"LIVE" from Explorer of the Seas / Nov 10, 2011

[CruisingMouse]

I am sure Radio will be able to tell us if the sewer smell is fixed by now. Sure hope so I am boarding on 11/20

 

 

I just got off on the 10th, the day Radio borded and it was horrible for the whole 5 days inside and even in the cabin and I was on deck 11. Obviously this isn't a new problem but when you asked anyone, they all play the "oh really" card.

[squeeksladoe]

Not necessarily true guys...I have been on several trips where the clocks were not set to island time and we were admonished when leaving the ship to be aware of that difference;)

 

Just trying to ensure that my group doesn't have any issues. I hope someone currently on the ship can give me information. When I look at your signatures, most of your trips seem to be in the spring/summer when we have 'sprung' forward an hour, so it may not be applicable to a December trip...no disrespect:)

 

I know I know you want to hear from someone on the ship and I'm sure you will but in the meantime here is what I have to say. I went on EOS same time last year (November) and day light savings had already occurred here in Boston. We had to change the clocks but the ships clock and whatever island we were on were ALWAYS in synch. Then on the way back they told us when to change our clocks back.

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . I had a great day in St Maarten today ! I left the ship at about 10AM, and walked directly over to Hertz at the Rental Car area. I took the car up to Pointe Blanche, which is up above the Cargo Pier area to take a few pics of the 2 ships in port today.

 

I decided not to go to Maho Beach due to the construction I heard that has been going on there. I was told that it should be completed next month.

 

Instead I went to Little Divi Resort that was only a few miles away. They have a nice facility there. . .It is a quiet beach that offers changing rooms and showers. Clean bathrooms, as well as a Beach Bar, Beach grill, and chair rentals are also available.

 

I met some Cruise Critic members over there and they were relaxing in the calm water as well. The Little Divi Beach is a nice place, and it is a great place for families. The water is calm and the beach is clean. There is a small drop off about 10 ft into the surf.

 

 

I headed back over the Front St shopping area, and I stopped off at the Sonesta Beach resort. This place had a lot more tourists, and there were several restaurants and bars there. I asked if I could use the Beach there and was told “No worries” There were rentals available but I didn’t need a lounge chair or umbrella. ($10)

 

I wanted to go over to one of the many Casinos on Front St in Philipsburg, but the parking was nutty, and I didn’t want to pay $10 to park. I just decided to take the car back, and walk around the local pier shops.

 

The Albatros joined our ships today over at the new Pier. The Albatros is owned by Phoenix Reisen and is a German based Cruise Line.

 

 

I made it back by around 3PM, and I was glad I came back when I did. It got really hot today (88F), and I was ready to get back to my “Home” on Explorer of the Seas.

 

 

Here are a few pics from today. . . I hope the connection gets better, as these 12 pics took forever to upload (It normally only takes 3Min=12pics)

 

 

 

We are only going at about 8kts for the short ride over to St Thomas, USVI. We are scheduled to arrive at 8AM.

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. . .

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

OK, it’s time to go ashore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These 2 beautiful ships look like this port was made for them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of Explorer of the Seas and Silhouette from up on Pointe Blanche.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beaches at Little Divi Resort seemed to go on forever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were plenty of loungers and shade for all guests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beaches at Sonesta Resort were the best !

 

 

 

 

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[Radio]

Here are a few more pics. . .I have many more but the problem with uploads still exist. Maybe tomorrow my connection will be better.

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I drive through the narrow streets of downtown Philipsburg on Front St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love St Maarten, and hope to come back soon. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrity Silhouette has an unusual profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am able to see the Albatross tied up at the Oasis / Allure Pier next to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Celebrity Crew member hoses off to Aft end of Silhouette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahh. . . I make it back home to Explorer of the Seas !

 

 

 

 

.

[squeeksladoe]

But .... what if I booked it from Philadelphia, and I booked it prior to setting our clocks back for daylight savings time, would they go by Philadelphia time before DST, or would it be Atlantic time afer DST, or would we average it out and go by the half hour?

 

Hysterical!!! I'm dying laughing now :D:D:D

[BND]

I just got off on the 10th, the day Radio borded and it was horrible for the whole 5 days inside and even in the cabin and I was on deck 11. Obviously this isn't a new problem but when you asked anyone, they all play the "oh really" card.

 

Your cabin was on the pool deck?:p The highest deck with cabins is 10.

[red cruiser from new york]

We will be sailing the same ship and reverse route on March 9-19, 2013. 116 days till we sail! This will be our 2cnd cruise on Explorer and our 6th with RCCL. We have also sailed on Voyager, Grandeur, Adventurer and Radiance. Voyager was our first cruise. Set the bar high and we never looked back. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.

[johneeo]

Your cabin was on the pool deck?:p The highest deck with cabins is 10.

 

My favorite men's room in the entire world is on deck 11.

[BND]

My favorite men's room in the entire world is on deck 11.

 

The one with the view. Women's room too.

[johneeo]

The one with the view. Women's room too.

 

Yep:

 

[CruisingMouse]

Your cabin was on the pool deck?:p The highest deck with cabins is 10.

 

Sorry my mistake I was on 9. still had food on my mind. from deck 11. lol

[Delawarealan]

Radio -- thanks for the updates. We are on the 1/6/12 sailing with the same itinerary. We are booked in room 1235 (Deck 10, inside and forward). If possible, could you let us know what that area looks like? We have been on ExOS twice before on 6 forward (6111 and 6113), one deck above the promenade and loved it -- we could take food out of the back of the cafe and be back in the room enjoying it without having to walk through a crowd of people. We asked for the same hallway but "promoted" us to deck 10. I believe the room is under the spa and near the officers' quarters, but I'd love a personal visit from you.

 

Alan (and Leslie)

[Virtopia]

I took all those notes from St Maarten and jotting them down for my trip! Those resorts look lovely!

[The Big Booper]

And there is the rub...we booked private but can cancel if the ship is going to be on island time...just trying to figure out BEFORE we leave here rather than trying to do over ships cellular service:p

 

The vendor swears the trips are timed to the ships time in port, but I'm sure you can see I'm a bit nervous because of the time change mentioned before!

 

The Caribbean islands, for the most part, do not observe Daylight Savings Time. So when we set our clocks back in the fall to Standard Time we are now one hour behind the Eastern Caribbean Islands such as St. Martin. That is why the ship sets it's clocks ahead as it sails to the East. The ship has changed to Atlantic Time to match the islands time. If the ship gets in at 7 AM and you have a 9:30 AM meeting time, the tour operator and the ship and the island are observing the same time.

[XLRATION]

My favorite men's room in the entire world is on deck 11.

 

 

 

The one right outside WindJammer with the floor to ceiling windows? My 5 year old loved that one too.

[cruisemeister8]

 

 

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Radio, do you, or anyone, know WHY they paint the ships all the time? I've seen this operation at many ports, and I've wondered about it. I've also seen them hosing the ship down. I know that is to remove salt residue. Are they painting a special coating to protect against the sea water? Or are they just trying to cover up scuff marks so the ship always looks pretty and white?

 

Great report, as always. LOVE the days worth of sea-day pics. That must be the life! Us workin' folk must dream on to have that much time....

[Bobbie John]

 

 

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Radio, do you, or anyone, know WHY they paint the ships all the time? I've seen this operation at many ports, and I've wondered about it. I've also seen them hosing the ship down. I know that is to remove salt residue. Are they painting a special coating to protect against the sea water? Or are they just trying to cover up scuff marks so the ship always looks pretty and white?

 

Great report, as always. LOVE the days worth of sea-day pics. That must be the life! Us workin' folk must dream on to have that much time....

 

The paint is to protect against the salt water and rust.

[TPKeller]

The paint is to protect against the salt water and rust.

This. The salt water and air are a constant enemy to the iron of a ship. From the day they are launched until the day they are scrapped, the crew of a ship is always fighting to prevent the death of a ship by corrosion.

 

Theron

[OhioCruiserDude]

Keep it comming Im loving it. We may do this in 2013 not Oasis. Plus with Explorer we get 3 extra days:D

[crookedhalo]

The Caribbean islands, for the most part, do not observe Daylight Savings Time. So when we set our clocks back in the fall to Standard Time we are now one hour behind the Eastern Caribbean Islands such as St. Martin. That is why the ship sets it's clocks ahead as it sails to the East. The ship has changed to Atlantic Time to match the islands time. If the ship gets in at 7 AM and you have a 9:30 AM meeting time, the tour operator and the ship and the island are observing the same time.

 

And herein lies my problem. The tour operator in St. Thomas has us scheduled for a tour that starts @ 1pm local time and is 4 hours long (finishing @ 5pm local time). If I am understanding the time correctly, it ends as the ship is leaving, so they either need to move the tour or refund deposit. I'm waiting to hear back from them. They indicated when I booked that the ship did not go to local time and that they had adjusted for this when they scheduled the trip.

[madra2112]

My favorite men's room in the entire world is on deck 11.

 

I was on Adventure two weeks ago and took a picture of the equivalent mens' room to show people at home. Beautiful!

[Loralie]

Hi Radio,

 

I am LOVING your report!!! I had a few questions about the resorts you visited, Little Divi and Sonesta. In the pic for Little Divi where you show that there was "plenty of lounges and umbrellas", did you have to pay to use them? Do you have to pay a fee to get access to either of the resorts beaches? Do either of these resorts have jet ski rentals? If so do you know how much?

 

You mentioned that Sonesta beach was the "best"...does that mean you would recommend that one over the other?

 

Thanks for much for the wonderful pics!

 

Loralie

[BLAMBKY]

Looking forward to the rest! :D

[wlang]

Hi Radio!

When you are in Old San Juan could you please find out what, if anything, will be open on Thanksgiving? We will be on the Explorer docking there next week from 2:00 to 10:00. We would love to quench our thirst with a Mojito from The Parrot Club!!!

Thank you for all the live posts and pictures, we are loving them!

Have a great day in St. Thomas!

Thank you,

Patrice

[Shar27]

And herein lies my problem. The tour operator in St. Thomas has us scheduled for a tour that starts @ 1pm local time and is 4 hours long (finishing @ 5pm local time). If I am understanding the time correctly, it ends as the ship is leaving, so they either need to move the tour or refund deposit. I'm waiting to hear back from them. They indicated when I booked that the ship did not go to local time and that they had adjusted for this when they scheduled the trip.

 

I would be very concerned taking a non-RCI tour that is scheduled to return one hour before departure, whether they adjusted the time or not.

 

You are cutting it way too close IMO. The roads are very narrow and only two lanes wide. They get quite congested in the afternoon especially around the ship area. It can take you an hour just to travel a few blocks.

 

I remember one time when we were returning to the ship from an RCI tour and we were stuck in the traffic, one passenger decided to jump off the open air bus and do some shopping. She said she would make her own way back to the ship. When she emerged from the shops with several bags in her arms, she hopped back on the bus. We had only travelled a few feet.:rolleyes: