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Explorer of the Seas 9 night Eastern Caribbean Review

luckyprincess

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luckyprincess

luckyprincess

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We set off on Sunday to the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal at Bayonne. I live 30 minutes away so we took a car service to avoid the $20 a day parking fee and chance of having to dig ourselves out when we got back. The ship looked huge when we got close! We waited about 5 minutes to drive up and then were able to pull into a spot outside of a white tent. Our luggage got unloaded to a porter and we went in the tent to wait for the rest of our party. It was pretty cold, the tent is unheated and has maybe 4 park benches available. I put my mom and dad on the bench and tried to get the rest of our party contacted. It was a bit chaotic but eventually we headed up to the screening line and then check in. From there you take a bus about 1 minute to the ship and get on. The Windjammer was packed so we hung out until the rooms were ready and got to exploring the Explorer.

 

So I went on this cruise with my family. I bunked with my Mom and Dad in an oceanview cabin on deck #2. I was 2260. My sister, her husband and their 2.5 year old were in 2560. Our best friends Jen and Tommy were in 2618. We all really like our rooms and felt that they were well organized and laid out and spacious for an oceanview. I'm used to hump balcony cabins so for me it was small and I really missed the balcony. I used the pullman bed which pulled down from the ceiling right over my parents bed. I have to say, climbing the ladder to bed and out was pretty fun. There is a little night light in the ceiling above the bed and my view from my pillow was directly out the window so that was super nice.

 

I think we all napped and hit the Windjammer for dinner. I was able to see the parade which was really fun and cute. This day was actually a bit tiring and stressful due to having worked so much before this day and the stress of getting everyone together, getting on the ship, finding our rooms, doing the muster and then figuring out our schedule.

 

p><p><img src=P2240091 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img]

 

Deck 2 movie theatre:

<a href=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8537773947_fdbb28a481_n.jpg' alt='8537773947_fdbb28a481_n.jpg'> P2240089 by ihateworkinglate, on Flickr[/img]

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sharod

sharod

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Thanks for the review and the pics!

 

Hubby and I will be on her in 40 days:D

 

We are very excited. Taking our Harley along (small TA group cruise, 35 bikes max) and riding the islands. Looking forward to a different and wonderful cruising experience!

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luckyprincess

luckyprincess

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Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work!

 

For shore excursions I did:

 

Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm

 

St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum!

 

Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well!

 

Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol!

 

We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's.

 

I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D

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DevonianCruiser

DevonianCruiser

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Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work!

 

For shore excursions I did:

 

Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm

 

St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum!

 

Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well!

 

Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol!

 

We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's.

 

I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D

 

Cayenos del mar - how did you do that and how far is it from the port? I don't see it on RC tours and I read somewhere on CC that the local Police aren't that flexible.

 

Also how long does it take to get to Sapphire from the ship and is it realistic to be able to spend 3 or 4 hours there and get dropped into Charlotte? I saw your pics on Sapphire, they look amazing.

 

Thanks for your help :-)

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DevonianCruiser

DevonianCruiser

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Hi everyone!! I'll post more tonight when I'm home from work!

 

For shore excursions I did:

 

Puerto Rico: None, just walked around since we got in at 4pm

 

St. Thomas: Took a taxi to Sapphire Beach and LOVED it! I have pictures and a video I'll post when I get to that day or you can find it now on the St. Thomas port forum!

 

Samana, DR: I was pretty nervous about this port but had a blast! We went to Cayenas Del Mar and it was gorgeous! Crystal clear water, great beach (bring water shoes for the rocks), wonderful food, 2 drink tickets, lounger for the day wherever we wanted it and an awesome beach bar and all for $16.20 per person! I have pictures of that day as well!

 

Labadee, Haiti: I booked an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach for us and it was PERFECT! I also did the Dragon's Breath zipline and it was totally exhilarating and terrifying, lol!

 

We had 2 formal nights on board! I didn't make either! They opened the pools the day we got on. I was in the hot tub in the Solarium the second morning and you could actually use the pool without freezing late on the second day when we were near the Carolina's.

 

I have all my cruise compass' and will post them after my review! :D

 

P.S. how far is the shopping area of SJ from the port and are there many there (and open late)? I went in 1997 and I can't really remember too much.

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luckyprincess

luckyprincess

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The Cayenas Del Mar Beach Club has its own website. I took a recommendation from someone on the boards and checked out the site. The place is exactly as pictured, gorgeous water, nice beach, good food and super clean bathrooms. They have something called the Day Pass for $18 per adult. It includes round trip transportation (WILD ride on little benches in the back of a pick up :eek:), two drink tickets per adult (one per child), a lounge chair (no umbrellas but there is shady areas) and use of the premises. If you book online they take 10% off so it came out to all that for $16.20 per person and the 3 year old was free. If you go to their site you'll find their cruise menu from the restaurant. The food was really good and there is a 15% off discount for the restaurant. They accepted it with no problem.

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