**Live from Explorer 7/20**

[cruislovin]

CruiseDiva,

 

Amazing that it arrived that quickly! What deck were you on? I hope we have the same experience with our luggage. We often have had to go looking for things in Miami! On our 1st 2 EOS sailings we were fortunate enough to upgrade at the pier though, so of course we expected that!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

CruiseDiva,

 

Amazing that it arrived that quickly! What deck were you on? I hope we have the same experience with our luggage. We often have had to go looking for things in Miami! On our 1st 2 EOS sailings we were fortunate enough to upgrade at the pier though, so of course we expected that!

 

This time we booked last minute and booked a balcony guarantee, Deck 7 Cabin 7670. I'm not sure I'll do that again, since we're spoiled and prefer a Hump Cabin :rolleyes: What can I say?? Have to be honest!! To date, between NYC, Miami & CapeLiberty, we've found Cape Liberty to be the quickest in everything..Dont know why..We've never waited to board, have never waited on lines more than 5 minutes, and both times out of Bayonne were at the speed of light for everything. Just out experience!

DH teased me before & said, "where are we going in August?" I think I should make him sleep in the dog house for teasing me! LOL

(( Denice )) We're all thinking about you & the AMAZING time you are having! xo

[FreewayFortune]

There's nothing wrong with being spoiled CruiseDiva:) I've only been on 2 cruises and loved my balcony both times, no hump cabins yet.

 

Denice I hope you are having a fabulous time:)

[demodawn]

Keep the posts coming we get to feel like we are with you! If we have someone posting live each week what a great way to come home each night and cruises for a while Thanks!!!!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

There's nothing wrong with being spoiled CruiseDiva:) I've only been on 2 cruises and loved my balcony both times, no hump cabins yet.

 

Denice I hope you are having a fabulous time:)

 

DH & I, even my parents will not cruise unless we have balcony rooms. I guess it is what you are accustomed to. Now I beleive my kids can do a Promenade room. They have had insides and balcony- I think a Promenade gives me less worry in case they invite in any new-found friends!

 

Whew! Boy am I glad others understand! But now here is the question, "does needing my balcony really make me spoiled?" :rolleyes: hehehe

[FreewayFortune]

DH & I, even my parents will not cruise unless we have balcony rooms. I guess it is what you are accustomed to. Now I beleive my kids can do a Promenade room. They have had insides and balcony- I think a Promenade gives me less worry in case they invite in any new-found friends!

 

Whew! Boy am I glad others understand! But now here is the question, "does needing my balcony really make me spoiled?" :rolleyes: hehehe

 

 

I thought the only way I would ever cruise was with a balcony. Then I found the Promenade rooms and figured I could handle it because I want to go to Europe and a balcony just makes that so much more. But a balcony in Alaska or the Caribbean is definately it. You're not really spoiled you just know what you like:)

[dzboss1]

Hi everyone!!

 

Cruis~~~ We had the luggage in our room by 1:30..that was a new record. We are on deck 9.

 

The show times vary each night, depending on the shows, but 7pm is usually the time for late seating, and 9 for main.

 

Let's talk shows....we saw the duck "ventriloquist" (he isn't really one, but pretends to be). How do I explain what I thought of it...hmmmm..ok, it was very silly and stupid.....but somehow very entertaining!!! I laughed alot, so I guess I could say it is worth seeing. (one of my CC friends was with us and she was cracking up so much I had to slap her silly)

 

Diva, as I have stated a few times, I totally agree with you about the staff...they are sooooo friendly and amazing. An example.....we have made numerous requests at dinner for different things NOT on the menu....and they have all been met and with a smile!! You can not beat the way these people have been trained by RCL to make you feel special.

 

I went to the hip hop class. Now I can dance....well I thought I could till that class...wayyyyyy over my head, but it was fun.

 

Someone I think asked about Johny Rocket's hours..they used to be open till 1am, and now its midnight. Security for the kids at night continues to be tight...good to know. They make my 18 year old son go back to the room at curfew.

 

Today we arrive in St Maartin at noon. I took this morning to kind of organize the laundry and sleep late and catch up on news in the outside world. We had planned to go to Orient Beach...but my casino winnings need to be spent so we decided to go shopping. So we will get off about 12:30. Tonight we are having dinner at Portofino. OMG I love it there!! I will take pictures of the food to post on my return, as the entrees and desserts are a work of art!!

 

The show tonight is Fast Forward, which we have seen before, but will not miss. It is a great show and a great sing-a-long.

 

I did not win anything last night in the casino (but other people sure were!!!), but hubby had a great night playing blackjack, and my daughter did well in roulette. Let me send this...always afraid I will lose it..brb

[FreewayFortune]

Hi Denice,

 

Thanks so much for the post:) :) Enjoy St.Martin and the shopping.

[dzboss1]

We have had some high winds and a bit of rocking through the cruise, but I am SHOCKED that I have been 100% fine. There have been a few people finding it difficult, but I am sooo sensitive to motion, and surprised this cruise has been without one problem. Whooohoooo!! I take 1/2 (a whole is too much for me..makes me too sleepy) of the LESS DROWSY dramamine. That is the exact same fomula that is in bonine. The regular dramamine to me is lethal and not the same medicine!!! lol

 

For those never on this ship, the promenade is just such a wonderful place to stroll and see people and do not forget those great cookies and sandwiches there. OK, we need to talk cookies...

 

I know everyone has there favorites on this ship...but I think the OATMEAL RAISIN are the best cookies I have ever had!! I am thankful they don't change the recipe!!

 

For anyone never having been on this ship...you are in for such a wonderful experience!! For those having been on it, you know exactly what I mean. I have taken tons of pictures that I can't wait to post here on my return. Will try to post more later, if not I will tomorrow.....(CAN NOT WAIT to eat at Portofino tonight!!) There is nothing like cruising!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[FreewayFortune]

We have had some high winds and a bit of rocking through the cruise, but I am SHOCKED that I have been 100% fine. There have been a few people finding it difficult, but I am sooo sensitive to motion, and surprised this cruise has been without one problem. Whooohoooo!! I take 1/2 (a whole is too much for me..makes me too sleepy) of the LESS DROWSY dramamine. That is the exact same fomula that is in bonine. The regular dramamine to me is lethal and not the same medicine!!! lol

 

For those never on this ship, the promenade is just such a wonderful place to stroll and see people and do not forget those great cookies and sandwiches there. OK, we need to talk cookies...

 

I know everyone has there favorites on this ship...but I think the OATMEAL RAISIN are the best cookies I have ever had!! I am thankful they don't change the recipe!!

 

For anyone never having been on this ship...you are in for such a wonderful experience!! For those having been on it, you know exactly what I mean. I have taken tons of pictures that I can't wait to post here on my return. Will try to post more later, if not I will tomorrow.....(CAN NOT WAIT to eat at Portofino tonight!!) There is nothing like cruising!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

 

 

I'm glad you are fine with the motion of the ship. And as far as the cookies go you have to make sure you enjoy them for me too. I love the oatmeal raisin:) I can't wait to see all the pictures when you get back. Enjoy your dinner at Portofino's tonight. I am looking forward to hearing about the Love and Marriage show too.

[01Sweetpea]

Can't wait to read your review of Portofino.

 

I've convinced DH that when we cruise next year we get one ADULT ONLY dinner!!! The kids can fend for themselves. :D

[DPurcell58]

Oh nothing is better than Portofinos, you have to do it at least once!!! Thanks for posting, I'm counting down the days!

[Shmobo]

Denice Denice!

 

Tell us more about the Portofino!! Thinking about the food makes me hungry again!

 

Can you check if there is a charge for the Fitness classes? and how much do they cost??

 

Jen

[FreewayFortune]

I love Portofino's too. I only ate there because of the Mystery Diner, but will definately go back on my next cruise. I love the Tiramisu:)

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Denice....glad you're having so much fun & won in the casino! Enjoy Portofino's....we both had the seafood skewer, I had the tomato+ soup and the roasted garlic/evoo is to die for as well as the tapenades, well there isnt anything that isnt fab! Not much room for dessert but DH loves tiramisu.

 

How is the shopping/prices in St Maartin?

 

DS wants to know what time curfew is? Interestingly enough, @ 18yo you can drink wine & beer on board but they enforce a curfew? I wouldnt have known about this last week, we were sans the kids!! Thx for the update on it.

 

(trying to plan a 3 generation sail for July 2008..should have booked on board!!)

[dzboss1]

Diva ~~~ Hi, hon!!! BTW...can't wait for us to be together here on the Explorer in December. It will be awesome to be on here together!!! I am anxious to do a live post from her then, being that it is a holiday cruise, and should be a little different. And 12 nights!!! OMG!!

 

Curfew for kids under 18 is 1am (my son turns 18 the day after we return)...and Security sniffs the water bottles of the kids. I commend them for all that.

 

The prices were ok in St. Maartin (our 4th time there)...we did a little shopping, but it was too hot so we were only off the ship for a few hours. We have dinner at 6, and can't wait to take the pictures of the food, and then eat it!!!! We will see the 9:00 show, hit the casino, then at 11:30 there is a buffet and party on deck. Whoooohooo!!!!

 

The very interesting thing about this port, and I knew it before we left, is that the RCL Liberty is parked right next to us!!! She arrived earlier than we did, and leaves at 6 I believe. We are here till 9. I got some great pictures of the two ships side by side.

 

There has been a complaint, though minor. The deck patrol is removing belongings if only left on the chair for 15 minutes....so beware. Don't put stuff there if you aren't going to sit, and if you go eat lunch....bring it back to your seat.

 

Jen, sorry I forgot to look into the fitness stuff for you. I will, I promise!!!

 

dpurcell...we usually do Portofino twice, but decided to just do one night this time. I agree, everyone needs to go at least once on their cruise. They now have this lunch package..on Saturday..I think it is $55 for lunch and it includes their cookbook and a tour of the ship galley!!!! We have booked that..it is limited to 26 people. I am DYING to see the galley!!!!

[dzboss1]

Diva ~~~ I saw you were booking a July 2008 cruise...we just booked the Marnier for July, since we have the Explorer for Xmas 2007 and 2008...break it up with something different. Plus, we had booked the Explorer for 12 days in April 2009 (no kids!!!!)...I think we are going to switch it to a 7 night out of Fla on the new Celebrity ship that comes out in Dec 2008 out of Fla. But I do LOVE the Explorer!!

[Shmobo]

Denice Denice!!

 

Thanks for checking for me! I thought you forgot about me totally....

 

I do like the idea of the lounge chair patrol. On one of my cruises, there were this family saving a set of chairs right next to the pool and then another set underneath the shade!!

 

Jen

[Shmobo]

eat eat eat!! fun fun fun!! win win win!!

 

Jen

[CDLTEL]

[dpurcell...we usually do Portofino twice, but decided to just do one night this time. I agree, everyone needs to go at least once on their cruise. They now have this lunch package..on Saturday..I think it is $55 for lunch and it includes their cookbook and a tour of the ship galley!!!! We have booked that..it is limited to 26 people. I am DYING to see the galley!!!!

 

Thanks for the great updates. This is something new? Will the lunch be the Sat before arriving home on Sunday? Please fill us in on what is included in the lunch, wine? Sounds like a great deal.

 

Thank again for taking the time for all of your posts

 

cdltel

[dzboss1]

[dpurcell...we usually do Portofino twice, but decided to just do one night this time. I agree, everyone needs to go at least once on their cruise. They now have this lunch package..on Saturday..I think it is $55 for lunch and it includes their cookbook and a tour of the ship galley!!!! We have booked that..it is limited to 26 people. I am DYING to see the galley!!!!

 

Thanks for the great updates. This is something new? Will the lunch be the Sat before arriving home on Sunday? Please fill us in on what is included in the lunch, wine? Sounds like a great deal.

 

Thank again for taking the time for all of your posts

 

cdltel

 

Oh you are so welcome... my pleasure. Yes, this is something new, and it is done on the last sea day. I will let you know more about it afterwards..well probably on my return home (oh, that sounds terrible!!!!)

 

Just went around and took more pictures of the ship, since so many people are still off. Can never have enough memories to cature on film!! (lol)

[dzboss1]

Denice Denice!

 

Tell us more about the Portofino!! Thinking about the food makes me hungry again!

 

Can you check if there is a charge for the Fitness classes? and how much do they cost??

 

Jen

 

There is no charge for some of fitness classes...they don't have alot....and others cost $10....they have as example..........

 

Day 2 at sea:

8am aerobics

9am yoga ($10)

3 spinning ($10)

4 pilates ($10)

Day 3 Bermuda

8am step

4pm firm up ($10)

Day 4 Sea Day

7:30 stretch

8am aerobics

9am yoga ($10)

etc etc etc

[dzboss1]

BTW..don't look for me to post anything negative about this cruise or this ship...it just "ain't" going to occur!!!! lol

 

Off to shower and then my Portofino dinner. I am drooling!!!!

[Shmobo]

Thanks Denice!

 

You are the best!

 

Jen

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Im THRILLED to hear security sniffs the kids water bottles!! Yay!! We were totally out of the loop last week on the kid stuff.

Cant wait for December to be on board with you guys either!!! As for X- Solstice......We'd LOVE to be on Solstice's Inaugural!! We do love Celebrity!

Not sure it is going to happen tho!! Ive only been checking the NE ports for July 08 so we dont have to schlep my parents on a plane to get to a ship- it needs to be a simplistic sail!

 

DH wouldnt use the flash in Portofinos so my pics need to be lightened :(

I havent been to St Maartin in $%#% Years!! (too many to mention)

Looking forward to St Thomas in Dec though!!

 

Glad you're having a blast! Hi to all your Roll Call Buddies too.