florisdekort

22 hours ago, uktog said:

Well our start has been an adventure arriving in a tropical storm (yes rollercoaster approach in) and then struggled to get cab to go to South Beach. As we drove in we were sticking in floodwaters 
Our hotel, like the airport, has sprung lots of leaks. No lifts as the shaft is flooded and water was even getting in our lovely original deco windows 

Somehow I think our planned sunning it on the hotel’s loungers on South Beach might just be substituted with a mall trip. 
Anyway we’ve taken the buckets of rain for the team. Just remember that IF we have a great weather cruise. 

Have a fabulous cruise! I hope the weather improves for you. 

6 hours ago, Critically Cruising said:

 

Reason being is that you can use 3 devices with a standard account, just not simultaneously.  So unless she is a serious multi-tasker, she would be fine as it logs you into the new device and disconnects the other.

 

This is in contrast to some cruise lines where it is one dedicated device per person - as opposed to one login per person at a time.

 

And for the times where two might be needed simultaneously, she could always use your login for one of them.

 

(Why does this remind me of the days of drug dealers with multiple phones AND multiple pagers?)

 

 

I’m not sure this is accurate. On our recent cruise, both my iPhone and my laptop were connected to my WiFi account simultaneously without any issues. I did not have to log out the one to activate the other.  

10 hours ago, Até said:

One perk Explora mentioned for Residences was private priority tendering from that lower aft lounge area.  Is there anything like that?

Given the ship is sailing half empty, it’s simply not needed. We had 2 tender ports on our recent cruise and every time there were less than 10 people on the tender. (We were in a Residence suite.) 

On 11/7/2023 at 10:33 PM, pyffii said:

Whilst I completely understand cancelling Israel,Jordan and Egypt for the immediate future I cannot understand why our cruise in May 2025 from Haifa has been rescheduled as of today.....leaving from Athens and stopping in Cyprus instead of leaving Haifa with a stop in Ashdod....Can anyone enlighten as to why ????

Because Seabourn wants to sell out the ship and no sane person is currently booking a cruise from Haifa, regardless of its departure date.

4 minutes ago, Azulann said:

InsGuy3,

How are  the excursions? What are some of the activities for guests on a sea day? 

It seems like your informative  trip report has devolved into a comparison among some posters many of which have not been on board yet, about other cruise lines. . So sorry  that this has happened to your thread.

If you read the daily programs he posted, and that were posted on the thread covering the previous cruise, you’ll know precisely what the activities are. 

The excursions are just like any other mainstream cruise line. Same vendors as MSC. 

20 hours ago, sasejm said:

On one of these threads, I read that the retractable glass roof was non-operational. This may have already been asked and answered. Does anyone know if the retractable glass roof has been fixed and is operational?

 

Ed

I think it’s operational but it was *never* open during our 14 night cruise from Quebec to Miami and I was told it’s unlikely to be opened a lot in the Caribbean as “it rains too often” and “we already have 3 outdoor pools”. 

13 hours ago, PrivateIdaho said:

Hmm, not our experience. We were pleased with our OTC suite. For an entry level accommodation we found it large, comfortable, plenty of storage and it was more than we expected based on the pre cruise literature. Probably one of the nicest entry level suites we’ve experienced while cruising. We were later moved to a Premier Penthouse and while very nice, we actually liked the open space in the OTC better. 
 

Perhaps the Explora experience isn’t for everyone and frankly you’d need to pay me to sail on mega MSC YC. Glad there are different choices for all. We will be going on our third EJ cruise in December, in an OTC suite. 

I think it depends on what you’re used to. They’re large compared to, for example, Azamara, but small compared to Seabourn. The bathrooms in particular are a joke compared to Seabourn, where all rooms have both a large tub and a separate shower, and dual vanities. 

On 10/20/2023 at 6:50 AM, cruiseej said:

These cruises are NOT all sold out. There is NOT a problem with the website/booking system. As reported by fellow Seabourn cruisers on Facebook, if you call Seabourn — or your travel agent — you can get pricing and can book those cruises. I think they show as not available because they are visible to anyone, not just the Diamond members who received the early-access invitation. They wanted to show you the available itineraries and dates, and then have you inquire about pricing and availability. But they should have said so more clearly in the email they sent out!

This is the correct answer. 
 

Off menu - not when we were on board the previous sailing. They’re very rigid. Very different from Seabourn where they’ll literally serve you anything you ask for as long as you give 24 hours notice.

Large salad - there’s a salad station at the buffet. 
 

Floris 

2 hours ago, LostAtSeaForever said:

Part of the cluster mess in port on Friday was because they were letting Travel Agents tour the ship.  So boarding did not begin until after 11 and there was no real direction from anyone so everyone made for the check in area…who can blame them! No mimosas, champagne or any other delights in the waiting area other than funky tasting cucumber water. Did not feel like luxury cruise line. 
 

We had OT1 cabin and it was very small and narrow. We went to customer service to inquire about upgrading. Especially since we heard only 450 on board so we expected availability. They literally told us the only thing they had were the very best premium penthouses and above because all the TA’s were upgraded to the penthouses. Did not sit well with us or others we know that also inquired about upgrading because the Ocean Terrace Categories are quite small not at all as promised. They wanted another 10k to upgrade!! Unbelievable!!! there also was no room for negotiation.  
 

The night from Miami to Key West it was also quite loud in our cabin. Ship groaned and moaned all night. Second evening was much quieter. 
 

Food and service is amazing as reported and ship is lovely. Although the very low chairs are a struggle for some. 

Disappointing to read that Explora did not learn from past mistakes. 
 

1 minute ago, kelleherdl said:

Our lowly OT2 is right next to a section bulkhead, so I was concerned.  Absolutely nothing. 

It honestly didn’t bother us. We don’t mind sleeping with earplugs. 
 

The loud creaking noises were there every night in our suite. We slept with earplugs in.

On 11/2/2023 at 10:34 AM, InsGuy3 said:

I see Explora safely docked at Port Canaveral. Hopefully the ride down from NY was not too bumpy with the heavy winds and waves. Looking forward to embarking in Miami tomorrow. 

Just disembarked this morning. It was bumpy enough to crack a glass panel on our balcony! 
 

We’re currently racing down the US east coast much faster than we need to, I assume to get ahead of some weather that’s forecasted to build up tomorrow morning. The pics show wave height today at 2 pm and tomorrow at 2 pm. 4 feet vs. 14-18 feet.
 

Explora has no dress code. Wear what makes you happy. People focus way too much on what others do and don’t do. Regarding Anthology, nobody suggested that we wear a jacket, and hardly anyone does. 
 

1 hour ago, Cruisergal1208 said:

I’m watching you leaving NYC to bring her to us in Miami on Friday 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

More Sakura and our arrival in cold, rainy New York this morning.  It’s an overnight stay and we are dining in town tonight, so no food pics tomorrow, sorry! 🙂 
 

It’s a stunning afternoon as we make our way to New York. The north Atlantic Ocean is being very kind to us. 
 

15 minutes ago, Into the Sunset said:

Are you onboard?

In Kidless defense, there have been plenty of examples of Explora putting TAs and influencers on a freebie ahead of actual paying guests, most recently at the inaugural event where paying guests were restricted to Emporium Marketplace, with the other dining venues open for these so called “VIPs” only. (Paying guests actually had their confirmed reservations cancelled to make space.) It’s the world upside down. That said, it’s in the past now and it doesn’t serve any purpose to keep bringing it up over and over again. Let’s hope Explora learned from it. I’ll follow reports from the 3 November sailing with interest. 

 

Marble & Co continues to deliver. Last night I finally gave in and ordered the 800 gram USDA Prime Porterhouse. Wow. The creamed spinach is outstanding as well. And the fresh lobster brioche… better than we’ve had on shore 🫣
 

1 minute ago, Critically Cruising said:

And in so many areas, it doesn't.

For the record, since you are quoting me, I don’t agree.

I doubt Emporium Marketplace will work when the ship is full (2 stations specifically, the pasta station and the grill) and I worry about the capacity of the Journeys Lounge. It was good to hear though that Management shares those concerns and is thinking about possible solutions.
 

Apart from that, Explora 1 is - in our opinion - an absolute winner. 
 

On 10/22/2023 at 9:18 PM, kidless said:

Just following up on this. That’s the official list but it seems you can ask for anything that’s on the included list; they try really hard to accommodate. We asked for a bottle of Moet Rose and it promptly appeared. Moreover, every time it’s empty, it seems to automatically refill itself 🤔🤣

9 minutes ago, kidless said:

Tonno pizza or Margherita is the only choices? That definitely won't fly with the Americans. The buffet doesn't sound like place we will venture for dinner. Definitely not the experience we want. At least at a regular buffet (not our thing either) you can sit and eat at same time. 

 

Thanks for your review Florisdekot and photographs. Astern lounge sounds like my spot. How many are on board your sailing. 

Those were the only choices at dinner last night. I understand there’s more choice at lunch. 
 

There’s only 220 on this cruise. We’ve been told the 3 November cruise is 450 (out of 900 at double occupancy). 
 

We’re in Portland, ME today. The Captain sent a letter about the mass shooter that’s still on the run, increased security measures at the port (we didn’t notice any), increased police presence in town (we didn’t see any) and suggested that everyone is extra cautious. Well done, Explora. 

The town is gorgeous, the sky is blue and the lobster rolls to die for. Life is good! 

Last night we had pre-dinner cocktails at our private bar, the Astern Lounge. It seats about 150 people yet every evening we are the only guests there. I feel bad for the guitar player who is giving us private concerts nightly 🤣 but… we are loving it! 

Dinner was at the Emporium Marketplace. As we hardly ever have lunch, this was our first visit. The venue is absolutely beautiful and I like the fact that the food is behind glass and being served to you. At regular buffets, too often I see people sampling food, sticking their fingers in their mouth and then handling utenzils, or sneezing all over the place. This setup is much more hygienic.

Dinner at Emporium Marketplace however is not for us. Please note the “not for us”. I totally appreciate that many will love it, so please respect our opinion as well. At dinner, we just want to sit down, order and relax. We really enjoy table service. Emporium Marketplace is the precise opposite. For every course, you need to get up, go to a station, and place your order. You then have to wait for your order to be finished (5+ minutes at the pasta station and even longer at the grill) and carry your plate back to your table. Ironically, when you’re walking back, waiters approach you to ask if they can carry your plate. After standing for 5+ minutes, I think I can handle the final 5 seconds as well, thank you 🤣 There was only one Chef cooking pasta and each dish takes 5+ minutes. My partner’s pasta was cooked first, so by the time I got back to the table with my plate, he was already nearly finished. Not the dinner experience I’m looking for. I also don’t see how this concept is going to work on a full ship; the queues would be horrendous. We ran into the GM over coffee and he said that Explora is “very aware” of the problem, and is already looking at changes, including handing out buzzers. I couldn’t help myself and replied that buzzers would make me feel like dining at a Sizzler’s. Hopefully they come up with a better solution. 

As for the food itself, the quality was outstanding and our pasta delicious. It’s mostly all western though (with a few exceptions). No butter chicken, no curries, no spicy Asian food. They do serve sushi and a stir fry of the day. 

Another thing lacking is an ice cream station. All they have is one flavor of soft serve. 

Lastly, the pizza. I get the fact that it’s fancy pancy real Italian pizza, but serving only margherita and tonno pizza just doesn’t cut it. As Hank already wrote a few weeks ago, both the Chef and the Maitre D were totally unwilling to even consider a bespoke pizza, or just adding some salami (readily available at the sandwich station next door) to a margherita. “We don’t do bespoke.” During 400+ days on Seabourn, I don’t think I ever heard “no” to such a basic request. And good luck to them when the ship hits the Caribbean and mostly American guests are going to ask for meat lovers, hawaiian and more. 

Marble & Co tonight - our favorite. Can’t wait!
 

(the sun was in the wrong spot)

The next cruise, 3 November, has ~450 passengers, incl. a significant number of travel agents and influencers. Subsequent Caribbean cruises are currently around ~500. The Christmas cruise is ~700. From a very reliable source on board the ship.