Explorer of the Seas - 9 night out of Bayonne - Questions

[Nick Needs To Know]

My fianace and I made a rather quick decision that we'd like to cruise on Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne (NJ) this summer. We have two big family cruises planned during the holidays so we want to keep expenses on this trip to a minimum. However, we do have several questions before we book.

 

1) How are the inside cabins on Explorer? Tight? Is there enough room for two people with 9 days worth of clothes?

 

2) Which deck is best to avoid lots of noise?

 

3) Can we get a table for 2?

 

4) Labadee - what can you tell me about it? Do they serve drinks and food there? If so, is it on the beach? Are there private cabanas to rent?

 

5) What times does the ship sail from Bayonne?

 

6) Tell me about the ice shows? Is there an extra charge? How many shows are performed per day? Do they do the same routine throughout the cruise or do they have different shows?

 

7) Can I buy on-board credit? If so, how do I do that?

 

8) Can I pre-purchase my shore tours or are they only reservations and they charge you once you board?

 

9) How much cash do you recommend for a 9 night cruise. Keep in mind we LOVE going to casinos and will probably play bingo too.

 

10) Any suggestions/recommendations for shore tours? We're taking the July 28th sailing.

 

Anything else you'd like to share would be appreciated too. Thanks!

 

Nick

[Jtd724]

1) How are the inside cabins on Explorer? Tight? Is there enough room for two people with 9 days worth of clothes?

 

A: Yes, cabins are big enough for 9 days of clothes

 

2) Which deck is best to avoid lots of noise?

 

A: Avoid being close the the Royal Promenade, deck lower then 4 and higher then 5.

 

3) Can we get a table for 2?

 

A: I believe so, talk to the Maitre D as soon you board to make arrangements.

 

4) Labadee - what can you tell me about it? Do they serve drinks and food there? If so, is it on the beach? Are there private cabanas to rent?

 

A: They might serve drinks, they do have a BBQ lunch, it is a small beach island, they have hammocks and covered picnic areas.

 

5) What times does the ship sail from Bayonne?

 

A: 5pm

 

6) Tell me about the ice shows? Is there an extra charge? How many shows are performed per day? Do they do the same routine throughout the cruise or do they have different shows?

 

A: No charge, not sure how many ice shows, probly 2 and they are different.

 

7) Can I buy on-board credit? If so, how do I do that?

 

AYes you can, go the the customer relations desk, pay them, they will credit the cruise card.

 

8) Can I pre-purchase my shore tours or are they only reservations and they charge you once you board?

 

A:Yes you can pre-purchase excursions online at RCCL.COM., I hihgly reccommend that method to ensure your excursion is not sold out

 

9) How much cash do you recommend for a 9 night cruise. Keep in mind we LOVE going to casinos and will probably play bingo too.

 

A:2-5 grand IMO. I'm bringing 2500 to spend, I am doing the same exact cruise Sept.22

 

10) Any suggestions/recommendations for shore tours? We're taking the July 28th sailing.

 

A: go to RCCL.COM and they will tell you in depth about each excursion.

 

Anything else you'd like to share would be appreciated too. Thanks!

 

YOUR GONNA HAVE A BLAST!!!!

[cruznsugs]

Just to add my 2 cents

1) How are the inside cabins on Explorer? Tight? Is there enough room for two people with 9 days worth of clothes?

 

A: Yes, cabins are big enough for 9 days of clothes

 

2) Which deck is best to avoid lots of noise?

 

A: Avoid being close the the Royal Promenade, deck lower then 4 and higher then 5.

 

3) Can we get a table for 2?

 

A: I believe so, talk to the Maitre D as soon you board to make arrangements.

 

4) Labadee - what can you tell me about it? Do they serve drinks and food there? If so, is it on the beach? Are there private cabanas to rent? They serve water , beer (cans), and one type of tropical drink (I think it's called Cocoa Loco - it was really good , they put it in a plastic sports cup), There are little bars right in the small beach areas. There are no private cabana's to rent, there are a few covered area's (looks like a big straw beach umbrella - you have to get off the ship really fast to grab one of these area's.)

 

A: They might serve drinks, they do have a BBQ lunch, it is a small beach island, they have hammocks and covered picnic areas.

 

5) What times does the ship sail from Bayonne?

 

A: 5pm

 

6) Tell me about the ice shows? Is there an extra charge? How many shows are performed per day? Do they do the same routine throughout the cruise or do they have different shows?

 

A: No charge, not sure how many ice shows, probly 2 and they are different. There are 2 different days of ice shows 2 diff shows on each day to accomadate each dinner sitting.

 

7) Can I buy on-board credit? If so, how do I do that?

 

AYes you can, go the the customer relations desk, pay them, they will credit the cruise card.

 

8) Can I pre-purchase my shore tours or are they only reservations and they charge you once you board?

 

A:Yes you can pre-purchase excursions online at RCCL.COM., I hihgly reccommend that method to ensure your excursion is not sold out. You can purchase them on the ship if you want to wait in line.

 

9) How much cash do you recommend for a 9 night cruise. Keep in mind we LOVE going to casinos and will probably play bingo too.

 

A:2-5 grand IMO. I'm bringing 2500 to spend, I am doing the same exact cruise Sept.22 . Yikes I've been on a few cruises and never spent that much money. My guess to be safe would be $1000. Unless you are a really big drinker and gambler. We brought a few bottles of wine with us which helped with the bar bill. We didn't go wild in the casino's (only about $100 each). Make sure you have money for tips and put it separately so you don't spend it (hint I pretipped out room stewart he loved that, we got great service), Money for souveniers, money if you plan on spending money on the islands(for lunch or drinks). Don't forget most places take credit cards which eliminates the anxiety of having enough money.

 

10) Any suggestions/recommendations for shore tours? We're taking the July 28th sailing. We will be on the same cruise on September 8th (so much cheaper than in the summer) We got a AFT deck 9 cabin. As far as excursions there is a Excursion board on Cruise critics it's divided into diff. ports, there are alot of suggestions on there .

 

A: go to RCCL.COM and they will tell you in depth about each excursion.

 

Anything else you'd like to share would be appreciated too. Thanks!

 

YOUR GONNA HAVE A BLAST!!!!