Explorer of the Seas- is it as bad as reviews say?

[dg33]

We have booked a Caribbean cruise in January 2025 on Explorer of the seas based on itinerary, but are having second thoughts based on reviews. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Cooper30]

What reviews?

 

It’s an older, Voyager class ship.  If you compare it with Wonder or similar ships, then of course it’s going to come out on bottom, especially when reviewed by someone who like the bigger classes. 
 

Voyager class ships are our favorite ships. Freedom class is a close second.  They don’t have all the bells and whistles of Oasis or Quantum classes, and that’s one of the reasons we like them.

 

We will be boarding Explorer in 20 days and have no reservations about sailing on her. 

[smokeybandit]

People love to leave bad reviews. People who have a good time don't tend to leave reviews.

 

The ship is fine. 
 

Edited October 2, 2023 by smokeybandit

[RFerrington]

We loved EX and have another cruise booked next year.  As long as you're not looking for Broadway shows and a lot of water slides you will be fine.

[mapleleaves]

what specifically are you concerned about ?

[Billy Baltic]

Are you travelling with kids and have they been on other ships?

[neverbeenhere]

It floats, has engines and food - All good.

[Cruisegoer]

50 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

We loved EX and have another cruise booked next year.  As long as you're not looking for Broadway shows and a lot of water slides you will be fine.

They did install some water slides on it's last drydock: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/02/27/royal-caribbean-adds-water-slides-explorer-of-the-seas

[Billy Baltic]

When we sailed on Explorer in August one of the 2 slides was closed (due to leaks) for most of the week.

The location of slides on Explorer is also awkward. They are at the back beside the flowrider. On Oasis class, you can sit by the pool and keep an eye on your kids. 
 

Edited October 2, 2023 by Billy Baltic

[sgttami]

I'd go back on Explorer in a minute.

[Sea Dog]

Love Explorer!

[gfargo53]

explorer is one of our favorites

[JessyCruises]

I cruised on Explorer in June and enjoyed it.  I would not hesitate to cruise on her again.

[Billy Baltic]

We sailed  on Explorer as a family this summer. We wouldn’t choose to sail on her again until she gets more TLC. The last dry dock was the bare minimum. 

[Tlbecker1]

Explorer is a great ship!  Go and enjoy yourself and don’t concern yourself about bad reviews.  We had an amazing time on her last year.

[doghog]

4 hours ago, dg33 said:

We have booked a Caribbean cruise in January 2025 on Explorer of the seas based on itinerary, but are having second thoughts based on reviews. Any insight would be appreciated.

We would never book or not book a cruise, ship, itinerary, etc. based on others opinions, experiences, positive or negative.  

[irishgal432]

Just off Explorer.  Its not new and fancy, but has many activities

Pros:

There are not crazy crowds

No crazy lines for mtd dining.

Easy to get around

Peeka boo bridge that looks into the bridge

Helipad you can go out on

No huge lines getting on and off the ship.  

Dining room food not too bad.

Bar service excellent

 

 

Cons:

Huge line at guest services always with very little staff.

Internet and Chat function sucks,kicks you off and is very slow.

Odd smells in different parts of the ship.

Not a lot of options for lunch on sea days,no Solarium cafe or park cafe.

Windjammer food options not too great.

 

[bigque]

59 minutes ago, doghog said:

We would never book or not book a cruise, ship, itinerary, etc. based on others opinions, experiences, positive or negative.  

Exactly. My first cruise was on Sovereign of the Seas back in 2008. If I would have went by the many negative reviews of that ship back then I probably wouldn’t be cruising today. 

[Tin can]

We had a great time on Explorer recently and wouldn't hesitate booking another cruise on her.

 

The only negative was the internet often kicking you off as someone else mentioned above but no big deal.

[Mum2Mercury]

We were on Explorer last winter and had a great time.  We like the mid-sized ships.  

[travelberlin]

What alternatives are there for lunch on Explorer of the Seas?

[mycalpal]

18 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

What alternatives are there for lunch on Explorer of the Seas?

On Sea days MDR or Windjammer.  On Port days just Windjammer, or pizza at Cafe Promenade.  We came back from Shore at 3:30pm Windjammer was closed, no seating at Cafe so we paid to eat at JR.  It was ok, thought it was silly to pay extra for a burger/hot dog & fries on a cruise that time of day.  

[ILCTCRUISER]

7 hours ago, Cooper30 said:

What reviews?

 

It’s an older, Voyager class ship.  If you compare it with Wonder or similar ships, then of course it’s going to come out on bottom, especially when reviewed by someone who like the bigger classes. 
 

Voyager class ships are our favorite ships. Freedom class is a close second.  They don’t have all the bells and whistles of Oasis or Quantum classes, and that’s one of the reasons we like them.

 

We will be boarding Explorer in 20 days and have no reservations about sailing on her. 

Agree.  We prefer to not sail (or do anything cruise-related or not) on anything that prides itself as “AMPED.”  Amped.  Think about it.  LOUD.   Carnival atmosphere.  Unruly kids who got that way because they have unruly parents.  And so on.  D+ but we’ve started cruising others lines.  Regent, for one.   We just ended B2B on NCL Alaska cruises.  Really starting to enjoy NCL especially MDR and specialty (Le Bistro).  RCL has changed over the years and NOT for the better.  RCL has now positioned itself to rival Carnival,  We may migrate to Celebrity.  RCL?  Only when the dates and itineraries appeal to us.  Sad.  We really loved RCL “back then.”

[nelblu]

9 hours ago, dg33 said:

We have booked a Caribbean cruise in January 2025 on Explorer of the seas based on itinerary, but are having second thoughts based on reviews. Any insight would be appreciated.

I'm booked on an 11 niter in January '25.  Booked because of a very different itinerary, longer cruise and decent pricing.  It'll be change of pace from the experience of sailing out of Bayonne and a repetitive itinerary.

 

Keep in mind, that when Quantum was introduced, people and reviewers especially on this board, went bananas because it lacked a standard Royal promenade.  Imagine a simple change and totally different configuration people were dumping on the ship.

 

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by nelblu

[villageidit]

Did a TA back in April/May on Explorer. Enjoyed the cruise. MDR staff was fantastic. Not all the bells and whistles but comfortable. Would book this ship again.