Back from Explorer ... our 2 cents

[theshortchef]

We are just back from the 9 day Canada/New England sailing on the Explorer.

We went from Cape Liberty in Bayonne NJ. We loved everything about this embarkation port. Fancy? No. But convenient (we sure didn't miss the traffic congestion in Manhattan), fair parking prices, efficient, and staffed by helpful, pleasant, and efficient smiling people ... what is not to like. We arrived early and were flawlessly boarded in no time. On the other end, disembarkation was also a breeze.

The ship is beautiful. We understand that it is scheduled for dry dock soon and this can only impress because we felt that you had to look with a most critical eye to see the worn or frayed this or that.

Fellow passengers were an older demographic, average age perhaps 70 with many needing a little assistance such as a walker. Our ports of call included Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John, Halifax and Boston, our favorites were Portland and Bar Harbor. If you find yourself in either of these charming and beautiful places, treat yourself to a lobster for an experience like no other!!

We loved our room on the ship. We were in a Junior Suite, tastefully decorated and spacious with plenty of storage. The bed and linens were top notch as was the shower with plenty of water pressure and hot water. To respond to questions that I have seen before, no flat screen tv and no coffee pot.

Service was terrific. It was the rare exception to encounter a crew member that was less than pleasant, helpful, or efficient. Our room steward was excellent.

The main dining room is beautiful and the food is good. The buffet is also beautiful, if awkwardly laid out, and the food is good. Try the Mongolian Stir Fry Station, one of the tastiest treats on the ship. Another surprise was the sushi, quite good.

The specialty dining rooms are not the best feature of this ship. We had a delicious meal at Johnny Rockets but felt that it was overpriced for the two of us to have a burger, onion rings, and a shake for $20. We found Portofino's to be fair at best with limited menu choices and poorly executed food, while service and presentation were very good. The speciality restaurants are far better in all aspects on NCL. Certainly, not everyone wants to pay a surcharge for frequent visits to a specialty restaurant but for us, we have no problem with it and absolutely enjoy a different and delicious experience on our vacation days.

To me, the other point of weakness for RCI is the alcohol policy. We did "smuggle" by bringing two boxes of wine on board with us, one in the carry on and one in the packed luggage. No problem with either one and we ended up bringing one home since we are not big drinkers but I digress. We made as many jokes as the next guy about the "smuggling" but really never did feel great about it and will choose not to put ourselves in that situation again. We will happily pay our corkage fee with NCL where the policy is fair and reasonable leaving everyone happy at the end of the day.

So to sum up, this is a great cruise line and the Explorer is a beautiful, well run ship. You can only have a wonderful vacation experience by choosing this. For us, the weak point happened to collide with our area of keen interest so we will return to NCL.

[amybeth4]

Welcome back, Chef. Now that you've made your comparison to your beloved NCL, what will you do the next time you're ready to cruise? Look at both lines and choose based on itinerary and perhaps price, or go back to NCL?

[theshortchef]

Thanks, Amybeth ... (or should I say Margarita Mama?)

Well, it is advantage NCL and that would be a definite especially on a longer trip like this 9 day. We did get bored with the same restaurants and we were so disappointed in Portofino's!

[amybeth4]

Originally Posted by theshortchef

Thanks, Amybeth ... (or should I say Margarita Mama?)

Well, it is advantage NCL and that would be a definite especially on a longer trip like this 9 day. We did get bored with the same restaurants and we were so disappointed in Portofino's!

GOD was it hard to type Sat night...::hic::

I'm surprised about your review on Portofino. It seems like it almost always gets a better review than Chops. Oh well. We shall see.

[Janice M]

Thankyou for your positive review of the Explorer. We did this cruise a few years ago and loved it. We too especially like Bar Harbor and Portland. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Jan

[akcruz]

Thanks for the balanced review. Glad you enjoyed your trip but sorry to hear about Porfotinos. Have not dined there on the Explorer but have on other ships and enjoyed.

[yogimax]

Thanks for a nice review, although I would prefer Manhattan to Bayonne!

[The Big Booper]

We love Ba-Ha-Ba. And I have a tee shirt with that spelling. With sheep yodeling, yet.

[theshortchef]

Sounds like a great t-shirt! We picked up some boxer shorts with "stud puffin" printed on them (cannot wait to give them at Christmas) as well as some awesome quilted moose socks, and dancing lobster tree ornaments. The place is the best and again, if you find yourself there you have to eat the Lob-stah Imagine the difference in a tomato that you buy in the grocery store in the winter vs one that you pick from the garden in August. Delicious!

Miss Margarita, we too were surprised with Portofino's having read many good reviews here. The menu was limited and food quality just wasn't there. Only one dish from the entire evening would I have rated as good. Our first course was brought to us immediately which indicated that it had been pre-made, not just prepped, and it tasted it. One of our dishes was so poorly done that it could not have been done by anyone with any experience in the kitchen. Was there a newbie in training (and if so, try a different profession lol)? Was the chef worn out from too many days in the nor'easter? Maybe s/he had caught the horrible cold that was running through the ship? It really was a big disappointment.

[The Big Booper]

Originally Posted by theshortchef

Sounds like a great t-shirt! We picked up some boxer shorts with "stud puffin" printed on them (cannot wait to give them at Christmas) as well as some awesome quilted moose socks, and dancing lobster tree ornaments...>>SNIP<<... .

Sounds like the store we were in. With your back to the harbor, couple of blocks away after going up the hill? On your right?

[Puffinater]

Originally Posted by theshortchef

Sounds like a great t-shirt! We picked up some boxer shorts with "stud puffin" printed on them

Now those sound like a great pair of undies!

[theshortchef]

Oh my gosh! Your picture is on my undies That is tooooo funny!

Yes, that is the store ... you head up the hill away from the harbor and its up a little bit on the right, Main Street I think. Is that the best store ever? The name had Christmas in it, didn't it? Not only was the merchandise fun and unusual but the shopkeeper's dog was "supervising" from a bed perched on a stool behind the counter, adorable.

[Conanc]

Thanks for your review on the Explorer. We are sailing on 10/29. We've sailed on the Explorer twice but it's been awhile. We always enjoy Portofino and made reservations online, so hopefully we will enjoy ourselves.

May I ask where and when you found the sushi? Was it available every night in the Windjammer?

Glad you enjoyed your cruise! Thanks again!

[bilyclub]

We had a delicious meal at Johnny Rockets but felt that it was overpriced for the two of us to have a burger, onion rings, and a shake for $20


You should have only paid the cover and for the shake. What did they raise the cover to ?

[rednancy1]

Originally Posted by theshortchef

To me, the other point of weakness for RCI is the alcohol policy. We did "smuggle" by bringing two boxes of wine on board with us, one in the carry on and one in the packed luggage. .

Please do not brag about doing this.

I say no more.

[theshortchef]

The $20 at Johhnny Rockets was a total for the 2 of us, the cover charge times 2 and the additional charge for the milkshake times 2 (each item being about $5).

The sushi was at the Jade area of the Windjammer Buffet/Island Grill and I thought I saw it there all the time.

Sorry, but I'm a little mixed up about the bragging remark? My focus was not intended to brag (and about what?) but to gripe about their unreasonable policy.

[green eyed lady]

When is Explorer scheduled for drydock?

[maddycat]

Originally Posted by green eyed lady

When is Explorer scheduled for drydock?

Jan. 2010

[gigguy]

We were on the Explorer to NE/Canada 10/15 sailing.

We enjoyed Portofinos very much. Thought the selection was good and the food was great. Had a very good lady waiter from Romania.

We had extremely poor service in the Schooner bar. Wait staff did not want to do anything except stand around and talk to each other.

Theresa, a member of the cruise director staff, was a delight. she was very friendly and helpful. She was our staff leader in the Quest game show. Our team 7 won!!

Cabin attendant and waiters in MDR were great.

Would cruise the Explorer again.

[rednancy1]

The Explorer is a great ship.

We enjoyed our 12 night cruise to the Southern Caribbean on her.