Enjoyed the cruise but they cut a lot of corners.
Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
invalid-36027
Sail date: March 15, 2013
Ship: Explorer of the Seas
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 11 years ago
Review summary
This is my second cruise with Royal Carribean and third over all. I really enjoyed the first cruise about 10 years ago, but noticed that they have cut a lot of corners on this cruise. I wouldn't recommend getting the soda package. You have to carry a sensored cup around and serve yourself except at the formal dining room. You have to wait a certain amount of minutes between fill ups. Just not worth it for the price. We really enjoyed the excursion by speedboat at Samana, Dominican Republic. It takes you to their national park and you ride through the mangroves and tour through the volcanic caves then on to a beach. I don't recommend going to the straw markets in Labadee. The villagers hound you and pick pocketed our friend. If you want to shop, go to the large store by the straw market. They do not bother you in there and they sell most of the same things. Over all we enjoyed our cruise but will probably be a long time before we cruise again. We will try going directly to a resort next time only because we just didn't feel it was worth the money we spent and it was quite expensive with a family of six.Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Ship needs to be updated and we noticed they do not have the fruit carvings like they used to.
Ports of call
Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey
Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)
Traveler Photos
