Explorer v Explorer 2

[brian1]

Hi,after reading AJ28's excellent review of E2, I am wondering if the E is going to be the same experience.Any comparisons will be welcome as we are sailing her in Sept,cheers,Brian.

Edited April 15, 2019 by brian1

[dronnygirl]

Explorer is a lovely ship, sounds very similar experience to E2. We liked the Market Place which was nicely laid out and the tables were better spaced out than on Discovery, however we preferred the MDR on Discovery.  Many people said they preferred the layout on Discovery to Explorer as there is no Atrium on Explorer. There are good and not so good points on all the ships, we are just pleased that we are fortunate enough to enjoy the experience.

[brian1]

2 hours ago, dronnygirl said:

Explorer is a lovely ship, sounds very similar experience to E2. We liked the Market Place which was nicely laid out and the tables were better spaced out than on Discovery, however we preferred the MDR on Discovery.  Many people said they preferred the layout on Discovery to Explorer as there is no Atrium on Explorer. There are good and not so good points on all the ships, we are just pleased that we are fortunate enough to enjoy the experience.

Hi,the deck plans show an atrium on 5,6 and 7.Mind you, if it's like P&O,s Aurora,it will almost be nonexistant,cheers,Brian.

Edited April 15, 2019 by brian1

[dronnygirl]

Yes it is almost none existant. Also Explorer has a strange layout, bulkheads on some decks means you cannot get from one end of the ship to the other on some floors. We really loved the ship and amenities but preferred the layout of Discovery, just personal opinion.

[GOQ]

Yes I have to agree, I do much prefer both the atmosphere and layout of Discovery (2) to that of Explorer. Deck 5 is a bit odd in having a void which you need to bypass by climbing up to deck 6 then down again to get to Latitude 53 and a sort of mini bar.

 

The "Proper" atrium of Discovery has a much nicer feel than the semi atrium of Explorer, which seems quite isolated.

Explorer was a little too big for me however it was a nice clean and sparkly up-to-date ship. Explorer 2 looks to be a little nicer, not quite the same layout and a little bit smaller (sort of closer to Discovery size).

[dronnygirl]

Looking forward to Explorer 2 in October so we can form our own opinion. I'm sure we'll like it but do have a soft spot for Discovery.

[davecttr]

That void is the galley for the main dining room

[brian1]

8 minutes ago, davecttr said:

That void is the galley for the main dining room

Princess Grand class ships have the same problem.Soon get used to it though.

[GOQ]

58 minutes ago, davecttr said:

That void is the galley for the main dining room

 I am guessing the engine exhaust goes through  that part of the ship as well from decks  (? + ) 4 to 12. Looks like a big galley.

[2BACRUISER]

The discovery ships and explorer ships two different types. The discovery were Vision class ships and the explorers were Century class. The Visions were designed as sister ships almost the same but with some different quirks the main theme their size meaning they could get into most ports. The Century class were a set of 3,  again mid class designed to go anywhere. Both styles were designed for smaller numbers of passengers and a more intimate small ship feel rather than the mall style we now know so well with the oasis and solstice ships. Both RCL & Celebrity both outgrew these class of ships wanting vessels with higher passenger capacity and mall style features. Hth explain. Ex & Ex2 should be virtually the same but u can't really compare them to D & D2. 

Does anybody think Marella will buy Oriana when she retires from P&O? 

[GOQ]

Explorer appears to be slightly larger than Explorer 2,  Gross Tonnage 76988 v 71545 , 1924 v 1814 passengers and 962 v 907 cabins. Explorer seems to be more of a similar size to Discovery 1 & 2.

 

Others have commented that Mein Schiff 2 was to have become Explorer 2 but TUI changed their mind, they retained it under TUI cruises so it became Mein Schiff Hertz instead. SkySea Golden Era became Explorer 2.

 

Looking at Wikipedia they list a ship built in 1997 of 77300 GT joining Marella in 2022 however I have  not seen this mentioned anywhere else. Interesting this is the same tonnage as Mein Schiff Hertz.

[brian1]

There seems to be more restaurants on the E,with more options.On D2 the Italian was ok but the same 2 menus were alternating every other day.

[davecttr]

The Italian does have 2 menus which alternate but they are very extensive so plenty of choice for multiple visits

[focus60]

Think we spent about 8 or 9 nights in the Italian on Discovery 2 last year. Am lookig forward to see hoe Explorer 2 compares this year

[so,ton saint]

On 4/15/2019 at 4:54 PM, 2BACRUISER said:

The discovery ships and explorer ships two different types. The discovery were Vision class ships and the explorers were Century class. The Visions were designed as sister ships almost the same but with some different quirks the main theme their size meaning they could get into most ports. The Century class were a set of 3,  again mid class designed to go anywhere. Both styles were designed for smaller numbers of passengers and a more intimate small ship feel rather than the mall style we now know so well with the oasis and solstice ships. Both RCL & Celebrity both outgrew these class of ships wanting vessels with higher passenger capacity and mall style features. Hth explain. Ex & Ex2 should be virtually the same but u can't really compare them to D & D2. 

Does anybody think Marella will buy Oriana when she retires from P&O? 

 

ORIANA has already been sold to a Chinese consortium .and leaves the P and O fleet august.

[wakey16]

Hi, Does anyone know if the Explorer 2 cabins have shower curtains in the bathroom as the Explorer cabins have a shower door.

 

Thanks

[davecttr]

Explorer 2 has shower doors. curtains were fitted at the start of the first cruise because there was a delay in door delivery. The doors have been fitted while in service

[wakey16]

Thanks very much for that.