good and bad

Item: Explorer of the Seas
Rating: 4
Author: lydiaguzman

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

lydiaguzman

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 65

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 09, 2016

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9622

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Lets start with the good... I liked the bingo games. The prizes were larger than other ships and cruise lines I've been in. Our stateroom attendant and wait staff were all very nice. The kids club was great for my son. $1 mimosas daily in the casino. The ports were nice, the cruise through Tracey arm fjord was beautiful. The gym was big enough to accommodate. We had a lot of fun on the rock climbing wall and ice skating rink and we even played some basketball. Boyfriend made use of the cigar lounge. Relaxing and good variety of cigars. For dinner our party of 4 was seated with 2 other couples and after the first night we asked for a table for 4 and was no problem to get. I loved the tutti salad bar at lunch on sea days. The prices in the spa were cheaper than other lines but I can't comment on the quality. Now for the bad. I was disappointed in the food. To me the best part of a cruise is the food and in the dining room it tasted like the food was just heated and not really cooked. The desserts left something to be desired. Compared to other ships and lines, the food on this ship did not cut it. The shows weren't very exciting. They didn't appeal to anyone in the group. The shows we did see were mediocre at best. I also thought the room was small and organized awkwardly even for a cruise ship

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Small even for a cruise ship. The room had one bed and a couch that pulled out to a bed and both were hard as a rock. The closet is right in front of the door blocking it so if someone walks in while you're in the closet it bangs up both doors. The bathroom is right in front of the couch bed and the light switch is outside the bathroom so if you go at night you wake everyone up

Ship tip

The buffet has the same food as the dining room plus more. I like full service meals so I never ate in the buffet but I was disappointed in my meals and I would have had better choices in the buffet. Go early or late to beat the crowds and the buffet isn't so vad

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

5 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

11 Comments

WeCruiseToo 8 years ago

Thanks for the review!

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caribbeanjim 8 years ago

I've been on the explorer and the Liberty and thought the food in the MDR was excellent. Our waiter would let us review the next nights menu in case there was something's not so appealing we could dine somewhere else on ship. explorer hands down was the best and we even had LOBSTER!!! One night, was disappointed we didn't on Liberty but still food was excellent.

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kmainous123 8 years ago

P.S. Too cold for movies outside, wish there was a theater inside as they did show good movies outside. Skating show great. TV was terrible but that is ok. We had a balcony on the bubble, it was great and enjoyed Alaska from it.

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kmainous123 8 years ago

I was on Explorer last week for final Alaska of year. I was on Explorer February 2015 and, yes, food went way downhill. Wait staff great, room steward great. Shows were ok, at best. Cruise was great and Tracy Arm Fiord fantastic. I really hated every meal at night, but ate breakfast and lunch in there and it was good. I felt bad for waitstaff because other couple at our table hated food, too.

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cruisingbiatch 8 years ago

I was dissapointed with the MDR on Voyager to be honest. Thought I may be a little more in luck with the Explorer? The specialty restaurants and the Windjammer where great but MDR was dissapointing. Carnival MDR food was gorgeous but I think it all depends on the individual taste. Still can not wait for cruise day!!!!!

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susanstorey 8 years ago

Thanks for your review

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themartinfamily76 8 years ago

The food is not the best party of the cruise...omg seriously

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meghad23 8 years ago

Pleasantly surprised the cigar bar is still on a cruise ship. I'm wondering if it will go away next dry dock...?

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mbbarnes80 8 years ago

Room too small compared to which other cruise lines?

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vmlorino 8 years ago

Yeah I would like to know as well, compared to who?

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redsoxfan204 8 years ago

Compared to who?

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