Just off the Explorer 6/30 9 day cruise

[dzboss1]

This was a a wonderful cruise...our best one yet!! I really have very little to say that is negative except that the dining room service was a little slower than I would liked, but our waiter (Everton) was very nice and attentive. I think in our case we had ordered 2 appetizers, plus the salad and they come out one at a time, so there was a wait to get thought them if you were only having one thing. Got back today..well the body did, the mind is still there!!

[Matisse05]

Glad you had a wonderful trip. My last cruise was on the Explorer. Even though she's a little older, she's still a beautiful ship. Will you be posting a review?

[dzboss1]

I am beat but wanted to get some info posted so here goes........

 

Dining ~~~ The service was a little slower than I would have liked but I loved the food. Our waiter was Everton, table 357, and he was very attentive. Everyone has to eat in Portofinos at least once. The service in there was superb. I felt like a queen in there!! The food was incredible. We were always on the go, so we ate each breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer. The buffet varies a little there, but I also came to look forward to alot of the same things each day.

 

The weather at sea was wonderful....I am a deep golden brown!! We like the top deck because the winds are strong up there and it kept us from realizing how hot it was in the sun. We had a few "hours" of some rain, but that was it. The ports were very hot.

 

Excursions ~~~ My family went on the ATVs through the rain forest in San Juan. They said it was the best excursion they had ever been on. My 16 year old son can't wait to do it again next year. They also did BOB in St Thomas. They review from them was "wicked cool." On Labadee they did the Parasailing and Waverunners again. They loved them.

 

Ports ~~~ Let me start with Labadee as it is still my favorite port. This private area on Haiti is beautiful. While everyone did their excursions, I floated the day away on a raft and walked through the sands. Beautiful place to chill.

 

I did shopping in each port. To be truthful, the stores all look the same and it was hot. But it didn't stop us from buying lots of tourist stuff. I think next year I might just stay onboard. I can find plenty to keep me busy.

 

Shows ~~~ I really enjoyed the Ice Show and the game shows. I am not a big production person but I did like the Fast Forward show. The car races are fun too.

 

 

Cabins ~~~ We had the owners suite, 3rd time, which is very roomy for us 4. But the one bathroom is always the killer so next year we got 2 JS.

 

 

I just loved the cruise and the ship and look forward to doing it again next year. Would be glad to answer any questions.

[Matisse05]

Thanks for posting! This may be a dumb question but: Exactly what are the "car races"? :confused: Someone mentioned them on another post. I just don't remember them from my other RCI cruises.

[RoofingPrincess]

replaced the horse races on the Explorer. They roll the dice and the cars/horses move ahead... if the dice are 3/4/6 then cars 3, 4 and 6 each move ahead one space, if it's 2/2/2 then car 2 moves ahead 3 spaces...

[dzboss1]

Matisee ~~~ Yes, Roofing explained that correctly. We actually "bought" a car for the race and won!!!!! It was so much fun.

[Matisse05]

Thanks. Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll give it try in the future.:D

[dzboss1]

So much to do on the ship...so little time. Why do the days fly by when you are on board!!!

[cmjaffe]

welcome back...

we leave on Friday... want to "stowaway" (lol)

OK.. now that I've got your attention I've got a few ?? for you.

How was the concierge lounge? (since I know you had a suite) Is Ricky still the concierge there? What day (or days) would you suggest for Portofino's? We've never done it so we're planning on it this time around.

Do you remember when they started to let people off ship in San Juan? We're hoping to do something on our own and get a rental car but if we can't get off really early it wouldn't work as far as time (want to go to caves).

Any must do/ must see things to participate in? Know that Alan Brooks is great at Love and Marriage... does he also lead "the Quest"?

Is the diningroom somewhat slow in general or do you think it was "just your table"? We usually order 2 appetizers and usually have them served at same time (since we've got kids w/us) hope this doesn't present a problem.

Thanks.

Carolyn

[dzboss1]

CM ~~~ Ricky is still there and a doll!!! He has 2 more weeks on and then he is off for a bit, then back on, then going back to school to be an IT. What a sweetheart!! My hubby and him chatted a great deal. Tell him Harvey says hi.

 

We did Porofinos on Monday night, Caribbean night. Incredible food and service.

 

On one night we did request 2 appetizers (hot and cold soups) be brought at once, so certainly do that, and of course it might have been our table. It was wonderful just the same.

 

We never made it to the Quest this time....we were in the casino that night. The comedy show...Hayes and Wilde is great. We saw them last year on the Voyager and it was the same act but we were howling just the same!! The Ice show was good and I liked fast Forward.

[Cruisin Around]

Are the car races something that is done in the casino or promonade? I'm not sure I understand what this is yet. I get the concept, but is it done once on the cruise or every day??

Thanks!