Explorer of the Seas Debacle

Item: Explorer of the Seas
Rating: 1
Author: wardia3

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to North America

wardia3

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 73

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

Pacific Coastal

Sail date: September 30, 2016

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 3706

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

It started like most cruises but even a little bit better on the boarding process. That was where the good mostly ended. We (wifey & I) were travelling with eleven other friends and our expectations were high because four of our party had cruised RC b-4 and really talked them up. They ended up apologizing saying that this was an anomaly and not the real RC. It took me three days to finally make the room stewards understand I wanted four extra pillows not the four that I had. No stationary or pen in the cabin. The server team in the dining room was slower than mud going uphill and when we got the nearly stone cold food because of their lack of speed it wouldn't have been much better if it were hot. The food for the most part was bad in the dining room and totally terrible at the 11th deck buffet. We complained to the team supervisor to no avail and finally got tired of going over their heads and went directly to the food and beverage director after two days of piss poor service. The service got better but the food was still second grade at best ediblwe but not of the quality we have come to expect on our 12 previous cruises on Norwegian, Carnival and Holland America. It kind of makes me feel a little apprehensive about using RC again

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

After settling our pillow problem and getting sharps container and our pre-cruise requests finally taken care of and getting them to understand that sheets get changed daily not when you think it's time, the room was fine

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Santa Barbara, California

5 out of 5

San Francisco, California

5 out of 5

Astoria, Oregon

5 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

5 out of 5

13 Comments

kayebells 7 years ago

Lucky you know some good cruise lines to go back to....

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kayebells 7 years ago

Lucky you know some good cruise lines to go back to....

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kayebells 7 years ago

Lucky you know some good cruise lines to go back to....

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MarkyAfterDarky 7 years ago

Did someone say lobster tails? I would have killed for just one!

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MarkyAfterDarky 7 years ago

I agree with slow service and food on the cold side in MDR. I had a souffl© one night and it was cold but nearly burnt fingers on red hot ramikin it was served in - go figure. Food in buffet ok but not a huge selection as in Celebrity and NCL buffets. Yes, pillows are paper thin.

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SeabournCruiser 7 years ago

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cruiseaholik 8 years ago

We went on Rhapsody the first of our RC hols and enjoyed it thoroughly. The second was on Explorer. I found it equally fantastic, but my own feeling was that it was too crowded for me. That being said it did not detract from the cruise nor ship staff being attentive and professional and all round fabulous. Ive been on 14 cruises now and on EVERY one have heard the comparison to other ships and lines and negative whining and complaining. If you cant make the best of it do us all a favour and STAY AT HOME.

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newtraveler 8 years ago

Was just on the Explorer in Sept. The food was very good including Prime Rib and Lobster tails one night. Our server brought us two more lobster tails extra. We had lobster-shrimp and crab salads as well. I don't know how bad it could be. Our servers were awesome. It does take some time but we were never in a big hurry "to eat our 4 lobster tails". !!! Our food was never cold - except for the cold fruit soup. Supposed to be cold. We even ran into our server while shopping two different times in port. Super friendly and sweet. I always take my own paper and pens. No biggy. We had 6 pillows for a cabin for 2. Our steward brought us extra blankets as soon as I asked. I know we all have different experiences but attitude makes a big difference. I was seasick for 2 days but made it thru and when it was over it was over. It was actually funny watching us all walking like drunken sailors. Part of travelling. Next time- take a breath- and enjoy.

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SvetlanaS 8 years ago

You should see that pillows! Flat as a pancakes! And hard as a rock. I,m not a sweaty person, but bed always feel cold and hard. Don't ask me about blanket!

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michaella 8 years ago

8 pillows for 2 people? Perhaps to drown out the whining????

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batch123 8 years ago

No pen, no paper, no 4 extra pillows. Oh my...the insanity. Stay home, take your constipation meds, and be misrible next time by yourself. You'll be doing everyone else a favor.

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chriw6 8 years ago

...and now being wiser, we opted for the 5 night specialty dining package. It cost $120 per person but was so worth it!!!!! This food is delicious!!!!!

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chriw6 8 years ago

You are not alone my friend! I sailed on Allure this past spring, which was my first RC cruise... And me and my friends nearly starved to death!!! The food was horrific. Hindsight showed me what great food carnival has on board!!! But.... I had already booked a second cruise on RC on the new Harmony of the Seas and wasn't about to pass up the Mediterranean! I just sailed a couple weeks ago...

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