11/1 Explorer mini review

Just a few brief notes from the Explorer repo. Yes we were hit by a 40' rogue wave at 4:30 AM. Won't post same pictures again already on these boards. Suffice to say it was an "experience". We were in an aft balcony on deck 7 and the jolt knocked two bottles of wine :mad: off the dressing breaking one all over the floor. Had to sit on floor to clean up as ship ws rocking so badly. Yes the doors were broken and a wall of water cascaded down the aft staircase. Talked to someone who had a window on deck two who said all day their window was under the waves and when the wave hit all of the fire doors on deck 2 were closed which kept them locked down for a bit.

The crew did an amazing job getting everything cleaned up in time for the dinner seatings that night. The life boat was secured and was addressed upon arrival at PC. Funny thing when we left the port in the taxi we saw the replacement life boat on a huge flat bed trailer on the approach road waiting to be called in. Would have made a great picture but did not have phone ready.

Once we hit our first port the weather ws absolutely glorious with the exception of rain all day in Barbados. We did all beach days and had a great time. The two sea days on return could not have been better. Here are a couple of plus and minus from the trip:

Plus: The food was some of the best we have had in our five sailings on her. The waiter we had we have had before and he advise there were some new items and they were all excellent. Note the E word is available again as an appetizer by request only. The ship is in very good shape despite being scheduled for refurb. Elton John impersonator was excellent. Comedians and magician also. Ice show same but always amazing. Production shows good but old as they have been the same on all five cruises. Erky and Lee are amazing. Very few kids. Quest as usual. Although there are propulsion issues with ther fixi pod that can not be addressed until dry dock it did not impact any of our port schedules.

Minus: They smoke free nights in the casino are still no existant which is their loss. We used to drop several hundred in there but refuse to submit ourselves to thst torture. During the Captains Q&A people even asked if anything was going to be done in the dry dock to eliminate the smoke from the casino coming up into the promenade which drew a huge applause. Really feel that non smokers are descriminated by not having at least one smoke free night as they used to. The dress in the dining room is not enforced. See my separate post. Welcome back receptions were held in the Palace Theatre at 11:00 AM due to number of C&A members on the ship. Food in the Windjammer really has deteriorated.

All in all will really miss the Explorer and the wonderful crew and eals she gave us for so many years out of Bayonne. I guess one door closes and another opens.

Bit of glare not great photo. Caught it after we picked up the rental and had to come back to the circus to pick up the other half of our party.

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Oh forgot one minus. RC what were you thinking when you booked a Led Zepplin impersonation group on this cruise which even more so than most had an older demographic. And the lead singer was more of a screamer off key. The funniest part of the show was seeing the mass exodous after the first song and prediciting who would be the next ones to go.

Oh forgot one minus. RC what were you thinking when you booked a Led Zepplin impersonation group on this cruise which even more so than most had an older demographic. And the lead singer was more of a screamer off key. The funniest part of the show was seeing the mass exodous after the first song and prediciting who would be the next ones to go.

Would age 55 be considered an older demographic? Because I love Led Zepplin. :D The off key part might be a problem though. Haha! Wonder if they will be on in a couple of weeks?

Thanks for your review.

I was watching the ships pull in at PC on the web cam and saw the life boat hanging with one end down and broken railings. I was wondering what had happened. Now I know, glad nobody was hurt.

Kathy

Minus: They smoke free nights in the casino are still no existant which is their loss. We used to drop several hundred in there but refuse to submit ourselves to thst torture. During the Captains Q&A people even asked if anything was going to be done in the dry dock to eliminate the smoke from the casino coming up into the promenade which drew a huge applause. Really feel that non smokers are descriminated by not having at least one smoke free night as they used to.

Just wanted to comment that in talking with the CD Leigh, he said the reason the non-smoking night was no longer held was because there were only limited places that people could smoke now that they felt they could not take that away. (no longer allowed on balcony or in Chamber like before) I disagreed with him stating especially on a 14 night cruise, they should have had at least one night.

Just wanted to comment that in talking with the CD Leigh, he said the reason the non-smoking night was no longer held was because there were only limited places that people could smoke now that they felt they could not take that away. (no longer allowed on balcony or in Chamber like before) I disagreed with him stating especially on a 14 night cruise, they should have had at least one night.

So,non smoking night in casinos, smoking allowed on balcony(s) same night!

I was born in the 50's and I am a huge Led Zepplin fan. Get the led out but not off key. I did not know it was 40 foot. Did the Captain explain what happened? Enchantment had great food on our Nov cruise in the Windjammer. Must be the difference in chefs.

Oh forgot one minus. RC what were you thinking when you booked a Led Zepplin impersonation group on this cruise which even more so than most had an older demographic. And the lead singer was more of a screamer off key. The funniest part of the show was seeing the mass exodous after the first song and prediciting who would be the next ones to go.

I assume these performers were booked months and months ago. DH and I knew they wouldn't appeal to many people, but for what it's worth, we thought they were excellent. The musicianship was incredible, and the lead singer sounded "like that" because that's how Robert Plant sings. The whole group was bang-on, and there were definitely some die-hard fans in the crowd. ;) Yes, there were people leaving throughout the entire show, but the guys were gracious and smiled and performed for those who truly enjoyed them.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, but then again, we can't stand the production shows with the singers and dancers. Just goes to show that no one performer can please everyone in the theater. :)

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Question: is the entire casino smoking? Or is it like the Oasis...right side smoking /left side nonsmoking.

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Question: is the entire casino smoking?

There is a non-smoking side, but in my opinion, it makes no difference. It's like having a non-peeing section in the pool. :D:p

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There is a non-smoking side, but in my opinion, it makes no difference. It's like having a non-peeing section in the pool. :D:p

 

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Haha! ^true :)

Question: is the entire casino smoking? Or is it like the Oasis...right side smoking /left side nonsmoking.

So true about the non smoking side being a joke on Explorer - it's not a 'side', it's a very tiny section.

You're right - Oasis does have totally separate sides within their casino.

Just wanted to comment that in talking with the CD Leigh, he said the reason the non-smoking night was no longer held was because there were only limited places that people could smoke now that they felt they could not take that away. (no longer allowed on balcony or in Chamber like before) I disagreed with him stating especially on a 14 night cruise, they should have had at least one night.

They have the one whole side outside on the pool deck. Key word outside where it belongs.

They have the one whole side outside on the pool deck. Key word outside where it belongs.

Also one side on deck 4 is smoking. I don't mind people smoking, but I don't want the smoke in my face. The casino was disgusting and there was one tiny little section for non-smoking. There were large ashtrays on each end the slot machine sections and people would just stand there and smoke.

I assume these performers were booked months and months ago. DH and I knew they wouldn't appeal to many people, but for what it's worth, we thought they were excellent. The musicianship was incredible, and the lead singer sounded "like that" because that's how Robert Plant sings. The whole group was bang-on, and there were definitely some die-hard fans in the crowd. ;) Yes, there were people leaving throughout the entire show, but the guys were gracious and smiled and performed for those who truly enjoyed them.

 

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, but then again, we can't stand the production shows with the singers and dancers. Just goes to show that no one performer can please everyone in the theater. :)

 

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Different strokes for different folks. However, this was an older crowd which probably didn't have tons of people who wanted to see a LZ cover band. That includes us. IMHO, screaming is not singing.

RCI, like Celebrity, is moving younger with it's choice of musical entertainment. As a couple on Medicare, we'll go with the flow and find other things to do when we don't want to see the theater show of the evening.

Just a few brief notes from the Explorer repo. >>>>>>>>>>Food in the Windjammer really has deteriorated.

 

All in all will really miss the Explorer and the wonderful crew and eals she gave us for so many years out of Bayonne. I guess one door closes and another opens.

Thanks for your review. Having spent around 75 days on board Explorer out of Cape Liberty, we share your sentiment!! Our last hurrah was this past June. Not typically big fans to begin with, but we also found the food and selection in WJ to have gone way downhill. Enjoyed your review. :)

There is a non-smoking side, but in my opinion, it makes no difference. It's like having a non-peeing section in the pool. :D:p

 

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Couldn't agree more....love the illustration! lol :D