My ta meeting with a whole group of Explora higher ups today

[Whipsnade]

I too am an old Crystal on board with Stickman. I am loving it too. Some minor annoyances on which I have elaborated earlier. All in all a great experience for us. Right now we are cruising Prins Christian Sund in Greenland. Never seen such sights!! Most cruises that have this on itinerary get cancelled. Very lucky. 
We are planning to come back for couple weeks in east Med next Sept. 

Wish they had more exotic itineraries like this one. 

[saminina]

With their new leader coming from MSC, not real hopeful the message you wish to convey will be heard, nor matter.      A bunch of old folks from New York ranting is probably the crowd they want to avoid.   Enough Crystal.....get on with the new.   

 

Whipsnade, your posts give great hope.   Looking forward to getting on board.

[Whipsnade]

Well, I don’t disagree. We have been sailing Crystal since Symphony inaugural. Over 30 years. Other ships as well but Crystal always won out. Not to mention old long time cruising buddies as well. 
So many things here we really like with which Crystal can’t compete. 
Bread here best in any ship. Huge pool with magrodome makes for serious swim by fanatic like me. Sakura every bit as good as Nobu, maybe better. Emporium/Marketplace beats Crystal buffet hands down. No semi name entertainers here but we don’t go on Crystal. No actual movie theatre here and movies on tv are geared to kids and action aficionados. But we are usually asleep by 9:30 anyway. 
Spa here is coed but has salt cave as well as giant jacuzzi and steam and saunas. 
So Crystal cannot compete with this physical ship. Yes, the future beckons. But as long as we still have EIs to cash in we will be sailing a lot on Crystal. 

[vistaman]

1 hour ago, bitob said:

There are folks dressed to the nines on gala nights. But many in jeans and t shirts eating in the buffet. I’m sure the old timers are aghast lol

 

all other nights are resort casual. Just like regent 

today I saw sport jackets at breakfast in queens grill. Lol


 

 

I hope you have a great cruise , caused by your posts I found the way back to Silversea and did my first Regent ( 4  others booked ) 

It is of the thread  but I booked a Queen Anne for next year - so I can wear my Belgian knighhoods😄 and medals ...  

[Waltershipman]

2 hours ago, bitob said:

My cruise friend stickman on board now and posting and also emailed me privately. He is a crystal regular and I totally trust his judgement.  He is loving it 

 

im still glad I cancelled. My cruise was not until 2025. I’m taking a wait and see. My good friend Paul mco will be on next

 

i need more feedback from people I know and trust 

Great to know i too like  Paul's  and Srickman posts  I will be on starting October  3 and plan to post. I have been on a lot of lines from most eschalons in the cruising arena

 

Glad to see Srickman loves it I too am very optimistic from all i have seen

 

Thank you

[bitob]

9 minutes ago, vistaman said:

I hope you have a great cruise , caused by your posts I found the way back to Silversea and did my first Regent ( 4  others booked ) 

It is of the thread  but I booked a Queen Anne for next year - so I can wear my Belgian knighhoods😄 and medals ...  

please post photo when you do

[bitob]

This thread might drive the crystal folks to jump overboard

[saminina]

This thread gives hope for Explora.   More looking forward to boarding Serenity in San Diego.

[PaulMCO]

1 hour ago, Waltershipman said:

Great to know i too like  Paul's  and Srickman posts  I will be on starting October  3 and plan to post. I have been on a lot of lines from most eschalons in the cruising arena

 

Glad to see Srickman loves it I too am very optimistic from all i have seen

 

Thank you

gives me hope that we at least booked something we would enjoy.

[Stickman1990]

3 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

Glad to see Srickman loves it I too am very optimistic from all i have seen

Indeed while I haven’t posted much on here during our cruise (is it really day 6 already - someone stop the clock!) I can confirm Stickman along with Mrs Stickman and the friends we’re travelling with are all impressed and will definitely return to Explora (but we’ve currently got Regent, Silversea and Crystal cruises as well) 

 

I echo many of Whipsnades comments and almost unbelievably we too think Sakura is better than Umi Uma - I never thought I’d say that - and they’re open for lunch with an extensive sushi, sashimi and several main course on offer. The quality of ingredients is superb

 

For us service, food and entertainment/enrichment are the important elements - plus now we’re adding the ship and it’s facilities and ambience - who would think that having auto opening/shut doors throughout the ship would be that enjoyable - I guess Covid changed our view on the simple things on life like touching doors 

 

I did grow bored and disappointed with many comments on these forums before our cruise which made claims about the onboard experience based on very little fact or practical experience. Let me give an example - getting restaurant reservations at Sakura and Marble - we had people saying you could only go to each of them once - or maybe twice

 

Well that’s sort of true if you take it literally - you will only be able to actually reserve that number BUT if you turn up to the restaurant at  6.30 or later if you wish and ask the maître d if they can accommodate your party then you may be pleasantly surprised. We have 5 in our group and we’ve done it twice in Sakura and once at Marble and been able to get a table either immediately or within 30 minutes. Now of course that is subject to availability and this cruise is only 520 out of 920 guests so that will also be a factor in availability 

 

Similarly with entertainment and enrichment - Explora’s got some good in house entertainment as well as guest entertainers and specialist speakers on topics that are relevant to the area you’re in. Is it as many as say Crystal - no - but how many speakers etc do you really need?  I like the style of having the evening show broken up into sets with breaks in between and with dancing when appropriate and ongoing bar service throughout the performance 

 

We are blessed with excellent weather and that has made our itinerary just so enjoyable - sunny but still cool but you don’t notice if you dress appropriately whereas when you have cold wind driven rain the wind chill makes it hard to enjoy some sights. Can’t credit Explora with that of course but it certainly helps 

 

Here’s a few shots from today amazing journey through Prince Christian Sund 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CJANDH]

Wow! Looks great. Wish we were there with you. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until March to get our turn.

[Nunagoras]

14 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

Indeed while I haven’t posted much on here during our cruise (is it really day 6 already - someone stop the clock!) I can confirm Stickman along with Mrs Stickman and the friends we’re travelling with are all impressed and will definitely return to Explora (but we’ve currently got Regent, Silversea and Crystal cruises as well) 

 

I echo many of Whipsnades comments and almost unbelievably we too think Sakura is better than Umi Uma - I never thought I’d say that - and they’re open for lunch with an extensive sushi, sashimi and several main course on offer. The quality of ingredients is superb

 

For us service, food and entertainment/enrichment are the important elements - plus now we’re adding the ship and it’s facilities and ambience - who would think that having auto opening/shut doors throughout the ship would be that enjoyable - I guess Covid changed our view on the simple things on life like touching doors 

 

I did grow bored and disappointed with many comments on these forums before our cruise which made claims about the onboard experience based on very little fact or practical experience. Let me give an example - getting restaurant reservations at Sakura and Marble - we had people saying you could only go to each of them once - or maybe twice

 

Well that’s sort of true if you take it literally - you will only be able to actually reserve that number BUT if you turn up to the restaurant at  6.30 or later if you wish and ask the maître d if they can accommodate your party then you may be pleasantly surprised. We have 5 in our group and we’ve done it twice in Sakura and once at Marble and been able to get a table either immediately or within 30 minutes. Now of course that is subject to availability and this cruise is only 520 out of 920 guests so that will also be a factor in availability 

 

Similarly with entertainment and enrichment - Explora’s got some good in house entertainment as well as guest entertainers and specialist speakers on topics that are relevant to the area you’re in. Is it as many as say Crystal - no - but how many speakers etc do you really need?  I like the style of having the evening show broken up into sets with breaks in between and with dancing when appropriate and ongoing bar service throughout the performance 

 

We are blessed with excellent weather and that has made our itinerary just so enjoyable - sunny but still cool but you don’t notice if you dress appropriately whereas when you have cold wind driven rain the wind chill makes it hard to enjoy some sights. Can’t credit Explora with that of course but it certainly helps 

 

Here’s a few shots from today amazing journey through Prince Christian Sund 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonderful to know, EJ is setting themselves on the true luxury market. Many thanks to the kind words and the wonderful photos. Permit me a few notes:

 

a) It was the poor way they managed both the ship delivery delays and the ships redeployment scheme that have mostly driven some people crazy here. 3rd rate influencers aboard first sailings didn't help either. Day after day, I'm starting to push EJ out of my crazy companies list. They'll be reputable at the market.

 

b) In order to provide more exotic itineraries with this caliber ships, they'll need the more ecological friendly versions that will come from E3 onward. I'm quite sure E3 will be redeployed for itineraries like yours actual one on a more consistent basis. "Classical" oil ships are being given several restrictions on said itineraries by the day. There will be a day when only LNG/Liquid Hydrogen ships will be accepted at those very sensitive areas.

 

That said; E1-E2 will likely to be devoted to classical 7 night cruises on less ecologically sensitive areas forever from now while E3-E6 will be redeployed for longer, more exotic cruises.

[bitob]

14 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

Indeed while I haven’t posted much on here during our cruise (is it really day 6 already - someone stop the clock!) I can confirm Stickman along with Mrs Stickman and the friends we’re travelling with are all impressed and will definitely return to Explora (but we’ve currently got Regent, Silversea and Crystal cruises as well) 

 

I echo many of Whipsnades comments and almost unbelievably we too think Sakura is better than Umi Uma - I never thought I’d say that - and they’re open for lunch with an extensive sushi, sashimi and several main course on offer. The quality of ingredients is superb

 

For us service, food and entertainment/enrichment are the important elements - plus now we’re adding the ship and it’s facilities and ambience - who would think that having auto opening/shut doors throughout the ship would be that enjoyable - I guess Covid changed our view on the simple things on life like touching doors 

 

I did grow bored and disappointed with many comments on these forums before our cruise which made claims about the onboard experience based on very little fact or practical experience. Let me give an example - getting restaurant reservations at Sakura and Marble - we had people saying you could only go to each of them once - or maybe twice

 

Well that’s sort of true if you take it literally - you will only be able to actually reserve that number BUT if you turn up to the restaurant at  6.30 or later if you wish and ask the maître d if they can accommodate your party then you may be pleasantly surprised. We have 5 in our group and we’ve done it twice in Sakura and once at Marble and been able to get a table either immediately or within 30 minutes. Now of course that is subject to availability and this cruise is only 520 out of 920 guests so that will also be a factor in availability 

 

Similarly with entertainment and enrichment - Explora’s got some good in house entertainment as well as guest entertainers and specialist speakers on topics that are relevant to the area you’re in. Is it as many as say Crystal - no - but how many speakers etc do you really need?  I like the style of having the evening show broken up into sets with breaks in between and with dancing when appropriate and ongoing bar service throughout the performance 

 

We are blessed with excellent weather and that has made our itinerary just so enjoyable - sunny but still cool but you don’t notice if you dress appropriately whereas when you have cold wind driven rain the wind chill makes it hard to enjoy some sights. Can’t credit Explora with that of course but it certainly helps 

 

Here’s a few shots from today amazing journey through Prince Christian Sund 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So glad it turned out well for you!!! 
better than umi uma?  You will be banned from crystal boards for life 

[uktog]

I have just returned from that itinerary on Viking - EJ were on a winner with it and given how few lines do it I am sad `EJ  did not continue with their plan to offer it next year as I would have happily done it again.  It was stunning and a Viking/Explora sized ship is ideally suited for that type of sailing.

 

I think @Nunagoras has it absolutely right about their assessment of the line.  My ears feelings have inevitably been so influenced by the absolutely appalling way they handled the exceeding late cancellation of the Inaugural cruise with no regard to the impact on the non influencer paying passengers.  Their refusal to pay refunds promptly in the UK insisting on using MSC Ts and Cs did them zero favours.  Refunds only came last week.  Refund of a new voucher for the voucher that was used in part payment is still not with us, nor is the voucher for this cancellation.  (Just highlighting its still got a way to go to sort out its shore side efforts)

 

I too was` frustrated at the way third rate influencers were given such space and how they continue in some forums to viciously attack, even swearing anyone who posts who has highlighted deficiencies in the model.

 

However, I too am more positive about what I hear about the onboard experiences based on the feedback I am reading here and also the direct reports I am getting from people I know onboard who have cruised with other on other lines and are making informed comparisons ( both positive and negative)

 

God willing,  I too will have a first hand experience of the product.

[Whipsnade]

I agree with Nun. Seven day cruises for 1 and 2. This is not all bad. We have found three 7 day back to back cruises in east Med with only one repeat port and going to lots of ports we have never visited. And staying away from Santorini and Mykonos. 
When the gas powered ships come on line it will change cruising forever. More and more ports are limiting and excluding oil powered mega ships. About time!

I must add about EJ hired influencers. Have seen some pretty trashy ones on board and have been trashed by one on board about some of my negative comments. I will be letting EJ know how frightfully counterproductive this practice is. 
Still, getting happier with E1. If only they shut off commercial running 24/7 on pool screen!  Awful. 

[kelleherdl]

I haven’t the faintest idea how to spot an EJ ‘paid influencer.’ I see all sorts of folks in all sorts of dress, some chatty, some quiet (like me), some very happy to be on board, some old, some young.  Do they wear signs or special pins so you know who you are talking to. I’ll be honest I’ve not seen one interaction where someone has been berated for expressing an opinion. I’m totally convinced that no one even knows I’ve been posting. I will remain blissfully unaware, and just continue to thoroughly enjoy this cruise.

[Whipsnade]

They are usually wearing outfits (boys and girls) designed to attract most attention. How does that differ from the rest of us?  Just let me say, you’ll know when you see one. They usually are around ship posing for each other sometimes in a provocative way. They are usually quite a bit younger than vast majority of passengers. Have not noticed any since Reyjkavik. 
They won’t co front you personally on biard. All cowards. You will also notice if you post negative on CC or FB you may get viciously attacked by a non regular. If so, ignore. Do not engage. 
Like this post. Likely to generate negative. If so you will see it live. 
They are a bunch of friends up bullies. Punch em once and they go away. 

[uktog]

13 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

They are usually wearing outfits (boys and girls) designed to attract most attention. How does that differ from the rest of us?  Just let me say, you’ll know when you see one. They usually are around ship posing for each other sometimes in a provocative way. They are usually quite a bit younger than vast majority of passengers. Have not noticed any since Reyjkavik. 
They won’t co front you personally on biard. All cowards. You will also notice if you post negative on CC or FB you may get viciously attacked by a non regular. If so, ignore. Do not engage. 
Like this post. Likely to generate negative. If so you will see it live. 
They are a bunch of friends up bullies. Punch em once and they go away. 

I agree, I made the mistake of standing my ground against a lady who seems to hold the sway on one FB forum.  She rubbished CC so is probably not posting here.  Today when I posted a comment thanking a guest who confirmed how easy it had been to get restaurant bookings given what had previously been posted the attack included being sworn at.  She has had several posts removed for attacking me.  However today my price for reporting the post is to be removed from the forum which purports in its title to be "sanctioned by or directly connected to'  MSC  - I did not even respond to her attack but I get thrown out.......

 

I have never seen nastiness like that on all the cruise lines I have cruised on and in all the forums I have engaged in - even the most "challenging" ones

 

So they won't stand up to the influencers, they punish the paying customers.  They are bullies, but bullies with friends

 

I just hope I do not come across any of these people on a cruise however I tend not to hang out in the more "instgramable places" onboard

 

Meet me by the washing machines 🙂

 

[Whipsnade]

Love it!  Hope we all use whatever influence (our money and line loyalty) to end this vicious practice. These people are paid modest sums to come on board and given the largest (unsold) suites, free of course to post favorable reviews and trash unfavorable views of the ship/line. The cruise companies marketing depts are now all populated by 20 somethings who grew up bullying and being bullied on social media. To many it is a blood sport albeit an ugly one. 
Those of us who are paying all the bills have an obligation to speak out to management and our respective TAs to end the ugliness. 

[Dr. Cocktail]

I'm so shocked by all of

1 hour ago, kelleherdl said:

I haven’t the faintest idea how to spot an EJ ‘paid influencer.’ I see all sorts of folks in all sorts of dress, some chatty, some quiet (like me), some very happy to be on board, some old, some young.  Do they wear signs or special pins so you know who you are talking to. I’ll be honest I’ve not seen one interaction where someone has been berated for expressing an opinion. I’m totally convinced that no one even knows I’ve been posting. I will remain blissfully unaware, and just continue to thoroughly enjoy this cruise.

 

1 hour ago, Whipsnade said:

They won’t co front you personally on biard. All cowards. You will also notice if you post negative on CC or FB you may get viciously attacked by a non regular. If so, ignore. Do not engage. 
Like this post. Likely to generate negative. If so you will see it live. 
They are a bunch of friends up bullies. Punch em once and they go away. 

 

1 hour ago, uktog said:

I agree, I made the mistake of standing my ground against a lady who seems to hold the sway on one FB forum.  She rubbished CC so is probably not posting here.  Today when I posted a comment thanking a guest who confirmed how easy it had been to get restaurant bookings given what had previously been posted the attack included being sworn at.  She has had several posts removed for attacking me.  However today my price for reporting the post is to be removed from the forum which purports in its title to be "sanctioned by or directly connected to'  MSC  - I did not even respond to her attack but I get thrown out.......

 

 

 

I'm so shocked by all of this .... I'm 60 years old and the only Social Media I'm on is CruiseCritic ...

 

Is that even Social Media?

 

I'm made of fun by, well, everyone for this and chided for "missing out".... Now I'm not so sure!

 

I've had old friends say "well, how can I contact you"? .... count to ten..... "well, we could phone each other like we used to!"

 

OK, so now I have to avoid the influencers AND the die-hards of (insert cruise line here) on CC.  The worst was on the Oceania Boards a decade ago where you couldn't criticize anything.  I got into some mini-tussles on the Regent boards with people challenging what I experienced but general positive interactions.

Edited September 15, 2023 by Dr. Cocktail

[PaulMCO]

2 hours ago, kelleherdl said:

I haven’t the faintest idea how to spot an EJ ‘paid influencer.’ I see all sorts of folks in all sorts of dress, some chatty, some quiet (like me), some very happy to be on board, some old, some young.  Do they wear signs or special pins so you know who you are talking to. I’ll be honest I’ve not seen one interaction where someone has been berated for expressing an opinion. I’m totally convinced that no one even knows I’ve been posting. I will remain blissfully unaware, and just continue to thoroughly enjoy this cruise.

Easy to spot especially one annoying one who continues to post reviews after her cruise has long ended.  FB is full of them on many lines.  Not a TA.  Then you have TA's who start an Explora page to drum up business -- you think they would have an objective review  🙂 .

 

Then there is the Crystal Society site, which is owned by Crystal, mention another cruiseline and post gets deleted.

 

That is why CC is great..  I think I will head to Crystal and start a snarky post about where is the money they owe me  🙂

 

@Stickman1990  really a perfect time to do the sound crossing.  Many times cruiselines try to do this in July and fail as the ice has yet to melt.

 

Any warnings yet about Hurricane Lee??

Edited September 15, 2023 by PaulMCO

[Waltershipman]

14 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

Easy to spot especially one annoying one who continues to post reviews after her cruise has long ended.  FB is full of them on many lines.  Not a TA.  Then you have TA's who start an Explora page to drum up business -- you think they would have an objective review  🙂 .

 

Then there is the Crystal Society site, which is owned by Crystal, mention another cruiseline and post gets deleted.

 

That is why CC is great..  I think I will head to Crystal and start a snarky post about where is the money they owe me  🙂

 

@Stickman1990  really a perfect time to do the sound crossing.  Many times cruiselines try to do this in July and fail as the ice has yet to melt.

 

Any warnings yet about Hurricane Lee??

Paul will you be on board forctge October 3 Quebec to new york

If so id love to connect up 

 

We might have to wear some identifying clothing so that we remain anonymous posters lol 

[PaulMCO]

Just now, Waltershipman said:

Paul will you be on board forctge October 3 Quebec to new york

If so id love to connect up 

 

We might have to wear some identifying clothing so that we remain anonymous posters lol 

We are not sailing Explora until January.

[Waltershipman]

13 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

We are not sailing Explora until January.

Ahhh thank you ill keep posting on our cruise and also available for questions

[Mr Luxury]

23 hours ago, Whipsnade said:

Well, I don’t disagree. We have been sailing Crystal since Symphony inaugural. Over 30 years. Other ships as well but Crystal always won out. Not to mention old long time cruising buddies as well. 
So many things here we really like with which Crystal can’t compete. 
Bread here best in any ship. Huge pool with magrodome makes for serious swim by fanatic like me. Sakura every bit as good as Nobu, maybe better. Emporium/Marketplace beats Crystal buffet hands down. No semi name entertainers here but we don’t go on Crystal. No actual movie theatre here and movies on tv are geared to kids and action aficionados. But we are usually asleep by 9:30 anyway. 
Spa here is coed but has salt cave as well as giant jacuzzi and steam and saunas. 
So Crystal cannot compete with this physical ship. Yes, the future beckons. But as long as we still have EIs to cash in we will be sailing a lot on Crystal. 

So it's all about the money then.😀