Relaxing cruise

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 106

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Explorer of the Seas

14 Night Mediterranean Adventure (Southampton Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 21, 2019

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Great cruise, entertainment was better than last year although disappointed that the quest was adult only as family one the year before was brill and kids devastated. Lots of good food and discovered more secret areas on ship that didn’t find last time.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Very good

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Good but very busy and struggle to get table

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
We didn’t do ice skating or climbing wall as we had done these on our last cruise but particularly enjoyed silent family disco

Entertainment

4 out of 5
Shows were better than last year but west end style shows need to include songs that people know and generally be more entertaining as no story just singing

Children's Programs

3 out of 5
Kids did not want to go as they went year before and did not enjoy

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Service ok there are some exceptional staff and some mediocre. Lady on late night food at cafe promenade very rude and abrupt.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
Cleaners always seem around ship cleaning walls and skirting

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Cabins way too small for family. Need reconfiguring for families. P and I cabins much better. No space to change. Difficult getting everyone ready for evening due to wardrobe being right next to bathroom entrance. Had to ask for more soap as not automatically filled.

Ship tip

Pre book reservation for main restaurant as long waiting otherwise on anytime dining

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

4 out of 5

Gibraltar (U.K.)

4 out of 5
No excursion but port excellent as short walk to main area and nice place to visit

Cartagena, Spain

4 out of 5
No excursion but nice quaint town.

Barcelona, Spain

4 out of 5
We got drenched and flooded but usually this port is a good place to visit

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

4 out of 5
Did caves of drach trip - enjoyable but $268 way too expensive to pay for family of 4 one hour in caves and coach.

Valencia, Spain

5 out of 5
We’re told shuttle bus was only way to get into port and at £12.50 per person would have cost us £50 to visit so did not get off boat that day. Felt cheated to be honest when shuttles £5 everywhere else.

Malaga, Spain

4 out of 5
Great port but quite large and would have liked more time to explore as we only arrived at 1.30pm and had to be back on board at 6.30pm so didn’t manage to see as much as we wanted, but lovely beach and cheap ice creams on front. Would like to go back 😁

Cadiz (Seville), Spain

4 out of 5
Very good for shopping

Lisbon, Portugal

5 out of 5
Lovely city - had a go at electric scooters - fab. Older travellers be wary as lots of hills to climb. Tiring but lots of fun

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Easy as got off early and took own luggage off. Easy peasy
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