saminina

Thought I had read holiday cruises were excluded. They are excluded on Explora website and two others checked.

Crystal wins for average age being older. Heck, you have to be older to even know about Crystal. And you probably should be older to appreciate the offerings/service levels.

700? When boarding ship at port stop, ask at gangway for passenger count. Maybe the only place on the ship for a true number.

And to summarize the past twenty posts.........everyone is different. Explora has plenty to like. Explora has plenty not so much to like.

Issues, not just one. Being SB board, not discussing here. A SB thread with food topic. Vineyard View....I know yours is a sincere question. It's not for me to recommend anything to anybody. You've read the Explora thread and know there are several folks giving high praises to their food offerings. If you take pleasure in ordering off menu, Explora is not where you want to be. They are very careful to address food allergies. Included wines are drinkable.....not enjoyable. I made local purchases and they put their corkscrew to work. No wine people accepted a tasting offer.

That one got cut short.. As proven by their loyal customer base and so many new passengers that have found their own definition of luxury by being on a smaller ship than the mega type.

Explora has serious issues that will prevent it from being classified as luxury. I'd say the same for SS and SB, but many of their customers will not agree. Food wise, Explora is much closer to the Europa ships. I can't help people that think what they are eating while on SS and SB is acceptable. Well, it is mostly acceptable as proven

21 days on that alternative line and very close to zero negative experience in food department, or any other department.

Many are quite obvious. Do you expect SB to send you the list?

Everyday, the most flavorful blueberries. I have no such luck on land. Always hit or miss.

The ship never had more than 200 passengers. Cruise ended in Miami with 156. 166 in Portland.

This was primary reason we wanted to try Explora,

Wondering if there is something I could care less about. Sounds like a day to stay on the ship.

Yes, I thought it strange which prompted the comment.

I do not want to be on this ship with 500 passengers and we'll still be way under in December. Right now, everything is super duper. Passenger count is not close to 220.

Plenty of trees in town and today the leaves are still green.

Lower per diem if you add next segment.

Not satisfied with SS or SB food? There is an alternative line on the scene if food is a primary influence on booking. We began sailing SB towards end of Charlie Palmer era. So many were so happy to be rid of Palmer. I typed "be careful what you wish for" and a year later many were unhappy with Restaurant 2. We liked Palmer and 2 much more than TK.

So write it off and move on. Plenty of things can be found as inferior on this ship. Most easily rectified and some not. It's a balancing act and we will see how the scales tilt for future bookings.

Mostly different vintages from same wine producers on the original published list.

You are correct. Less than 250 passengers. Quite a few less.

The parking spot is a first. I ain't know influensar and agreed with the exit poll.

Not saying it does not work. Less hassle and cost effective to use phone in suite.

There are wine apps that will give you a clue to how fairly priced available wines are on the ship. wine-searcher.com being one.

Call from room was about $1.79/minute last year. Very surprised. My satellite phone is useless on SS.