Just Back from 5-Day Bermuda - Explorer

[wolfcathorse]

the midnight buffet is NOT the Midnight Buffet people think of from long ago. It is Dancing Under the Stars and all ships have it. They have food (thus they call it the midnight buffet), ice carving demo, some food carvings, and dancing. It's held on the pool deck. The Midnight Buffet of old had caviar, many ice and food sculptures, and desserts beyond your wildest imagination. It was held in the Main Dining Room.

[wolfcathorse]

OP-who was the captain?

[Dave85]

OP-who was the captain?

 

OPs scanned in compasses had Olav Gunnar Nyseter.

[defiant]

Hi everybody,

 

I was on the same cruise also. I was not with John either nor was with the Meridian Travel Bureau.

 

I agree with what everyone says. The Windjammer needs a little more variety instead of the same stuff everyday.

 

The elevators are the absolute worse. There was a bunch of little brats riding in all the cars hitting all the buttons they could as well as the ones in the lobby.

Then even with car full we have to stop at each deck. Must people have enough common sense not to get on but a few will insist on forcing there way on.

 

It took a full day for somebody to get the ships position to accurately display the position and to remove the highlighted route from the previous cruise.

 

Skipped bingo this time. Too much money for the cards for a chance to win a few dollars plus it is hard to make out what Nicky Numbers is saying.

 

TV programing is horrible. They left the that port shopping channel on the whole way back. At least cruise director Mike didn't have his head placed on Elvis dancing and surfing like he did with the last cruise I was on.

 

Horseshoe beach was great. I was one of those brave souls in the water.

After an hour my arms were getting numb and was time to get out.

We had a woman who drove that number 7 bus to it's limits as fast as it could go. It was like a roller coaster ride getting snapped from one side to the other and there was no smooth braking. It was either full throttle or hard on the brakes to the point they almost locked up the wheels.

 

Does anybody know what is with all the horn blowing on the road????

Every turn in the road or every car we passed the horns are are blowing.

 

One thing I found, once you book the cruise you have to go back and check the price for the state room each day. They have a price guaranty. Some days it would be higher and some days lower, I mean a lot lower. We ended up getting one thousand dollars back at the end of the cruise because of a price drop that we had them honor.

 

I would do it again on the same ship. Had a great time.

[Kellie Poodle]

We actually crashed before the party as we walked bermuda the entire day (probably did 5-7 miles of walking). We were shot. I heard it was quite chilly on the deck but people were dancing and eating. Those who went enjoyed it and only complained on how cold it was.

 

It wasn't that cold. We were there. The food was good and the ice carving demo was interesting. We didn't stay for the dancing, though we'd have liked to, because there were too many unsupervised children running around. During the day they were in the Adventure Ocean program and were hardly seen. It seemed to us that there were a lot of "parental supervision failures" at night.

 

It was a great cruise with embarkation and debarcation being effortless. We really enjoyed Steve at the piano bar in the Schooner Bar. I think he will be leaving in May, however.

[Kellie Poodle]

Hi everybody,

 

I was on the same cruise also. I was not with John either nor was with the Meridian Travel Bureau.

 

I agree with what everyone says. The Windjammer needs a little more variety instead of the same stuff everyday.

 

 

Does anybody know what is with all the horn blowing on the road????

Every turn in the road or every car we passed the horns are are blowing.

 

I would do it again on the same ship. Had a great time.

 

I was not impressed by the CD, either. He didn't do anything as far as we could tell except announce some stuff at the end of each show.

 

We found the Windjammer's food to be off-temperature most of the time. The MDR, however was awesome. Great waitstaff, the food was very good and the service was flawless. I have to say that the entire crew was wonderful. Friendly and helpful.

 

The people who live on Bermuda blow their horns to greet each other. That is what our cab driver, Duke, told us. He gave 6 of us an awesome tour of the entire island chain along with history, culture, agriculture, etc. He was able to take us to a few private places because of his connections. Great guide!

[Kellie Poodle]

If you can get to the Viking Crown Lounge (deck 14) for sail-away, bring your camera. I was so sure we were not going to make it under the bridge. Of course we did. I took lots of pictures. The skyline view is beautiful.

 

I'm not on my own computer so I can't post my photos.

[Debde]

Thanks for the reply. The fact that the shops and casino would be closed never crossed my mind. Good info.

 

Does anyone know of a Casino close by? Taxi ride-walking???

[defiant]

Yeah, Going under the Verrazano Bridge is awesome. You would swear it won't make it.

 

Thats what I fugured about the horn blowing. That is totally opposite from what I am used to driving here in New Jersey.

 

Hey, How come you don't have to wear the life jackets anymore for the abandon ship drill?

[eoyer]

Hello! My kids and I (12, 10, 5) are going on this trip on June 5th. We've only been on one Disney cruise together (I do log a lot of time on girlfriend cruises). :)

 

At any rate, this is family time and I really was planning to skip the main dining room since they don't really care and I get a lot of good food during my own travels for work. As the time approaches, I am wondering if the main dining room or Portofino's allows "take-out" or anything of that nature. I made the mistake of watching a youtube video of all the food someone ate on Explorer of the Seas and was starting to regret that Windjammer buffet I'm going to be facing.

 

Any thoughts? Oh one more question -- 5 your old caught wind of the Portugese Man of War (thanks to 12 year old brother) and now is terrified of the water. Any experience with whether there are safer areas for snorkeling? Are there any snorkel beaches with lifeguards, for that matter?

 

Thanks!

[defiant]

Any thoughts? Oh one more question -- 5 your old caught wind of the Portugese Man of War (thanks to 12 year old brother) and now is terrified of the water. Any experience with whether there are safer areas for snorkeling? Are there any snorkel beaches with lifeguards, for that matter?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I'm no expert on Bermuda, but I found Horseshoe beach to be spotless.

There are no rocks, stones, pebbles, shells or debris on the beach or in the water. Even though there are rock formations on either side of the beach.

Water is crystal clear and did not see anything at all in the water.

This beach is too rough to snorkel in. It is open to the ocean. No life guards on duty when I was there.

 

There is a snorkel park close to the ship on the other side of the Fortress.

They day I wanted to go there it was closed for a private function.

[Twinkie13]

Yeah, Going under the Verrazano Bridge is awesome. You would swear it won't make it.

 

Thats what I fugured about the horn blowing. That is totally opposite from what I am used to driving here in New Jersey.

 

Hey, How come you don't have to wear the life jackets anymore for the abandon ship drill?

That was the best idea they have come up with! Nice not to wear or drag out the life vest anymore.

[Twinkie13]

Any thoughts? Oh one more question -- 5 your old caught wind of the Portugese Man of War (thanks to 12 year old brother) and now is terrified of the water. Any experience with whether there are safer areas for snorkeling? Are there any snorkel beaches with lifeguards, for that matter?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I'm no expert on Bermuda, but I found Horseshoe beach to be spotless.

There are no rocks, stones, pebbles, shells or debris on the beach or in the water. Even though there are rock formations on either side of the beach.

Water is crystal clear and did not see anything at all in the water.

This beach is too rough to snorkel in. It is open to the ocean. No life guards on duty when I was there.

 

There is a snorkel park close to the ship on the other side of the Fortress.

They day I wanted to go there it was closed for a private function.

By-pass Snorkel Park unless you love to watch chickens running around on the beach. Not my idea of a relaxing beach front.

[BobKat406]

Debde - There are no casino's in Bermuda so while you are in port there is no gambling available.

 

Eoyer - There is room service and the Cafe Promenade with offers sandwiches and pizza. I did see some folks carrying covered plates from the MDR so I'm sure if you ask they will make the food "to go". Can't say about portofino. We ate there and the food is fantastic but not sure about take out. You can call them once on the ship and check. They charge a $20 per person fee so I would have to believe that if you get "to go" they will charge the same. You might want to check the Bermuda board for good snorkel information.

[Kellie Poodle]

Yeah, Going under the Verrazano Bridge is awesome. You would swear it won't make it.

 

Thats what I fugured about the horn blowing. That is totally opposite from what I am used to driving here in New Jersey.

 

Hey, How come you don't have to wear the life jackets anymore for the abandon ship drill?

 

They changed it several months ago. I'm quite happy about it.

 

Our muster station was in the dining room. We joked that our life boat would be a "gravy boat" . Loved not having to go out in the cold and stand. We sat at a table. Don't know how we lucked into this spot, but we were very happy.

[Debde]

Debde - There are no casino's in Bermuda so while you are in port there is no gambling available.

 

thanks BobKat

[MrPete]

Just home from Explorer 5-day bermuda trip. I plan to post some pics, scans of compass and menus.

 

Thanks for the review. Reminds me why I don't go this early on Carnival for a 7 day cruise.

 

Can't see going to Bermuda, and not being in that water for hours on end.

 

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

[MrPete]

 

I agree with what everyone says. The Windjammer needs a little more variety instead of the same stuff everyday.

 

The elevators are the absolute worse.

 

TV programing is horrible.

 

I'm disappointed that they have not changed this. I was very turned off at the same offerings in the WJ day after day after day after day after day. And they were tame, as well.

 

And I agree with the other two statements.

 

Note to self: Do not book with Mike H. as CD

[tom13]

i thought they server they same for dinner in WJ as in the MDR?

 

we saw that on the liberty in january is that different on the explorer?

 

maybe depends on the chef?

[Dave85]

 

Note to self: Do not book with Mike H. as CD

 

Best way to do that would be to not book a cruise I'm on. I can't seem to get away from him... stuck with him on a 12-nt in the Med, 9-nt Caribbean and now the upcoming 5-nt Bermuda. Ugh.

[Kellie Poodle]

i thought they server they same for dinner in WJ as in the MDR?

 

we saw that on the liberty in january is that different on the explorer?

 

maybe depends on the chef?

 

They do. There are always several items in the Windjammer that are on the MDR menu at dinner time. Of course the presentation is quite different in Windjammer.

 

Breakfast and lunch, however, needs more variety.

[tom13]

They do. There are always several items in the Windjammer that are on the MDR menu at dinner time. Of course the presentation is quite different in Windjammer.

 

Breakfast and lunch, however, needs more variety.

 

 

thanks

[octagonmike]

"An overnight in port is something we are considering. What would you consider positive or negative aspects of the overnight? Thanks."

 

The negative to staying overnight in port is that everything on the ship is closed (casino, DR for lunch, shops etc.). There is not much nightlife going on in Bermuda. There are a few restaurant/bars that offer nightly entertainment. Unfortunately, we are not big drinkers so that would not have appealed to us.

 

There are festivals (one in Hamilton and one at Dockyard) but they don't start until June I believe so these didn't happen. Royal Carib does a midnight buffet the night in port.

 

The positive thing I found is no rushing back to the ship. You can stay out all night if you want. You can come and go for meals however, it is a hassle to keep getting on and off the boat with scanners and lines etc.

 

The bars on board were still open at night though right ?

[Twinkie13]

The bars on board were still open at night though right ?

 

Sure are:D

[octagonmike]

Sure are:D

 

 

 

 

PHEW !!!!!

 

Almost had palpatations there Twinkie ;)