The Explorer of the Seas Bermuda by
Michael from Danbury, CT
Sailing date: Sep 2012 Pros:
Excellent service, Great weather, Nice Crew, Great cabin Attendant
Cons:
Food Preparation & Quality, Entertainment,
Beautiful Older ship, needs some work, but they are trying to maintain. Excellent coffee & beer bars. Casino has improved since my last cruise. WAY TOO MUCH SMOKING in Casino. Smallest non smoking area I have ever seen, still full of smoke.\. Had to move way too often all because of smoking passengers. Gambled much less than usual all due to excessive smoking. No smoke free evenings like my last cruise on this ship.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food some nights food was reasonable, some nights food was just barely eatable. food service was slow, but buffet, food service was excellent. the buffet is your best source of reasonable food
Stateroom Quality My attendant was EXCELLENT, could not be better
Ship Staff Quality mostly always pleasant, except for some individuals
Entertainment & Activities comedian was awful, my three year ole niece could have done better
Children's Programs
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Disappointing Cruise by
A Traveler from New Jersey
Sailing date: Feb 2012 Pros:
The Islands visited
Cons:
The lack of common sense of cruise staff
We have been on this ship in the past and had a good experience. This cruise was disappointing. We found the bartenders to be unfriendly. The worst part was the lack of communication by staff.
Ship Quality Frequently noticed a "sewage" odor outside on the 11th deck.
Dining/Food Disappointed that shrimp cocktail was not offered each night. Also, the Windjammer ( buffet area) closed relatively early.
Stateroom Quality Very tight layout. Couldn't walk around the bed. Also, the bathroom always smelled of urine.
Ship Staff Quality Other than our stateroom attendant-Sean, and our waiter-Gopa with his asst.-Olga. we were unimpressed.
Entertainment & Activities Exactly the same shows as our last cruise on this ship in past.
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Very Good Cruise by
Susan K. from Virginia
Sailing date: Jun 2011 Pros:
Ship was in excellent condition.
Cons:
Food was a bit dull.
The ship was large with much activity. Nine days is the perfect length for a cruise because you can go offshore for four days and relax on board for five days. Bermuda is wonderful, as was Old San Juan.
Ship Quality The ship was in excellent condition and very clean. The promenade area was well layed out.
Dining/Food There was a great variety of food, including a variety of ethnic foods at each meal. The dining room food was fresher than the cafeteria food. Johnny Rocket's was very good. The food overall was always available, but a bit bland.
Stateroom Quality Superior outside room with the balcony was very nice and spacious. It was worth the extra money. Our sons had an interior room which was a bit cramped.
Ship Staff Quality Helpful and friendly staff. The captain was very personable and much in attendance. Towards the end of the cruise, the ship had to turn back to port for an ill crew member. The Captain kept us informed at all times and we were not delayed at all.
Entertainment & Activities A variety of options were available at all times. The pools and hot tubs were clean. The gym was big, but the weight machines were too close together. Big musical productions were ok, but not superlative.
Collapse List of Ports
San Juan, Puerto Rico Only went to Old San Juan, which was wonderful. Took in both forts, although if you only have time for one, go to El Morro.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. We took a taxi into town which was mainly a tourist trap. Did not make it to the beaches here.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten We rented a car and drove all over the island. Some, but definately not all, of it was picturesque. Some very pretty beaches.
King's Wharf, Bermuda Bermuda was wonderful. We ignored the advice of the cruise line and rented scooters. This was fantastic as we were able to see most of the island in one day.
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great cruise by
Fama, G from Little Elm, tx
Sailing date: Jan 2013 Pros:
dinig service
Cons:
library
The library was extremely lacking in English fiction. The "good feet" seminars (really sale pitches), not extremely honest. When you check the "good feet" site there are a large variety of arch support inserts and one needs to be fitted. At the seminar they only have one support and indicate that this all you need
The ice show was excellent.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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a very relaxing cruise by
grace L from metuchen,nj
Sailing date: Dec 2012 Pros:
activities and good food
Cons:
inconvenience of the toilet is flushed properly in the first two or three days
I liked the crew members are very friendly.
Also, I liked my cleanlady - Mona Lisa to clean my room number of 8337 very much.
My ball room dancing instructor - very good. They taught us how to dance - waltz and Rumba and I will suggest to put them to teach us more.
They are very professional and made ball room dancing easy to do.
Also, I liked to learn line dance more.
Overall, I enjoyed the ice scating show very very much.
Thank you and I will book more trips through this ship.
Regards,
Grace
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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Cape Liberty - Bermuda by
A Traveler from North Jersey
Sailing date: Oct 2012 Pros:
On board crew
Cons:
My Time Dining reservation system
Overall experiences were very good. We handled our own luggage upon boarding and debarking without any issues.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food My Time Dining reservation system confusing. Phoned reservation desk, told no times available. Went to dining room reservation desk and told our requested time was in fact available.
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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A Wonderful Cruise! by
Lou C. from Brooklyn, NY
Sailing date: Sep 2012 Pros:
Beautiful ship. Royal Caribbean's high standard.
Cons:
Wish the trip was longer.
The most impressive part was the indoor promenade; it make you feel you are on land and not on a ship. We also like the ice skating ring. It's amazing to see these on a ship.
Ship Quality It was a big ship but we didn't feel it was too crowded. The ship was very clean. We noticed ship's clean crew stationed in various places for touch up cleaning.
Dining/Food Overall the food was excellent. However, our last dinner was a little disappointing. The NY Strip steak was not cook properly. My wife ordered something else, and so did a gentleman sat nearby us. But this was only one incident. Again, oveall the food was excellent.
Stateroom Quality Room was clean and good size for us. Our room was located in the rear of the ship so it was pretty quiet.
Ship Staff Quality Royal Caribbean has very high standard and it shows. We had no complaints in this area. Everyone was very professional and very nice to us.
Entertainment & Activities The Royal Caribbean's dance company and ice skating dancers were very good. One of the comedian was very good. We really enjoyed the dancing classes. One was conducted by a couple on the dance company and the other 3 were conducted by a very zeaouls gentleman.
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Wonderful cruise by
Debbie M. from New Jersey
Sailing date: Jul 2012 Pros:
The fun atmosphere. Music, dancing all the time
Cons:
Narrow corridors by cabins always cluttered with cleaning carts and room service food.
Just returned from 5 day Bermuda on the beautiful enchantment of the sea. Ship is gorgeous. There is always something fun going on! The musical entertainment is outstanding! Something for everyone!! I especially loved the pumped in piano music in the cabins. (you have the option to turn off). I drifted off to a peaceful sleep each night listening to this. The food in the windjammer is OUTSTANDING. I would not call this an average buffet! Something delicious for everyone's taste. The dining room food to me was not above average. Desserts were just mediocre as well. . I think staff does try to give you the best cruise experience. Have to mention the lovely "washy washy" gentleman. He always had a warm smile as you entered dining area encouraging all to wash hands before entering.
Ship Quality Would have rated the best except for the corridor untidiness.
Dining/Food Windjammer was outstanding in both quality and choices. I do believe the choices in the dining room were not as good. Have traveled carnival, the dining room choices were better on carnival. Felt very rushed during dinner also. Think specialty coffees should be included as well. Service seemed a little strained, like staff was terrified to make mistake. I worry how they treat their staff.
Stateroom Quality Had promenade room. Very spacious, clean, comfortable.
Ship Staff Quality Think they try very hard, but could feel a tense atmosphere. Forced smiles. Not as warm as staff on carnival cruises where service is outstanding. A little unapproachable.
Entertainment & Activities Wonderful!!! The best!
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Great Time, despite the weather by
Richard from Central New Jersey
Sailing date: May 2012 Pros:
Cruise staff, entertainment
Cons:
Overcrowded pool deck
The Explorer of the Seas is a wonderful ship. It has plenty to offer. We were amazed by its size and there were plenty of activities for all. The cruise staff were excellent! The Cruise Director and Activities Director were entertaining and hilarious. We especially loved hanging out at the Schooner Bar with the Piano Man "Roxy" . This boy can play and is very personable and knew all the songs. Kept the crowd going at all times. One last thing, we chose My Timing Dining. The wait staff (Waiter and Assistant Waiter) were great, personable and alway willing to go the extra to make sure we had a great time.
Ship Quality The Promenade is amazing! There always seemed to be an issue with getting an elevator, especially after shows.
Dining/Food The My Time dining experience was great!
Stateroom Quality The size of the Junior Suite was great. Didn't feel too crowded
Ship Staff Quality The Cruise Staff is on the Explorer of the Seas is top notch.
Entertainment & Activities The quality of the entertainment was great. We didn't get to see the ice show because only one chance to get tickets and we missed that. Would be nice to have the options to prebook the tickets.
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"A nice, relaxing cruise but..." by
A Traveler from Jersey City, NJ
Sailing date: Apr 2012 Pros:
plenty of activities, food, facilities for general use, some of the excursions
Cons:
perhaps not for a single person traveling solo
A nice cruise ship with good facilities - Rooms kind of small but big enough for one person.
Ship Quality Well-sized and well-maintained cruise ship with clean facilities. Accessibility to some areas seem limited at first but you get used to it.
Dining/Food A good variety and quality of food - convenient times and locations.
Stateroom Quality Rooms kind of small but big enough for one person. Basic amenities such as lotion, shampoo, shower gel etc. should be the same across different type of rooms.
Comfortable and clean otherwise.
I think the announcement channel in the room should be used for all announcements not just emergencies - hard to hear while in the room with TV on. People have the option to turn it off anyway.
Ship Staff Quality Perhaps it's the experience of a Single person traveling solo but the service received wasn't always to the expectation. As examples: Some waiters too anxious to clean tables before I was done eating, someone not acknowledging simple requests for getting black tea bags when the box was empty. I also heard some "wise-ass" comments which were uncalled for.
The personnel at the gym should try to be aware of odd customers engaging in unsanitary activities in the men's locker room. And not everyone likes to drink in the afternoon so the waiters shouldn't be pushy about it.
Being friendly and courteous without getting too personal should be the norm.
A good example of someone accomplishing it was the bartender at the Schooner bar. He was friendly, respectful and had a way of keeping customers engaged (such as the puzzles he presented at the bar).
And it would be a "going above & beyond" gesture to keep an eye on those customers getting drunk and crossing the line with others on-board.
Entertainment & Activities A good variety and quality of options to keep things busy and entertained.
However, there could be more activities specifically designed for Singles - and not just "Singles Mingles". There could be more engaging activities such as a dance night, or a sporting event (for example, rock climbing or swimming competition) or even a speed dating event.
Perhaps a pre-cruise survey may be used to get an idea of number of singles on-board, their age group and interests in these types of activities. This way the events may be well-targeted for the audience and not wasted.
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