explorer of the seas sept. 26

[spatz]

This will be my husband and I first cruise. Any suggestions
linda

[cmason]

enjoy

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
...left until Navigator of the Seas 11/13/04

[RM]

I'm considering this cruise too. My DH and I will be married 20 years but no final decision yet. She's a great ship, I sailed her last summer.

Check out the ports of call board for ideas on what you want to do. Also on RCI's site there is a listing of shore excursions. Congrats!

Victoria, Atlantic, Nordic Empress,Tropicale, Oceanic, Grandeur, Nordic Empress, Legend, Destiny, Rotterdam,
OceanPrincess, Monarch, Grandeur,Navigator,
Monarch, Sovereign 5x's, Explorer, Enchantment of the Seas, Radiance 2x's
Up next Mariner of the Seas
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Then Jewel of the Seas
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[Dspcentury]

My fiance and I will be on the Explorer of the Seas 10/10/04. This will be our first RCCL cruise. All I can say is enjoy the ship because it is so big!!!

David.............. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Days left til Explorer of the Seas
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Carnivale 06/92,Fantasy 09/92,Victory 09/29/02,Legend 10/12/03,RCCL Explorer of the Seas 10/10/04,Carnival Liberty 2005

[spatz]

Thanks everybody for your advice. We will be celebrating 36 years of marriage so I want this to be very very special. We are going with some friends so I know it will be special. Hope we meet lots of neat people. Happym sailing to all

linda

[bplazo]

Linda,

How about a nice foo-foo drink the minute you get on the ship. I have never thought to suggest this to you but how about a nice massage? Tom might enjoy that.

Brenda

[spatz]

Hi Brenda,

What is a foo-foo drink? Just might try it to settle nerves. Tom has had massages before and liked them. I know I sure would like one now.

linda

[bplazo]

Hi Linda,

A drink that has an umbrella in it! I forget the names but you get a souvenier (sp)glass.

[spatz]

Brenda, A foo-foo- drink and a massage what a way to loosen up lol.

[lisajoy]

If you decide to get a massage don't get a deep tissue! I hurt for a couple days after. Coolest thing I found on the EOS: On the fourth deck next to the aquarium bar (also where they hold art auctions) once you pass the elevators go to the left and there is little hidden area that has a heat sensor. It is the funniest thing to take someone that has been burnt in the sun over there. We were on the floor laughing. Then again we had a few drinks in us that is probably why it was so funny. The EOS is a wonderful ship you will enjoy her so much. I miss her already.

[cmason]

There is simply too much to do, so I advise against trying to get to all of it (amusement park syndrome). Just relax and enjoy! Aside from all of the things you know about (rock climbing, promenade, restaraunts, gym etc), here are a few things I found really enjoyable:

-Tour the environmental lab, very interesting tour of the facilities co-sponsored by RCI and U of Miami.

-Check out the live weather station/status map on Deck 4 starboard. It is near the aquarium bar I think. But it shows the position of the ship, current weather, etc and is really fascinating. Also has some other weather edutainment items as well.

-Don't miss the Peek-a-boo Bridge on deck 11 or 12 at the bow. There is a large window where you can observe the bridge crew in action (usually inaction actually). Plus there is an electronic navigation map to see where the ship is going.

-Walk around the ship on Deck 4, play shuffle board, relax. This is almost a "secret deck", and especially nice when underway. It is close enough to the ocean to get a real sense of movement, and there are plenty of deck chairs for relaxing. Few people on this deck, likely because it is completely shaded. Great spot for some quiet reading or napping. Plus you can walk around the entire ship, including the helipad.

-Visit the helipad at night. since the bridge crew prefers it dark at the bow for best visibility at night, there are no lights at all on the bow, and the lights from the rest of the ship are hidden/blocked by the ship. On a clear night, at sea, there are more stars visibile than you can ever imagine!

-Finally, visit [url="http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/rccl/obs/ex-rt-obs.pl"]Explorer Tracker[/url] often, just to get you in the cruise mood!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
...left until Navigator of the Seas 11/13/04