Less than great

Item: Explorer of the Seas
Rating: 3.5
Author: althompson

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

althompson

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 12

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 31, 2024

Ship: Explorer of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9226

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 months ago

Review summary

The port staff in Miami were not compassionate to my situation of traveling with minor children. I tried to explain that I took these same kids aboard Carnival last year and all I needed was their birth certificates, so I assumed that's all I would need for RC. Instead, I was told, this is Royal Caribbean's rules and it is on the website. I didn't book with RC and had no reason to view the website, when I was basing it on my past cruise experience. It was a terrible way to start the vacation.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

No one made me aware that when traveling with minors that are not my biological children, a parental consent is needed.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Great selection of food options

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

My 7 year old grandchild was refused on the waterslide. She was told that she could go with an adult, only to find out that she was just barely tall enough instead.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Ice skate show was excellent.

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

She enjoyed the kid's club, when we could get her in. The number of guest were limited and twice she was turned away.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship is older and needs a face-lift. Fresh paint and rust addressed.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

I would not use spacious as a descriptive word. The chiller/cooler is not adequate for keeping beverages chilled.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Traffic was horrible

Thumbs Up 0

Falmouth, Jamaica

4 out of 5

I enjoyed the visit

Thumbs Up 0

George Town, Grand Cayman

1 out of 5

Did not enjoy Grand Cayman as a diversion port from Haiti. There was no comparison of the experience.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

8 Comments

Lounray 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing.

Thumbs Up 1

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Kalaka 7 months ago

Every cruise line requires parental consent to take a minor who is not your child. Period.

Thumbs Up 4

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karlgrgurich 7 months ago

Research is important. Doesn’t matter who does the booking

Thumbs Up 7

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cruising2004 7 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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Gwbigdog 7 months ago

Oops 😬 sorry thanks

Thumbs Up 0

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HeavySeas 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 1

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kef2016 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. Sorry it didn’t meet your expectations. I’m wondering why you would assume embarkation rules for Royal would be the same as Carnival. Just because you didn’t book the cruise with Royal, does not mean that you don’t have to understand their policies and know your responsibilities. Why would you spend money on a vacation and not do any research regarding policies, etc.?

Thumbs Up 5

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kdlady 7 months ago

Assumptions will get you in trouble every time!

Thumbs Up 3

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