10 Year Anniversary Cruise of a Lifetime

Item: Explorer of the Seas
Rating: 4
Author: KENC13

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

KENC13

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 62

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 19, 2017

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin number: 1816

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Just going to Alaska was enough although the first 3 days was with bad weather. My one gripe with RCCI is a big one; the one thing RCCI has started that I don't recall on our past cruises is to place a gang of staff thorough out the Promenade, at the entrance to the Windjammer and actually confronting you at your table while eating trying to upsell you to make reservations at the pay extra restaurants. I do not appreciate that move. We paid a small fortune to go on this cruise and I was quite aware that there were $$$ restaurants we could attend if we so desired. We did not experience this in the past with RCCI or on Carnival so I sincerely hope RCCI catches enough hints from other customers that this practice needs to cease.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Excellent choice! Cabins are within 2 years being brand new and had 46" Samsung flat panel TVs, although RCCI could improve on its offerings to watch. The panoramic window for an Alaska cruise was perfect. For those who have cruised RCCI before, just envision 2 of the large windows that encircle the Windjammer and you have those right beside your king sized bed. The windows actually angle outward so while looking out you literally look straight down at the water. It is a fabulous choice. In the Caribbean I elect to go with a balcony, but this was perfect for the cooler climate.

Ship tip

Prepare yourself for staff trying to upsell you on the restaurants.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

5 out of 5

On disembarkation day it is difficult to get a ride. The best advice is to catch a Town Car service who is dropping someone off, but do agree on a fare before you hop in. Otherwise you will need to call a cab service and somehow find out who is supposed to be picking you up among several thousand people also trying to leave the area.

Thumbs Up 4

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

If you book a whale watch excursion outside of RCCI, this one is splendid! Capt. Larry knows his stuff. We saw at least 15 whales, a few came fairly close to us. https://www.facebook.com/OrcaEnterprises/ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31020-d660845-Reviews-Orca_Enterprises-Juneau_Alaska.html

Thumbs Up 9

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Wait in line the extra 15-20 minutes to buy a shuttle bus ticket. It looks like a short walk to town, but looks are deceiving. Its not that far, but its a taxing walk.

Thumbs Up 6

Victoria, British Columbia

5 out of 5

If you are spent out and looking for less costly things to do, get a city map upon leaving the ship, then take the shuttle bus and get off at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. From there you can walk to Beacon Hill Park. The flowers and landscaping are gorgeous and watching the ducks and geese in the pond is a blast.

Thumbs Up 5

Traveler Photos

1 Comment

cece1951 7 years ago

Yeah it is win win for them. Less people in buffet is less work for them. More people in pay restaurants is more profit for cruise line. Not likely to stop.

Thumbs Up 0

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