Explorer of the seas short review with some pictures 5/15/2015

Hello! My first review so bear with me! I will be posting a few ship and port pictures as well as all the cruise compasses.

I booked this cruise over a year ago, we found out we were moving to England and I jumped at the chance to be within driving distance of Southampton! We cruised with our daughter who is almost 15 months old so early nights and short port days but we still had a ton of fun!

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We drove down to the port the day before the cruise, less stress and I found a deal at a local B&B where you get an overnight stay, lovely breakfast, parking for the whole cruise and shuttle service to the port and back!

Twin Oaks bed and breakfast

Our room:

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We made it to the terminal at about 10:45a, walked right in, no lines, got our sea passes and headed straight onto the ship!

We thought the ship looked great, very clean, new carpets, loved the overall decor

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Excellent, looking forward to this.

First food on the ship and where we ate lunch when the mdr was closed

Cafe promenade!

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Got into our room right at 1pm! We stayed in 9298, no complaints about location, very quiet! This room was really perfect for us, we were able to park our stroller in the closet and I brought a blow up ducky tub for my daughter for bath time. Lots of space for her to run around.

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Enjoying your review. Looking forward to the rest!

Thanks for the review so far, the pictures look amazing.

First food on the ship and where we ate lunch when the mdr was closed

 

Cafe promenade!

 

 

 

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Now that's what I call food porn!

On a serious note, thanks for the review my mother will be on the boat for her first cruise so she'll hopefully be able to pick up some tips.

What has the seating availability been like in Windjammer & public areas? This appears to have been the most consistent criticism post dry dock.

Fab to see an explorer review with pics. I can't wait to read more.We are on explorer next month.

Great info, thanks very much. Please keep it coming :)

Now that's what I call food porn!

 

 

 

On a serious note, thanks for the review my mother will be on the boat for her first cruise so she'll hopefully be able to pick up some tips.

 

What has the seating availability been like in Windjammer & public areas? This appears to have been the most consistent criticism post dry dock.

Haha right? Too good not to post :)

I think we ate in the WJ twice, we stuck to the dining room because the food was better and it was easier with the baby. They did have crew members up there assisting people to find seats, be prepared to share if you want a table at peak times. Cafe promenade was often a madhouse on sea days, still managed to find a table without too much trouble though!

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Bruges was my favorite port of the trip despite the fact that it rained all day! It was also our first formal night. We did an on your own ship excursion, no complaints there, just transport to the square and back.

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Great to see the Cruise Compass and nice photos. Thanks very much.

Ooh fab, thanks for posting. We are on Explorer in 2 days time, so it's great to read and see your pics.

 

 

 

Got into our room right at 1pm! We stayed in 9298, no complaints about location, very quiet! This room was really perfect for us, we were able to park our stroller in the closet and I brought a blow up ducky tub for my daughter for bath time. Lots of space for her to run around.

 

 

 

 

 

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That future cruise offer is interesting. $500 obc AND 50 per cent off second passenger? Is that as good as it sounds?

That future cruise offer is interesting. $500 obc AND 50 per cent off second passenger? Is that as good as it sounds?

You aren't getting $500 unless it's a suite on a really long cruise, lol. We booked a balcony room on a 10 day and it was $150 obc. Same prices you can find online right now but the deposit was $150 vs $1350 or so I would have paid so that made it a good deal for me.

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Hi , sorry we missed you at the meet and mingle, this was our first time on the Explorer and it wont be our last.

loving all the photos.

John and Angie { Callyscally}

I was sorry to miss that as well! Sadly my schedule is dictated by an unpredictable 1 year old :D

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Thanks for the pics and review. Will be on the Explorer later in the year. I think our room is the same on the opposite side!

Awesome thankyou. We sail in March still a while off. Interested to know if the service and dirtyness was still an issue as people had complained after dry dock?

Really enjoying these photos. I'm on Explorer in October and have been trying to find photos since the refit.

Looking forward to seeing some more of the ship and the bars, lounges etc. :)

Awesome thankyou. We sail in March still a while off. Interested to know if the service and dirtyness was still an issue as people had complained after dry dock?

We had no issues with service or cleanliness, everybody was extremely friendly and helpful the entire cruise and the ship looked great!

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