On the Explorer right now

[CaribKat47]

Hi all,

Free Internet service for the rest of the day as there seems to be something brewing with Hurr. Jeanne merging on our intended path. The following is IMHO. Looked at NHC info and I'm wondering if we're going to be able to get off this boat Sun. a.m. Maybe Sunday p.m instead. Jeanne seems headed for Miami area by Sun. am if I'm looking at maps correctly. Also, from where we are, north of Puerto Rico and south east of Jeann'es path, I'm not sure that we could even attempt to outrace this revisit from Jeanne to the southeastern Florida coast.

Heard about the devastation in Haiti (so terrible!!) and believe me...whatever does happen to our course of travel...we'll be okay here and that's most important.

Swells started to rise about 4 to 4 1/2 hours ago after an outstandingly sunny and dry day in St. Thomas (Sapphire Beach was beyond expectations). Saw some intense lightening off in the NE sky. Feeling a little pitch-and-roll right now and hubby and I looking at all of this as an adventure. Heading up to the pool deck now to see how it feels. This is the firstFirst night decided to skip dining room, but ordered room service menu that matched Columbus room fare. Cannot say how much I've enjoyed the dining room food in taste, presentation and service. A table mate of ours joined the waiters on Italian night to sing (she's a mezzo-soprano) and it was great fun. Head W. Gary and Ass't W. Carlos have been most accomodating. Calling all by name, remembering previous drink orders, etc.

Not too crazy about the Windjammer...i.e., taste and buffet presentation (vs. Radiance class station service). We head to Cafe Promenade instead for the most delicious and interesting sandwiches and desserts. So between dining room, Cafe Promenade and room service...one well-fed gal here.

RCCL Internet message that I have 2 minutes left...gotta go. Having the time of our lives...love everything about this cruise. Will revisit board..hope all are well.

 

Kathy (aka CaribKat57)

[Pumbaamd]

Enjoyed your message. Keep us informed. It's great to hear from some one posting from on board. Hope the seas don't get too rough.

[lanabanana]

Thank you for posting. We are supposed to be taking EOS on Sun. I would think chances are good that we would not get on until Mon. I think our adventure will be getting to FL and to the port of Miami. Wish us luck!

[hygienist]

Thanks for posting!

 

Did you get to visit all the ports of call? I had read where some ports were closed for repairs, but I don't think any on the eastern route that you are on.

Please keep us informed about future schedule, as we are supposed to board Explorer on Oct 3rd. I am concerned about next weeks schedule having an impact on our cruise. Maybe it won't, but you never know when you cruise in hurricane season. I am really in need of this get away, so I would be a little dissapointed if we got shortened by a day or 2. I would hope that if they shorten any cruise, that you will get a credit for future use.:cool:

 

I hope you are able to return to Miami on time, but it is looking like little Miss JEANNE has other plans for you!

[iroyster]

Hi all,

Free Internet service for the rest of the day as there seems to be something brewing with Hurr. Jeanne merging on our intended path. The following is IMHO. Looked at NHC info and I'm wondering if we're going to be able to get off this boat Sun. a.m. Maybe Sunday p.m instead. Jeanne seems headed for Miami area by Sun. am if I'm looking at maps correctly. Also, from where we are, north of Puerto Rico and south east of Jeann'es path, I'm not sure that we could even attempt to outrace this revisit from Jeanne to the southeastern Florida coast.

Heard about the devastation in Haiti (so terrible!!) and believe me...whatever does happen to our course of travel...we'll be okay here and that's most important.

Swells started to rise about 4 to 4 1/2 hours ago after an outstandingly sunny and dry day in St. Thomas (Sapphire Beach was beyond expectations). Saw some intense lightening off in the NE sky. Feeling a little pitch-and-roll right now and hubby and I looking at all of this as an adventure. Heading up to the pool deck now to see how it feels. This is the firstFirst night decided to skip dining room, but ordered room service menu that matched Columbus room fare. Cannot say how much I've enjoyed the dining room food in taste, presentation and service. A table mate of ours joined the waiters on Italian night to sing (she's a mezzo-soprano) and it was great fun. Head W. Gary and Ass't W. Carlos have been most accomodating. Calling all by name, remembering previous drink orders, etc.

Not too crazy about the Windjammer...i.e., taste and buffet presentation (vs. Radiance class station service). We head to Cafe Promenade instead for the most delicious and interesting sandwiches and desserts. So between dining room, Cafe Promenade and room service...one well-fed gal here.

RCCL Internet message that I have 2 minutes left...gotta go. Having the time of our lives...love everything about this cruise. Will revisit board..hope all are well.

 

Kathy (aka CaribKat57)

 

 

Thanks for the update, we just got off the ship 9/12 and loved the Explorer. Please go by the Champange (sp) bar and tell Haydar the bartender hi! He will entertain you and has a great life story. (Tell Him Ira/Kim said hi, please)

Ira

[nosnobunny]

Thanks for the update. Last Saturday, we were at the wedding of a young couple that are honeymooning on your cruise. It's their first cruise so I'm happy to hear you've had some good weather.

 

Beth

[springtxbill]

I think you will probably get an extra day on your cruise also. Coming in Sunday moprning you would be getting very close to the storm.:)

[saxmelody]

I just got off the Explorer on Sunday as you were getting on. Don't you just love that ship? She is awesome. Take good care of her. Maybe you'll get a couple of extra days. We were sort of hoping for that, but Jeanne just didn't cooperate with us.

 

If you get a chance, stop by the Sky Bar and tell Sheldon that Sherry says "hi". I'm not Sherry, but she is one of my travelling companions from last week. He'll know who she is.

 

Have a good rest of your trip. Have a slice of pizza in Cafe Promenade for me. LOL

 

Amy

[Cruise Miriam]

Hi, thanks for posting and please keep us informed if you can!!!!

[NYUKat]

This is CaribKat47....having trouble getting on with that screen name. Did not get to repost with any updates because after we were told about coming in a day late, the INternet cafe was packed with long lines with people trying to contact jobs, family and airlines to change flight. Just landed back in NYC a couple of hours ago. We did end up coming in on Monday a.m. very early as you've probably heard already. We decided to skip the possible craziness at the airport and did a post-cruise at Biscayne Bay Marriott instead. We had one of last color tags and got off close to 11 am. Hint...everyone seems to congregate on the Deck 4 (despite announcements to stay clear of deck until your color is called). Heard it was a zoo down there. Me? I was comfortably snoozing on a lounge chair in the Solarium until we were called.

We got to all of our ports except Nassau on Saturday...totally understandable with the weather. Was not very impressed with Old San Juan. Walked around for an hour or so, stopped into Windham Hotel Casino (think that was the name) and then went back onto ship. I heard several people saying that the city looked more rundown than in the past. Not sure if this was due to recent hurricane damage or not.

St. Thomas and St. Martin on the other hand were amazing. Twelve of us went off on our own to Sapphire Beach and Grand Case beach respectively. We had a blast.

What I loved:

-The Solarium pool area...sunned and swam every day there

-Food in the dining room and cafe promenade (Windjammer was so-so)

-Our waitstaff (Gary, Carlos, and Maury (sic) were attentive, friendly and funny

-Francesca, our room steward, was very sweet and kept our room fresh and clean all day long

-Dizzy's on deck 14...what a view and really good music

-Connesiure (sic) Cigar Club...beautiful public space

- Aqua Bar....great latin music and dancing

- my balcony room...spent a decent amount of time in our room just relaxing to the breeze and ocean sounds. I loved the coziness of it.

- Ice show was wonderful...it's amazing what these young skaters can do with Studio B's small ice rink

 

Overall...this was an amazing 8 days. I have no complaints at all. There were 12 of us on the cruise and with exception of one couple who could find nothing right with this cruise (kept comparing negatively to their previous Radiance cruise), we all had a blast. Perfect blend of activity and relaxation. I came home today totally chilled out...let's see how long that lasts!

Peace to you all,

Kathy