Explorer last sailing before dry dock Pros/Cons

[missemo12345]

I was considering this ship (I have much concerns over reviews of her condition) we have 2 dates we are looking at but the best date is her LAST sailing then off she goes to dry dock. Please share your thoughts on prior dry dock experiences.

Thank you to all for your experience & wisdom on cruising!

[Clarea]

You may see some work starting. We saw them stringing cable in the passenger corridor for the pervasive WiFi once.

[missemo12345]

Thank you Bob so waiting to start work until passengers exit the ship may not be the case? I have heard they could possibly close off some public areas the last day to get a jump star on work? My concerns are that this may happen the cruise price is still a good amount of $ If I was sailing for peanuts maybe it would not be a concern.

[Ken076]

I would not even consider a cruise immediately prior to dry dock: preparation may start early, crew loses interest and starts to wind down, supplies may be low, etc., etc. Similarly, I wouldn't consider a cruise as ship emerges from dry-dock, or even one or two cruises thereafter.

 

ken

Edited May 6, 2014 by Ken076

[Great 2 B at Sea]

When we were booking cruises to benefit from the BOGO, we also came upon the Explorer as a possibility to sail, only we were looking at the second to last cruise on her before she went into dry dock. We had the same thoughts.... would there be enough food and/or supplies, would the service be below standards, and could they possibly start tearing her apart before the end of the cruise? Too many "what ifs!" It would be more fun to sail on her after dry dock was completed rather than right before. I agree with other posters.....I would not book the very last sailing. When you book a cruise, all you want to focus on is how much fun you are going to have. I would be so consumed with all of my negative concerns, it would take away all the excitement and anticipation of the sailing, and end up driving me and my DH crazy! ha ha There are great savings going on right now, so I'm sure you can find another ship and be worry free. Good luck! :)

[missemo12345]

Thank you for your reply these are my thoughts actually. It still is our vacation and the thought of to many ifs worries me.

 

 

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[Topo Gigio]

Rumors are that they will start her dry dock during her TA. If that is the case, I don't think they will bother anybody during her last cruise before she leaves for Europe empty.

[Yvie]

What are the dates for the Explorer dry dock? We just booked for the February 26 sailing.

[luv2cruiserccl]

Ask people on the adventure when I think it was last sailing before Drydock when stuck in san Juan with azipod issue

 

 

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[jstraw20]

The biggest negative to going post drydock is that much of the crew will have switched to different ships (according to one of the bartenders). Explorer is a great ship, but her crew is her strongest point.

[Yvie]

After doing some research it looks like Explorer will be going into dry dock right after the February 26 cruise, as there are no cruises showing up for about a month after that date, and press releases stated the dry dock would occur right before the summer cruises in Europe. We just switched to the February 12 sailing so we won't be on the last cruise before dry dock.

[dixiesue]

Yvie we will be on that cruise the 26st and I thank it will be great I would not worry about it.

[texaskeystone]

We were on Splendor the cruise before dry dock a few years ago out of Galveston and it was actually fine. The only slight inconvenience was they closed Windjammer on the morning of our return to port and converted the MDR into buffet style service. It was fine, the price was right, and I actually found it interesting to see the things they were preparing for. Really wasn't an issue though, and as I remember the cruise was pretty steeply discounted.

[franl24fan]

I too am on the Feb 26, which I thought was not the last one, unless they've changed the schedule. I expect they will be doing some things behind the public areas, might see some other minor repairs.

 

We were on the Legend of the Seas Panama Canal last Nov and actually had more inconvenience on it. Crew was getting it ready for Caribbean sailings, they had brought half the dining room staff on in San Diego, they ran out of food on Thanksgiving and during the cruise, some rest rooms were closed, and the casino was a joke. Half the machines were down, one tech puttered each day for a few hours to change out a machine then pulled another off line. So going into dry dock is not the only time a ship might be less than best :-)

 

With a military discount, inside cabin, for a solo I booked this cruise for less than $150/day, so I can put up with minor issues, which I don't think will be the case. This is an excellent itinerary that has not been available from PC, only by driving down to Lauderdale. But each person knows what they expect on a cruise and should book accordingly.

[molly361]

After doing some research it looks like Explorer will be going into dry dock right after the February 26 cruise, as there are no cruises showing up for about a month after that date, and press releases stated the dry dock would occur right before the summer cruises in Europe. We just switched to the February 12 sailing so we won't be on the last cruise before dry dock.

 

There is a cruise scheduled so far for March 7 2015

[missemo12345]

I did end up switching this cruise ( March 6, 2015 ) I had to many concerns and what if's! I did book the Brilliance out of Tampa this looked like a win / win price was right and the ship looks beautiful!!!

[missemo12345]

HeyMarco,

I can understand your concerns this being your parents first cruise, What other ships are sailing in your time frame? Is the Liberty a choice? I did her 3 times loved the ship.

[Susie51]

I would not even consider a cruise immediately prior to dry dock: preparation may start early, crew loses interest and starts to wind down, supplies may be low, etc., etc. Similarly, I wouldn't consider a cruise as ship emerges from dry-dock, or even one or two cruises thereafter.

 

ken

 

Great advice.