All Things Explorer of the Seas! -- Part 2

[njhorseman]

Have been wanting to cruise out of New York for the scenery and cannot find any cruises that appeal to me. Like the Explorer itinerary leaving from New Jersey. Will I be able to see the NY skyline, statue of Liberty, etc. Hope this is not a dumb question. Have cruised a lot. But mostly from Florida, Calif. and Europe.

 

There are any number of ships from other cruise lines that depart from Manhattan and offer itineraries similar to the Explorer's...so much so that we tend to choose our ship from the NY area based on price. If you cruise from Manhattan you'll get the "real" NY skyline/Statue of Liberty experience. Cruising from Bayonne doesn't come close to matching it...you get a side/rear end view of the SOL from a couple of miles away as opposed to cruising right by the SOL twice...so close that you can practically reach out and touch it.

 

What itinerary were you interested in?

Edited January 20, 2013 by njhorseman

[MisterBill99]

We were on a seven-nighter and there was a poolside buffet combined with music and dancing. The top-tier event for us was a special ice show with drinks. We didn't know that was to be the case, so we waited on line for tickets to the regular show.

There was no poolside buffet (or any other late night buffet) on our 7-nighter last week. They told me they got rid of it and only do it on the 9-night cruise now. Another cutback.

 

The top-tier event was the same for us, ice show with drinks (but not drinks of your choice, they were the same as the welcome back party and no food), but they announced it as a public event later in the week, after not giving out tickets for it (which confused me, since I thought it meant no drinks). However, the standby people who showed up for it were ushered to the left side where free drinks were presumably not available there. They were probably wondering where everyone else was drinking!

 

The activity manager gave out tickets to the first day's 3pm ice show at the Meet & Mingle, which was nice since it was at 9:30am and the tickets were being given out at 10am and I'm told that tickets for that went quickly. My son had headed over to get on line for tickets before we found out that they had tickets for us.

Edited January 20, 2013 by MisterBill99

[wyaracing]

There was no poolside buffet (or any other late night buffet) on our 7-nighter last week. They told me they got rid of it and only do it on the 9-night cruise now. Another cutback.

 

The top-tier event was the same for us, ice show with drinks (but not drinks of your choice, they were the same as the welcome back party and no food), but they announced it as a public event later in the week, after not giving out tickets for it (which confused me, since I thought it meant no drinks). However, the standby people who showed up for it were ushered to the left side where free drinks were presumably not available there. They were probably wondering where everyone else was drinking!

 

The activity manager gave out tickets to the first day's 3pm ice show at the Meet & Mingle, which was nice since it was at 9:30am and the tickets were being given out at 10am and I'm told that tickets for that went quickly. My son had headed over to get on line for tickets before we found out that they had tickets for us.

 

Any chance you've got menus or compass' from that cruise you could post? We're leaving on the same cruise on the 10th, and I know I'm not the only one itching to get a look at the compass'. There are quite a few of us on here hoping someone is kind enough to post them!

[parisbully]

There are any number of ships from other cruise lines that depart from Manhattan and offer itineraries similar to the Explorer's...so much so that we tend to choose our ship from the NY area based on price. If you cruise from Manhattan you'll get the "real" NY skyline/Statue of Liberty experience. Cruising from Bayonne doesn't come close to matching it...you get a side/rear end view of the SOL from a couple of miles away as opposed to cruising right by the SOL twice...so close that you can practically reach out and touch it.

 

What itinerary were you interested in?

 

Thanks, that is very helpful information. Itinerary is not that important. The date is. Mid April. A BIG anniversary celebration.

[Heidils]

Oh no! Are you ok now? I'd have tackled the little bastard for you! :cool:

 

So sorry...I can't get my printer to work. Hubby is out to sea so no help there. Nope still layed up...herniated disc! We walked the stairs and the track every till that happened.

 

Whatta ya gonna do?

[bobmacliberty]

Sorry if this has been asked, but this thread is tough to search through. We're on the June 8 5-day cruise to Bermuda. Since this itinerary doesn't start for another couple of months, was there a similar itinerary last year? If so, can anyone point me toward any past reviews? Looking specifically for a cruise compass, even if it's old. Thanks!

[KnightsOfNi]

Have been wanting to cruise out of New York for the scenery and cannot find any cruises that appeal to me. Like the Explorer itinerary leaving from New Jersey. Will I be able to see the NY skyline, statue of Liberty, etc. Hope this is not a dumb question. Have cruised a lot. But mostly from Florida, Calif. and Europe.

If it helps, I took the following photo from my cabin on the Summit which uses the same dock.

Regards Knights

[lovetocruiserccl]

Have been wanting to cruise out of New York for the scenery and cannot find any cruises that appeal to me. Like the Explorer itinerary leaving from New Jersey. Will I be able to see the NY skyline, statue of Liberty, etc. Hope this is not a dumb question. Have cruised a lot. But mostly from Florida, Calif. and Europe.

 

Yes you can see all of that and more. The scenery is beautiful.

[lovetocruiserccl]

They sell the cooler at Ladabee I was on Explorer dec 2

 

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

[redriderjan]

Does rccl give out free lanyards in the casino? And can you have your sea pass punched and wear on your lanyard? Thanks

[beachbuddy]

Does rccl give out free lanyards in the casino? And can you have your sea pass punched and wear on your lanyard? Thanks

 

No, they don't give out free lanyards, but they do sell them in the gift shop. Yes, you can have your sea pass punched.

[Ocean Boy]

No, they don't give out free lanyards, but they do sell them in the gift shop. Yes, you can have your sea pass punched.

 

RCI doesn't like that word.;)

[beachbuddy]

rci doesn't like that word.;)

 

 

lol......

[springvalley]

Hi Gang

Anyone ever do My Family time Dining?

Was there any issues getting your kids picked up?

Did the staff bring out their food pretty quickly?

How long did you leave them at Adventure Ocean after dinner?

Staff in AO great with the kids?

How is the kids pool section on the ship?

O.K., I think I'm done :D

 

We have not done the My Family dining, just went for dinner at 6:00 and take the kids to AO afterwards. My kids (6 & 10) would go from around 8:00 until 10:00, and occasionally we would let them stay a little longer if there was something extra cool going on. Additional hours past 10 are $6.95/hour/kid. We just did a 9 night so there was a lot going on they wanted to stay for, but we didn't let them do "late night" every night depending on what we had planned for the next day.

 

The staff is incredible with the kids and I had no worries or concerns at all. They are all educated in early childhood/development or education and it shows. There is a kid's pool (both a shallow one for toddlers and a round pool 48") as well as a small water slide and splash pad type area with a smaller slide on the deck behind AO. We split our pool time between there and the main pools because fruity drinks don't come by as often in the kids' zone.;)

 

On our next cruise they will be with friends and will be a little older, so we foresee more "late nights" happening.

 

Enjoy! Your kids will have a blast!

Edited January 21, 2013 by springvalley

[MrPete]

Sorry if this has been asked, but this thread is tough to search through. We're on the June 8 5-day cruise to Bermuda. Since this itinerary doesn't start for another couple of months, was there a similar itinerary last year? If so, can anyone point me toward any past reviews? Looking specifically for a cruise compass, even if it's old. Thanks!

 

Would a 5year old review be just as good while you're waiting? It's in my siggy below.

[Stratus22]

We have not done the My Family dining, just went for dinner at 6:00 and take the kids to AO afterwards. My kids (6 & 10) would go from around 8:00 until 10:00, and occasionally we would let them stay a little longer if there was something extra cool going on. Additional hours past 10 are $6.95/hour/kid. We just did a 9 night so there was a lot going on they wanted to stay for, but we didn't let them do "late night" every night depending on what we had planned for the next day.

 

The staff is incredible with the kids and I had no worries or concerns at all. They are all educated in early childhood/development or education and it shows. There is a kid's pool (both a shallow one for toddlers and a round pool 48") as well as a small water slide and splash pad type area with a smaller slide on the deck behind AO. We split our pool time between there and the main pools because fruity drinks don't come by as often in the kids' zone.;)

 

On our next cruise they will be with friends and will be a little older, so we foresee more "late nights" happening.

 

Enjoy! Your kids will have a blast!

 

Thanks so much for your reply!! Hubby and I feel better and can not wait!!

[JulieRose]

I'm looking at the deck plans and I see that the Aquarium bar is just off of the casino. Does it get smokey in there? It looks like such a beautiful place to hang out but not if we'll come out stinking like cigarette smoke...

[ChefPeg]

Hello,

 

We love the Explorer and have sailed her a few times always in a D1 but this time we are in an aft JS......how noisy is cabin 1694? Noise from Windjammer......tables and chairs moving?

 

Any help is apreciated. TIA.

[stevea36]

I'm looking at the deck plans and I see that the Aquarium bar is just off of the casino. Does it get smokey in there? It looks like such a beautiful place to hang out but not if we'll come out stinking like cigarette smoke...

 

I dont know if it is still known as the aquarium bar or Boleros, but is it totally smoke free. The DW and I spent a bunch of time there on our May cruise and had no problems whatsoever with smoke.

 

Btw, smoking is only allowed INSIDE the casino and in the cigar bar (dont remember the name). one cannot walk outside of those spaces with a lit cigarette or cigar. (also on portions of the outside decks).

 

Steve

[2Q-tips]

No, they don't give out free lanyards, but they do sell them in the gift shop. Yes, you can have your sea pass punched.

 

We were on Explorer Oct of 2012 and went to the casino and they did give free expandable lanyards and had a hole punch available to get your sea pass punched.:)

[ioneblair]

Came here because we are sailing Explorer in the fall.....thanks for this thread and all who added content.....

 

JulieRose I am from Philadelphia (northeast) and just wanted to say how I enjoyed your photos :)

 

(we also have taken the Silver service to FL for cruises several times, including a couple of months ago....anyone doing this can get 20% discount with the Amtrak/cruiseline code)

[JulieRose]

 

JulieRose I am from Philadelphia (northeast) and just wanted to say how I enjoyed your photos :)

 

(we also have taken the Silver service to FL for cruises several times, including a couple of months ago....anyone doing this can get 20% discount with the Amtrak/cruiseline code)

 

Thanks! I'm familiar with NE Philly. We lived in Levittown for a number of years after college. We're in Chestnut Hill now.

 

Anyway, that's good info about the silver service. I didn't know that. I just used my AAA discount but I don't think it was quite 20%. We love the train and always have so much fun but now that we've had the compartment, I don't think we can ever go back to coach! When we're on the EoS next month, we're just taking regional rail. It turns out that it takes a little longer but the Septa/NJ Transit is cheaper than Amtrak or the tolls/parking combo from here...

[hazz24]

Hello,

 

We love the Explorer and have sailed her a few times always in a D1 but this time we are in an aft JS......how noisy is cabin 1694? Noise from Windjammer......tables and chairs moving?

 

Any help is apreciated. TIA.

 

Dh and I just stayed in this room in December. It was noisy at odd hours and also during dining hours. We were surprised as we have stayed in 1388 and had no noise. Apon closer inspection there is a small area in the Windjammer tat is not carpeted. That is right above the room, that was where the chair scrapping noises came from. I'm a light sleeper so it did bother me quite a bit. But on a brighter note the room is very nice and the balcony was perfect. We are staying in 1394 this December so I plan on bringing earplugs. The small price to pay for a js on the aft.

[ChefPeg]

Dh and I just stayed in this room in December. It was noisy at odd hours and also during dining hours. We were surprised as we have stayed in 1388 and had no noise. Apon closer inspection there is a small area in the Windjammer tat is not carpeted. That is right above the room, that was where the chair scrapping noises came from. I'm a light sleeper so it did bother me quite a bit. But on a brighter note the room is very nice and the balcony was perfect. We are staying in 1394 this December so I plan on bringing earplugs. The small price to pay for a js on the aft.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I am a light sleeper too. I guess when I hear chair scraping noises in the morning it's time to get up. Make the best of it.

[beachbuddy]

We were on Explorer Oct of 2012 and went to the casino and they did give free expandable lanyards and had a hole punch available to get your sea pass punched.:)

 

Must of been your lucky day....LOL Honestly, we've been on a lot of RCCL ships and we basically spend the end of every night in the casino and we were never offered any lanyards. I was actually thinking more of the cloth type lanyards that you wear around your neck.......the one you got sounds like the ones they give you in Atlantic City to put your players cards on so that you don't leave it in a machine. Did you have to ask for one?