Explorer of the Seas Cruise Compass, Meuns & Photos 9 August 2015

[Cruzinbabe06]

I'm more than happy to be in an inside cabin than others. I quite like the total darkness of it, yes it could feel quite small but to me not claustrophobic small. Most of my cruises were done in an inside. Even when I had a balcony, I hardly ever used it as I like my air-conditioning so it is no big loss to me. It is up to you whether the extra $300pp is worth it and more importantly how close do you feel you are with your co-worker to be in an inside.

 

I didn't do any excursion in Gibraltar. I just walked 20mins into downtown and just had a wander. I was thinking of going up the rock via cable car but on the day it was foggy/low clouds over the rock so I didn't bother.

 

Thanks for responding!

 

We all appreciate your comments and feedback! :D

[ash88]

Wow thank you much this would of taken you a very long time. I personally think your wonderful for doing this. A couple of questions if you don't mind..

1. Can kids come in gym with parents and use jacuzzi?

2. Are the soft serve machine free? And coke machine you have photo of is this what the drinks Package is for? Once again thank you 😊

[Clarea]

Wow thank you much this would of taken you a very long time. I personally think your wonderful for doing this. A couple of questions if you don't mind..

1. Can kids come in gym with parents and use jacuzzi?

2. Are the soft serve machine free? And coke machine you have photo of is this what the drinks Package is for? Once again thank you ��

The gym is for 16 and over. I believe they allow 13 and over if with parents. Soft serve machines are free.

Edited August 28, 2015 by clarea

[sky0000547]

Deck 12

 

I'm starting off with the new cabins at deck 12 forward. I don't have any interior photos of the cabins but at least you get to see the outside.

 

 

 

 

Limited zoom on deck 12 forward cabins

 

 

Elevators area of deck 12

 

 

A single sliding door (one on each side) to go out on to the open deck

 

 

There is another door in the cabin area to go out to the open deck. This door is practically adjacent to the previous sliding door (again one of each side).

 

 

New port side cabins looking forward

[sky0000547]

 

Almost at the most forward point and beginning to curve round

 

 

Spa

 

 

This is the empty space above the new deck 12 cabins. It will be full of deck chairs/loungers on a sunny day and it does get very busy.

 

 

 

Sky Bar

Edited August 28, 2015 by sky0000547

[sky0000547]

 

Jogging Track

 

 

Jogging track goes behind the big screen

 

 

Jogging track on the starboard straights when it is empty

 

 

Jogging track on the starboard straights when it could get busy

 

 

Jogging track goes behind the sky bar

[sky0000547]

 

Optix Teens Club

 

 

 

Video Arcade

 

 

You will need to add credits to the kid's seapass card in order to play the arcades. You can add credits either by cash (US$) or charge to seapass account using these recharge stations. Then just swipe the seapass card at each arcade to play the game.The arcades cost around 0.75c to $2.

[sky0000547]

 

Adventure Ocean

 

 

Port side gangway

 

 

Johnny Rockets on starboard side aft

 

 

 

 

I'm guessing deck 12 aft used to be a kiddies pool. This is no more and now there is sitting area and a table tennis table. Loungers now go round the aft end of the ship which is great to see the wake of the ship.

 

[sky0000547]

sky000057 - your information is incredible, what a gift you've given us prior to our sailing. Thank you.

 

Love to cruise!

 

Glad the info is of use. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.

[sky0000547]

Wow thank you much this would of taken you a very long time. I personally think your wonderful for doing this. A couple of questions if you don't mind..

1. Can kids come in gym with parents and use jacuzzi?

2. Are the soft serve machine free? And coke machine you have photo of is this what the drinks Package is for? Once again thank you

 

1. There is a sign outside the fitness centre that says 16 years and over. Maybe older kids can go in with parents, no harm to ask the staff.

 

2. Soft serve machines are free and self service. iirc it opens 11.30am-6pm daily which is a shame it doesn't open 24hrs or at least close much later. The freestyle coke machines are indeed for people with drinks package. The souvenir Coca-Cola cup has an electronic chip in it to activate these machines.

[sky0000547]

Deck 13

 

 

Sports Court

 

 

 

 

Explorer Dunes Mini Golf

 

 

 

FlowRider

 

 

Here is how much it costs for lessons on the FlowRider

[sky0000547]

Deck 14

 

 

Rock Climbing Wall

 

There are some open air seating at the far end next to the climbing wall, these I believe are the outdoor seating for the Diamond Lounge. There is a stairway from the seating back down to deck 13 and at the bottom of the stairway is a small gate which I'm guessing is to prevent riff raff sneaking up to the Diamond Lounge.

 

 

Viking Crown Lounge

 

 

Izumi

 

 

Diamond Lounge

[sky0000547]

And finally Deck 15

 

 

Skylight Chapel

Edited August 28, 2015 by sky0000547

[sky0000547]

Random Food Porn

 

The menus in the MDR have definitely changed to suit the UK cruisers. There were 14 different nightly menus throughout the cruise. Some of the entrée/main courses have been changed compare to the US cruises, for example there were less prime ribs on the menu and even the use of English has been changed e.g from shrimps to prawns.

 

 

Fish and Chips (Brasserie 30 Lunch)

 

 

Smoked Chicken Breast Salad (MDR Starter)

 

 

Smoked Duck Breast (MDR Starter)

 

 

Arancini (MDR Starter)

 

 

Royal Shrimp Cocktail (MDR Starter)

[sky0000547]

 

Singapore Noodles (MDR Main Course)

 

 

Chicken Cordon Bleu (MDR Main Course)

 

 

Garlic Tiger Prawns (MDR Main Course)

 

 

Aged Hand-Cut Manhattan Strip Steak (MDR Main Course)

 

Note, throughout the course of your cruise you will encounter a lot of broccolis whether it will be in the Windjammer or in the main dining room so be prepared.

[sky0000547]

 

Traditional English Trifle (MDR Dessert)

 

 

Hazelnut Souffle (MDR Dessert)

 

 

Coffee Cream Mousse (MDR Dessert)

 

 

Chocolate Sensation (MDR Dessert)

[sky0000547]

And very finally some very random photos

 

 

Deck 4 starboard side gangway

 

 

 

 

Explorer of the Seas Orchestra

Edited August 28, 2015 by sky0000547

[sky0000547]

 

Don't forget the day of the week by looking at the floor of the elevators

 

 

 

 

Towel Animals, you should get one on alternate nights

 

 

Movie night on the pool deck. This was Avengers: Age of Ultron. If it is a cool night you can get blankets at the towel exchange station.

 

And that's all folks, hope all the information posted has been useful and if you have any upcoming cruises, enjoy your cruise.

 

Thanks for all the comments and hope I didn't miss any. If there are further questions, ask away and I will try an answer them or I'm sure someone else will too.

 

Bon voyage :)

Edited August 28, 2015 by sky0000547

[TheGinBoy]

Great photos, thanks for sharing. Makes me all the more excited about my cruise in 35 days!

[pointler]

This might be the best thread I have ever read on Cruise Critic!

[Shelley61]

Great photos, thanks for sharing. Makes me all the more excited about my cruise in 35 days!

 

 

21 days for us. You're obviously getting on as we get off!

 

To the OP, thanks again for posting this. Really looking forward to our cruise now. The ship looks beautiful and we're really looking forward to our port calls too.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sky0000547]

This might be the best thread I have ever read on Cruise Critic!

 

 

You are too kind. I find photos speak louder than words and it is always nice to see some photos.

[Doyle1042]

This might be the best thread I have ever read on Cruise Critic!

 

Here here!! Like a captivating movie. You are fascinated and need to keep watching, but never want it to end.

 

I am boarding Explorer on Sept 2nd and now feel like she is an old friend, not a stranger. Thanks so much for the time and effort taken.

 

Cheryl

[sky0000547]

A quick mention about the pools, all the pools use salt water. For some reason the port side main pool water temperature is much colder than starboard side. That was one mistake I learnt. The constant depth of the solarium pool is 1.35m. Both main pools have a constant depth of 1.65m so fairly deep for younger kids.

[Mitey]

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Wishing you a huge upgrade on your next cruise.