"LIVE" From Explorer of the Seas / May 8, 2010

[Radio]

Hello everyone ! I made it on board. . .

 

I arrived at the pier entrance by 8PM, and there was quite a line for baggage drop off, and a longer line for parking.

 

I waited for a while in line to get into the terminal, and just one more line to check in. By the time I saw the check in agent, things were very smooth and very fast.

 

I made it to the ship by 10PM. There was a very short shuttle ride (2min).

 

Captain Olav Nyseter announced that there would be no muster drill tonight, as it was getting very late, and we will have our Muster drill tomorrow at 10:15AM. We were supposed to turn our clocks forward tonight at midnight, but that was delayed until tomorrow as well. Our Cruise Director, Mike Hunnerup announced that at noon tomorrow, we will adjust all clocks to 1PM.

 

We left the pier at 11:30 tonight, and the Casino opened at midnight. There will be no Casino Royale for me tonight. . . I need to hit the rack.

 

Here are a few pics from the boarding process tonight. . . Many more pics will come tomorrow !

 

The comments everyone have posted have been very nice.

Thank You, and thanks for tuning in. . .

 

 

 

 

I can't believe it is 12:30AM, and I am still awake.

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explorer of the Seas is ready for me now !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uh oh. . We have a long line to get into the terminal. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost there. . .We are in the terminal and ready for security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow. . There is a lot of people in here !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Diamond Plus Desk was a very good sight for me. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made it ! I am very happy now. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Radio

[NYC cruiser lady]

I am sailing a 5 night Cruise to Bermuda. . . I think the other "LIVE" thread (Meg) is doing multiple cruises. . .

Radio

;);)

 

Dear Radio and all other Explorer fans,

I have been lurking but decided to say hi. I can't wait to hear your reports about the ship and the ports. Your Oasis report was phenominal. If you can drop by the Schooner Bar one night I would love to read about the crowd that gathers there. The Schooner Bar has always been one of my favorite spots each night.

[TPKeller]

Dear Radio and all other Explorer fans,

I have been lurking but decided to say hi. I can't wait to hear your reports about the ship and the ports. Your Oasis report was phenominal. If you can drop by the Schooner Bar one night I would love to read about the crowd that gathers there. The Schooner Bar has always been one of my favorite spots each night.

Not many feel this way any more... but you are absolutely right! A good Piano Man can make or break a whole cruise for me!! :)

 

The best one I've seen was Martin Kaye, on Vision out of LA... but on my Empress cruise, I walked by the piano bar the first night and it was a Lawrence Welk wannabe! Ugh, I found other things to do in the evening for that whole cruise!

 

Theron

[dizzy205]

Radio,

 

Was that your first time embarking at night? I mean at the start of the journey. I have never done that. We had a delay on was on the Freedom in Miami in 2006. It was a noro thing. I can't even remember how late we started sailling, it was still daylight though. There was one cruise, the Navigator in 2003 that was delayed to leave because of major flight delays. We didn't sail out until 9pm. The embarkation at night....must be one for the books!

 

Enjoy your shortend cruise...I know you will be posting live from time to time, and i cannot wait. I am sure this question was asked and answered many times, but I consider you an expert, so -- Where are the best places to get the best WIFI connection? :D Have some fun, and keep her warm for us :p

 

This is a question for Radio and all, we are going in a month, we want to offer our condolences, (sp) but is it in poor taste to say we are sorry for their loss? I would like to acknowledge their loss, but I don't want to make anyone feel worse than they are feeling. I want to be respectful, also let them all know we care, ya know? We alway see familiar faces onboard I don't want to blow it off and I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

 

thanks guys

 

Radio, I hope its warm for you.....we had to put the heat on here in Ocean County NJ last night...the current weather is 47 degrees!!!!:eek:

[octagonmike]

Really looking forward to this one Radio as we are due to board on Thursday (hopefully) assuming the Ash Cloud doesn't prevent us from doing so of course.

 

Really interested to see how the weather is on your journey down to Bermuda.

[NorbertsNiece]

Yayyy!!! You made it!!! Have a wonderful time :D

[beachbuddy]

I think Suzanne was on the cruise that came back late with the storm Noel? Am I right? You, Suzanne and Christie need to tell everyone when your cruise meet!!!

 

Dawn............I'm a brave, brave person because I'm cruising with Suzanne - we join her on Thursday!!! I never took anything for seasickness and never had a problem but I'm debating whether I should take Bonine or not!!! Suzanne said I should, but I told her she needs to behave this cruise and keep the sea calm!!!! Not sure what to do........I don't like taking anything!!! LOL

 

Patty

[CruisinMommas]

Dawn............I'm a brave, brave person because I'm cruising with Suzanne - we join her on Thursday!!! I never took anything for seasickness and never had a problem but I'm debating whether I should take Bonine or not!!! Suzanne said I should, but I told her she needs to behave this cruise and keep the sea calm!!!! Not sure what to do........I don't like taking anything!!! LOL

 

Patty

Well I guess she was having a little fun with people last night with all that wind, but she is used to that.

I always carry ginger tablets. When we had that big I took ginger and it worked great. Usually I am good with nothing. Once on a cruise to HI a lady told me she neede something to ease her stomach and I tiold her to try some ginger. I thn forgot all about it. She later came back to thank me.

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . Happy Mothers Day to all of the Cruise Critic Moms !

 

I think I fell asleep last night at about 5 minutes after my last post. I slept very good last night. Hmmm, maybe staying up late is the key to getting a full nights sleep. Yesterday was a long day, but it seemed to work out in the end. The Explorer of the Seas is a beautiful ship, and she is one of my favorites. The coffee in the Cafe` Promenade is very good too. . .

 

Today is a day at sea, and it appears that the sun is coming up strong, and it should be a very sunny day. There is no rain in our forecast, which is very nice. The seas are mild. . There are 8 meter swells, but Explorer appears to be running smooth. There is a little rocking, but not bad.

 

As expected, there will be a lot of Activities today, and there are over 3000 passengers who will be searching their Cruise Compass to see what is right for them.

 

The crew seems to be very happy, and very friendly so far. I thought there would be many passengers who would be very upset about sailing so late, but I haven’t heard any complaints. The crew however, appears to be in the “business as usual” mode.

 

The Wi Fi is very fast, 2530kbps (WOW) and they have added some new packages.

 

$35-60 min/ .58/min

$55-99 min/ .55/min

$75-136 min/ .55/min

$100-250 min/ .40/min

$150-500 min/ .30/min

 

I miss Cybercabin, and I wish they still had it. . .

 

 

Here are a few pics from today. . . More pics later today.

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

Early morning Sunny Promenade Deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pools have all been painted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserved for Gold Sea Pass Card (Suites)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These chairs will be filled with many passengers later today !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mothers Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only 480nm to go until Bermuda !

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Radio

[Radio]

Radio, >SNIP<

Enjoy your shortened cruise...I know you will be posting live from time to time, and i cannot wait. I am sure this question was asked and answered many times, but I consider you an expert, so -- Where are the best places to get the best WIFI connection? Have some fun, and keep her warm for us.

Radio, I hope its warm for you.....we had to put the heat on here in Ocean County NJ last night...the current weather is 47 degrees!!!!:eek:

 

You can get a good wi-fi signal on DECK 5, Deck 11, Internet Cafe Deck 8. Library Deck 7, Conference Room, Deck 2, and most of Deck 11.

 

Radio

;);)

Edited May 9, 2010 by Radio

[madelinerose]

You can get a good wi-fi signal on DECK 5, Deck 11, Internet Cafe Deck 8. Library Deck 7, Conference Room, Deck 2, and most of Deck 11. Radio ;);)

 

 

Good morning, Radio. Will you be sailing Enchantment from Baltimore? ;)

[AF-1]

great pics on such a beautiful Mothers Day. Cheers to all

[lakelorain]

Always look forward to your reports, Radio.

We just got off the Explorer and I want to mention what a wonderful job the Captain and crew did handling the situation. All guests were kept informed. In spite of having stayed up all night searching for their fellow crew member, the crew provided excellent service.

Sorry your cruise was delayed. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

[octagonmike]

What sort of temperature are you expecting today Radio ?

 

Thanks for the updates by the way. Just 4 days to go for us :D

[subtchr]

You can get a good wi-fi signal on DECK 5, Deck 11, Internet Cafe Deck 8. Library Deck 7, Conference Room, Deck 2, and most of Deck 11.

 

Radio

;);)

 

This is great to know, especially since we are in 7320, right near the library, on our June Explorer cruise!

 

I also take tons of photos, Radio, and to post them here I upload to Photobucket and link them. Do you do something similar? If so, doesn't the upload take a long time with the ship's connection speed? I'd love to be able to post some photos while we are on the cruise, but normally I do as much as I can offline before logging on.

 

Thanks for any tips, and have a GREAT time!!

 

Sue

[octagonmike]

This is great to know, especially since we are in 7320, right near the library, on our June Explorer cruise!

 

I also take tons of photos, Radio, and to post them here I upload to Photobucket and link them. Do you do something similar? If so, doesn't the upload take a long time with the ship's connection speed? I'd love to be able to post some photos while we are on the cruise, but normally I do as much as I can offline before logging on.

 

Thanks for any tips, and have a GREAT time!!

 

Sue

 

Radio Says:

 

The Wi Fi is very fast, 2530kbps (WOW) and they have added some new packages.

[Bakincakes]

Great to see you posting again Radio..we always enjoy following along with you to one of our favorite spots..Bermuda!!!:)

[subtchr]

Radio Says:

 

The Wi Fi is very fast, 2530kbps (WOW) and they have added some new packages.

 

Thanks, Mike, I did see that, but even at a fast speed, photo uploading can take some time. Just wondering if that is how Radio posts his photos. I love seeing them right after he takes them!

 

Sue

[danp]

Radio,We will be sailing the Explorer in November.Can you tell us if there is a different Diamond and Diamond + lounges?

[MyNameIsGermy]

Thanks for sharing your vacation time with us Radio - love your live reports!!!

[beachbuddy]

Well I guess she was having a little fun with people last night with all that wind, but she is used to that.

I always carry ginger tablets. When we had that big I took ginger and it worked great. Usually I am good with nothing. Once on a cruise to HI a lady told me she neede something to ease her stomach and I tiold her to try some ginger. I thn forgot all about it. She later came back to thank me.

 

I really don't want to take bonine...........where do I get ginger tablets at??

[sailingnut]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I cannot wait to hear more. I just love the "explorer". Happy Mother's Day to all.

[BND]

Radio, one question. You said 8 meter swells, do you really mean 8 foot? 8 meters would be about 26 feet.:D

[counsdr]

Morning Radio and All!

Thank you so much for all the pictures and news. May you have a wonderful trip!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms

 

Cheryl

[dizzy205]

You can get a good wi-fi signal on DECK 5, Deck 11, Internet Cafe Deck 8. Library Deck 7, Conference Room, Deck 2, and most of Deck 11.

 

Radio

;);)

 

Thanks so much! It is written down in my crusie notebook. Most appreciated :D