explorer a few times and will be on her again Feb 23, 2024 for an amazing 9 night itinerary. Also again March 2025 for her 11 nighter another amazing itinerary.

[Mick B]

Hi,

Glad you enjoyed the Explorer.

I have not been on her since 2014 when we sailed from Bayonne to Bermuda.

The thing I like about this class of ship is that you get a Royal Promenade which is perfect for when they put on the entertainment like Dancing in The Street. It also has the Ice Rink so you can go and see the Ice Shows as well as have a skate on certain days too. Also the Rink area is used for the Quest!

Did try to book the ship for last year out of Italy but they swapped it for the Enchantment (which was K, but the ships with the Royal promenade are my favs) Luckily the Indy is coming back to the UK in 2025 and I have my 12 night cruise booked!

 

As for the shows on board. I suppose they can sometimes be subjective. I have seen tributes to the Beatles and the Four Seasons and on each occasion it has been a different band sometimes choosing different songs and in the process missing out some of the more popular and sing-a-long tracks for less known songs - although still OKish.

 

Remember although the WJ can get really packed on the first day, there are normally seating spaces either outside on some ships or around the entrance area. Failing that, you can always take a few plates outside and eat them around the pool area. Also, some ships have alternative restaurants open during this time. Best to ask a member of staff upon boarding as you may find a nice quiet place to eat away from the madness.

 

Enjoy the Brilliance too, she is slightly smaller than the explorer with no Royal Promenade or Ice Rink. She does have a Centrum area and when I was last on her they did acrabat themes nights there. There is a golf course at the rear too.

 

Enjoy!

 

Mick.

 

[jjjandkk]

Thanks so much for the recent review.  We have the Explorer booked for a back to back that will take us from Miami to Venice IT.  Less than 4 months away and we sure are looking forward to it.  Only ship we have been on similar was the Voyager of the seas 10 years ago.  

[josefina022]

Thank you for your review!  Love that you can go to the very front of the ship. For the hotel pre-cruise, were you able to pick a time for the complimentary shuttle to the port?  Was it a van or bus?  We are a party of 5, with possibly 7 others staying at the hotel too. 

[neverbeenhere]

I concur, the Elton John Tribute is bad.

[Tree_skier]

Good review, thank you for doing it.  DW and I were just commenting yesterday about how much we really love Voyager/Freedom class ships. The Ice show is always our favorite entertainment.  

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.

[Oakman58]

9 hours ago, josefina022 said:

Thank you for your review!  Love that you can go to the very front of the ship. For the hotel pre-cruise, were you able to pick a time for the complimentary shuttle to the port?  Was it a van or bus?  We are a party of 5, with possibly 7 others staying at the hotel too. 

There were two times available 10:30 which we picked, and 12:30.  It was a large 50 passenger bus that took us to the port.

[JustUs275]

Great review, thanks for sharing! We are booked to sail 10 nights on Explorer in March 2025 (it will be our 50th anniversary a little later that year). I'm making a note of the hotel, sounds like a nice package. Good to know about getting to the front of the ship for the observation area! I'm sure we will check that out as well. We haven't been on the Voyager Class yet, but Freedom Class is our favorite so I'm pretty sure we will enjoy the Explorer. Thanks again!

Terri