Good trip, not the best however
Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean
9 Night Bermuda & Caribbean (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)
Sail date: July 31, 2014
Ship: Explorer of the Seas
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 8278
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 10 years ago
Review summary
Excursion issues were never addressed even though we had submitted our concerns in writing TWICE. We submitted a RC survey requesting that they contact us directly and that has not happened either. Staff does not know what excursions they actually have as the excursion desk told us they did not have the excursion that we requested--after seeing it in THEIR brochure. We were able to book it from our room The excursion was supposed to be 6.5 hours yet it was only 5. It was supposed to include shopping in St Maarten--shops close in St. Maarten at 5:00 and the tour waited until 4:55 to tell us the shops were closing and we would not be going to them. Yet we had just spent 2 hours on a beach instead of shopping first. Windjammer food was dry and cooked to far in advance most of the time. Carpets in staterooms were stained with what might have been coffee. When arriving in ports passengers are told to wait for an announcement before trying to leave ship--no announcements were made. Dining room food was very good but the wait staff kept referencing tips and how we should pay it forward as money was sent back home. Service should speak for itself without trolling or reminders--each passenger already pays $12 a day in gratuities and extra should be for exemplary service and not because the table's head waiter reminds us of how important tips are to him OR that we should give the main dining a '10' when we receive the RC survey via email. The service and food was good but I was annoyed at these tacky reminders. I will tip extra if I choose to do so and will fill out a survey based upon the experience I had on the trip. I actually did leave a very nice extra tip envelope for the main dining room staff --I had turned this in prior to the last dinner and the waiter amped up the trolling that night. I actually would have left less of a tip if I had known he was going to amp up his efforts.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Windjammer is often very crowded--try to get to breakfast between 8 and 9 and lunch around 2:00 in order to avoid crowds and be able to get a table. Solarium pool is much more quiet if you want some down time. Try the promenade pizza.
Ports of call
Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey
Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)