Explorer Questions???

[Krickett]

WE are going on EOS, Eastern Caribbean October 2, 2005.

Looking for any tips any previous cruisers can offer. We have talked my sister and brother- in-law into coming with us:p, they haven't had a vacation without the kids in years, we want to make it really special for them!!:):)

I've been doing some prep work, looking for info on Condition of ship, dinner menus, best places to visit, things to see, etc.

 

Thanks Much, Krickett

 

RCCL Majesty of the Seas 1995(Honeymoon)

Chandris Britanis 1988

Carnival Mardi Gras 1981

[nascarfans_wny]

Krickett:

 

We'll be looking forward to your review. We sail on the Eastern itinerary a couple of weeks after you return :)

[Flossie]

Hello Kickett!

We too are going on the Explorer! We are trying to get 5 more people to sign up for our Meet and Mingle. Would you sign up for us, even if you do not plan to come to it so that we can have it. But of course we would love to have you join us! We have a thread on the "Roll Call thread" under our sail date, please join us on this thread. We too are looking forward to sailing soon. Glad that you will be joining us.

Thanks

[Merion_Mom]

Krickett, the Explorer is a WONDERFUL ship and all of you will have a fabulous vacation. The eastern itinerary is lots of fun - if you are active, plan active shore trips. It's fun to bike around Puerto Rico, if you don't have any interest in San Juan. We've done both, touring the town and getting out of town to bike through the beach and forest areas. Shopping is great in St. Maarten, but so are the beaches. St. Thomas is a great place to see some of local life with Godfrey ( http://www.godfreytoursvi.com/ ). Shopping is good, here, too. Lots of people take the ferry over to St. Johns for prime beaches and snorkeling. People are mixed on Nassau - if it's a first visit, keep an open mind, hold tight to your purse/wallet, tour the straw market, maybe do the campy but fun Pirate Museum. We haven't been to Atlantis, but many go there, at least to see what all the fuss is about.

 

Ask away, and we'll all try to answer more specific questions.

 

Carol

[megemsmom]

Hi,

 

We cruised the Explorer in July. We were suppose to do the Western, but Hurricane Emily changed all those plans! We enjoyed the Eastern route so much even though we had done little research and no plans for those islands. In St. Thomas we decided to take the ferry to St. John and snorkled at Trunk Bay. I can only say OMG!!! The island and the beach was so beautiful, the snorkeling wonderful. It was our first time snorkeling and everyone was very helpful. The only complaint I have is it went by way to fast.

 

The ship itself was incredible. We had done so much research and thought we know what everything looked like, but to see it in person is so much more! We loved the dining room and all meals were very good. We found the ship in great shape, but we did not spend any time looking for worn areas or problems. The staff was terrific, we went to juggling classes, oragami classes, dance classes by the pool, and we relaxed and caught up with each other. I wish we were going again today!

 

Have a wonderful time, I think you will enjoy the Explorer very much, she is a beautiful ship. If you have any specific questions, please ask.

[bearette]

The condition of the ship should be very good since the week before your cruise it will be in dry dock. Dry dock is when they change the carpets, update the design, get new mattresses etc...

[Krickett]

Thanks for all the replys. I can't wait to go we have been talking about it for 10 years!:D

Just usually when we tell someone that something has been really a great experience for us, we take them and the opposite ends up happening.:(

So i'm trying to take preventative measures! All the reviews I have read have been either really bad or really good, kinda confusing, although there are not many new ones out there. I realize that attitude is more than 1/2 of the battle. I know we'll have a great time.

Couple questions that have come up.

Does anyone know what types of Diet pop are available on board?

How was the midnight buffet? we never had room the last time we were kinda hoping to make it this time.

Any favorite bar or drink we shouldn't miss?:p

Thanks Again

Krickett

[drshaffer]

My family and I just got off the Explorer (Eastern Caribbean) - we cruised Aug 21 - 28. We cruised on the Explorer last year as well (Western) - we love this ship! We had a great time and excellent weather (we were a couple of days behind Katrina when it hit Florida) The ship is in pretty good condition, although they started replacing carpet in the stairways during our cruise. We enjoyed the food in the dining room and the service was very good, as usual. To answer your questions:

 

- The only diet soda that I saw was Diet Coke

- The midnight buffet is very impressive! You get time to walk through and take pictures, but if you actually want to eat, you'll have to get in line early - the food goes fast!

- As for drinks, I'm partial to strawberry margaritas, but my wife tried every flavor of daquiri (I think there were 6 or 7) they had on board!

 

Ports on the Eastern itinerary are excellent! As megansmom said - you must get over to Saint John! We did for the first time this cruise, and Trunk Bay is the most beautiful beach you'll ever see - and it's not crowded at all! The beaches are also good in St. Maarten.

 

Enjoy your trip - look forward to reading your review! Please let me know if you have any other specific questions...

 

David

[Merion_Mom]

I was able to get diet Sprite in a can in SOME bars but not in others.

[Krickett]

Just thought of a few other things.

Did anyone go to the Murder Mystery dinner? It sound wonderful, hubby would love this!

I seen a post a while back about a linen place in San Juan I think, "a must go to".

Can't seem to find it now, has anyone been? Also the Coach store, anyone been?

Thanks Again

 

[Flossie]

Krickett ,I am instrested in the Coach store also. I think that I read that it is in San Juan ? Hopefully someone will post that has been there and can give us some information.

[MizJulia]

Hi Krickett,

 

We just got off the Explorer on Sunday doing a Western Caribbean itinerary. You all will love this ship, the crew and the staff. We were first time cruisers and had never taken a vacation without the kids. We had an awesome time. We followed Hurricane Katrina out of Miami, experienced some rough seas on the way to Belize, but ended the week on seas that were like glass. We drank Belizian beer in a bar on the water, hit the beaches in Costa Maya and Cozumel, went parasailing in Cozumel, and shopped on Grand Cayman. We went into the trip with positive thoughts: even if we never leave the ship, we were on vacation for 7 days with a million things to do onboard. Or nothing to do if we so chose. Be sure to see the shows, DON'T stand on deck at sailaway beneath the horn (wonder how I know that one!) and try the pina coladas made with Malibu (coconut) rum. They never charged me extra for the Malibu rum. That was the only thing I drank all week and even had my husband drinking them! Don't stress about formal night, no matter what dress you choose, it will be appropriate. Women wore pant suits, casual dresses, formal dresses, cocktail dresses. Men wore sport jackets, suits, and tuxedos. The cruise director, Clo, is awesome. She emcees most of the shows. We saw comediens, singers, dancers, a Motown tribute and much more. The pools are beautiful and the water is surprisingly cool. We ate 4 times a day because we had late seating for dinner. And because we could!!! We had awesome service, our waiter was Yolanda from the Phillipines and her assistant was Elena from the Ukraine. They were fabulous. We had a window table in the DaGama dining room with a family I met on cruise critic! We didn't discover the ice cream bar or the afternoon snack in the Windjammer until the last day, but we did get sandwiches from the Cafe Promenade. The midnight buffet was held on Friday and was amazing to look at! Ice sculptures, butter and chocolate sculptures. Many desserts, smoked salmon, sliced roast beef, caviar, fruits, shrimp cocktail, etc. My husband worked out every day while I found a trashy romance book in the library and layed out by the pool reading it. While he climbed the rock wall and rang the bell, I drank a foo-foo drink in the solarium hot tub. My jeans wouldn't fit today. :( Wonder why???

 

Yes there were stains on the carpets, scratches on the walls, dents in the doors, etc. All signs of use! We didn't care. We weren't looking for a 5 star hotel. Our cabin was clean and our steward was very thorough. Overall the ship was beautiful, lots of artwork, lots of glimmer. The floor outside the casino was my favorite decor! And all those pretty slot machines..... :rolleyes: . Anyway, they were varnishing railings and changing carpets during our cruise. With 3000+ passengers each week, they must do maintenance all the time.

 

Be sure to sign up for the meet & mingle if you have not already done so and be sure to attend. They give out prizes, including dinner for 2 at Portofino's!

 

I'm happy, tanned, and exhaused from our trip. I will be happy to answer any questions you have. I am headed back to work tomorrow:( , and will try to check back, but if you don't hear from me in a day or two, just email me at LadyJulita@aol.com to remind me. Not sure what kind of chaos there will be in the office!

 

:D MizJulia

[Merion_Mom]

Coach Store: now, keep in mind that we were in this store in 2002. I thought that the Coach store had some nice things, but nothing spectacular. At that time, anyway, the stock consisted of things that hadn't sold elsewhere, I think. For instance, a popular body style, but in colors that apparently hadn't been very popular.

 

JME, YMMV

[montlee]

Do a search of these boards under Coach store in San Juan. There are several posts, many with directions to get there. I know because I did it.

[Carrie P]

We did the explorer/Eastern in July... Myself, Mom and 13 yr. old son. The Godfrey tour in St.Thomas was great for $20.00 p/person. We did shopping first for almost 2 hrs. then Sightseeing up to mountaintop (be sure and get a banana daquiri).... And then your choice of beach. He gives a brief description of the beaches and you choose. He comes back to pick you up promptly on time. We choose coki beach for snorkeling and crystal clear waters. His description was right on the money. They had food/drinks on the beach and the waiter actually was bringing drinks into the water to where the people were. That was cool. My son had a blast snorkeling, didn't think he'd come up for air but he did...

 

The day before (St.Maarten) we booked a tour through the ship. The Afternoon beach bash... We were taken by A/C bus to Orient beach (Waikiki beach) which was breathtakingly beautiful. Not many nudes but a few stray topless women .... Unlimited rum punch or virgin punch. Nice cushioned chairs w/ umbrellas made this beach day perfect....

In the bahamas we chose another ship excursion. We snorkeled w/ stingrays. A boat takes you to blackbeards cay (directly across from the Sandals property in cable beach) and shared by sandals private Island. The stingrays were fenced in but an awesome experience and worth the trip... The other side of the beach is for those who want to just relax on the beach and swim w/ out stingrays! There was a souvenier shop and a stand w/ drinks and food was available as well.

In SanJuan when we got off the ship there are tons of passenger vans to take you on a tour. It was ok, At the ESSO gas station their gas price was .............. ready for this.................................................... 57 cents per gallon.... Thats right.,, 57 cents...

 

We shopped a bit and then went back to the ship.

Have a great time and enjoy it all.

 

WE are going on EOS, Eastern Caribbean October 2, 2005.

Looking for any tips any previous cruisers can offer. We have talked my sister and brother- in-law into coming with us:p, they haven't had a vacation without the kids in years, we want to make it really special for them!!:):)

I've been doing some prep work, looking for info on Condition of ship, dinner menus, best places to visit, things to see, etc.

 

Thanks Much, Krickett

 

RCCL Majesty of the Seas 1995(Honeymoon)

Chandris Britanis 1988

Carnival Mardi Gras 1981

[Henrik_Keller]

We vent on Explorer in July as well and in San Juan we did the El Yanque tour, which was great by the way.

 

They use liter’s in Puerto Rico, so the price of 57 cents for gasoline is per liter ;) A lot of the people on the tour had the same reaction as you, so we asked our tour guide about that (I was afraid to tell that where I come from, a liter of gasoline is $2 – that’s $8 a gallon).

 

Sorry about that… back to the Explorer.

 

One thing you should remember, it’s impossible to do everything on the ship, so find out what YOU like to do.

 

We grew very fond of the Viking Crown Lounge on deck 14. We were up there almost every night.

 

If you have any specific question, you are welcome to send me an e-mail and I will tell you all I know.

 

I will also look in this thread again from time to time to answer any question you might have.

[HazyDavey]

(see next post)

[HazyDavey]

My family and our group (13 in all) did the August 21, 2005 Eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Explorer.

 

San Juan - only in town for a few hours and have been there before. So we all walked to the outlets (Polo/Ralph Lauren, Coach, Dooney & Burke (please excuse the last one if I spelled it wrong). While there were some bargains to be had at Polo, Coach was a waste of time from the male perspective - 5 square feet of product for guys in a nice sized store. But the ladies might enjoy it.

 

Saint Martin - Went to Orient Beach and did some shopping (part of the group shopped on the french side, some on the dutch). Can get some GREAT prices on liquor - 12.95 for a liter of Ketel One and 5.95 for a liter of Absolute.

 

St. Thomas - As we were there last year (and thoroughly enjoyed Coral World - or whatever it is called - and Coki beach), we decided to take the ferry over to St. John and went to the beach at Trunk Bay. Breathtakingly beautiful and great snorkeling. Highly recommended if you have already been to St. Thomas.

 

Nassau - The group decided against chartering a deep sea fishing boat to go marlin fishing. So, while onboard, I fired up the laptop and booked three rooms at the Comfort Suites for full access to the Atlantis. When compared to the cost of excursions, the total outlay was very reasonable. And it it truly a wonderful place for the family, the young at heart, or those that just want a beautiful resort to sunbathe. I would certainly do it again.

 

Feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll answer what I can.

[drshaffer]

HazyDavey -

 

I have a question for you... Why didn't you come to the Meet & Mingle on Monday? We had a few people show up (only 8) - it would have been nice to meet you. We were also in Saint John at Trunk Bay (through the ship's St. John Beach Tour) - was that an amazing beach, or what?

 

David

[drshaffer]

HazyDavey -

 

I have a question for you... Why didn't you come to the Meet & Mingle on Monday? ;^) We had a few people show up (only 8) - it would have been nice to meet you. Clo came and talked with us for a little while - very enjoyable. We were also in Saint John at Trunk Bay (through the ship's St. John Beach Tour) - was that an amazing beach, or what?

 

David

[HazyDavey]

David,

 

I had every intention of coming to the Meet & Mingle as well as the C&A cocktail party. Unfortunately, I was conflicted out of both. Missing those two events made my vacation less than perfect. Ah well, there's always next cruise, right?

 

Trunk Bay was, IMHO, the best beach I've ever been to. Where were you situated. We were to the immediate left of the life guard.

[copnlpn2]

Krickett - The Explorer is really a floating scientific laboaratory that monitors various oceanographic and weather data. Be sure to check your daily Compass to see when tours of the "science lab" are scheduled. Once you sign up, you'll have a brief presentation about the unique aspects of the Explorer and then be taken on a tour of the area of the ship where all the scientific data is collected.

 

I found it extremely interesting and made me appreciate the Explorer even more!

 

Hope you have a great cruise! I've been on the Explorer twice but this October I'll be aboard the Mariner. Must say the Mariner will really have to be super to outdo the Explorer, IMHO!

 

Cindy

[Krickett]

The info has been fabulous, Thanks to all for your input.

Definatley things we will be checking out. Beaches, labs, etc.

Did you visit the catherdral & churches on the Godfrey tour?

 

copnlpn2- Hope you have a scream on the Halloween cruise, my second favorite holiday of the year. What's your costume going to be?

 

Everyone seems to have had a wonderful time, I think I just read too much negativity on some of these threads.

 

I don't think I have any specific questions left but and other recommendations would be great:)

 

Thanks again:p

[copnlpn2]

Krickett - I'm planning to wear a female pirate's costume, complete with an eye patch! I'll probably leave my swashbuckling sword at home ,though!;)

 

As far as negativity on these boards - I've come to the conclusion that people really aren't negative, they're just grumpy because they either have months and months left to go before their next cruise or because they recently returned from a fantastic cruise and had to go back to work!:p :p :p

[drshaffer]

HazyDavey -

 

It's too bad you missed the M&M - there will definitely be a next time! As soon as we got back, we started discussing which cruise we wanted to take next!

 

At Trunk Bay, we were on the beach about opposite with the buildings for chair rental - a bit to the left of the guard tower. I'd agree with you - by far the most beautiful beach I've ever seen! Were you on the ship's tour or did you go over on your own?

 

David