Explorer review, just back from 8/25 sailing

[cmecompute]

Just back from the Explorer yesterday from a 9 night E. Caribbean.

There were 5 of us traveling ranging from 13yo to early 60’s.

 

Embarking: We chose to hire a vehicle to get to the port and pick us up, just to keep it simple. We took this cruise last year the same week and learned from the crowds that get crazy between 12 and 3 to arrive early. We arrived around 10:45 and there was no line at all. Upon walking through the door, we were escorted right up to the counter for a smooth check in, then around the corner for the first picture and relaxing for a while. The shuttles began at 12:00 and we were on the second bus out to the ship. Very smooth, no lines, everyone was in a great mood. We were asked to stay out of the state rooms until 1pm, but if we wanted to drop off our carry on baggage we were told we could.

 

Once on board, we all went up to the Windjammer for a nice lunch. The staff was all ready for another cruise, the food was very good, and the staff was very welcoming. By the time we finished lunch it was late enough that we could head to our room and change for an early start to our vacation on the pool deck.

 

Meet and Mingle: Our M&M was scheduled for day 3, so one of our thread members organized a pre-M&M get together on day 2. It was very nice to sit and chat for a while all of them who showed. I can say we made some very good friends there. Having read theads in the past, the first thing we did was go around the room and introduce by screen name and real name. The official M&M was one of the largest they had seen. A big show of people which was nice, but no organization on the part of the activities director they gave us. In the past they would have some type of trivia game or something to get people involved and talking in groups, there were no introductions. There were a couple of raffles and prizes and a recognition of the thread leader. It was nice, but could have been much better with a little effort on the part of the activities director.

 

We had 2 rooms on deck 6, one balcony, and 1 inside – across the hall. The room attendant was very nice, always accommodating. As a group we alternated each morning and afternoon meals between the dining room and the Windjammer. Both were found to be very good, each having their strong points and differences. We did not try Portofino’s after hearing from a couple friends of their disappointment in visiting Portofino’s on this cruise. My wife is a very picky eater and it was noticed that she was ordering from the alternative menu quite often. The head waiter came over and asked her, if she had a choice, what would she like for dinner the next night. He had a fresh tortolini alfredo made special for her. It was very good. All in all we found the food to be fantastic, no complaints at all.

 

Night 2 was formal night (Captains Gala) and it was very nice in the dining room. Most people were dressed quite appropriately. Everyone looked very nice. In fact most nights in the dining room I felt people looked very nice overall. There are always a few in shorts and jeans, but I still would say that most were quite appropriately dressed. The only thing I was offended by in the dining room was the man at the next table who refused to take his ball cap off at the dining table. He was the only person in the room wearing a hat and I found it to be quite inappropriate. I wasn’t even bothered the day he wore a white undershirt in there, but the hat got to me. Sorry, had to say that, I ignored it and went on with my wonderful dinners each night. I did find it rude of many who had a hard time telling time. There were many who showed up late to dinner each night, up to 45 minutes late. The dining room staff jumped through hoops on a nightly basis to accommodate everyone and stay on their time schedule for the next seating. They did a fantastic job!

 

At St. Thomas we did the Bobbing excursion, which was the best excursion we have ever been on. It was “Awsome” which was the only explanation Captain Jim would accept if you wanted a ride back to the ship – lol. It was a fantastic adventure and I highly recommend it to anyone. It is a submersible helmet/scooter which you ride under water through the coral reefs and sea turtle feeding areas. And, if you bring your underwater camera’s, the divers will take your picture for you of you and your group together under water. After returning and changing into some dry clothes, a group of us got together and decided to go up the sky tram for views of the sunset. It was beautiful from up there. We stayed until the sun went down, and we finished our Bushwacker’s. On the walk back to the ship we decided to stay out and have dinner in town – big mistake. We stopped in a local open air pub/bar, and the service was terrible. We all would have been much happier on the ship, but that did not ruin the day by any means. The ship was beautiful in lights.

 

At St. Maaten we went snorkeling from a Catamaran. It was a lot of fun. Nothing in comparison to the day in St. Thomas, but the weather was great, the water was beautiful, and they took us to some very nice areas to see a lot of fish in underwater wrecks. Upon returning, we walked around the market a bit, did some shopping (great deals on electronics).

 

San Juan was nice, we chose no to do any excursions here. We were going to simply walk around and have a short day off the ship. It didn’t work out that way though. We walked down along the water, taking in the culture a bit and came across a small park with a line up of horse drawn carriages. That was our cue to go for an historical ride, and they dropped us off right in the middle of the shopping district without having to walk up the hill. After we did some shopping, we took a leisurely walk down the hill and back to the ship. Another great day in port. Upon returning to the ship a few in our group decided to take advantage of the port day special in the spa and get a massage.

 

Labadee was a very nice day as always at this stop. I did hear about the lines to get off the ship, but I saw the tenders pulling up around 8:45 and started down the stairs for 9am and was able to get on the first tender among the first 20 people, no lines, no waiting. I heard the lines 30 minutes later were insane, with up to 1 hour waits to get off the ship.

 

Last 2 days were sea days, the first of which was very nice, uneventful, the second was rough on about 1/3 of the passengers. We were going through the outer bands of the storm headed up the east coast. The ship was doing a lot of rocking and sea sickness became very popular even among seasoned cruisers who never experienced it before. They even had to close the 2 pools up on deck the waves in them were so big. Children were getting hurt, and parents were not around.

There were a lot of children on board, I have a 13yo who was among them. However, there was no reason for some of the rudeness I experienced in the elevators or witnessed from teens towards adults in elevators or hallways. There were two instances where I had to step in and say something during elevator rides to get a couple of teens to simply shut their mouths. There was no reason for the verbal abuse they were dishing out to adults at all. One made the sarcastic comment to me “you’re not my father” and I had to answer with “you wouldn’t want me as your father, because I would have backhanded you by now”. This was not the norm for the majority, most of the children and young adults on the ship were well behaved and courteous, there was a small percentage however that made for a poor reputation for the group as a whole. The running and screaming in the halls, knocking on doors and making crank phone calls in the middle of the night. The language and general rude comments to others in elevators. And the hanging out in the elevators or pushing all the buttons before getting off the elevators. Again, this was a small percentage of the group, unfortunately that small group made quite a name for the entire age group.

 

The shows were very good, we enjoyed all the entertainment we saw. I thought there was a lack of activities, as compared to past cruises. And the Quest was advertised as an adult game for 18 and older. It was not half as much fun as it has been on past cruises, and as for the recommended age limit, it was barely rated ‘G’.

 

Disembarking: We were among the first color called, which was at 9am. Getting off the ship was very organized, once arriving at the terminal and trying to find luggage became a very trying experience. They need to find a better way to keep people moving and provide more baggage assistants. There were very few people with baggage carts, more arrived about 30-60 minutes later. Customs was a joke, hand in your declaration sheet and waltz through. We were outside waiting for our ride with our luggage by 9:35

 

I think Ashley Kerr will be a fine Cruise Director some day, she needs a lot more seasoning and to be more involved in getting people involved. If she could work for 1 month with Becky (hello luv) Thompson, she would probably be a fantastic cruise director. RCCL should make Becky a cruise director trainer.

 

Overall I thought the cruise was excellent, we had a great time, the service was fantastic. If I had to compare it to last years Voyager cruise same week, I would have to say that the Voyager was slightly better in all areas. But we thoroughly enjoyed this vacation and already booked for next year.

 

I will be happy to answer any questions.

[lovetocruiserccl]

Good review. I've been on the Explorer out of Miami. But next year we will be cruising out of NJ. I have a group do you have any suggestions on transportation to and from the port. Also have they changed the bedding on the Explorer yet. The new bedding is wonderful. I enjoyed it on the Freedom. I looked forward to napping during our cruise. We are leaving on 8/17/07 maybe you are on the same sailing.

[cmecompute]

The change-over on bedding is underway. They are changing out 300 each time they are in port in NJ. As of now I believe they are still working on the upper floors. I was on the 6th and friends on the 8th, neither of us had the new bedding, but I heard rumors that some did. As for transportation, this year we hired, but next year I plan on driving myself. It just seemed like such an easy place to get in and out of, and parking is quite close.

[lovetocruiserccl]

Thanks for the infomation. I just got off the Freedom and I'm already depressed. It a good thing I already booked the Explorer prior to leaving on the FOS. Since our sailing is sold out. I really don't feel like driving after getting off a cruise. But I'll leave that task to my husband.

[WMQueenie]

Thanks for the review...we'll be on the Explorer on 9/22 - question about the deck 6 balcony...we booked a guarantee balcony and our assigned cabin is on deck 6 forward. I've read conflicting remarks about deck 6 and the balconies...How did you like the cabin? How was the view from the balcony? Could you see the view sitting down? Thank you!! :)

[Sue L]

Thsnks for the review, I will be on the Explorer in 13 days!!!! Can't wait! It is my first RCCL cruise, though my 10th overall.

 

 

 

Sue

[cmecompute]

Thanks for the review...we'll be on the Explorer on 9/22 - question about the deck 6 balcony...we booked a guarantee balcony and our assigned cabin is on deck 6 forward. I've read conflicting remarks about deck 6 and the balconies...How did you like the cabin? How was the view from the balcony? Could you see the view sitting down? Thank you!! :)

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the room, it was a D1. and you were able to see the view of the horizon just fine while sitting down. It was our first balcony, so I guess we don't have anything to compare to. We did make a mistake by upgrading to the balcony, we now know we will never go back to an inside room. The balcony room was fantastic.

[crisp1]

Just back from the Explorer yesterday from a 9 night E. Caribbean.

 

San Juan was nice, we chose no to do any excursions here. We were going to simply walk around and have a short day off the ship. It didn’t work out that way though. We walked down along the water, taking in the culture a bit and came across a small park with a line up of horse drawn carriages. That was our cue to go for an historical ride, and they dropped us off right in the middle of the shopping district without having to walk up the hill. After we did some shopping, we took a leisurely walk down the hill and back to the ship. Another great day in port.

 

I will be happy to answer any questions.

 

It's my undestanding that the Explorer docks across the bay in San Juan, and that you really just can't walk off the ship- but have to take a cab into Old San Juan. Was this the case for you? Or did you dock in Old San Juan and were able to walk off/ and on the ship?

Seas the day!

C

[cmecompute]

We did dock in Old San Juan, the shopping area was across the street and up the hill, not a very long walk, but exhausting when it is as hot as it was. Many took cabs. We chose the horse and carraige, then walked back.

[Camaro9840]

Hello Cmecompute,

My wife and I also just came off the same cruise as you and were also at the meet and mingle.

 

I agree with alot of the review and wanted to add that I too noticed the problem with some of the kids on board. Some of the behavior my wife and I noticed was:

 

being on deck 10, they would run up and down the halls and take everyones "Do not disturb" sign out. We asked our room attendant and he told us his whole section complained to him about that.

 

I dont understand whats so fun about riding up and down in the elevators but thats all the kids seemed to be doing, and while doing this acted very rude and sometimes vulgar, and even some very rude kinda racist remarks while others were in the elevator.

 

The attitude towards the staff was unacceptable, we witnessed teens from the decks overlooking the promonade (deck 5) were throwing stuff like m & m's at the cleaning staff and guests. Since this was going on right in front of the guest relations they called security.

 

One last item I found out was my wife and I made good friends with the bartender in the chamber and found out that some teens broke into one of the liqour cabinets in the lower level of the chamber by prying the gates just high enough to get out bottles. Only one of them was caught by security and gave the names of the others. But he had no idea what happened to them. Also another group actually broke the security camera by Johnny Rockets late one night. Supposedly there were 1200+ kids (17 and under) on the ship according the staff.

 

Again as you said this was not the norm. The majority were very well behaved and I felt RCCL did a great job in having lots of activities for everyone. Besides the few instances above it was a great cruise and loved Saint Maarten. Wish we could have spent 2 days at that port and maybe skip the short dock in san juan. The ship also was in excellent shape, very clean and very well kept.

 

We were on the 10th deck but during disembarkation noticed them setting up the new bedding on deck 2 cabins. The were setting everything up in the halls and the maintenence people were all there starting to install them.

 

Hope to cruise again soon on this or other voyager class ships.

[little britain]

being on deck 10.

- have the beds been changed on Deck 10? We are in an OS in Oct.

How horrid to hear about bad behaviour of children. I have also heard that they ring the doorbells on the cabins - grrrr!

[grandsix]

Hi CMECOMPUTE: Nice review. Last we heard, Becky Thompson left RCL and was with Holland America.

[reapfm]

We are on the Explorer in Oct to Bermuda. Hopefully we won't have to deal with the bad behavior of CHILDREN and PARENTS! Some of this could be stopped immediately if the PARENTS would take responsibility for the children, instead they feel the children can just run the SHIP. Perhaps it is time that the cruise line steps in and lets the parents know that any child not involved in the onboard activities for them, must be accompanied by an adult. Why should passengers have to put up with rude behavior, while parents are off having a good time? We have only encountered this problem once, and that was on NCL, and they just ignored the complaints people had. As stated, most children do behave, but to those that don't, the PARENTS and their CHILDREN should be asked to leave the ship at the next port. Let's see how quick the rude behavior would end!

[sea-cruise]

Yes, I agree...put the devils off the ship along with the incompetant parents....and charge their accounts with all damages they caused.

[just4kixx]

Thank you for your candid review. We are also booked next August, and it seems like forever. So I'll continue reading the reviews of all those who return. Kinda keeps me excited, without dwelling on the fact that it is almost a year away!

 

Glad you had a wonderful time, despite the unruley kids/teens. I sure hope we don't have that problem... My Dad (he's 76) won't put up with their Bulls**t! (his words, not mine) :o

 

A~

[cmecompute]

We are on the Explorer in Oct to Bermuda. Hopefully we won't have to deal with the bad behavior of CHILDREN and PARENTS! Some of this could be stopped immediately if the PARENTS would take responsibility for the children, instead they feel the children can just run the SHIP. Perhaps it is time that the cruise line steps in and lets the parents know that any child not involved in the onboard activities for them, must be accompanied by an adult. Why should passengers have to put up with rude behavior, while parents are off having a good time? We have only encountered this problem once, and that was on NCL, and they just ignored the complaints people had. As stated, most children do behave, but to those that don't, the PARENTS and their CHILDREN should be asked to leave the ship at the next port. Let's see how quick the rude behavior would end!

 

I like the way you think, I'll second that suggestion! The last of the schools in the Northeast start tomorrow. The crew said that after our cruise the number of children on board drops from 1100+ to 400 or less. So, I highly doubt you will encounter anything close to what was going on last week. We normally go every year the same week and are used to the number of children. It just seems that this year there were more concerns and complaints, and I witnessed a higher level of rudeness towards adults.

[lulusarah]

I have read about virus on the ship was that a problem lulusarah

[cmecompute]

I have read about virus on the ship was that a problem lulusarah

 

I did not hear of any outbreaks or complaints of people being quarantined during the cruise. Hand sanitizer stations were in all food areas and use was highly advised, even though simply washing hands is far more effective.

[cruisindoggie]

Great review. And I totally agree that Becky id the best CD on the high seas. After 10 cruises I hope she is back on Serenade in February.