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Explorer -- choices, choices??

UandMe4Ever

By UandMe4Ever,
in Royal Caribbean International

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Hello seasoned cruisers:

We are debating 2 cruises for 2013, B2B for each. We've been there, done that and love them all. Just need some input..:confused:

Choice #1 -10-27-13 - 7 Night Bermuda on EX from Bayonne, followed by 11-3-13--11 Night Carib...

Choice #2: 12/2/13 Also on EX 10 Night Carib. followed by another 10 Night to Carib. Similiar Ports except for 2...

Choice # 2 is a little cheaper, but how much time do we lose on sail days down and back??

Choice # 1 - Is it usually rainy in Bermuda and not too warm?

It is a very special Anniversary:D (a little belated)..We did Bermuda on our honeymoon and have been back a few times since. This is an FYI....

I wish all our issues were only of this nature.:)

Thanks to all for your opinions and comments -- pro and cons.

Safe sails...

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DonnaK

DonnaK

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You really have two excellent choices, and cannot go wrong with either.

 

Choice 2 is less expensive and two days longer, which makes it very tempting.

 

But I think I would pick Choice 1 because of the 7 day cruise to Bermuda (which includes overnights).

 

Otherwise, it's going to come down to very picky things, such as, ifentertainment is a big deal to you, choice 1 has Richard Spacey as the cruise director, and he is one of the very best!

 

Can you get the same cabin for both legs on each of these itineraries? If it's available for one and not for the other, that may be a deciding feature.

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Thanks for such a quick reply! Yes, we can get the same cabin for each B2B cruise :-)

 

Who knows if Richard Spacey will be CD in late 2013? He is very good, I know :-)

 

We enjoy some of the entertainment...Not big on magic, jugglers, female singers (Yes, I'm a female)....

 

We've done Bermuda and have pretty much seen it all through various trips, but still love that Island!

 

Don't mind being docked for 3 days as there is are many sailing days, before, mid and after on both cruises.

 

Thanks and if you come up with any "bright ideas", please feel free to share them....

 

Safe sails to you always!!

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megr1125

megr1125

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I would do choice #2....

 

IMO late October is a little late for Bermuda....(this was suggested to me by a crew member friend on Explorer....)

 

Plus..I am all about extra days at sea!!!

 

Happy late anniversary whatever you decide!!! Have a great time

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Thanks, still debating! I did read that although Bermuda is not super hot then, It's fine with us...I also read it's one of their "rainy months"?

 

We do like being docked 3 days, especially with lots of other sail days for the next 11 nights...

 

Any further imput will be appreciated.

 

Safe sails!!

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DonnaK

DonnaK

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Thanks for such a quick reply! Yes, we can get the same cabin for each B2B cruise :-)

 

Who knows if Richard Spacey will be CD in late 2013? He is very good, I know :-)

 

We enjoy some of the entertainment...Not big on magic, jugglers, female singers (Yes, I'm a female)....

 

We've done Bermuda and have pretty much seen it all through various trips, but still love that Island!

 

Don't mind being docked for 3 days as there is are many sailing days, before, mid and after on both cruises.

 

Thanks and if you come up with any "bright ideas", please feel free to share them....

 

Safe sails to you always!!

 

Oops - I misread your original post as 2012! lol

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funNsun4me

funNsun4me

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Hello seasoned cruisers:

 

We are debating 2 cruises for 2013, B2B for each. We've been there, done that and love them all. Just need some input..:confused:

 

Choice #1 -10-27-13 - 7 Night Bermuda on EX from Bayonne, followed by 11-3-13--11 Night Carib...

 

Choice #2: 12/2/13 Also on EX 10 Night Carib. followed by another 10 Night to Carib. Similiar Ports except for 2...

 

Choice # 2 is a little cheaper, but how much time do we lose on sail days down and back??

 

Choice # 1 - Is it usually rainy in Bermuda and not too warm?

 

It is a very special Anniversary:D (a little belated)..We did Bermuda on our honeymoon and have been back a few times since. This is an FYI....

 

I wish all our issues were only of this nature.:)

 

Thanks to all for your opinions and comments -- pro and cons.

 

Safe sails...

 

Choice #2 - but that depends on what you like. Have been to Bermuda late Oct and weather is iffy so if you have been there a few times already...plus the ship casino will be closed for the 3 days that you are docked in Bermuda plus the second option is a longer cruise... We have sailed on Explorer in late Oct (9 night), mid-Jan (12 night) and early March (10 night) and have it booked aging for early March and early Dec of 2013 (both 10 night), first full day out and last full day back will be cool to cold/windy, and inside day but definately loved the Jan cruise the best and I am a warm weather person. Lots to do on the ship to get into vacation mode before and a day or so on the way home to chill.

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Hi and thanks for your input!! The only issue (somewhat) is that out of the 20 day B2B, we repeat PR 2x, St. Marteen 2x, Labadee 2x...The only ones that are non-repeat is 1x for St. Thomas and once in St. Kitts.

 

Again, we've seen them all several times...Does it really pay to do doubles on a B2B? I don't mind if the weather is cooler in Bermuda. I could probably do with less humidity..I also think if it rains, it rains and stops and dries up fairly quickly.

 

We've done it in late August/Sept., ducked hurricanes almost every time and it was almost too hot to really enjoy. It's pretty humid as well. Also, don't mind 2 1/2 days of no casino...We can always make it up on the 11 night that follows :-)

 

Thanks again.

 

Safe sails....

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Thanks a lot! We've done so much so many times, we've almost run out of different things to do on each Island!! Cruising over 25 years, so....

 

We will eventually make a decision! Hope when all is said and done it will be the right one...If not, there's always another year :-) (Hopefully).

 

Safe sails and have a great cruise.

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iheartbda

iheartbda

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For all the naysayers about the Bermuda weather in Oct.:)

 

We've been to Bermuda 10 times and all cruises except for one in Sept. were in...... gulp..... OCT.:D The weather was always next to perfect, with warm to hot weather and much lower humidity. Water is still quite warm since it takes longer to cool down than heat up like in the beginning of the season. I can remember it raining only three times in all the cruises and it was not a sustained rain. Of course YMMV as a friend had a whole week of rain when there but that does not seem to be the norm.;)

 

I know rain can spoil a vacation but Bermudians depend on rain for their water and if they have a dry season, they must buy tanked water which is terribly expensive.

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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For all the naysayers about the Bermuda weather in Oct.:)

 

We've been to Bermuda 10 times and all cruises except for one in Sept. were in...... gulp..... OCT.:D The weather was always next to perfect, with warm to hot weather and much lower humidity. Water is still quite warm since it takes longer to cool down than heat up like in the beginning of the season. I can remember it raining only three times in all the cruises and it was not a sustained rain. Of course YMMV as a friend had a whole week of rain when there but that does not seem to be the norm.;)

 

I know rain can spoil a vacation but Bermudians depend on rain for their water and if they have a dry season, they must buy tanked water which is terribly expensive.

 

Thank you "iheartbda"...us also Yours was the most positive input about Bermuda weather end of Oct (30th arriving) to early November!!! :D This really helps...

I do miss docking in Hamilton, but it hasn't stopped us from going back and back some more....We get the Ferry Pass for a couple of days and we're good to go!!

Thanks again very much!

Safesails to you always:)

 

 

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iheartbda

iheartbda

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Thank you "iheartbda"...us also Yours was the most positive input about Bermuda weather end of Oct (30th arriving) to early November!!! :D This really helps...

 

I do miss docking in Hamilton, but it hasn't stopped us from going back and back some more....We get the Ferry Pass for a couple of days and we're good to go!!

 

Thanks again very much!

 

Safesails to you always:)

 

 

 

Yes, LOVED docking in Hamilton and St. George, that was the BEST and the web cam they used to have in St. George was great! This will be our first time docking in Dockyard which really is not all that bad with the public transportation being so good. BTW, we still find something everytime that we hadn't done before. That's what's so nice about being docked, you can take your time, really explore and not worry about getting back to the ship on time....except for the last day.;)

 

You can look up weather in Bermuda for all the months and as far back as 1998.

http://www.bermudaweather.bm/octall.asp

Have become friends with the person who started and maintains the site and usually visit with him when we're in Bermuda. :)

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Yes, LOVED docking in Hamilton and St. George, that was the BEST and the web cam they used to have in St. George was great! This will be our first time docking in Dockyard which really is not all that bad with the public transportation being so good. BTW, we still find something everytime that we hadn't done before. That's what's so nice about being docked, you can take your time, really explore and not worry about getting back to the ship on time....except for the last day.;)

 

You can look up weather in Bermuda for all the months and as far back as 1998.

http://www.bermudaweather.bm/octall.asp

Have become friends with the person who started and maintains the site and usually visit with him when we're in Bermuda. :)

 

That's a pretty neat site....Thanks a lot!!! Think it will be great!

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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I would do the second also. You will have 2-3 days down and 2 back on each leg. The double ports have enough to do to do differant thing. Just my 2 cents!:D

 

Thanks for the great replies all. Our concern is how much outside time do you lose because it's too cold in December to be outdoors. Also, it has 3 days back to Bayonne on the 12-2-13, 1 day there docked and then 3 more sails days to start....We love sail days for sure, but wondering how choppy the Atlantic Waters are then and two days sail home, arriving back on 12/22.

I'm sure we could find more things to do, no problem....;)

10 sea days...wow!!! Still weighing which option.

Any further input is appreciated.

Have a splendid day:)

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tikif6

tikif6

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Hi OP,

 

I agree with everyone that choice#2 is better because of the extra days and being cheaper!

 

However, from reading your replies you seem to be really defending choice#1 so I think deep down in your mind you seem to really want to pick that one. If that is the case, then you should just go with it and not let others decided for you.

 

Whichever one you choose will still be an amazing vacation so don't stress to much over it. Sure beats staying home and having to work. :(

 

Take me with you lol :D

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UandMe4Ever

UandMe4Ever

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Hiya and thanks! I guess why we keep looking @ choice #1 is that Bermuda has a very special place in our hearts....We spent our honeymoon there, which if we choose this sailing, would be for our 50th Anniversary !!!

 

 

We've returned to Bermuda many times through the years, but this would make it even more special. Could also get a stamp in our Passports in St. George to commerate this special milestone (hope we make it :-) ....

 

Sorry we can't take you with us!!! it's our "50th" Honeymoon...and who knows??? :-) :-)

 

....and yes, being retired IS better than working...

 

safe sails always!!!

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