uktog

Pools are fabulous each with a dedicated bar and attentive staff. Ok there’s a minor issue with the Helios pool but the others are great

Exactly if you ignore the travel agents we’ve had a few younger people but I’d say 75% are older and retired professionals

There were certainly balls in evidence last week as the activities staff took the teens for a game.

Martinique is another island still technically part of France. As such the euro is the currency which highlights the need to carry some on these cruises. This was particularly the case today as taxis were scarce and most would only take Euro cash fares. We were on the island in 2019 docked in the main town but saw St Pierre driving through on an excursion. It was great to dock here and enjoy a leisurely stroll around what feels like a very French town. It’s very simple with the local Market selling wonderful smelling spices was on The local livestock run around freely This was the first time we’ve been greeted at the pier by local officials with really great handouts including suggested town walking tours. The black sand beaches are a feature including one that fringes the town. We did the Volcano museum in 2019 and encouraged others to do so today which they did. The town was destroyed in 1902 by a volcanic eruption and you can see evidence today. Most notable is the theatre whose shape can clearly be understood. What amazed us most was the fact that even today the stones smelt of burning and sulphur The afternoon was typical sunshine followed by frequent showers, but this brought us the most amazing rainbows from the ship, including some that were almost complete arcs around us a phenomenon I’ve never seen before It was hard to capture them in photos, but a lot of fun trying We had another very good dinner on board and spoke about how every meal has been faultless something we’ve never had on a ship before. We enjoyed time in the lobby bar after dinner, listening to Natalia, the Ukrainian, pianist. Unfortunately, in that you get sound coming also from the lounge and it seems like the show tonight was extremely loud!

They are truly a single king boxspring- well ours certainly is and is far more comfortable than the two connected singles on most ships

It is hence the emojis

Yes there is, it’s very comfortable

We’ve had three guest entertainers in 19 days. All singers or instrumentalists or both. They were fine. All the remaining 16 nights involved the two resident singers who in my view are probably fine working as part of a four part group but haven’t developed the skills or stage presence to hold down an act - eg always using iPads onstage to remind them of words and trying to read their links between songs and often fluffing them. It needs a change in direction on entertainment and the general manager is well aware of that. However head office still controls what the entertainment is and who provides it. A lot of influential travel purchasers were onboard last cruise and they gave very critical but constructive feedback that will support the arguments for change.

They are well aware of the entertainment issues

It’s a management role not entertainer. I thought the use of the word manager made that fairly clear but maybe the job description did not. It certainly needed more management as some of the entertainers were just turning up when they fancied and not performing for their advertised slots

You may not be aware Tanya resigned and immediately left in Barbados as she wanted to be a performer not a manager and this was not the role - her job title was Entertainment Manager. She didn’t do any shows on our cruise but was excessively fizzy - good description Her replacement Monique is more reserved and seems to have a better grasp on the detail so for example the advertising display boards are showing the right events and times.

Indeed it was poor Natalia that was the victim of the inappropriate scheduling

The captain’s welcome is a very brief 15 minute pre show event. No toast just set speech by the captain (identical words both cruises). The evening entertainment is poor and badly scheduled eg a very good pianist scheduled to play in the lobby from 2145 when the bar closes at 2200 Im not looking for big shows I’m looking for entertainers who can hold the key and not screech and some variety. If they’re going rely on only two singers (high risk if one gets sick) they need much better calibre singers. We were surprised both rely on iPads on stands in front of them to remind them of the music etc. Would have expected much more assured performers when there’s only two. We thought the band was average at best but then realised it was because they’d been given poor arrangements to work with. In Dennis Dayes show where he had written their arrangements they sounded 200 times better.

I was classy today with my choice of tacky t shirt 😂

Don’t you just love the excuses they spin!

Not in my experience. The butler likes to make you think that (to look important) but they have no greater access to tables. Even in a suite you need to be flexible in the days and times you want

This was the astern deck tonight as they struggled to get their spot to film a standard sunset 🤣🤣

Not the best quality but this is a penthouse menu which as I recall was identical to an OT My favourite is the tuna poke bowl

No but I booked one last week now has 10% more. Oh well

Drat!

I see no difference between the ocean terrace and penthouse menus.

There’s not been a fresh catch since Miami so that item is work in progress Weve got the influencer/ photographer’s today. Personally I’m very comfy in my pool seat and won’t be moving but I have to say the suit the male model is wearing looks ridiculous and certainly wouldn’t encourage me to book but I’m probably not their target

With their current sail and our experience onboard Explora Journey has to be in the frame. The food is amazing and a basic room is of PV size and standard

It was strange it started at exactly the same time as the manoeuvres to leave port. We will never know but the entertainment staff weren’t bothered

It was bad and such a shame 😳