Explorer of the Seas overview
Explorer of the Seas more than lives up to Royal Caribbean’s reputation for fun-filled cruise ships. With its nine-hole mini-golf course, FlowRider surfing simulator, and a 40-foot-high rock-climbing wall, this Voyager-class ship has plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy. Active travelers will enjoy Explorer’s ice-skating rink, sports courts, and upper-level jogging track, while passengers seeking relaxation can be pampered at the ship’s full-service spa or take in front-of-the-ship views from the whirlpool in the adults-only Solarium. For the kids, Explorer offers Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean program, which brings education and entertainment opportunities to cruisers ages 3 to 11.
Explorer also boasts a vibrant nightlife, which includes more than 15 bars and lounges, live bands, dancing, and a 70s disco party. Theater aficionados have their choice of several Broadway-style original productions, and specialty dining options include burgers at Johnny Rockets, traditional Asian Cuisine at Izumi, and Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille.
The ship, which took its maiden voyage back in 2000, is scheduled for modernization through the multimillion-dollar Royal Amplified program in 2020. Upgrades will include laser tag, an escape room, three-story-high waterslides, and SkyPad, a pulse-pounding virtual reality experience that combines trampolines and bungee cords. Explorer will also receive two new bars: The Bamboo Room and Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade.
Explorer of the Seas lives up to its name, sailing out of a variety of homeports including Miami, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Southampton, England. The ship will be spending the winters of 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the Caribbean, and the summers in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Explorer of the Seas ship highlights
- FlowRider surf simulator
- 40-foot rock-climbing wall
- Ice skating rink
- Onboard SCUBA certification
- Spirits of the Seasons ice skating show
- Outdoor movie nights
- Full-service Vitality spa
- After-dark pool party with drinks and a midnight buffet on the lido deck
- Original productions, such as Fast Forward and Invitation to Dance
- Casino Royale
- Structured activities, including dance classes and jewelry-making workshops
- Adults-only Solarium
- Three pools and six whirlpools
- Game shows, including Battle of the Sexes and Love and Marriage
- Nine-hole mini-golf course
- Specialty restaurants, such as Izumi, Chops Grille, and Chef’s Table
Before you book
Why sail Explorer of the Seas:Families and other travelers looking for all-day fun. With many of Royal Caribbean’s signature onboard activities, including a surf simulator, full-size ice skating rink, and Broadway-style shows, Explorer of the Seas delivers many of the amenities of a big ship with fewer crowds and the navigational ease of a midsize vessel.
You should know:While Explorer of the Seas has enough onboard activities to entertain passengers for extended periods at sea, it still doesn’t offer quite the same variety of activities, dining venues, and nightlife that the fleet's larger ships do. Passengers craving a thrilling mega-ship experience may prefer Royal Caribbean’s state-of-the-art Oasis-class vessels, such as their newest ship, Symphony of the Seas.
