Questions About Food on Explorer of the Seas

[EOwens]

I'm turning to this crusin' group that has a wealth of knowledge about all things cruising. One of the fun things my DH and Friends love is to find good places to eat or that awesome pastry, sandwich, pizza (or whatever) on the ship. I've read about amazing food on some of the Oasis (?) class ships, and wondered if you could share your favorites with me on EXPLORER OF THE SEAS so that we are sure to sample them on our Pacific Coastal cruise in September 2018. Thanks for your help! Looking forward to hearing from anyone that wants to share!

Edited March 23, 2018 by EOwens

[Clarea]

Explorer has three "free" places to eat: Main Dining Room, Windjammer (buffet), and Cafe Promenade. Cafe Promenade is open almost 24 hours and has pizza, small sandwiches, wraps, fruit, desserts, etc.

[EOwens]

Thanks Host Clarea - I'm also wondering about anything at one of those places we wouldn't want to miss - a special pastry, an especially delicious sandwich, the best pizza. Also - something that is particularly good at one of the specialty restaurants or the specialty restaurant that you think is the best. Very excited as this is our first time on RCI!

[Clarea]

Thanks Host Clarea - I'm also wondering about anything at one of those places we wouldn't want to miss - a special pastry, an especially delicious sandwich, the best pizza. Also - something that is particularly good at one of the specialty restaurants or the specialty restaurant that you think is the best. Very excited as this is our first time on RCI!

With regard to Cafe Promenade, there's not that much selection, you will be able to try everything and decide for yourself.:)

[travelinmoma]

Good question! I'd like to know what people recommend, too.

[doenbucket]

Just off Explorer & I love the Mongolian Stir fry that is done in the Windjammer cafe for dinner. You choose your own ingredients from vegetables, noodles & meat. You then choose sweet chilli, teriyaki or hoisin sauce. The chefs prepare it on the spot. Hot & tasty, just love it.

 

It will be held at least one night during your cruise, but you would need to check with buffet staff to find out which night.

 

On other nights it was create your own omelette, Asian style soup, hot pot & crepes. Very popular.

[39august]

Don't miss the coconut cookies which will be in both the Cafe Promenade and the Windjammer on various days. I second the stir-fry.

[EOwens]

Thanks so much for the tip! My DH and I love Mongolian Grill style stir frys!

[tortoisegirl]

We did Pacific Coastal on Explorer last September, and are repeating the cruise this year, as we loved it so much and it is an awesome deal (as we live in Seattle).

 

Agreed on the coconut cookies being awesome! For some reason they were nowhere to be found later in the cruise though. I'm a big cookie fan, and usually snag some to keep in the room, especially for that dead time in the late afternoon when the Windjammer is closed and I always seem to be really hungry (especially on port days).

 

The promenade cafe and windjammer both had cookies at least in the afternoon, varying selections. I think the cookies were one of the better desserts. It tastes like they use cheap ingredients in the desserts, as many didn't really taste as good as they looked. Creme Brule was nowhere as rich as I am used to, but it was an option every night, which is very cool, as I don't get it much and am used to paying $10 at a fancy restaurant for it.

 

We did most meals in the Main Dining Room, as the couple meals we tried in WJ weren't great, and it is a pain to snag a table, get food, get beverages, and eat while the food it still warm. I didn't really think there are too many don't miss type of items, but I disagree with many of the RCI food complaints.

 

We were impressed by the MDR food and service, especially having gone on NCL our last two cruises (I think RCI food is way better, and I'm not a foodie at all). We had MTD and were sat in the back every night, and I think that helped us get quicker service and warmer food, so I plan to ask for that again.

 

They never asked us if we wanted to sit with others or not, and we ended up eating dinner at a table for 2 each night, and most mornings. We may try to ask to sit with others this time. Even though we booked very early, traditional early seating was already booked, but I kinda wanted MTD again anyways, as early seating is a tad early, especially on port days.

 

My husband's favorite MDR selection was prime rib (I think it was on the first formal night, when they do lobster?), and mine was a cheese tortellini. The chilled soups are yummy, like a smoothie. We also did Chops one night, and I absolutely loved a starter salad that had apple, cheese, and nuts I think (but it looks like they may no longer have it?). It looks like they are changing the MDR menus too. Not sure we'll do Chops this time if its $49pp + 18%. Especially as I'm a picky eater and don't do most meat, including steak. I'll admit I ordered the kids menu mac & cheese a couple nights in the MDR. My husband said the steak had nothing on most of the top steakhouses in Seattle we frequent, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

 

Breakfast in the MDR is awesome too, as you don't have to deal with the crowds, find a table, make multiple trips if you want more than one beverage and one plate, etc. They had a buffet set up in the middle with all the usual stuff (both hot and cold), and/or you could order the same stuff (plus a few specialty items like omelets) off the menu to get it fresh.

 

Lunch in the MDR on sea days was also nice, with a pretty big menu selection, plus some buffet things (at least a salad bar where wait staff would make you a salad, chopped & mixed with dressing). I never tried the cafe promenade pizza, but I've heard its not great. The soft serve machine on the pool deck is not ice cream or real fro yo, but its included and quite tasty (I recommend choc/vanilla swirl).

 

I think the main thing that is lacking food wise on every cruise ship I've been on is snacks. I'd love to be able to have snack options available at all times besides pizza/sandwiches/cookies in the promenade cafe. Things like fruit, raw veggies, trail mix, candy, popcorn, etc. I often bring snacks with us lol, at least some gummy candy (as I often want sugar but not a full on dessert) and some packaged stuff for shore time. I remember they were actually selling some sort of snacks (popcorn and candy?) prior to the ice show. That sort of stuff should really be included.

[earlydiner]

We also did the Pacific Coast last year on the Explorer and just booked it again for 9/21/18. We are 90 miles north of Seattle, so it is very convenient.

We are with you on the coconut macaroons-love them and I'm with your husband on the prime rib. We also have MTD - love to meet new people each night with a table for 6-10. We love the MDR for most of our meals. So elegant and we love being pampered.

Although we are generally Princess cruisers, this is a great, friendly ship. Maybe see you on board.

[AAA75]

I would leave the Ranger cookies alone. Do NOT bring ziplock bags for home to take back. It takes too much work to keep them from being eaten with peanut butter.

[dcinns]

We to did that cruise last year as well ,did MTD and sat with different tablemates each night and thoroughly enjoyed the company and the food! We are much most days at the WJ and always found a good variety of food to pick from. Did find the deserts were probably the weakest offering although we did love the ginger snap cookies[emoji16]

 

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[WeExplore]

We have done this cruise the last 2 years. Absolutely agree with the yummy cookie recommendations. I often found them warm with melted chocolate chips in the Promenade cafe. I agree with the lack of snacks too. I make my own trail mix with nuts, dried apricots, raisins, dried cranberries and chocolate chips all found at the granola station in the Windjammer at breakfast. They also had nacho chips and the toppings in the Windjammer a couple of times. I would take a bowl of chips to my stateroom for a late evening snack.

[ONECRUISER]

Don't miss the coconut cookies which will be in both the Cafe Promenade and the Windjammer on various days. I second the stir-fry.

Agree, "Ranger Cookies" are good. Windjammer for dinner has great selection. Then I always bring baggies to save cookies then PU couple milk carton's. Nice to keep in room fridge to snak on anytime day or nite...

Sailed of the new Explorer of the Seas right after 9/11. Has special place in my heart as reported back to active duty right after my cruise. Still a great ship...

[mrpotatohead]

On explorer at the moment, on our way back to Sydney after a great few days around New Caledonia and Vanuatu. We are food snobs so take my advice with that in mind.

 

We ate dinners mostly in the specialty restaurants although had a night in the MDR and Windjammer each. Chops, Giovanni’s and iZumi we have tried on a few different ships, including Allure and Ovation. We found the food in explorer speciality restaurants to be better than equivalents on other ships. Chops steaks are really really good and cooked perfectly. Izumi sushi had a much better/fresher taste than I have had on other ships, the rice was also better and not plastic like.

 

Main dining room was about average across all breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nothing wow but some choices for all.

 

As for windjammer, it can be hit and miss, can usually find a good selection or two during lunch, prawns were large and good when available and the roasted chicken pieces with various spices were my go to item.

 

The promenade cafe food was the usual sandwiches, cakes and treats. Tried the pizza and can confirm it is just as terrible as on every other ship in the fleet.

 

The roast beef sandwiches I only saw out in the promenade on one port day when we came back early for lunch.

 

If you are a foodie, pay the extra for the specialty restaurants. Enjoy the trip

 

 

 

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[Julieinoregon]

We did Pacific Coastal on Explorer last September, and are repeating the cruise this year, as we loved it so much and it is an awesome deal (as we live in Seattle).

 

Agreed on the coconut cookies being awesome! For some reason they were nowhere to be found later in the cruise though. I'm a big cookie fan, and usually snag some to keep in the room, especially for that dead time in the late afternoon when the Windjammer is closed and I always seem to be really hungry (especially on port days).

 

The promenade cafe and windjammer both had cookies at least in the afternoon, varying selections. I think the cookies were one of the better desserts. It tastes like they use cheap ingredients in the desserts, as many didn't really taste as good as they looked. Creme Brule was nowhere as rich as I am used to, but it was an option every night, which is very cool, as I don't get it much and am used to paying $10 at a fancy restaurant for it.

 

We did most meals in the Main Dining Room, as the couple meals we tried in WJ weren't great, and it is a pain to snag a table, get food, get beverages, and eat while the food it still warm. I didn't really think there are too many don't miss type of items, but I disagree with many of the RCI food complaints.

 

We were impressed by the MDR food and service, especially having gone on NCL our last two cruises (I think RCI food is way better, and I'm not a foodie at all). We had MTD and were sat in the back every night, and I think that helped us get quicker service and warmer food, so I plan to ask for that again.

 

They never asked us if we wanted to sit with others or not, and we ended up eating dinner at a table for 2 each night, and most mornings. We may try to ask to sit with others this time. Even though we booked very early, traditional early seating was already booked, but I kinda wanted MTD again anyways, as early seating is a tad early, especially on port days.

 

My husband's favorite MDR selection was prime rib (I think it was on the first formal night, when they do lobster?), and mine was a cheese tortellini. The chilled soups are yummy, like a smoothie. We also did Chops one night, and I absolutely loved a starter salad that had apple, cheese, and nuts I think (but it looks like they may no longer have it?). It looks like they are changing the MDR menus too. Not sure we'll do Chops this time if its $49pp + 18%. Especially as I'm a picky eater and don't do most meat, including steak. I'll admit I ordered the kids menu mac & cheese a couple nights in the MDR. My husband said the steak had nothing on most of the top steakhouses in Seattle we frequent, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

 

Breakfast in the MDR is awesome too, as you don't have to deal with the crowds, find a table, make multiple trips if you want more than one beverage and one plate, etc. They had a buffet set up in the middle with all the usual stuff (both hot and cold), and/or you could order the same stuff (plus a few specialty items like omelets) off the menu to get it fresh.

 

Lunch in the MDR on sea days was also nice, with a pretty big menu selection, plus some buffet things (at least a salad bar where wait staff would make you a salad, chopped & mixed with dressing). I never tried the cafe promenade pizza, but I've heard its not great. The soft serve machine on the pool deck is not ice cream or real fro yo, but its included and quite tasty (I recommend choc/vanilla swirl).

 

I think the main thing that is lacking food wise on every cruise ship I've been on is snacks. I'd love to be able to have snack options available at all times besides pizza/sandwiches/cookies in the promenade cafe. Things like fruit, raw veggies, trail mix, candy, popcorn, etc. I often bring snacks with us lol, at least some gummy candy (as I often want sugar but not a full on dessert) and some packaged stuff for shore time. I remember they were actually selling some sort of snacks (popcorn and candy?) prior to the ice show. That sort of stuff should really be included.

 

Thank you very much for this post. You really gave a lot of important information and I appreciate it! Julie

[sellwingri]

Just adding my 2 cents. We did this cruise last September and it's definitely ranked amount my favorite. We'll probably do it again at some point. Food, if I recall, is on par with other RCI cruises; not exceptional but not horrible.

[Biker19]

We'll probably do it again at some point.

You may not get a chance after this year. Ovation is taking over and it doesn't seem to be doing these coastals.