Explorer Dream - 2019 Australia Cruises

[The_Big_M]

9 hours ago, shireboi said:

 

FINALLY...     a review 

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/news/4690/?et_cid=3293046&et_rid=184071279&et_referrer=boards_a

Tallies with the impression from the video - but much quicker to get through!

 

It also showed food is a bit of a weakness... but entertainment looks promising. And the cabins and fitout were positives.

 

[MicCanberra]

19 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

Local cruisers won't have so many smokers, so not so much an issue.

 

Different issue in Asia, but then many things are different there.

 

 

Yes, but I really hate having smoke in a room even if they have sprayed air freshener in it.

[wynkys]

I have just returned from the Sydney return cruise 17 Nov and I started a separate thread entitled 'Live from Explorer Dream' and I made my last comment earlier today.

[Sparky74]

13 hours ago, wynkys said:

I have just returned from the Sydney return cruise 17 Nov and I started a separate thread entitled 'Live from Explorer Dream' and I made my last comment earlier today.

 

Here is a link to the other thread  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2711336-live-from-explorer-dream/

 

[possum52]

1 hour ago, Sparky74 said:

 

Here is a link to the other thread  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2711336-live-from-explorer-dream/

 

Thanks Sparky.

 

Leigh

[The_Big_M]

Just back from this cruise myself. Thought it was excellent, and it surpassed my expectations.

 

There are certainly differences, but that isn't bad. It doesn't mean everything is the best, but the crew did a great job.

[shireboi]

Just an additional note to Explorer Dream / Sydney berthing at White Bay.

 

I note from a review that the Captain Cook shuttle service on Sundays to Kings St wharf doesn't operate.

 

I have had that confirmed for the 8 Dec - so I'm assuming this is for all Sundays.  Looks like it will be an Uber from there then.

[Cruisegroover]

I have recently returned from a 7 night cruise on Explorer Dream. For me and this is my personal opinion I did not enjoy the ship at all.

 

The ship always felt empty with 780pax (according to the Captain). One night in the venue for live music there was 25 people which dwindled down to 11. Other nights where there was a theme at 2200 to 2245 there was more people but most then left at 2245. White Night was a deck party and in the end the band was playing to nobody. I often walked past the atrium area where a piano player was playing to only a handful of people. To me it just lacked a certain vibe. I didn't expect a party ship but still expected people to out and about a bit more.

 

The productions shows were excellent and again played to a theatre only three quarters full (only one show at 2100). You were encouraged to have photos with the cast after the shows which was a good touch.

 

I was in an inside room and it certainly didn't look like it had been refurbished, the toilet leaked (a common problem on all cruise ships), the telephone wasn't working and no fridge (no biggie there), there was 2 bottles of water on the first day and a note saying these were free but from then on they were $2ea. I only saw my room attendant once and I had no idea what times he worked as it was different each day. The shower was huge compared to other cruiselines which was plus.

 

Most activities were poorly attended and the entertainment staff tried hard to get people to join so can't fault that but it was a hard uphill battle for them. And strangely enough the casino was not well attended as I expected it to be. 

 

I only went to one pay restaurant  - Blue Lagoon a hawker style eatery. It was excellent and thoroughly recommend it. After 2300 they had very reasonable priced snacks. The included dining rooms were a Chinese and International style dining rooms. You don't get the wide selection of menu items that you see on other cruiselines. For me I thought the dining rooms were a let down. Meals were often cold, meals delivered to the wrong tables, getting a glass of water difficult let alone a glass of wine. And the same could be said for the Lido Buffet. I really couldn't understand why this was so. I found that I was eating a big lunch at each port to compensate. All day snacks were available out the back of the Lido Buffet but as bain-maries lids were often left open the contents cooled very quickly.

 

All prices onboard didn't include the 18% service charge nor the 10%GST where applicable but soon got used to mentally adding that on. You can buy a 10 drink package for $59 (all charges included) which covered wine and beer but not cocktails. Cocktails were around $14 (all charges included).

 

The ship remained on Sydney time even though we went to Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gladstone. 

 

Smoking is permitted in certain lounges on the ship as well as on balconies but not in staterooms.

 

Online checkin was a nightmare, I could checkin but not upload documents (after much trouble found out not needed), boarding pass would not print nor any luggage labels (not that it mattered when we arrived on the day) but a heads up on that would have been good.

 

There is a stairway in the Palm Court that leads down to a room behind the bridge where you get a great view of the bridge so check that out.

 

So far I have not received or was given whilst onboard a feedback survey. I know that the company are reading social media posts so no doubt they will read this.

 

So in summary it was an interesting but disappointing experience. I hope that things improve as time goes by and others have a great time. Each person has their own likes/dislikes about every cruiseline which is just as well as we would not be able to get on our favourite cruise ship and we are lucky to have a variety of ships to choose from during our summer season!!

 

 

 

 

 

[shireboi]

Sitting at Brisbane port looking to get on board... so much for the 1.30 check in..... We are priority number 6.... that must mean we’ll wait til they fix their IT PROBLEMS... HONESTLY SUCH A PITIFUL EXCUSE 

 

there appears to be a mix of itineraries.... we are going Bris to Syd... with a few others from our TripADeal package.... some others are extending to NZ

 

we have a balcony

 

WILL POST PICS FROM SUNDAY

[shireboi]

So far..afternoon tea is sheer garbage

 

 

We got on at 3.30. Arvo tea is rapidly removed at 4pm

 

 

What a way to introduce your ship....

 

U neec to go to the back of the ship for more garbage.... onion rings and a small veg pizza...that is gone and not replaced....

Edited December 6, 2019 by shireboi