uktog

6 hours ago, Corriegr said:

That’s really interesting as we paid our full balance for our Nov journey on Explora 2, a few weeks ago and wanted to book a specific excursion but cannot even access excursions as says we have not paid the balance.

Yes we have two cruises in quick succession and our November one has the same issue. However we need to use OBC on that one (no other uses for it) and have been told that unlike Azamara who allow us to use OBC in advance to secure excursions it’s a no from Explora. They seem blind to this service inconvenience 

Explora really needs to get a grip on this one.  It probably does not affect US guests as there is a different operating model between US travel agents and cruise lines.   

In the UK, the vast majority of guest working through larger agents, paying their cruises balances to the agency not Explora. (No risk payment protected by ABTA travel trade protections).  We pay agents about 16 weeks before the cruise but the agency do not pay Explora until we join the cruise - again standard terms.  However, Explora systems cannot cope with this and it has come to a head for us today.

We went to book a shore excursion we have to pay for.  We did not want to wait until we got onboard because it was something that is capacity controlled and might sell out.  No problem, two places booked but then the problem.  The call agent can only process the full outstanding balance which includes the cruise we have already paid for.  There is no method that allows you to pay for excursions only.  I need to revert to the travel agency to work out how we tackle this.

(Note Azamara use the same software but they can take payments for excursions separate from the notionally outstanding cruise balance so this one is well and truly on Explora)

8 hours ago, Hlitner said:

All the cruise lines contract with land-based tour companies, to provide their excursions.  The cruise lines do impose certain requirements on these shore-based companies including that they have an adequate level of insurance.  Many insurance policies, that apply to excursions, include age requirements as part of the policy Hence, there are age requirements (especially for things like snorkeling, sailing, etc).  What you choose to do on your own, be it booking your own tours with land-based companies or just going on your own, is not necessarily subject to the same requirements

 

Hank

And most importantly have the same insurance standards or safety requirements (even if independently you go with a provider the ship used). 

16 hours ago, Ithikan said:

A white top has always worked for us - 

When people are happy with their outfits, and the food, music, and drinks are  happening on a Party scale, the White Night event can be lots of fun.

Plenty of people (myself included) choose a simple white tee shirt worn with shorts, skirt, or khakis - my hope for you is that the fellow who wore his Azamara bathrobe to the party during our January cruise, is not on your upcoming sailing.  (We've enjoyed Azamara since 2011, and that was a first.  Hoping it won't be repeated.)

Actually wearing the bath robe was regularly suggested by the cruise directors as an option- and on chilly nights it was a very good one too 

You can make reservations for dining on your second cruise at the back to back meeting- done it several times 

31 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

As it was explained to us.  They have no procedure to transfer it back to your credit card.

It is on your account.  Either spend it or take it in cash in Euro's on the last day.

Other lines using the same software have no problems refunding it to the card you use at check in to support onboard spending. The refund is in the currency of the ship and the foreign exchange is handled by your card provider 

25 minutes ago, badtwin said:

Slightly off original topic, but is an all white outfit really necessary? We want to try to get by with carry-on for up coming cruise in late October and early November and white pants seem like a totally silly waste of space.  Not to mention footwear to match. Is a white top enough?

White is optional not compulsory 

9 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

And they clink constantly on the bus ride and the walks.  

 

"The bottles on the bus go clink, clink, clink..."

Never experienced that on other lines that use them. At least you can also pop ice into the bottles so you avoid the curse of the warm sweating plastic bottles. I’m all for everyone being asked to stop using single use plastic- it’s the least we can do for future generations and as Phil shows you can work around taste issues. 

3 hours ago, Claret and Blue said:

…but as this is the EJ forum and as I’m going on an EJ cruise please forgive me for calling this out.

 

The fact other cruise lines have poor websites too is not a justification to follow suit.

A defence if I can call it that is that the cruise lines with website and other e commerce issues are all using Seaware software. It became the go to provider in recent years. It evidently is extremely good at managing the whole experience onboard (things guests won’t be aware or immediately see but which do affect your experience). However there are elements that are flaky as all lines have discovered and fixes can be challenging. 
I do not think Explora chose to follow suit as you put it. At the time they and others made the choice to use Seaware all the challenges hadn’t surfaced. Fixing them take time. 
Explora could make the experience a lot better by allowing the guest to do more of the interactions themselves without demanding only the travel agent handles it. Other lines (eg Azamara using the same software) do let me book excursions and pay using either my credit card or on board credit without going through the travel agent or call centre 

Any guest who has independent arrangements on Azamara can get an early tender. We have been on first tender a few times, we let guest relations know and they advise us where to meet.
 

Unlike other lines Azamara do not prioritise ship marketed excursions at the expense of others. If needed in some ports there will be tenders dedicated to excursions eg in Santorini because the buses pick up at a different place to others. Captains will use more tenders (3 or even 4)  early in the day to speed up getting ashore then reduce the number when appropriate. 

Announcements in English only on our cruise that had a mix of nationalities 

Quest has now gone to Dry dock. We understood water coolers were being added on each floor then 

Agree with @crickette  In particular flight costs can be brutal last minute. We discovered this last year when Explora cancelled our cruise with ten days notice. Whilst we could find a substitute cruise easily none of them could match up to scheduled flight availability. 
Our TA did very well finding us an alternative on a Scenic River Cruise (ok not what was originally planned) because Scenic hadn’t released back their flight allocation. We did have to forgo the included pre cruise hotel with scenic (price was adjusted) but were able to book the same hotel ourselves so all the transfers worked still. 
As an example 10 days before flying BA to Athens was going to be £1200 each return ex Scotland in economy!!!

1 hour ago, longboard55 said:

So if drinks are included and I do not want a 7 course meal, what do I use my OBC for.  Do they have a gift shop?

They only have very expensive specialist shops

We have a large amount of obc for the transatlantic due to Explora messing up on an itinerary change. Our hotel booked through them was to be b and b but they claimed unable to get a rate other than room only so gave us obc to cover the extras.  This was in addition to the obc (price reduction not given) when they reduced the cruise by two nights.
My agent tried very hard to argue a refund but no. It was ridiculous and Explora just said obc for 4 nights breakfast and 2 nights less or nothing 
I accepted the position because I’d identified three excursions that whilst pretty expensive would use the credit. I will be very unhappy if we do not get these now we have to wait until we board to book them. I expected Explora to be like Azamara as they use the same software and to be able to use obc to book excursions precruise. 
Having been onboard before I know there is absolutely nothing else I would want to spend this obc on. I will be very very unhappy if I can’t get the excursions I want or close alternatives 

22 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

There really is no way of knowing at which terminal you will be docked until embark/disembark day.  We've used Pireaus many times and have been to all the terminals.

 

We did the exact same once, disembark and ferry immediately to Hydra.  No way we would have walked with bags...long trek.

I couldn’t imagine dragging bags in the heat for the sake of 10 euro taxi 

4 hours ago, KevintheIrishDJ said:

On a related topic. There was a post recently, people like to eat at the Patio and then go to the DR for snacks or desert. I thought the menu doesn't change and is very limited there.

They do a special every night. Many people who go align their visit to their favourite special. There is a board advertising the special every day by the Deck 9 lifts and if the chef has fixed on the special before the Insider goes to print you will find the details there. 
 

3 minutes ago, Belfastman said:

I have watched cocktails being made in Prime C and the Den and quite often these are also free pour. But each to their own I really enjoy the Atlas bar whereas I would never wish to have dinner on the Patio which I know a lot of people like.

Agree but there they do not act all insulted if you ask for a measured drink. As you say each to their own (the Patio is a once a cruise for us on a casual night after a long day’s touring but not an absolute must by the way )

16 minutes ago, Laganlady02 said:

I think it depends on the bartender. Budi (who set up the Atlas Bar) and Mike are excellent, our drinks were always just right.

Even the bartenders can be inconsistent- our experience was with those two. I am much more a fan of cocktails precisely measured rather than free pour guessing 

Unfortunately the theatre doesn’t always deliver well prepared drinks as you get in good cocktail bars on land. Too often staff equate an overly heavy hand on the spirits bottle with a good cocktail. I know though that some guests think that is great 

1 hour ago, Mrs Miggins said:

First time on Onward in September - just wondering if a visit is actually worth $40 ($20 each if that's right )  I do drink alcohol so do not want to miss a new "experience" but wondered if there was an alternative.

Drinks would be charged at $18.95 each for a special cocktail if you do not have a package. It’s not really an experience other than rather bright video wall. I far prefer if I want a quiet drink having it in Prime C where you can get the included drinks 

14 minutes ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Just wondering what is in the Atlas Bar for those who don't drink alcohol ?

They can mix non alcoholic drinks but so can the Den and the Living Room so not worth a visit imho. 

There are no included drinks available in the Atlas bar only the ultimate package range so no package you have to pay and there’s no Gordon’s etc. 

There are now books in the Living Room but it’s only a fraction of what the library had. As before there are travel type books in the Den. 

One solo lady at our Bob turned up 40 minutes late as she only wanted the main course. To be fair she had told her butler but it messed up the table dynamics. Even if you don’t want the food you could take a morcel of each course - so rude

Great to read another of your excellent reviews. It’s so helpful you store them all together on your website so I don’t have to search here for them!  Your reviews first helped us many years ago on Celebrity cruises and it’s fantastic you’re still sailing and producing quality well selected photos (just the right amount!) with such useful hints and tips. Thank you!