Negative Explorer Reviews - Fact or Fiction?

[Eglesbrech]

18 hours ago, devonboy51 said:

We have recently returned from the midnight sun voyage on the Explorer, having done the Transatlantic Homecoming as well. I think we are well placed to say that having spent 5weeks on board we never saw any drunken behaviour.

We ate in all the restaurants that were included in the AI package and also paid extra to try all the speciality restaurants. We had no complaints with the food in any restaurant. Service we found was mainly fast, with the exception of the Dining club where we did wine pairing and which we were told at the outset it would be around a three hour meal. The main dining could be a little slow between main course and desert, and on occasions we chose not to have coffee in there due to this, this may have been down to the time when we were in the i.e at the beginning of service when they would have been busy.

 

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful.

 

Can I ask about the extra pay restaurants. I seem to remember reading somewhere that you could buy a package for all of the restaurants for a reduced price but can’t find it again. Also was the wine tasting dinner worthwhile, did you enjoy it?

[devonboy51]

We paid 85 pounds each for one visit to surf and turf, one visit to kora la, and one visit to the dining club on a dress to impress night when they did wine pairing.

Other combinations of restaurants were possible. 

All meals in those restaurants were amazing. We had trouble finishing some meals especially in surf and turf, so much.

There are only two choices of desert in dining club but you will be amazed by their presentation and size, save some room for them.

[Eglesbrech]

1 minute ago, devonboy51 said:

We paid 85 pounds each for one visit to surf and turf, one visit to kora la, and one visit to the dining club on a dress to impress night when they did wine pairing.

Other combinations of restaurants were possible. 

All meals in those restaurants were amazing. We had trouble finishing some meals especially in surf and turf, so much.

There are only two choices of desert in dining club but you will be amazed by their presentation and size, save some room for them.

Thanks, will save room for the pudding!

 

 

[Pensioncruiser]

They sometimes do a reduced rate on changeover day which I personally think is a nice time to go as the MDR  can be a little hectic😉

[Jayneykul]

We decided not to do the restaurant package as it only saves you a few pounds and includes kora la which we did not fancy (just our choice we heard very good things about it from others) we paid £29 each for surf and turf it was excellent. We will definitely try diners club when we are on discovery in September 

[edinburgher]

We returned Wednesday from our first cruise on Explorer 2. Pleased to report that we personally didn't see any poor or drunken behaviour on this trip. We actually met some lovely people. Perhaps we were unlucky with the few we did see on Explorer 1 in the Caribbean.

 

Overall we really enjoyed this ship and itinerary.

[ormy]

Totally agree with Edinburgher, we also enjoyed the cruise - no drunken passengers, just lots of really nice people. Our only gripe would be the relaxed dress code in MDR/Vista, a great pity that standards of dress not being upheld, but that is down to Marella to sort out - if they bother to listen.

[dronnygirl]

Just been reading the latest reviews on Explorer 2. All are giving really bad comments re Naples airport. Doesn't  sound as though there is much chance of improvement in the near future. Just hope someone st Marella read these reviews and take on board the comments.

[oxygenbanditnot]

Hi all, We were on Explorer in Feb in Caribbean, 2 weeks.

To sum up our experiences:-

The flights.....Long flight from Newcastle OK on the Dreamliner, but it,s just a "bigger" version of a charter holiday plane.

Transfer to and from ship hassle free, efficient.

The Ship........ENTERTAINMENT, good, enjoyed the show group on most occasions, easy to get a seat in Theatre.

               .........FOOD was OK to good in the MDR, can vouch for other comments re slow service.

                        One night we sat with a couple who didn't get finished until 23.00 one night.

                        Our worst night was not that bad, we had sat down at 19.00, finished at 21.30.

                        Tried Surf & Turf, very good. 

               .........DRINKS, we were on standard AI, Beer was nice and cold, spirits were good, wine not so.

                         Rarely waited long to get served,enjoyed a Metaxa as a night cap most nights.

              ..........BEHAVIOR, no drunken observations.  Same sunbed hogging, not washing hands etc as seen on other lines.

              ..........CABIN, no issues, clean, comfy. Cabin steward and all other ships compliment very friendly.

              ..........EXCURSIONS, only did 2. Costa tours very good, other was tour of island too long on bus.

All in, very good holiday, friendly crew and pax; good ship. Would do it again.                      

                        

[Eglesbrech]

Thanks folks, it’s great to get some balanced feedback.