Live from Explorer's final round-trip out of New Jersey

[Merion_Mom]

Finally made it to CC To read your Live Explorer report! Now to backtrack! TTYS! ;):)

 

Welcome! ;) :)

[Merion_Mom]

I am going to go somewhat out of order: I am going to hold off posting my photos from the ice show, because I think that I need to edit them first.

 

Last night was, of course, October 30. In many places, that is Mischief Night.

 

Hallways on at least decks 8 & 9 looked like this:

 

 

 

I took some better Halloween decoration shots on the Royal Promenade last night.

 

First, the back drop of Guest Services:

 

 

And the RP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Thank goodness, no more making the waiters parade around the dining room while foolish passengers whirl their dirty napkins full of lord-knows-what.

 

But they had the galley staff come out and take a bow.

 

The current Executive Chef is a very young man from Jamaica.

 

 

 

 

It is very very very difficult to take a good picture of someone on stage who is hit by a spotlight. The iphone camera just can't understand the lighting.

 

But this is Keith Williams, our Cruise Director. He is leaving tomorrow and flying straight to Quebec to join the Legend of the Seas on its repositioning cruise down to Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

 

I walked around the ship this afternoon, taking random photos for y'all.

 

This is a nearly deserted pool deck. It's not cold, but it's not warm, and it's cloudy and yucky.

 

 

 

The soft-serve ice cream dispenser on Deck 11 just outside the doors from the Windjammer, starboard side. As you can see, one side is Out Of Order. I have no idea how long this sign has been there.

 

[Merion_Mom]

The backlighting makes it a little difficult to see this, but this is the collection of things taken off pool chairs. (behind the towel station attendant)

 

A pair of high-heeled pumps?!?!?!?

 

 

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Cloud Nine (Deck 14) set up with Fisher Price toys.

 

 

Pets At Sea machine on Deck 13:

 

 

Front of Adventure Ocean showing a few of the arcade machines:

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Dizzy Gillespie, backlit. Some scooters are keeping him company. ;)

 

 

 

The famous "Rube Goldberg" device in the 19th Hole Bar on Deck 14. I can still remember the first time that I saw this in 2002........................ :(

 

[michtrif]

That pic of the deserted pool deck.... yap that's about what it looked like the ENTIRE time on our 5 day to Bermuda... errr I mean CANADA 2 weeks ago.

 

I can't believe I never got an ice cream cone on the length of the entire cruise. Not even Ben and Jerry's! And ice cream is my favorite food... but I guess I drank enough frosty beverages to make up for my lack of ice cream!

 

Great pics!

 

How's the washy washy guy???

[Merion_Mom]

That pic of the deserted pool deck.... yap that's about what it looked like the ENTIRE time on our 5 day to Bermuda... errr I mean CANADA 2 weeks ago.

 

I can't believe I never got an ice cream cone on the length of the entire cruise. Not even Ben and Jerry's! And ice cream is my favorite food... but I guess I drank enough frosty beverages to make up for my lack of ice cream!

 

Great pics!

 

How's the washy washy guy???

 

Still shoving his canister of Purell in your face. :rolleyes:

[lovetocruiserccl]

Hi Merion Mom

I'm sad I love the Explorer. I don't want her to leave. I feel so at home when we are on her. I've been on her 8 times and one of those times we renewed our vows on her. I wish I could sail on her repositioning cruise but unfortunately our school year won't allow me to cruise now. I glanced through your post and I'm glad I can be along for the ride in spirit. Is the washy-washy lady on board?

 

Our last NE cruise on her was in August we had a fantastic time. My travel buddy told me at work today don't cry to much tomorrow when she leaves.

 

I will give you the same advice don't cry to much when you get off of her. Say goodbye for me. And enjoy.....I only hope she will be treated well during her brief stay in Fl. 😭😭😭😭

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

[Addictedtocruising]

Has anyone mentioned if a lot or even any of the crew were being transferred to the Quantum?

 

Thanks

[1ParticularHbr]

Has anyone mentioned if a lot or even any of the crew were being transferred to the Quantum?

 

Thanks

 

The crew members we spoke with indicated that they stay on Explorer for the length of their contracts (which don't necessarily end when EX leaves Bayonne), then can put in for different ships or renew with her.

[lovetocruiserccl]

I really hope some of the crew will be on the Anthem or Liberty. I know some of the ones we spoken with on our cruise in August really do not want to go to China. Particularly if your family is in the Caribbean China is a world away.

[Merion_Mom]

Chocolate:D

 

Carol glad you are having a great time:)

The chocolate reminded me. Have they had the chocolate breakfast on your sailing and have you indulged if they have?

DD is wanting to get the rundown on the chocolate shakes if they serve them

 

If a big yes to the breakfast, is it advertised in the compass or still kept secret;)

 

Thanks

Happy Days!

Pompeii (I know you will remember;))

 

The Chocolate Breakfast lives on Explorer. ;)

[karl_nj]

The soft-serve ice cream dispenser on Deck 11 just outside the doors from the Windjammer, starboard side. As you can see, one side is Out Of Order. I have no idea how long this sign has been there.

 

That machine was broken when I was onboard in early October.

 

I certainly did enjoy my first cruise on Royal Caribbean, but I did miss having 3 working ice cream machines like we experienced on the Disney Fantasy in August. On the Fantasy, one machine had chocolate and vanilla, one machine had strawberry and banana, and one machine had banana and chocolate. That banana soft serve was really tasty...

 

However, I really enjoyed the freshly made Boston Creme donuts on the Explorer. Much better then the frozen crispy creme donuts they had on DCL!

[Clarea]

...But this is Keith Williams, our Cruise Director. He is leaving tomorrow and flying straight to Quebec to join the Legend of the Seas on its repositioning cruise down to Fort Lauderdale...

Happy to hear that!:)

[LindaAL]

How have the seas been heading back up to NJ? We are on our way in the morning. Not going to be great weather in NJ, but we'll manage!

[danp]

Cant wait till tomorrow ,when we board.our bags are sitting by the front door.

[HB Cruiser]

Hey Merion Mom, Tim & Crystal says HELLO!!!

 

I hope the Head Waiter thing is not a fleet wide issue. We had problems the entire 7 nights on our most recent Freedom cruise. We dealt with him every night with issues. Unfortunately the last night I had a high speed come apart with him and his empty "I'm sorry" statements. We also got those "stares" you referred to.

 

I'm reading more and more about the dining rooms that are disheartening. Hopefully they will get it straightened out with the new dining setup.

 

Tim

[PompeySailor]

The Chocolate Breakfast lives on Explorer. ;)

 

 

Excellent News!

🍮🍩🍩☕️🍪

 

Thanks for finding out Carol:)

Enjoy the rest of your Cruise.

 

Graham

[Merion_Mom]

That's a big WOW, and not in the way Royal Caribbean intended! This guy sounds like our waiter from our only cruise on the Explorer. Maybe he got promoted and now he gets to make even more paying customers upset!:(

 

Please tell me, Cindy, is this the guy? His name is Ilhan.

 

[Merion_Mom]

Hey Merion Mom, Tim & Crystal says HELLO!!!

 

I hope the Head Waiter thing is not a fleet wide issue. We had problems the entire 7 nights on our most recent Freedom cruise. We dealt with him every night with issues. Unfortunately the last night I had a high speed come apart with him and his empty "I'm sorry" statements. We also got those "stares" you referred to.

 

I'm reading more and more about the dining rooms that are disheartening. Hopefully they will get it straightened out with the new dining setup.

 

Tim

 

Tim, most of the staff are wonderful. Even our waiter and assistant waiter roll their eyes at this guy.

 

By the way, during the "celebration" tonight at dinner, we briefly made eye contact, and he was shooting venom out of his eyeballs. I swear that I am not making this up.

[Merion_Mom]

Sooooooooooooooooooooo.................despite what I wrote last night, they DID make the waiters march around, form up on the stairs, and sing.

 

There was a difference, though.

 

This is the final roundtrip out of Cape Liberty. ALL of the crew and staff "feel it".

 

They were actually VERY happy to appear and the diners all felt a bond with the crew. It was quite nice.

 

 

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Tonight's dinner:

 

I LOVE THE LENTIL SOUP. I could stick my head in a vat of it and just drink.

 

 

Lamb shank, on the final night's menu (Pomodoro) for all 7 night cruises.

 

 

My tablemate's rigatoni alfredo with prosciutto:

 

 

And of course, coffee ice cream and blackberries:

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Now, going backwards:

 

In the afternoon was the Galley Tour.

 

For anyone who has done one: Have there been children on yours? I do not recall ever seeing children on a galley tour before. Seems like a somewhat unsanitary idea. (I will not go into detail)

 

 

Executive Chef Delroy. Great personality. Weird sous chef on the far right, looked drugged and dazed.

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

Ah, yes.

 

A sign telling waiters how to arrange the bread basket.

 

The bread for the DINNING room. :eek: :rolleyes: