Yacht Club vs Explora Journeys

[morpheusofthesea]

Today's random thoughts.

The chicken nuggets on the Explora are hand rolled white meat chicken strips, which are better than the prepackaged chicken nuggets found in Yacht Club made of  processed chicken meat.

   "I'm giving you my best waiter" generally means he'll speak English and that's about it. (tipping always helps improve service).

   We were able to reserve our own table in Fil Rouge for breakfast and dinner, but we reciprocated by eating early and they were able to space us out and away from other diners at these earlier times with the same waiter for dinners. At breakfast whoever was on duty. Tipped $10 to breakfast waiters, $5 to helper at point of service. Dinner waiter $200 at end of each week. In MSC YC same deal only spacing was not always possible because everyone wants a window seat (Fil Rouge is for the most part not an ocean viewing venue). And for breakfast I had to have the blinds closed on the porthole window with the sun shining into my eyes.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

Be careful trying new things like Matcha tea pound cake. I love pound cake. I had one piece and it was great so I went back for a second slice (they are small 2 bite slices). I should have looked it up on the internet before trying it out ."Possible side effects of matcha Matcha doesn't appear to cause significant side effects when consumed in moderation, but high doses providing large amounts of caffeine may cause headaches, diarrhea, ... . Pregnant women should use caution." My luck this chef wanted more flavor.

Edited January 4 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Our dinner waiter had worked for Viking Cruises. He was working in Dubai when Explora advertised for staff, out of 1000 applicants and three interviews 100 were selected. He got this position and told his wife she could now stay home with the kids.

  Our other waiter for breakfast and was the waiter at the Captain’s table worked for Regent.

   There is no kids menu in the restaurants, like in the Yacht Club. However they will offer chicken nuggets and spaghetti at dinner.

   There are 8 kitchens, including a separate crew kitchen. Fil Rouge and Med Yacht are one big kitchen separated.

  Walking through the Emporium Marketplace buffet this evening and found every dish from lunch to be the same at dinner.Only added were the lobster tails and suckling pig.

   Leaving our quick tour of the dinner offerings we passed by the pizza station. A lady said she wanted it more crispy. Replied, how many pieces, I will put them back in the oven for you.

  

[morpheusofthesea]

Well the ship cleared at around 7:15. We left from Terminal G and parked across the street in Terminal G, but we returned to Terminal D. Only 1 other couple got off with us. N0 need for two exits like on MSC. We waited outside on the smoking deck across from Crema Cafe. No smoking allowed this morning for refueling . More shore side help greeting us than MSC. No facial recognition had to present ourselves to CBP. 
   Left with 14 suitcases returned with 10. I have learned not to ask how or why, oh that reminds me we had a guest “artist “ magician on board.
   I asked how to get from Terminal D to G. Would have to wait for shuttle bus but with 10 suitcases that would be a whole shuttle just for us alone so I offered the porter a big tip. It took a half hour walk and he loaded our car.

[bundtkate]

Glad y'all enjoyed your cruise and thanks for sharing with the rest of us. My husband and I are at the airport waiting to head out to Miami. We board Seascape in the Yacht Club tomorrow. Your poop deck threads showed I have a lot to look forward to. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for interlopers. 😂

[morpheusofthesea]

33 minutes ago, bundtkate said:

We'll be sure to keep an eye out for interlopers. 😂

@jean87510 just reported from her thread on Divina Yacht club she witnessed 7 groups of interlopers removed from YC. Most are oblivious to what is going on. Unfortunately it is the daily pastime of the "wider audience" outside the Yacht Club.

[morpheusofthesea]

This is the Conservatory on Explora. It is a little smaller than the Jungle Pool but the layout is the same, though more elegant and less crowded. This was last night with the overhead canopy open. The Captain was traveling slowly and just like the Seaships one walks through this Conservatory/Jungle Pool to enter the Emporium/Market Place Buffet. Pictured is a movie screen.

Edited January 5 by morpheusofthesea

[Waltershipman]

4 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This is the Conservatory on Explora. It is a little smaller than the Jungle Pool but the layout is the same, though more elegant and less crowded. This was last night with the overhead canopy open. The Captain was traveling slowly and just like the Seaships one walks through this Conservatory/Jungle Pool to enter the Emporium/Market Place Buffet. Pictured is a movie screen.

A magnificent meal at Emporium Marketplace while on board

[morpheusofthesea]

Here we are seated right next to the gangway on deck 5 (deck 3 & 4 gangways for San Juan) for Miami. Nobody else around, just waiting for the ship to clear. On MSC Seaships they have to set up ropes in serpentine fashion for the hordes that begin lining up at 5:30 am. Our butler offered to escort us down to the gangway, but as one can see there is no need of his service on Explora. On MSC Seaships we have a definite need for our butler not only escort us down to the proper deck, but we need for him to stay with us to make sure we are butted to the front of thousands passengers parked there in front of us and get us through the security at the gangway. Some butlers have more clearance than other butlers and can get off the ship on MSC and bring one right to the terminal and help collect ones luggage, but that is rare. We only need a butler to get us through security check out on the ship when the ship scans our cruise cards for the final time.

[morpheusofthesea]

12 minutes ago, Waltershipman said:

A magnificent meal at Emporium Marketplace while on board

This had to be dinner on our 14 dayer. I understand you guys got lobster tails at lunch as well on prior cruises. No wonder they ran out of items on prior cruises giving guests ample time to digest 6 lobster tails at lunch making room for another 6 at dinner.

[morpheusofthesea]

This is the complimentary ice cream and creperie during lunch time. This spot is the same as the ice cream station at the Jungle Pool. Again, we just finished lunch in the Emporium and decided to try 2 scoops of rum raisin and absolutely no lines. Now there are no lines for ice cream at the Jungle Pool because there is an upcharge  unless one has the kids drink package, but just try to get a complimentary soft serve on Seaships.

P.S. Yes, that is the Captain, in a white shirt, schmoozing with a passenger 

Edited January 5 by morpheusofthesea

[Waltershipman]

15 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This had to be dinner on our 14 dayer. I understand you guys got lobster tails at lunch as well on prior cruises. No wonder they ran out of items on prior cruises giving guests ample time to digest 6 lobster tails at lunch making room for another 6 at dinner.

Yes dinner par excellence 

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a short video of a vacuum of the deck of any water . On MSC they usually use floor squeegees that just thins the water over a broader area hoping for the surface area to evaporate or push it toward a drain.

[morpheusofthesea]

I took this photo to show the only spot on this deck that had shade. Similar problem finding shade on MSC ships as well. The fabric used on the pergolas allows 100% of the UV rays through. Burn, baby, burn to the unsuspecting on Explora. Relief can be found in the Conservatory/Jungle Pool away from the pools.

[jean87510]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

@jean87510 just reported from her thread on Divina Yacht club she witnessed 7 groups of interlopers removed from YC. Most are oblivious to what is going on. Unfortunately it is the daily pastime of the "wider audience" outside the Yacht Club.

This was in 1 hour.  While I was in restaurant, husband saw 2 more.  It's really easy to get in.

[no1talks]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"This is the complimentary ice cream and creperie during lunch time."

 

Ice cream instead of gelato? Quelle horreur!

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

 

Ice cream instead of gelato? Quelle horreur!

The fact is I know very little about the difference and what I am calling ice cream may well be gelato. The difference we experienced was the service. The gentleman behind the counter had all the time in the world, so it seemed. Or it could be that the Captain was a few feet away when I made my choice. He inquired how many scoops, placed them in this gold/silver cup, placed the cup on a plate, placed a spoon on the plate and instead of handing it to me over the counter, he walked around to the front of the counter and escorted me to a table of my choice, having me sit down, before setting the ice cream (gelato ?) down in front of me. Felt like a Prince.

[morpheusofthesea]

Entertainment one evening was Nina Skyy from Orlando, guest artist. 20 second video.

[morpheusofthesea]

Malt Whiskey Bar. This is where our Captain's table, tablemate centered most of the evening conversation around liquor, wine, alcohol. There wasn't one libation this gentleman hasn't had. Reminds me of a Will Rogers quote "Never met a 'man' I didn't like." Closet thing perhaps on Seaships is the Top Sail Lounge bar?

Edited January 5 by morpheusofthesea

[Waltershipman]

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Malt Whiskey Bar. This is where our Captain's table, tablemate centered most of the evening conversation around liquor, wine, alcohol. There wasn't one libation this gentleman hasn't had. Reminds me of a Will Rogers quote "Never met a 'man' I didn't like."

Our server in the lobby bar Sylvestri came up with some outstanding reccomended drinks using Nordic liquor purchased by the ship in Norway

[morpheusofthesea]

12 minutes ago, Waltershipman said:

Our server in the lobby bar Sylvestri came up with some outstanding reccomended drinks using Nordic liquor purchased by the ship in Norway

Sitting in that Lobby Bar area in one of the sofas waiting for Fil Rouge to open for dinner, a waiter immediately comes over to take your drink order. Just like occurs in the Top Sail Lounge, no difference. DW asked him if those bottles are real on the wall behind the bar. He said they were and the first day he arrived and saw the bar he wondered himself how the ship expected him to retrieve a bottle to serve a guest.

Edited January 5 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

This  $80 'tome' was in our cabin along with this magazine found all over the ship. I'm guessing the first few months with no entertainment it was cheaper to supply books. This follows the MSC theme of sustainability found on all MSC ships with a kiosk for MSC Foundation but no mention of purchasing bracelets made from recycled fishing nets found in our oceans. More high brow, just asking for donations. 

Edited January 5 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Day time Conservatory of movie screen. I guess we watch from lounges ? We never did the movie.

[morpheusofthesea]

This is the 'death trap' type of pergola on the Explora with the false sense of protection with this porous type of roof compared to the the better MSC Yacht club toweled roof and backs. And these Explora cushioned pergolas are not lounge adjustable like the MSC YC lounges.

Edited January 6 by morpheusofthesea

[TrinaLC]

On 12/28/2023 at 2:28 PM, JAGR said:

Onil especially!  Meteoric rise from Pool Guard/Attendant to Jr. Butler to Butler in a few short years; all the while with an ever-present smile and sincere desire to provide outstanding service!  I would add Arnold, From YC Lounge Butler to regular Butler extraordinaire within a year!

We second the Onil shout out!  And the others mentioned. I do miss Arthur!