Explorer of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Reviews

It seemed like they were prohibited from writing things down they ALWAYS came back minutes after we ordered anything, food or drinks, and asked for our orders again. Room service always called us back about every order and they still couldn't get it right.  

Every meal had some kind of problem. Arriving at our scheduled time we still had to wait 35 minutes for them to get drinks and a bread basket on the table. The waiter warned us that prime rib would only come raw or very well done. We ordered medium rare and got raw -really. We sent it back and then we got very well done -just like he warned. 

Room service was especially bad -food was always cold, they always left something out, like coffee and creamer for coffee, silverware, and they didn't stick to the schedule a single time within the hour. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then, but they didn't get it even approximately right a single time. Our photos from the ship got lost and they wasted hours of our time waiting for them to restore them -and it never happened.

We paid a rich price for a drink package that we thought would include everything -even though it was called the premium package, it didn't cover some premium+ cocktails, which was understandable, but it didn't cover a simple can of coke. Cups were ok but we couldn't get a single can even though several other people walked up and got them. Most drink orders were botched, wrong drink, no ice when we wanted it or with ice when we asked to hold it.

An excursion was canceled at the last minute because of weather and then another, almost identical excursion, was offered -for $25 more -it was not canceled for the weather.

The other passengers we met were great but that didn't make up for RC's lack of a plan or system to deliver good service. The room was large and nicely furnished and housekeeping was good but the toilet kept flooding the bathroom. Thank god for the high threshold. They should rename the ship, "Willy-Nilly of the Seas."

I would recommend to others, the overall service was great.

We had a few issues in the dinning room the 1st night and the staff fixed the problems. Everything was great after that.

I was disappointed in the quality and taste of overall in the food. In the Windjammer , it reminded of a diner taste. In the Sapphire, food was good but not great. 

Arctic Zone ice cream machine not working during all the hours listed. We'd walk and walk to get a cone and it'd be already closed.

Room attendants were great and servers in the Sapphire went above and beyond. 

Everyone friendly and helpful.

Getting off and on ship during excursions were well planned out.

  Cruising from Seattle, Washington to Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, Tracy Arms Fjord, then on to Victoria, British Columbia was a sensational, scenery-laden time to enjoy some of the most beautiful places in the world.  If you want to go to Alaska, go now; it is a must-see location. 

  Skagway was my favorite Alaska location; it is so charming and the White Pass Train Ride was an eye opener.  The story of the gold rush in the 1890s was just unbelievable, incredible that so many people climbed almost 3,000 feet.  The train ride is much more comfortable!

  Victoria, British Columbia is just stunning.  Wish we had stayed there for a few days.

  The shore excursion to Skagway was great, but we did not know before leaving the ship that there would be a ramp on land of a 45 degree steep climb.  It was fine for young and fit people, but very difficult to many.  More wheel chairs should have been easily available.

We reserved a junior suite which provided us with priority boarding.  The cruise was to celebrate our 25th Anniversary so we splurged a bit.  The view from the cabin was great!  We were able to sail up to the Dawes glacier and the captain turned the ship around 360 degrees so that everyone would be able to see fro their rooms.  There were sighting of seals, whales & even a bear.  This cruise was about appreciating nature in all of its glory.  Pack warm clothes that can be layered.

We are planning to go again for our 30th anniversary, if not before!

Experience was wonderful. People, Staff and ports of call were great! So many shows and activities - almost need a vacation for the vacation! Only down side was the staff couldn't keep the Coke Zero in the dispensers and the bars had Diet Coke.

We enjoyed the dining services and the shows very much. In my opinion, the shows had more qualities than the Princess cruises.

Your agent, Tiffany Cymbala was very helpful and courteous .

First, I’d like to say Alaska was beautiful!  Every crew member on the ship that I interacted with was wonderful! From my room steward, Nitesh Zaraonkar, to the dining room staff, Ethel DeLeon, Frederick Lanuza, Virgil Eereira, and Juilo Pineda my every request was taken care of quickly and professionally.  We were a party of seven with two of us sitting in motorized wheelchairs.  With me using a knee-shooter but, able to walk a little.  We dined using MY Time dinning at the 8pm seating each night.  The first night we were seated too far back in the dining room for the wheelchairs but were moved to a table closer to the entrance of the dining room for the next night.  This table was way too small to seat all seven of us comfortably.  On the third night we were again moved.  This table was perfect!  This is where we were seated for the rest of our trip.  The trip was a birthday celebration for my son’s 21st.  The third night was his birthday and the cake (Chocolate/Chocolate) was fantastic!  The last curse I was on was also a birthday celebration and on that curse the cake was not so good.

The food on this curse was a bit underwhelming.  In the Windjammer, I found the food to be cold not hot.  The chicken always seemed to be dry.  In the main dining room, the food was not as good as I remember it to be.  Everything needed more seasoning not just salt and pepper either.  Every night the same broccoli, carrots and baked potato for the vegetables.  On the last night, turkey was on the menu with brussel sprouts, some of us ordered it for the brussel sprouts but they didn’t make it onto the ship.  This was not the first time in the week that something didn’t make it onto the ship.  Overall the food was good but as I said a bit underwhelming.  My son would tell you that my taste buds live at a different level because I am a Chef but, I had expected to be wowed a bit more.  It was like you were cooking for the older crowd which have lost their ability to taste.  Foodie people like myself take pictures of their food.  I took none this time.

The room.  When I made the reservation I didn’t know I would be using a knee-shooter.  I had always thought it would be neat to have a window to the promenade so a booked this room turning down the room next to my parent’s that would have been handicapped accessible like theirs.  They are the two that are in the motorized wheelchairs.  I felt like, I’m not handicapped, and I just didn’t want to take a room away from someone that was.  Little did I know that the room I booked would be so small and I would be using a knee-shooter and therefore would be somewhat handicapped.  There was less than 12” from the foot of the beds to the wall.  My shooter could not be moved around the beds.  I would park it in the closet when I was going to be in the room for a while, not the easiest thing to do either since the first bed came across the entrance hallway just past the closet.  I would leave it in the hall if I was just popping in for a minute or two.  My son is 6’6” tall and weighs just over 300 pounds.  The room was a bit claustrophobic for him; especially the shower.  The beds, were as hard as rocks!  Any longer than the seven nights and I don’t think I would have recovered from the bed.  As it was it took two nights at home to feel like I got a full night of restful sleep.  I don’t know if there is anything you can do about this except provide addition padding on request.  You actually may provide it; I never asked.

Excursions were fun.  My son and I went whale watching in Juneau.  We saw lots of wildlife including whales.  Then we went to see the Mendenhall Glacier!  What a sight to see!  The tour guides were great and informative.  In Skagway, we went dog sledding.  This was also lots of fun.  The guides here met the bus with a smaller vehicle so I didn’t need to walk or try to use my knee-shooter which would have impossible.  We got to be pulled in a “sled” and pet and hold the pups.  In Victoria, we didn’t do an excursion.  I had been to Victoria before and was planning to just take a Harbour Ferry Tour from the pier but, they were not running from the pier near the curse ship.  There was a bus to get to downtown for $10 but to do anything there would have been an additional charge.  So we turned around and got back on the ship.  It was a shame; Victoria is such a beautiful city.  I think the curse line should have had a free shuttle to downtown since the curse ship pier is so far from downtown.  Because of ice we sailed for the Dawes Glacier reaching it at about 5am.  At about 7am we had gotten as close to it as we were going to and the Captain let everyone know we were there.  All I can say is WOW!  We were about ½ mile away from its base and the Captain started his 580-degree spin.  I’m not sure which was more impressive the glacier or the spin.

Cruise was fantastic!  Personnel on ship were absolutely the best!  Entertainment was good.  Diningroom personnel were awesome!  They did everything to accommodate any special needs and always had a smile.

Every time we turned around there were more changes.  They disguised these as gratuities that were assessed on everything. Including the deodorant i bought. I have to pay someone to buy deodorant?  I won't be sailing with RC again.

Spectacular views during the entire trip.

This time of year (late May) was outstanding.

Good temperatures during excursions and mountains still snow capped

With only a few exceptions, this cruise was everything that we could have hoped for. We were fortunate to have great weather throughout the trip. The ports and excursions we experienced were great. Seeing orcas and humpback whales in Juneau, traveling into the Canadian Yukon out of Skagway and taking in all the great vistas that our outstanding guide brought us to, and finally walking the streets of beautiful Victoria,British Columbia, were truly memorable experiences. The views from the ship while near shore were breathtaking. We continued to see some whales and many seals while cruising. However, the port of Seattle(Terminal 91) is not equipped to handle two ships at a time. The lines to board and disembark were terrible. It took us two hours to get on the ship. The food on board was not as good as past cruises that we have taken (8). If not for these issues, the rating would have been 5 stars for sure.

The only think I did not appreciate was the "barkers" on the Promanade Deck the first night selling their wares.  Too much like in Vegas. 

All the crew were excellent.  The maid service was wonderful. The waiters and bartenders were excellent.

Our favorite part were the shows at Palace Theater every night along with the Cruise Director, Graham Seymour,! Windjammer Buffet.

The food & the service in the Saphire Dining Room, 3rd & 5th floor, was not up to par. The waiters seemed overworked & breathless. The food at times skimpy . We ate most of our meals in the Windjammer Buffet.

We also didn't appreciate the wait at the elevators. We liked our stateroom & our stateroom attendant, Gregorio, very much!!

The Tracy Arm Fjord is spectacular.  What an awesome sight.  Sights of Juneau & Skagway, Victoria are great a well.  Just doid not have enought time to explore Victoria due to length of tour at the Butchart Gardens.

Some cruisers at the windjammer are rude.  No respect at all for the other passengers.  Liked very much the quick breakfast or lunch at the Windjammer, but turned off quickly by the disrespectful & uncourteous folks.

Seattle boarding is so disorganized, guess because of the pier congestion.

Shows are okay, but could be improved.

The cruise was wonderful.   We have been on Carnival Cruises previously and had even higher expectations for Royal Caribbean food.    We were greatly disappointed by the food!   It was tasteless for the most part, steaks were tough and some of the hot food we were served was cold.  I told our waiter in the dining room what I wanted one time and he tried to talk me out of it to a cheaper cut of steak.  Our sitting was not handled well in the dining room either.   The Windjammer was some better with breakfast being the best!   Overall the food was a total disappointment.   The stateroom, with balcony, was great.   The service there was excellent almost to the point of being around too much.  :-)  The movies they showed at the pool could not be heard so that was not well planned by the ship.   The cruise director was good and funny!    The shows were good with our favorite being Fast Forward.

The entertainment was fantastic.  The excursions were excellent and well organized. There were lots of activities - something for everyone. However, It took us 2 1/2 hours standing in line to check-in; it was unclear what the problem was.  This could use a great deal of improvement. 

WHERE do I start? We traveled in a group of 13 people who came in on various flights on different days.  Two in our group decided to fly in and out on cruise days and booked flights with RCCL.  Disastrous!  The flight was late and the ship almost sailed without 6 of their passengers; 2 of which were in our  group.  Ship personal advised  that the ship would sail with or without them at 4pm resulting in extremely stressful moments. Finally, they arrived but with no bags...bags arrived 2 days later in Juneau! Our friends where shaken up to say the least.  No clothes, no food, nothing.. RCCL gave them a little bag with toothpaste and toothbrush... on the 2nd day.  Clothing vouchers where to come from the airline which was difficult to contact.  Our friends just bought what they could.  No underwear, socks or personal type clothing onboard for purchase. IT WAS SOOO STRESSFUL for all involved.

DINING: We were suppose to have a diner table for 13.  Somehow it was for 11. We asked the maître d to add the two extra chairs to our enormous table and he said he could not do that. After two nights of eating separately, our waitress accommodated the two chairs and had us all sit together...stress...again!

Our dining room experience, other than the seating, was wonderful.  Our waitress (Geraldine), her helpers (Imade 1) and the Bar runner (Imade 2) where FANTASTIC!  Food was good!  Windjamer (buffet) was ok.  Suitable for it's purpose...but found it to be closed at times when we needed to eat.

CAFE PROMANADE is open 24-7..thank goodness...but needs more seating as its the only place to eat when everything else is closed...so MOST passengers are there or have to "take out" when there is no room.

Next to the cabins... we had an outside balcony on the 9th deck (9292). Balcony was smaller than I expected but worth getting. Room steward (Clayton) was excellent! Rooms were clean and large.

CHOPS GRILL murder mystery dinner experience was ok.  The meal served was EXCELLENT!!!! The performance was ok. The actors did not have microphones so if you are sitting in the back, you miss a lot of the dialogue.

PHOTOGRAPHY- Disappointed - the backdrops were all geared for "island" photos...not one backdrop had a mountain, snowcaps, Alaskan view... they had tropical sunsets, palm trees, beaches. I hardly took any photos.... sooo disappointing! Did like the automated photo center!

ENTERTAINMENT -  AWFUL.  First of all, the Cruise Director (Graham Seymour) was basically the entertainment.. he sang, was the comedian, danced, performed, hosted..you name it (also, can behave inappropriately from time to time). There were 4 excellent professional singers on board and we hardly saw them. There was 1 excellent professional comedian on board and he had only 2 shows, which was FANTASTIC (Kivi Rogers).  The Cruise Director was selling a personal DVD and CD of himself after "his" late night show. I have cruised many  times and the Cruise Director "directs" his team to cover events and the performers perform and the actors act... This guy was actually lip syncing to a series of British tunes in the promenade dressed up in a British flag..awful!  There were parades in the promenade that where not conducive to the crowd... clown like characters...performers where out of sync...laughing at themselves when they messed up the choreography...child like shows that did not fit the Alaska experience and the COST of this trip. And if you didn't get a front seat, you pretty much missed it...  my advice is to get up high and watch from above.

ICE SKATING show was very nice and worth going to.  Get in line early and if you are in a group, expect not to be together for the show.  Its based on your Munster station code.

SHORE EXCURSIONS where amazing... Helicopter/Glacier tour; White pass Train Tour; Zip lining ... PORTS of CALL where amazing.. EZ on and off ship to shore experience.

THE EXPLORER OF THE SEAS was not prepared for the ALASKA experience  passengers where expecting.  This ship was still in Australia mode.... warm summary type of vacation. Rock climbing is only opened on sunny days "non wet" days...Flow Ryder (wave machine) closed most of the time because we're in ALASKA.  We did play a very cold and wet game of Dodge Ball..which was fun. We played shuffle board...cold but fun.  Jogging/walks in the morning was lovely but FREEZING. Decided to take my walks INDOORS.

GYM was awesome. STEAM room and saunas where nice and clean.  SPA was lovely however We booked 3 massages... 2 Swiss and 1 Deep tissue.  All three left us all bruised and sore. I ALWAYS book spa massages on all my cruises and never had this happen before. 

Cruise in General: Not happy

Disappointed especially with the cost of flying across the country (Florida); staying in Seattle before and after cruise and the cost of the cruise.

Sad to say but I don't think I would recommend RCCL for Alaska.

Our group age range = 21 though 60.  (13 people)

We loved Alaska and the excursions offered.  Denzil, the concierge, and Ravi, our cabin stewart, were great.

However, we were so excited to take this cruise bc we just knew that it would be the freshest seafood available.  As an example, I ordered the lobster the last night.  Not only was it mealy in taste, but there was no meat in the shell.  I was later refunded the cost by the chef and they admitted that it was left over from Australia, which was more than two weeks from the date.

The food service staff was awful across the board.  It didn't matter if we were eating in the main dining room, ordered room service, were eating in the windjammer or in Chops for breakfast, the staff was ineffective and unprepared.  The food was awful!

Singers and dancers in all the shows did a great job

Service in dining room very good 

crew and staff helpful and friendly

Ships common areas where always clean