RCCL not what it used to be.

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Bermuda

caketm655

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 75

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Bermuda (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 14, 2014

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8550

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 10 years ago

Review summary

The overall food on the ship was poor quality. The 'so called' prime rib was such a low quality that I didn't eat it, as for the mushy lobster. Other than the omlettes for breakfast, there was nothing I found appetizing. The service in the dining room was exceptional. Our room Stewart was also outstanding. The entertainment was fair, ship is tired looking. The port in Bermuda is boring. The disembarkation was the worst I've seen, totally disorganized. We kept our luggage so we could walk off and leave earlier but that just didn't happen. They wouldn't let people use the elevators but made them carry their luggage down several flights of stairs. why??? It made no sense treating people like this. We are platinum members and the perks were sub par. The 45 minute cocktail reception was a joke. It was really just a sales pitch. Mediocre drinks and no passed appetizers. Not a nice way to appreciate your platinum and above passengers.

i will probably not cruise again with RCCL. We cruised with Celebrity in April and Regent in January, both being positive experiences. They know how to treat and pamper their guest. They did not treat their guest like cattle and present poor quality food.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Service great, food poor

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Same old, same old production numbers, boring.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The staff saved the cruise

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Tired looking ship

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Great room Stewart, room needs an overall.

Ship tip

If you are traveling with children who do not have a picture ID, most do not, be sure to bring their birth certificate while going on shore in Bermuda. They will have a difficult time getting back on the ship even though their parent has an ID. This came as a surprise since RCCL never mention that.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

3 out of 5

King's Wharf, Bermuda

1 out of 5

Stay on the ship

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4 Comments

glomarrone 10 years ago

I research the Internet and learned that the ship will be revitalized in February 2015 before it moves to Southampton.

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glomarrone 10 years ago

I always thought that RCCL was a step up from Carnival. I have been on ships of both cruise lines & up to now thought that RCCL was superior. I have mostly been pleased with food on Carnival. I think that all the cruise lines are cutting back in all areas. Gloria

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glomarrone 10 years ago

Do you have any idea when this ship will be dry docked and refurbished?

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CrusinTim 10 years ago

Sorry you had a bad cruise on the Explorer. I too agree that RCCL has become more like Carnival and less like the upper scale they used to be. Don't get me wrong, I have been on 5 Carnival cruises and for the most had an acceptable time. We have also been on 2 RCCL cruises and are sailing with them again this December. Our May 2013 sailing on the Jewel was less than OK yet our November 2013 sailing on the Brilliance was above par. My point is, like some of our cruises with Carnival, you have good ships and bad ships. Never used to be that way with RCCL!! Also, the reason modern ships only go into Kings Warf is due to their size. Bermuda has a large coral eco-system that is closely protected surrounding the island. Only smaller ships are able to visit Hamilton & St. George. Better luck on your next cruise :)

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