Is Explorer really that terrible?

Leaving on the Explorer the 22nd of this month for a 9 day cruise. The last few reviews have not painted a pretty picture of the ship. I know I shouldn't believe it all but it still makes me nervous. I am recovering from Breast Cancer treatment so I know I shouldn't sweat the small stuff.Just want a great time and good food. I am not picky or hard to please. Tell me the bad reviews are wrong!! I want to enjoy my food after so many months of not!!

The bad reviews are wrong. We were on Explorer this past April and the ship was in fine shape, with an excellent crew. We going again soon. You really have nothing to be concerned about.

My favourite cruise to date was my Explorer cruise (besides the sewage issues) and I'm booked to sail on her again in March. I really enjoyed the side of the ship - it gave me a perfect balance of what I was looking for. Enjoy your cruise!

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Dont worry at all. Explorer is a great ship and her crew does everything to keep up on her maintenance. When I was onboard the ship was in great condition and no sewage smell. The crew is amazing and I am sure you will love your cruise.

I was concerned when I read some reviews too. I finally decided to heck with them, I booked it for the 10 days (3 extra days and about the same price as 7 days on Allure) and the itinerary. I can't wait to go to Bermuda and Puerto Rico, since I have never been before. And it will be our second trip to Labadee and you can't go wrong there!!

Worse case scenario? I'll live on my balcony, smell the salt air and listen to the waves crash for 10 glorious day. That, in itself, is PERFECT enough for me to get my money's worth!!

I'm sure we'll have a fantabulous time. I'm just so grateful we are fortunate enough to take cruises when so many aren't as able. I'm sure the ship is great and I have read nothing but wonderful things about the service! I don't care as much about the food, as long as there is plenty of it and a variety....I'm good to go. I'm sure the food will be great as I have never been disappointed with the food on any cruise.

I wouldn't worry about it. You have so much to celebrate and I hope you have a WONDERFUL vacation!! It sounds like you more than deserve it!

We were on Explorer in December and had a great cruise. The food was good, the staff was great. We are booked for another cruise on Explorer in Sept 2014, our 3 rd aboard this wonderful ship.

You will have a wonderful time. Just don't let the reviews you have read bias your opinion. Go with an open mind and don't let the little things bother you.

Explorer has an awesome crew! We've been on her twice recently and had wonderful service. The ship is in need of refurbishing, but it is clean and well-maintained. We wouldn't hesitate to book more cruises on her before she leaves NJ.

Take the reviews with a grain of salt. Have reasonable expectations and you won't be disappointed!

We were on for the 9 day last November and probably the best cruise we have had. Great entertainment, great crew , great food and overall an excellent holiday. I find that most negative reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt. Don't worry , you are a survivor and I know you will love your cruise.

Les and Barb.

Bless you, have a great cruise, and may you be cancer-free for life. Enjoy. :)

The bad reviews are wrong. We were on Explorer this past April and the ship was in fine shape, with an excellent crew. We going again soon. You really have nothing to be concerned about.

And the best Hotel Director in the RCI fleet!!!

I really enjoyed the side of the ship - it gave me a perfect balance of what I was looking for.

Hi Virtopia, Nice to see you wandered away from the fashion board - what does this mean - the side of the ship?

Just off Explorer Aug 8 and you have nothing to worry about. The ship is great, the entertainment is great and the crew is a happy one. I wish I were back on her. It was my third cruise on Explorer and no little carpet stain or a bit of rust on a balcony would prevent me from saying she is in great shape still. Voyager class is my favorite type of ship so far. The royal promenade sparkles at night. Have a wonderful time.

We are on the same cruise as you are...this will be our 5th time on Explorer, mainly because we live in NJ also and it is very convenient....

We have never found anything to be critical about when on the Explorer...we have been on many other RCI ships and IMO, they all offer the same service, etc....except maybe the Oasis and Allure which is a class in it's own, and we did not enjoy them....

But the explorer? What's there not to like???

If I wanted to be picky, I could come with up with something on every ship we have been on to complain about, if I tried hard enough...

The MDR is as good as any, the Wind Jammer, Portofino, the theater, ice rink and shows, royal promenade, pool decks, casino, Johnny Rockets.....all good!

Hey..it's only 9 days away and we cannot wait to get onboard and get this thing started...you will not be disappointed...see you at the M&M...we grew up in Sayreville, my Wife from Parlin...

We are Explorer cheerleaders! We had a terrific 12 day sailing with perfect weather and perfect ship. No sewage odor, really exceptional crew and our table companions sail 3 or 4 times a year in her. They live close, grab last minute sailings and scuba dive at each port of call. They too have had no worries sailing on her.

One thing we DID notice (just before title Triumph and Grandeur problems), the crew participated in lots of training and drills......more than other ships. As the days passed, we felt increasingly comfortable that we were in we'll trained hands should something bad happen.

May the Explorer and her crew wrap you in their arms and you have a wonderful escape.

Prayers for your good health attached to this note.

After all you've been through, you will love your cruise. I was on the Explorer in March and there is nothing wrong with her. Love that ship. Been on her about 10 times and will be again in December. Food and crew are great. Just relax and enjoy......:D

Wishing you the very best for your cruise and good health to follow.

Gwen :)

3X on Explorer and loved each one. Would go again in a minute! Enjoy your cruise.

Prayers for a healthy future. You will not be disappointed in the Explorer. The crew is great and help with any problem you may encounter. Hoping you do not need it but the medical center is awesome and know how to handle an emergency. Make a point to see the ice show. The food is good and the solarium is a great place to spend some of your days.

Have a great cruise and enjoy.

Lakeariel- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You will have a wonderful time on the Explorer. I have been on her several times, most recently last April. Going again in October. I too am a Breast Cancer Survivor (just passed my 5 year mark). I now try to cruise once a year, either with hubby or girlfriends. You are correct, you learn not to sweat the small stuff. Just make sure you don't try to do everything and that you make time to just relax and enjoy! Please post back after your cruise and let us know you much you liked it!!:)

We sailed Explorer to Bermuda last October after being on Liberty in March and absolutely loving Liberty! I was a bit worried about Explorer after reading reviews but after this many years on CC I know that the things that people allow to ruin their vacations are rarely things that would bother me. So glad we went.it was a spectacular cruise.

Allow me to steal Langley Cruisers' wonderfully worded wish for you and say again, bless you, have a great cruise, and may you be cancer-free for life. Best of luck with your recovery. :)

I would have to agree that the reviews are wrong. We were on the Explorer in December 2011 and she was beautiful! I cant imagine things went downhill that fast!

And CONGRATULATONS on your recovery Lakeariel! I too just finished chemotherapy for breast cancer in June! And I'm right practically right up the road from you :) Now if I can only get my eyelashes back before our FOS Thanksgiving cruise....I will be one happy girl :) Off cruise topic....I have a list of TONS of resources for women with cancer for all kinds of assistance and weekend respites in our area....I would love to share them with someone who can use them! And enjoy the food, it will no longer taste like a mouthful of dirty pennies! lol....

Having only done the Liberty and the Explorer (the latter this past March) I can easily say the Explorer was my favorite.

The crew is outstanding and could not have done more for us.

Truth be told, she is an old ship that gets the crap kicked out of her by the harsh Atlantic ocean year round. Yes you can see some wear and tear, but it was NEVER dirty. The crew is always cleaning, painting, polishing or replacing something. I saw them hard at work 24/7, and it showed.

I loved my cruise on the Explorer, and I'm sure you will too!

May the Explorer and her crew wrap you in their arms and you have a wonderful escape.

 

This may be the nicest, most poetic comment I have ever seen on these boards :D

I was on the Ex for 9 nights in July last year, had a great cruise apart from one MAJOR PROBLEM, they made me get off after the 9th night and wouldn't let me back on:D:D:eek:

Hi Virtopia, Nice to see you wandered away from the fashion board - what does this mean - the side of the ship?

Sorry I meant the size of the ship! I can't edit posts on my iPhone.

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Lakeariel- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You will have a wonderful time on the Explorer. I have been on her several times, most recently last April. Going again in October. I too am a Breast Cancer Survivor (just passed my 5 year mark). I now try to cruise once a year, either with hubby or girlfriends. You are correct, you learn not to sweat the small stuff. Just make sure you don't try to do everything and that you make time to just relax and enjoy! Please post back after your cruise and let us know you much you liked it!!:)

Congratulations on your five year mark,may there be many more.Enjoy your cruise,and may God bless you. :)