dorisg55

Thanks for the Live review. My husband and I will be on the Regal in January and now I can't wait. Your pictures were beautiful and opinions seemed to be honest. I'm sure I will re-read mosy of your review and take notes on the hits and misses. Thank you again for a great review.

Doris

My son and I had a front facing cabin on Exploer of the Seas. We did a last minute gaurantee and were worried when we got our cabin assignment. We were in 7206 and albolutely loved it. I am a Balcony cruiser but would take a front forward cabin again.

When I was on the Explorer the ice show was assigned by Muster station. If you didn't like your assigned time there was a standby line.

Doris

The price for the fresh squeezed oj is $2.75 plus gratuity. I enjoyed a glass every morning in Horizon Court.

Doris

I used Special Needs at Sea twice. They were cheaper then the other company. I had no problem with them. The wheelchair was waiting in the room when we got there and we just left it in the room when we left.

Doris

My son and I had one (corner) on deck 7 this past March. We loved it. I was bigger then a regular OV and bigger then the Balcony I had in Oct. It was a long way from the Windjammer and main pool, but closer to the theater and Solarium pool. I have some mobility issues and made out just fine. My son loved sitting on his bed and looking out the window. I would book one again in a heartbeat.

Doris

When you enter the cruise port you will be directed to where to go to drop off your luggage. If you are parking at the pier tell them and they will direct you. You pay for parking when you pull in. It is a very short walk from the parking lot to the terminal, you have to cross the road but they have people helping you cross. then you will go through security, the check in line and either board a bus if general boarding has begun or they will give you a number for the bus, it is a very short ride to the ship. Enter the ship and you can start enjoying your vacation. We sailed out of Bayonne twice and got there about 10:30 each time. I use a wheelchair so we were some of the first ones on.

Hope this helps.

Doris

The Gem was stopped dead in the water. I'm assuming it was a medical emergency or maybe they found a stowaway lol.

Doris

Yes, the Explorer has the Freestyle coke machines. You need to buy a beverage package (soda only $6 and change per day and Royal Replenish includes soda, bottled water, juice, speciality coffee and non alcholic drinks from the bar $20 per day) and you will get a cup with a chip in it to use in the soda machines. The machines carry flavored still and carbonated water also. They have 2 machines in the Windjammer and 2 on the Royal Promenade. Never had a long wait at any of the machines on my previous cruises on Explorer.

Doris

I called my travel agent this morning and saved $625 on our Jan. 25, 2016 Serenade of the Seas cruise. I booked it onboard our last cruise. We kept our balcony discount, obc and our aft cabin. Made my day!

Doris

Just got off the Explorer today (3/29) and Captain Henrik Loy said he is going on vacation and then going to the Independence of the Seas.

Doris

Thanks for clearing that up for me Bouhunter, I wasn't quite sure. Lol.

Doris

What are Sail Aways like when the weather is cold? I am sailing on the Explorer out of Bayonne on March 21st and have never left in cold weather. Do they still do something on deck or is it on the Promenade or in a lounge? Hopefully Mother Nature will be in good spirits and we will have temps in the 60's or 70's.

Thanks,

Doris

Went in Oct. 2013 and I'm going again March 21st. Love the ship, she is one of my favorites.

Doris

We had Erky from Turkey as Activities Manager on the Explorer in Oct. and he was great. The rapport he had with Cruise Director Leigh was incredible. They made the cruise more enjoyable then any I had been on. I am sailing Explorer again March 21st and sadly they will be one vacation then. I heard from Erky that he is coming back early, March 29th. I was disappointed that I will miss him by a week.

Doris

Thank you all.

Doris

I will be sailing on the Explorer March 21st. I am trying to decide on the Royal Replinish drink package. It says premium coffee and tea are included. Would you get them at Starbucks or some place else? I hate that the search tool is disabled and I'm sorry if this was already answered.

Doris

Thank you so much for the beautiful review. I was on the Explorer in Oct and will be on her again March 21. I fell in love with her almost immediately. I have sailed to Nassau for my honeymoon many moons ago and went to Coco Cay on the Enchantment in '97. Your colorful description makes me more excited about sailing on her again and visiting those ports.

Enjoy the last moments of your cruise and thanks again.

Doris

Thanks for all the answers and advice, I really appreciate it.

Host Mick, thank you. I know the search tools are there, but for some unknown reason they were not showing up that day no matter what line or forum I was in. I must have hit something accidentally. Everything is fine today go figure.

Doris

Sorry if this question was asked before but I can't seem to find the search tool. What is the earliest flight out of Orlando should we book on our return? We are on the Dream Dec. 1, 2014 and returning on the 5th (Friday). We are going to be renting a car. There will be 3 of us, me, dh and granddaughter age 3 if that makes a difference in clearing customs.

Thanks,

Doris

She left about 5pm.

Doris

Happy New Year to all Cruise Critic members and hosts!

I too have issues with walking long distances. On our Oct. Explorer cruise we rented a wheelchair from Special needs at sea, we also used them for our January cruise. The wheelchair was in our cabin when we arrived and we just left it when we were leaving. We thought about bringing my wheelchair but decided it was worth the $125 for the week. We didn't need to juggle carry-ons. I used it when I needed to and when I didn't I left it closed in the cabin.

They have wheelchairs in the terminals and they will take you on the ship and then you can arrange for one for disembarkation. When leaving we waited in a special area and then they took us off, they also had a special line for Customs.

Hope this helps.

Doris

My family and I always cruised during Hurricane season because of school. We never had a problem. The few times that I cruised that were not during the season we had windy weather and the seas were rougher. Hurricane season is from June through November which is a half the year. Go and enjoy your trip, the Explorer is a fantastic ship. I would do it in a heartbeat if I could.

Doris

Just stumbled upon your great review and pictures. We are leaving this Sunday and I was excited before I read this, now I can unhardly contain my excitement. I guess I'll have two sleepless nights thinking about boarding the ship and sailing away to Bermuda.

Thanks again for a great review.

Doris