Explorer 26th May 2023

[FIFE1]

We have just returned from two weeks onboard the explorer.

Cabin 9023: Great cabin no issues and very quiet. Our friends were in 9011 again no issues. Big shout out to Michael and his team who kept everything in tip top shape and could not do enough for you.

We eat in the main restaurant (breakfast and dinners a good few times) again great service and a varied choice. Market place also good. We also eat in the surf and turf and Kora La again excellent and good value for money.

Entertainment: Again shows great, hosts (especially Phil and Lee0 kept everything running smoothly and good fun. 

Bars: Squid and Anchor (our normal home) was good and no issues (however very busy), we sat in the live lounge a lot (If your onboard say hello to Vegas 5 star and Priston). Pool bar and Mediterranean were equally good.

The boat was late back to Corfu on Friday the 9th and this created a few issues at the airport. Corfu airport is what it is, no point spoiling a great holiday complaining. TUI did there best and all planes waited for all passengers.

Overall another great cruise and a big well done to all the staff onboard for there hard work to make our holiday special. 

 

booked for Sept 2024 explorer (Just noticed TUI changed all the flight times from Scotland next year grrrr)

[Brummijam]

21 hours ago, FIFE1 said:

We have just returned from two weeks onboard the explorer.

Cabin 9023: Great cabin no issues and very quiet. Our friends were in 9011 again no issues. Big shout out to Michael and his team who kept everything in tip top shape and could not do enough for you.

We eat in the main restaurant (breakfast and dinners a good few times) again great service and a varied choice. Market place also good. We also eat in the surf and turf and Kora La again excellent and good value for money.

Entertainment: Again shows great, hosts (especially Phil and Lee0 kept everything running smoothly and good fun. 

Bars: Squid and Anchor (our normal home) was good and no issues (however very busy), we sat in the live lounge a lot (If your onboard say hello to Vegas 5 star and Priston). Pool bar and Mediterranean were equally good.

The boat was late back to Corfu on Friday the 9th and this created a few issues at the airport. Corfu airport is what it is, no point spoiling a great holiday complaining. TUI did there best and all planes waited for all passengers.

Overall another great cruise and a big well done to all the staff onboard for there hard work to make our holiday special. 

 

booked for Sept 2024 explorer (Just noticed TUI changed all the flight times from Scotland next year grrrr)

A decent review Fife, Thanks.😉

[Jim The Scot]

Good review Fife

 

We enjoyed our last cruise on Explorer

[Shipshape?]

We are due on this ship on 28th July. If you dont mind answering what shows were they doing in the theatre?

[oscarshep]

Thanks Fife1,

 

We were on Explorer earlier in May and concur with all your comments.

Going on Explorer again later in the year, can't wait.

[oscarshep]

Sorry,

I meant to ask if Lisa was one of the hosts in the Squid and Anchor?

[Cruise Anorak]

Hi Fife 1

have been looking at Explorer for a while now, like the itinerary.

What is Corfu airport like, you say it is what it is. 

Have sailed with Marella several times but not this area.

Thanks in advance

[Brummijam]

19 minutes ago, Cruise Anorak said:

Hi Fife 1

have been looking at Explorer for a while now, like the itinerary.

What is Corfu airport like, you say it is what it is. 

Have sailed with Marella several times but not this area.

Thanks in advance

We returned home via Corfu airport last April from a repositioning cruise, we got through Bag drop and security in about ten mins, really surprised us, we were fearing the worst. It was at 8 o’clock in the evening though.

[AlanCruise]

The issue with Corfu airport is the number of TUI flights on the day when Explorer changes over. On our trip last month there were 17 TUI flights into and out of the airport on the Friday which is a lot for the fairly small airport.

This just causes queue, particularly in our case on arrival from the UK.  There was a significant queue, mostly outdoors, for the passport control and they mentioned that they were holding people on the plane until the queue reduced.

[Cruise Anorak]

Thanks both for your replies

[FIFE1]

I will try and cover off all the questions.

1. Corfu airport. Yes arrivals people were being on the planes and then a que to get thru passport control (welcome to Brexit). coming home main issue was the boat being late back to Corfu (quite a strange one as it was put down to strong currents, however the MSC ship that was next to us at Kotor and left after us was in Corfu before us). Then you just have to accept what the airport is and capacity constraints. The ques weren't helped by people not following instructions and just walking into airport and joining internal que. 

Hosts in the squid and anchor were mainly Phil and Lee. Although I have kind of warmed to the live lounge and it was much easier to get into. The squid was jammed.

Shows we seen. 

Buds dinner

Rockology 

Musicals 

Cogs 

Somebody to love 

Zuma

Idols 

Life story 

** we didn't go to Cogs as we didn't enjoy it last year.

As I mentioned TUI has changed around all the ex Scotland flights to Corfu next year. Glasgow outbound now 6am (was 7am this year) and return from Corfu now 21-50 when it was supposed to be 13-35

Felt really sorry for the Edinburgh flight on the 26th May it didn't make it to Corfu due to technical problems so a high number of people didn't get there cruise.