KJB416

There is a way to transfer a booking without the $200 penalty but I can’t remember the fine print. I’ve done it before and it’s in the terms and conditions.

You’re welcome! I was also thinking that the OT1 and mid ship are going to sell out first, so the likelihood of you getting mid ship OT1 over crema is low, hopefully. But, yes, if bad complain. I wish I done so or at least said something about it. The music bothered me the most. I’m not sure if it’s still played.

First cruise with heavy amount of Europeans we were in 6032 and I smelled the smoke and heard the music from the speakers and I will never book starboard side above crema again for that reason. Next we booked 7104 and no issues with noise (although it was a creaky cabin, but I didn’t think to complain just thought it was due to the high seas in the pacific in April) or vibration but we did not have any tender ports on the sailing. Next cruise we are in 7101 since we take the stairs it’s a perfect location for us still booking the OT1. With that being said, I’d roll the dice with gty as I don’t think it’s worth $800 more just to know where you are when the cabins are exactly the same.

I do all my own legwork and research but I do use a cruise travel agent to book the cruise as my agent provides 5% cash back. Many will provide it the form of a OBC. I only use the TA for the cruise portion and do all of my other travel arrangements on my own. I think the important part is finding an agent that is experienced with luxury cruises and land trips. As a side note, I live in Irvine and have been on two Explora cruises and have another booked in October and I’d equate the ship to having a similar atmosphere as The Montage Hotel or Waldorf Astoria but without any of the pretentiousness. It does depend on how full the ship is and if there are a lot of travel agents on board, but the service is impeccable and the food outstanding. We’ve booked an OT1 every time and have no complaints with the location. I don’t think you’ll find a ton of entertainment other than the nightly shows (think Hollywood Movie tribute, Billy Joel Tribute, West End/ Broadway tribute) and after that they do have a “nightclub” With DJ and they do late night dancing and entertainment and it really depends on the demographic of the ship if this is busy with people. I don’t think you can go wrong with trying it out for a new experience and to see if you like it, but go in knowing the entertainment is not why I keep going back, but it’s enough for us to enjoy ourselves with what they offer.

I agree, what’s there to figure out here?

Uktog, it makes sense these shades would not be used while in route or high winds, but while in port could offer some protection possibly, but they must have found they are not functional? Regardless, I appreciate you asking about them Sidney68 since I am curious. My favorite place at that pool is the large round wicker chair on the port side where we’ve laid in the bright sun in 55F degree weather, enjoying no one else around and watching the ocean move. agree the conservatory gets too humid in warmer weather. But, if Stephen, from South Africa is still there bartending, tell him I miss his French 75 and I appreciate him giving me a lesson on how to make it at home. 😉

I’m so glad to hear it’s improving. Please continue to keep us updated. On another note, I also can’t be in the sun for long periods of time, but husband loves it. In their marketing brochures they have covers on the beds on deck 5 around the pool like picture below. I’ve never asked about it bc both of my trips have been in cold weather and sun has not been too much of an issue. Do you know if the shades in the picture below are available? I’ve never seen them up while onboard and like I said never needed them to ask after them .

The jacuzzis on my recent trip up the West coast were mid temp as well. It was absurd. The only one that was somewhat comfortable, but not for long as it was just too cool, was the jacuzzi outside the sky bar. They were never hot on my trip even when we told a crew maintenance worker they were too cold. So weird. When I was in Iceland they were hot.

It’s unfortunate they are filling their Ships with these TA’s and influencers that take away from the luxury experience you’ve been fortunate to experience this past week. Both of my previous cruises on Explora with over 500 passengers had a lot of travel agents on them and my first was filled with crew members family too, which does not bother me as much as the TAs . My most recent had extremely large groups of TA’s, 20 to 30+, all gathering in large groups and others walking aground the ship with their company lanyards around their necks, dining in large groups with officers in the restaurants. With 550ish passengers it didn’t terribly impact the experience, but I hate these large groups that take over an area that ultimately takes a way from us paying passengers experience. I love the ship, the food and staff but I don’t love the itineraries with the same Med and Caribbean cruises being offered and I really do not want to cruise with travel agents that get perks for bringing all their friends/family when I’m paying full fare. I’ve got one more in October on II and I try to choose off peak times hoping they won’t be full, but it seems EJ just fills the ship with TA if the cabins are not selling. I hope it gets better for you and you continue to find joy in the ship and crew even with the new addition of these new passengers.

I’m really looking forward to your thoughts while you’re on board. I’m similar in your age and travel experiences, and 100% agree that experiences are what you make of them. We are big fans of the ship, food and the staff; the spa and the back office control over everything needs work. I truly hope you have a wonderful time. I think there is a speaker in the tv and it does have ports to plug into. I didn’t bring anything with me to try it out, as they say you can’t do this, but I think I remember seeing something on the tv about speakers or ability to listen to music through the tv. I didn’t try it, so I could be wrong, but check the tv out for a way to connect your phone possibly.

When we were on the April 12th sailing, Abigail was the manager of Sakura. She has been on both of our cruises and is one of our absolute favorites! She goes above and beyond and made sure several of the staff gathered around and sang me happy birthday during breakfast on my birthday.

I’m looking forward to your trip and following along with you. I am using the BA Visa companion 2-4-1 business class fare in October for an Explora II cruise and I’ll look into Seat Spy and cross my fingers for the upgrade! Thank you so much for posting about it as I’ve not heard of it and I hope it’s compatible with the BA Visa companion ticket. Safe travels and we’ve used Modern Elite Wordwide as a car service 2 times recently and they are very professional and reliable. It may be more expensive than an Uber (I prefer Lyft), but I’m sure more comfortable. https://www.moderneliteworldwide.net. You could also check out the Belmont Shore (2nd street) area if taking a ride share is something you’re open to you once you land at your hotel. Nicks Restaurant is a favorite in that area.

I agree with Dr. Cocktail just ask for what you want when you get on board. They offer one bottle of alcohol from a list and one bottle of wine replenished as needed. We didn’t even open our bottle of gin. By the second evening, the bar waiters in different venues knew our drink orders and we had them fighting over us (in the best way possible) to get us our drinks as often as we liked. My very old school in-laws that travelled with us were so impressed with the service and we especially appreciated the restaurant waitstaff not removing anyone’s dinner plate until everyone was finished eating. You don’t find that in most restaurants anymore and that is a sign of excellent training and we most definitely appreciated it.

Rough number is 300+ for the next cruise our cruise supposedly had half travel agents out of the 500+ passengers, not sure how accurate that is, but seems definitely possible. The ship is full in a good way; second dinner reservations are not something we tried for.

We had a 1pm and 1:30 boarding time in LA and we got there around 12:30-12:45 and were put in seats and they had a first come first served sort of order. We were taken straight to our cabins by 1pm. Food and service has been excellent and everyone knows our name and greets you as such. We also love the resident entertainers and prefer their shows over the special guests. I think we have 590 on board. A lot of TA’s and those with cameras and recoding devices unfortunately, but it honestly has not deterred from our enjoyment of the cruise. The crew is what makes the trip so special and it’s been a very fun time with an enjoyable and friendly crowd of fellow passengers. I look forward to trying Explora II.

Wines you can pay for is attached. From what I remember, the same included wines are offered in all venues. Since I don’t drink wine I wasn’t really paying attention. EXI_EXPLORA_LOUNGE (1) (1).pdf

Per my request in February, 2024, Explora emailed me all of the drink menus and I’ve attached a couple here. These are just what the back office had and may not be accurate. I’ll be onboard right before you and will try and post here to give you a better idea of what’s on board. Or maybe we are on the same cruise out of LA on the 12th? On our last cruise they ran out of their one IPA on the second day and also fever tree tonic became hard to find and staff would have to go to other bars on other floors to get it. Hoping these things have been resolved. EXI_EXPLORA_LOUNGE (1) (1).pdf EXI_MALT_WHISKY.pdf

Thank you for the information. I emailed them last night asking about it again, since the sale price is significant. I mean, they would take an upgrade over a reimbursement, but it doesn't seem like corporate wants to do anything for paying customers. Just offering the free stuff to the TA and influencers.

we are on April 12 LA - Vancouver

Do you mind explaining more on the request for a reduction for the third time? My in-laws are booked on our April 2024 sailing and they paid full price for their OT4 cabin and so far Explora will not do anything for them even though the current prices for their cabin are 2k less and offer the OBC. I was able to transfer my April booking to another cruise in Oct 24 and rebooked the April cruise during the BF sale. It’s really frustrating dealing with their corporate office and if you use a TA they won’t discuss costs with you. My in-laws are 90 years old so will not hassle over the price, but it really bothers me that EJ slashed these prices after saying they would sail empty before lowering prices. I’m also told the cruise has 70% of cabins sold and I have a feeling there will be a lot of travel agents on board.

They did on our cruise in August.

Yes, you’re correct and I don’t know what I was thinking about sushi only at lunch. Thanks so much for posting the menu since my in-laws are going with us in April and I sent the pictures of the menus previously provided, possible by you, and I couldn’t find the lunch menu for Sakura. Is it that you can sit at the sushi bar at dinner with no reservations? I can’t remember what it is about this and if it’s still available?

I would book Marble and Sakura on the first two nights and if you like them, then go to the reservation agent on deck 5 outside the Crema Cafe and see if you can get another nights reservation at each of those places. Go to med yacht club and Fil Rouge the other two nights. Sakura is open for lunch (Sushi bar only) so you can try that as well. We would hit the Emporium Marketplace (the buffet) for oysters, crab/shrimp and a cocktail pre dinner every night. We thought Emporium was great for breakfast and lunch. Their dinner offerings were very good as well, but with only 6 nights I’d just try to get in again to wherever you enjoyed most and if nothing stood out then go to Emporium for dinner. Enjoy your cruise

I get on the ship in LA and this is one of the experiences offered under my booking. You can also hire a private car service if you don’t want to take a taxi or Uber that is available at the terminal. Explora should offer a private transfer as well once you are on the ship.