Great to be warm

Item: Explorer of the Seas
Rating: 3.8
Author: lorac60

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

lorac60

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 6

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

9 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 07, 2020

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 6471

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

We did not appreciate being asked for tips, we felt bombarded by this.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Seamless

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Windjammer and Sapphire were great, the staff attentive. We were disappointed in the lack of organization of the staff in Chops.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The ship was kept very clean. The events around the pool are popular. We felt some of the events would have been better timed for late night .

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Enjoyable

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Our room was always clean, with fresh towels. The bartenders worked long hours with a smile. The wait staff accommodating.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship was alway always clean, the washroom supplies usually plentiful.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Comfy bed, very quiet, nice and dark - perfect for resting in.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

4 out of 5

Beautiful beaches

Thumbs Up 0

Kralendijk, Bonaire

3 out of 5

The kayak in the Mangroves and snorkeling was our excursion of choice - there were No Mangroves on the shoreline - this was disappointing

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

3 out of 5

Bus tour was good.

Thumbs Up 0

Willemstad, Curacao

3 out of 5

Colourful buildings, we took a taxi to Cabana Beach - nice place

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

We felt disembarkment was confusing

9 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

First cruise?

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Dadm 4 years ago

Who exactly was asking for tips? Do you mean porters at the dock, maybe excursion tour guides or drivers? I have never been asked by any RC employees.

Thumbs Up 1

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Cruise1st 4 years ago

Agree, I am diamond plus so have a few cruises under my ever expanding belt, never been asked for a tip by any of the crew, did give a few whisky drinking tips to a guy from England once lol

Thumbs Up 3

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scouse 4 years ago

26 cruises with rcl and never asked for a tip ......strange that.

Thumbs Up 1

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anoceanlife 4 years ago

Tight ass

Thumbs Up 1

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CruzeFan 4 years ago

Other than the standard gratuities and any added tips on drinks, I don’t recall ever being asked for a tip on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We always tip the luggage handlers and give some extra to the cabin steward and wait staff.

Thumbs Up 1

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portofrome 4 years ago

Thanks for your review

Thumbs Up 0

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cruisereckoning 4 years ago

We always tip over and above the normal tips. We have always been well taken care of and feel they work hard for it.

Thumbs Up 0

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Hebert1 4 years ago

You have to realize that the people on these ships actually make less money than hotel or restaurant employees. They all have families to support and rely on tips. This is their lively hood. So (if they are good ), one should tip. If in doubt ask miss manners (seriously)

Thumbs Up 2

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great ship, Great service

Great cruise!

One of our most disappointing cruises.