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

[The Big Booper]

We are not old just 30 something x2+

Age is just a number.

 

You got it. We are both 68 and our 37 yo son won't cruise with us because we would embarrass him, especially if we make it up to the stage for Love & Marriage.

 

Towards the end of October we get dressed up in our very special outfits and wander around the big local mall. For some reason people always stop us and ask for us to pose with their kiddies. I can't understand why.

 

[MaskedTurtle]

Thanks. Like I said, I only have a simple point and shoot. A real good camera is just out of the question for me right now. I'll just have to settle for far away pix and maybe trying to zoom in on photo shop or something.

[Birdnutty]

Hi Radio, I am considering booking the 10 night cruise leaving January 27th, but because of length of the cruise I am concerned that the majority of the passengers will be retirees. On your sailing can you tell me if there was a nice size group of 30 somethings, or were morst passengers older?

 

Hi! Seems like those on that cruise (1/27)are well mixed in our ages. But age really doesn't matter - it's the MENTAL age that counts. I've been part of roll calls where the biggest and most fun characters were the ones over 70, while the ones under 40 were more subdued and less "out there". On another roll call, a group evolved - there was a couple in the 20's, one in their 30's one or two couple in their 40's, several singles of various ages, and about 3 couples over 50. We all hung out together and had a blast. Best thing to do is just get out there, talk to people, meet up at events - the fun just kinda comes naturally with that.

 

It used to be that the only ones that cruised for that length were the retirees, but not no mo'!!

 

Radio, thank you for a great recap of your days. I've been reading them eagerly, and have gotten many hints.

 

One question: When is all aboard? Is it one hour or one half hour before sailing time?

 

Thanks again, and I look forward to your next cruise, as well as my own.

[debshomespun]

Radio: Thank you again for another job very well done. We all appreciate all your time you spend taking us along with you on all your cruises. It sure helps us to get through our land time until we can be at sea again!

[Snostar]

I have a feeling that I may have missed a few questions during my last 11 days, so when now that I am home I will re read every question and comment that has appeared and try to answer any question that may have been overlooked. I still have to sort through and try to post many pics that have not been posted yet. . .

Good Morning Radio and all! I had 1 question unanswered so I decided it would be easiest for you if I waited and posted them together. Thank you for a bring me along!

 

1. Have you tried the golf simulator? I've heard mixed reviews, my son and I are just beginners.

 

2. Did you see anyone swimming laps early in the morning?

 

3. Are the hot tubs open as soon as you board?

 

4. Is the water in the stateroom hot enough for a cup of starbucks instant?

 

5. Do they limit the number of ice shows you can get tickets for?

 

6. Happen to notice if the sofa's are bolted down? I want to do some rearranging.

 

7. I've heard if you wait to buy a wine package (soda cards, ect.) after you leave the dock you won't have to paid sales tax, is that true?

 

8. Laundry - is the $25 bag offered 1 per stateroom or 1 per guest?

 

9. Are the outlets in the stateroom 2 or 3 prongs?

 

Thanks for all the you've done!.....YOU'RE AWESOME!

[jo anne]

thanks for a great live post going on explorer in jan and really enjoyed your review cant wait now to go :D

[1jefp11]

Radio, thanks again for letting us vicariously accompany you on the cruise. I especially enjoyed the photos. It put me in the mood to book a cruise next month. Since dining with the captain is such a rarity these days, I believe I would have rented a tuxedo and enjoyed the experience.

[TonyaJune]

Thanks for all of the replies. Believe me I am not say that I don't want to sail with older cruisers. One of the favorite things that my husband and I love to do on a cruise is dance in the night club into the wee hours of the morning and we have been on a few cruises where the night club was empty and we just don't want that to happen.

 

I will definitely check out the roll calls for the 1/27 cruise.

[Radio]

Radio, thanks again for letting us vicariously accompany you on the cruise. I especially enjoyed the photos. It put me in the mood to book a cruise next month. Since dining with the captain is such a rarity these days, I believe I would have rented a tuxedo and enjoyed the experience.

 

Yes. I can understand that. . . But I have dined with the Captain on several occassions.

 

If Mrs. Radio was sailing with me, I would have rented one as you suggested.

 

Thanks for the nice comments. . .

 

 

Radio

;);)

[Radio]

Good Morning Radio and all! I had 1 question unanswered so I decided it would be easiest for you if I waited and posted them together. Thank you for a bring me along!

 

1. Have you tried the golf simulator? I've heard mixed reviews, my son and I are just beginners.

 

2. Did you see anyone swimming laps early in the morning?

 

3. Are the hot tubs open as soon as you board?

 

4. Is the water in the stateroom hot enough for a cup of starbucks instant?

 

5. Do they limit the number of ice shows you can get tickets for?

 

6. Happen to notice if the sofa's are bolted down? I want to do some rearranging.

 

7. I've heard if you wait to buy a wine package (soda cards, ect.) after you leave the dock you won't have to paid sales tax, is that true?

 

8. Laundry - is the $25 bag offered 1 per stateroom or 1 per guest?

 

9. Are the outlets in the stateroom 2 or 3 prongs?

 

Thanks for all the you've done!.....YOU'RE AWESOME!

 

 

1.I tried the Golf Simulator on a previous cruise on Explorer, and enjoyed it, but I did not use it on this Cruise

 

2.I saw several passengers swimming laps very early. . .

 

3.The Hot Tobs were open early on Day 1.

 

4.No. . You will have to use the Hot water in the Cafe Promenade, Windjammer, or Concierge Club.

 

5.You can go to all shows if you like. Tickets are only required during the initial entry into the Studio B. I went to bith shows with no tickets.

 

6. Sofas were not bolted down in my cabin.

 

7. Sorry. . .I have no info on this. . .

 

8. Laundry Bag is 1 per guest.

 

9. There are 2 Three prong outlets (110v), and 1 Two prong outlet (240v)

 

 

Radio

;);)

[Mom.to.2]

3.The Hot Tobs were open early on Day 1.

 

 

Radio

;);)

 

Radio,

 

Thank you for all your time and effort, taking us with you on your cruise. I'll be on this same itinerary in February and your posts/pictures have gotten me that much more excited!!! I can't wait to see the compasses as well.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but is "Day 1" embarkation day or the 1st full sea day? I'm trying to decide if I should pack swimsuits in our carryon ;).

[Kardinal]

FYI, the golf simulator was out of order for this sailing.

[funNsun4me]

Thanks for all of the replies. Believe me I am not say that I don't want to sail with older cruisers. One of the favorite things that my husband and I love to do on a cruise is dance in the night club into the wee hours of the morning and we have been on a few cruises where the night club was empty and we just don't want that to happen.

 

I will definitely check out the roll calls for the 1/27 cruise.

 

We sailed the Explorer last January and while we have a great roll call they did change the early dinner to 5:30, I felt the food was blander than our last cruise on Explorer and the shows were more production (crew) shows and not as entertaining, to my taste anyway. I spoke with someone in the cruise director department one night and they were told that the medium age for that cruise was 72, hence the changes. There was definately many scooters on board and it was very hard to get an elevator, not that I minded, I needed to work off all the food on the stairs. In any event, we still really enjoyed the cruise. We just wished we didn't have to miss sailaway and sunset everynight since we were booked for the early dinner.

[MedicKen]

Well folks, we made it back (darn it, wish we could have stayed a while longer) But we do have our friend Radio to thank for being able to recall memories from our great trip together. To all the CC members that cruised with us, I hope and pray you all got home safe and sound. We finally pulled into "Chez MedicKen" about 7:20 last evening.

 

The "Boss" AKA Saint Debbie and I had a ball on this cruise and it was all due to wonderful cruising friends and the fantastic Crew and Staff of EX. Thank you all for helping us make great memories. WE NEED TO DO THIS AGAIN SOON, please.

 

Thank you all again for a memorable 10 days.

 

[megr1125]

I can't believe they KICKED US OFF!!!!! arrgghhhh!

 

Made it home safely...not sure what the hold up was in the terminal, but there was a large group of pax that were non-US citizens (maybe 50 traveling together...) so that may have contributed to the backlog getting off the buses...BUT it wasn't horrible...i was back home in central NJ by noon, after a quick stop at the Thomas Edison Service area for a fuel-up on Starbucks!

 

We had a super time....our fellow CC cruisers were a LOT of fun....the officers and crew on EX made for a terrific time (and a couple of yummy meals;)

 

I will post my own photos and review later...elsewhere.

 

Thanks to Radio for this great LIVE thread (and i was there which was even MORE fun!) And it was great sharing the day on labadee with you guys....and our wacky dinner table with a rather humorous bunch of peeps!

[MillbrookMom]

It will take me about 3-4 hours to drive home today, but first I must make a quick stop at the Starbucks in Bayonne ;). A man has to have his priorities, right? ;)

 

 

 

I agree with your sentiment. We took a road trip to Pittsburgh this weekend (a beautiful little city) and my only complaint was we could not find a Starbucks anywhere on our trip that offered Lactose free milk (I have an intolerance) and in my opinion Soy ruins a drink. So as soon as we crossed the border back into Canada, we searched the GPS for the closest one.

 

I know you said you would be uploading current compases when you get home...Thank you, thank you.......do you happen to have copies of the latest menu as well?

 

Thanks

[drketchone]

Radio,

 

Sorry for backtracking a little here, but when you were taking pictures of the "security screening" and "cruise check-in" at Cape Liberty, did anyone discourage you from taking photos or give you...um...discouraging looks? I've always wanted to take photos of these areas to show family members, who have never cruised before, what the whole process is like, but I never have for fear that I would get in trouble for taking photos in certain areas.

 

A bit late on this follow up but I can tell you that when my family sailed on EOS in July of 2010 my partner took a photo, with his phone, of the ship picture hanging on the wall before the metal detectors. We were probably 10 people back in line. The security guard running our line screamed for him to stop and come immediately to the front of the line where we were met by EVERY security guard in this area (they closed all their lines) completely surrounded him and forced him to show the photo he had just taken and informed him that if he couldn't/wouldn't delete it, they were going to confiscate the phone.

 

That was my first interaction with RC/EOS, I was furious for days. I swore I was done with RC forever, however they are going to get a second chance on December 11th for 12 days.

[MaskedTurtle]

A bit late on this follow up but I can tell you that when my family sailed on EOS in July of 2010 my partner took a photo, with his phone, of the ship picture hanging on the wall before the metal detectors. We were probably 10 people back in line. The security guard running our line screamed for him to stop and come immediately to the front of the line where we were met by EVERY security guard in this area (they closed all their lines) completely surrounded him and forced him to show the photo he had just taken and informed him that if he couldn't/wouldn't delete it, they were going to confiscate the phone.

 

That was my first interaction with RC/EOS, I was furious for days. I swore I was done with RC forever, however they are going to get a second chance on December 11th for 12 days.

 

Don't worry about being late on a follow-up. Sometimes there is just so much to read that one can't help it. Anyway about your actual post. I have always been afraid to take a picture in the security &/or terminal area for this exact reason. I know that if I do take a picture and get caught, in all likelihood they would make me delete it, which I would understand and comply with, but there would probably be a "big deal" about it, and that would sour the tone of the cruise. I wouldn't want to start off a cruise like that. In all honesty, I understand security frowning upon picture-taking in such areas. I think they should be OK with it once you get past the security checkpoint, but whatever. Even though I know I am only taking pictures for completely harmless reasons (like making a vacation photo DVD for family) they don't know that. I've gotten used to security being heightened over the last few years.

[LBumb]

thanks for another excellent live review.

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics that may have not been posted during the Cruise. . .

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

A view from the Bridge on Friday morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My view from the Viking Crown Lounge on Saturday afternoon at sea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of Celebrity Silhouette in St. Maarten

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skaters in Studio-B were wonderful. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An unusual view of the Lower AFT Centrum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explorer of the Seas Starboard side at dusk on Saturday. . .

 

 

 

 

.

[megr1125]

Radio...your photos of the ice show are marvelous!

 

;)

[Ocean Boy]

Radio, I was wondering how it felt to be on a Voyager class ship after Oasis/Allure. I loved the Voyage class and am thinking about booking Navigator next. I'm just a bit concerned about returning to the Voyager class after Oasis. Any insight?

[The P]

Can anyone tell me if any of the Formal Nights were on the same night the Murder Mystery was held on this cruise? Thanks!

[Radio]

I don’t think these pics made it in a previous post either. . .

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

This was the view from my Balcony Friday morning at sea (Cabin 8228)STB-FWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have fallen in Love with Cruising. . . And Sapphire Beach in St Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water there, makes me feel wonderful !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday morning, I found my last Towel “Animal” in my Cabin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deck 6 Portside, just Aft of the Helipad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lady Luck, in the Casino Royale. . .

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Can anyone tell me if any of the Formal Nights were on the same night the Murder Mystery was held on this cruise? Thanks!

 

 

Sorry, The P. . . I don't have info on the Murder Mystery nights. . .

 

 

Radio

;);)