Explorer of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Reviews

I took this trip with my family, 2 kids, husband, 3 sisters..in all there were 19 of us!  We had a great cruise because we had fun doing things together.  Royal Caribbean claims to exceed expectations, but I did not feel they did that on this ship.  I had a better experience 3 years ago on the Radiance.  The food was definitely mediocre.  If you do not enjoy seafood, as I do not, then there were not a lot of options during dinner.  The pasta was often not as described and was bland and dry, very little sauce was ever given.  The beef no matter what cut I got was flavorless.  My appetizer was messed up 3 nights, one of which was a disaster because they served me clam chowder.  I did not know it was clam chowder until I took a bite.  That left me ill and unable to really continue my meal.  My daughter ordered veggies w/dip every night and you would have thought by the 3rd night of saying she'd take that again, they would be automatically bringing it.  My ice tea was never there upon arrival, nor my sons soda.  I have found this type of exceptional service often on other cruises.  The above and beyond service was not here on this ship.  The Windjammer Cafe, buffet style, was basically the same everyday and the food was just ok.  During dinner our waiter and assistant waiter did not go above and beyond for my service or my kids.  However, I will admit that they definitely did for my husband, often bringing him 2 portions (the main entre portions were very small.

  There were definitely other areas of the ship/service that I did not find to exceed my expectations: the cabin steward service, kids activities, toddler/baby activities, casino dealers/atmospher, bingo...

  I had a great time because like I said, we made it a great time.  I enjoyed my family.

I will like to compliment some of your crew members.....Charisma Majuca was one of the best dealers I ever came across on a cruise.  She has personality, humour, friendliness and was able to remember people which is why it kept me coming to her table to play Blackjack. Spent alot of money but she made it easier to swallow the loss.  Felix A. Vargas (guest service officer) was very attentive and was able to solve a couple of issues my sister and I came across.  Ulner Isma was very friendly and made me feel welcome.  Mirko (Assistant headwaiter) was the best waiter I have ever.  He was funny, welcoming and remember our names whenever we show up on his table. We always hoped he was our waiter.  Kenger Browne (washy washy lady) awesome lady, she always make sure we enter the dining area with a smile.  Made me wanna sterilze my hands.  The spanish band was fantastic!!  They played all types of music and even music I requested.  However, you need to get a real d.j. who mixes music, takes requests and is not only there to push buttons.  It came to the point where I had to take my own ipod to enjoy the music and dance in the Chamber night club.  The piano man...wow...fantastic.  Your shows were Broadway level....awesome!! Mr. Leigh is someone you should keep. He was entertaining, funny, welcoming, the best host ever!!! The food served in the dining room area was much better than the food in the buffet area. The cigarettes (Newport) were stale. I purchased two cartons and regretted it.  What is up with the bathrooms????? Been on a few ships and never had a bathroom which was so small. Since I am a small person and it was uncomfortable for me, I could just imagine how uncomfortable it is for someone bigger than me.  Must thank you for allowing us to spend so much time on the stops.  On other ships we usually have 3 to 5 hours on land and then back to the ship unlike you guys where we spend almost the whole day.  In regards to the camp, you need to more staff being how can you have over 1,000 children and only allow 50 children at a time.  Overall out of 10 I give this ship and it's experience an 8.

Evening shows at the theater were below par. Only one event was scheduled on the promenade deck and that was so. Our other cruises on Royal Caribbean seem to be much better.

terrific ship. weather could have been a little better, but great nevertheless. wonderful food and interesting activities. drinks are too expensive since they don't allow any private booze on board in the staterooms. service personnel were very friendly  and efficient. will go again.

Largest case of Norovirus in cruising history and all that goes with that on this cruise.  However, the Captain and all crew members were amazing.  Cannot say enough good things about them. Two ports, not four.  Eight nights not ten.  

Embarkation at Cape Liberty, NJ was a mess -- the most disorganized ever experienced.  Will never (I mean NEVER) use that cruiseport again.  Can't imagine how they will handle Quantum !

The so called Norovirus was the route of all the problems encountered.

Missed 2 ports of call

came back 2 days early

shows cancelled, restaurants, pools, bathrooms closed

Compensation was inadequate

We were sick along with 600 other passengers with norovirus . Very bad situation followed as we were quarantined ,but room service would not answer the phone to send us food and water. After the first time. It was very frightening ,as we were weak from our G I upset . We came home early , which was a blessing. I'll probably never go on a cruise agai.

The ship was showing it's age but she still had alot of beauty and class. The crew was well versed in makeing our cruise a memorable one. The food and service was excellent.The entertainment was not bad considering that they had to do something different for nine shows.The ports of call were fine, however, I enjoyed our sea time more than going on an excursion in port. There was plenty to do on the ship and you could set your own pace. As a New Jersey resident, the round trip cruise from Cape Liberty was was the iceing on the cake. If I had to fly anywhere to go on a cruise, I probably would not go.

I was saddened to learn that passengers on the very next cruise were sickened by a virus and could not complete their cruise.

The ship was beautiful and the food was excellent. In addition, the entertainment on the Ship was great and the staff was very attentive. However, the room was rather small and there were not enough of a variety of snacks. The weather was also not cooperative.

Staff was wonderful! 

Shows weak but enjoyable.

Windjammer Cafe too crowded. Not enough tables. Lunch in dining room also crowded. Highly recommend breakfast in dining room. Major complaint is arrival times in ports. 

Very nice vacation although the weather did not always cooperate.  Ports of call were OK.  Ship and crew were excellent.  Food could have been served warmer but all in all a good time.

This is our 4th time cruising on the Explorer and we love Royal Carribbean; however after this cruise we will retire the Explorer.  It really needs to be refurbhised;  the ship was still very pretty especially in the mall area with all the shops, bars, and cafe.  The rooms and balconys was the worse as far as outdated and just worn.  Our 4 year old loved camp;  could not wait to go!  The teachers were wonderful and they did such fun things with the children.  There wasn't much for our 2year old to do;  they offer a Fisher price class which we've done before with our oldest in the past and it was wonderful.  Unforntunately; the room used for this class is also occupied by passengers playing card games - not fun at all.  St Kitt's was beautiful we took a taxi to the beach, rented an umbrella and had the best lunch!  A wonderful day; we all enjoyed this day!  Labadee has so much to do than a few years ago;  it's amazing!   San Juan was a wash we were delayed a few hours to go onto the island due to the ship next to us not docking properly and it was a short day to begin with.  We made the best out of our cruise;  it was just wasn't as relaxing has we hoped for.  Our littlest got sick too 3 days into the cruise :(   The next cruise we will make sure there is a program for our youngest so we can have some alone time and we will be more prepared with a medical kit that would contain decongestion, motrin etc..also we ran out of pull ups the ships for some reason are very limited on supplies so we had to find a walgreens in San Juan. We are planning our next cruise for 2015 and on a new ship! 

Great value for the money. Rooms look a bit worn and tired. Shower did not function properly til the third day. Only 1 specialty restaurant on board. Don't expect and chocolates on your bed in the evening or even towels in animal shapes.

It was a wonderful cruise.  it was the rest I needed from my job and home. Loved my dining room waiters who made me feel at home and willingly to make my dining  a pleasure. Never has to ask the waiters any twice and they already knew what I was going to order.

In the morning, I would eat breakfast on deck 11 and there were plenty of everthing to eat.

I Ioved the ports especially, Puerto Rico and St Marten.  The tour guide for Puerto Rico was polite,knew the history of the Island and funny.  

I also love the gambling on the ship.  I was disappointed that the machine do not pay well for the money you play.  I also was annoyed giving up my gambling points to play the raffle and missed the drawing because of the Quest Show which finished 11:45pm.  Did not know if anyone won.

My room was clean on a daily basis and the young man was willingly to provide for what ever I needed.  Be willingly to take another cruise with Royal Carribben.  Keep up the good work!

My husband and I had spent the summer and early fall in several feel better situations.As a result we looked forward to our time on The RC Explorer. Our first impression was that of a happy and caring staff waiting for us. We were delighted with our veranda stateroom, perfect location and quite roomy. The balcony needed a revamping of paint, carpet,furniture....our only negative..it was perfectly functional, however. The room steward for 8332 ( Ramdeo) was wonderfully and consistently accommodating ....smiling always. We had our first experience with " anytime dining " rather than out usual late seating choice. What a Great choice ...not only time wise but our waiters , Roy and Coco were super excellent in all aspects, from sharing meal information to service which left nothing to wait for or change. Thank you both. We were delighted to meet Coco's family during the Dominican port stop. Since we sailed with calm and rest as our primary objective RC was a delight from food to comfort.....we have been on many cruises this one ranked in the HIGHS.

The Explorer of the Seas is a wonderful ship that is perfect for a family vacation.  The personnel is extraordinary and make you feel a part of the family.  Our waiters, Roy Miranda and Coco were beyond expectations.  The food was very good, alot of selections to choose from.  My husband and I prefer breakfast in the room every day so we utilized the Room Service every day.  I spoke to Jose each day to order and he was so fabulous.  If I forgot to call to order, he would call the room to remind me.  What an excellent staff RC has.  We will definitely be sailing with you next year or even sooner if we can.  My only suggestion to improve the trip is to remodel and paint the balconies.  The table is much too small to hold a tray so we had to eat in the room.  Other than that, everything was wonderful.

First off, the food is outstanding. The service that presents the food is even better. Do yourself a favor, just order all of the appetizers from the beginning.  You'll thank me later. The entertainment is top notch. The rooms, the furnishings, all of it it is exceptional.Except.

Except if you are highly reactive to cigarrette smoke and have done a lot of research to make sure that you have secured a non smoking room, you haven't.  Not if it has a balcony, you haven't.  The first room that I had, I had chosen specifically because I knew that it would give me a view of the Statue of Liberty.  The guy smoking cigars next ddor must have done the same.  No matter that we were in a no smoking room, with a no smoking section.  My complaints were first poo pooed, and then I was given the choice to move. Not the smoker, me! So I chose the other room, received a crappy bottle of screw top wine as an apology and still couldn't use my balcony in the new room with the sub standard view because, you guessed it! Another hog smoker on the balcony next to me. Royal Carribean has outstanding service and beautiful furnishings, but they are not non smoker friendly.Don't sail with them if you have asthma.

the things that stand out the most was the service at the sit down dinner you could not beat it,the shows were also very good,the crew were real friendly. there is so much to do on the ship,the food was great.you really had a good time i would recommend going to bermuda was beautyful.one thing i would tell you is stay away from taking the bus,the driver i had was the worse made me sick with his driving.

From the moment we stepped on board, the party started and didn't end until we left the ship. Our cabin attendant was just great, friendly and knowledgeable about all activities aboard ship. Then there was our waiter and assistant waiter. All the women at the table wanted to take them home, they were that terrific. Now, someone special, our Cruise director. Never have I seen someone so involved with every aspect of your day to day life, when does he sleep?

Lastly, and the best, was the food. every day the food selection seemed to get better and better. One of the women at our table wanted to order everything on the menu, it all was so good.

Hats off to RCI, another fine cruise!

The ship is beautiful and most of the crew is fabulous. The itinerary was awesome - 2-1/2 days at sea and three days on Bermuda was awesome.  Kudos to RCI for this itinerary.  Our cabin steward was second to none.  He was fabulous!

Having cruised on Carnival and NCL previously, I had expected RCI to be a step above and it just wasn't.  From what I had heard, RCI was worth the extra $$.

The food in the Windjammer was adequate, but with few exceptions, pretty much the same every day.  The food in the dining room was good, but not superb and I found having a section of food you can order in the dining room for an extra charge a bit overdone since they have restaurants on board you pay extra for. Keep the extra charge food there.  Having to pay for fresh squeezed orange juice was a bit much as well, especially since no one said anything about paying for it before you were asked if you wanted it.  Concentrate was included, but fresh squeezed was a charge.  It seemed like everywhere you turned there was something else they want you to pay for, such as at the Cafe Promenade - snacks, light food, coffee, etc, but within the Cafe is Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's, both at a cost.  

I did find, however, if you wanted to have an adult beverage the prices were pretty comparable to being on land.  That was a pleasant surprise

The boarding process leaves something to be desired. No one at the gangway to meet you and give instruction.  The waiting areas for disembarkation was disorganized and lacked seating for many people.  I know they are in the business of making money, but keep the "money making" propositions off to the side - let the passengers that have come on board to relax be able to do that without having someone selling something every time you turn around.  I also found someone yelling "Washy, Washy" everytime we entered the Windjammer to be quite annoying.  Overall, it was probably the most relaxing vacation we've ever had, but I credit the itinerary for that.  RCI.... your ship was gorgeous, but your service was not at all what we expected.