Explorer 1/28 review - very long!

[JillyChill]

First off, let me start by saying that we are a couple in our 20’s, this is my 2nd time on the Explorer, and 10+ time on RCCL. This is my BF’s 2nd cruise, and 2nd time on Explorer. We left from Boston Saturday morning, and spent the night in Miami at the Sleep Inn. Free shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and only 10$ per person to the pier. The hotel was decent, a nice, cheap place to stay for the night. We walked a few blocks for lunch, and then later that night walked a few blocks and checked out a few bars and had dinner. All in all, it was a great night, the people there were very friendly and I felt very safe the whole time.

Sunday, Day 1 – Left the hotel around 11:45am, were at the pier by 12:00, and on the ship by 12:15. It was the fasted embarkation process I have ever been, no lines, the only time we stopped was to get our picture taken and to get our seapass cards. Went straight to the windjammer for lunch and by then, our stateroom was ready. We decided on a promenade stateroom. It had its pros and cons, (compared to interior stateroom). Pros- we could see all the action, and it had a more open feel than an interior stateroom, wasn’t any bigger, but felt bigger. Cons- the room was just set up all wrong. Because of the window and the couches, the bed was in the middle of the room, making it hard to maneuver and there was way less drawer space then past staterooms. I was worried about noise, and light, but the windows had blackout curtains, so it was very dark, and there was only one night where we wished the music would stop (and it only lasted about 30minutes) I think it was the 70’s disco party in the promenade. But so far, everything had been wonderful, we were seated at a table for 4, with another couple traveling with us, friends from college. We had wonderful meals every night, and they were more than happy to bring 2nds, 3rds, anything.

Monday, Day 2 – At Sea – Spend the whole entire day at the pool. It was wonderful, watched the belly flop contest, and just sipped on the drink of the day. This was formal night, and we got a few pictures taken and had a wonderful dinner.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Belize City – We went to Smugglers Run Plantation, for horseback riding. The day started out not so great, it was pouring, but by the time we got to the plantation it had stopped raining. We went on a 1 and ½ hour ride through the rainforest. It was a wonderful tour, it was just the two of us with two guides. Afterwards we went back to their palpaya and had a GREAT lunch. Stewed chicken, coleslaw, rice and beans, fried plantains, and homemade limeade. Everything tasted amazing, and it was all natural and from the farm. Melanie and Trevor were wonderful, and would do the tour again in a heartbeat. They picked us up and dropped us off at the pier. The tour, lunch, and transportation was $65 per person. Well worth it.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Costa Maya – Definitely, by far, the best day! We took a bus ride into Mahuhaul(sp) and found this great spot to spend the day. We just walked up and down and found 4 beach chairs, a table with an umbrella, the ocean, and GREAT bar and food service. (THANK YOU PACO) We just laid in the sun, and the water taking tequila shots all day. It was wonderful. There was a reef about 100 yards out, so there was no waves, so we were able to literally sit in the water all day, it was wonderful.

Thursday, Day 5 – Cozumel – We went to the Reef Club. I have mixed feelings about this place. Pros – The resort was BEAUTIFUL, great pools, great lunch, chairs, etc. It was a gorgeous place. There was always food available, which was also tasty. Cons-The beach was yucky. It was nice to lay on, and that was about it. They had water trampolines, but you couldn’t get to them because the water was so rocky. You couldn’t walk or swim in it without coming back all cut up, literally. The bar had a lot of choices, but they were very weak. I am a bartender at home, so I know how much alcohol should be in a drink, theirs had about a ¼ , if that, of the alcohol, so it was mostly soda or juice you were drinking. So, I don’t think I would pay 40$ to go there again, but I definitely did not regret it, I was on vacation and having a great time!

Friday, Day 6 – Grand Cayman – We decided on Captain Marvins Stingray City Tour, this was wonderful. Our captain was thee captain marvin, 90 years old, and one of the original founders of stingray city, so that was nice. We stopped off at the coral gardens first for some snorkeling, then off to stingray city. They provided us with snorkeling gear, lifevests, water, juice, and they also had somebody videotaping the whole time, which was available for purchase for $50. We decided against the DVD, but it was nice. They dropped us off at either 7 mile beach or back to the pier area. We opted for lunch in town, just be warned… very, very expensive in Grand Cayman, but very good.

Saturday, Day 7 – At Sea – Another wonderful day at sea. Watched the sexy legs competition and drank some more. It was VERY hot. I was expecting it to be cooler since we were on our way back to Miami, but it was probably the hottest day we had. It was perfect, was able to top off that tan I was working on. Did nothing but laid in the sun all day, and it was wonderful.

Sunday, Day 8 – Disembarkation – Very Smooth, just as smooth as when we embarked. We walked right off the ship around 7:30. Short line for customs, then it was on to get the luggage. Now you used to just walk into a large room and your luggage was all over the place, and you had to find it. Now it comes out on a conveyor belt, which was a bit easier. Found our luggage and was at the airport within the next 30 minutes.

Overall the trip was amazing, all I did was sleep, eat, and sunbathe, and it was wonderful. I did a ton of relaxing and that’s all I wanted to do. My BF spent a lot of time in the Casino playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Any questions at all, please feel free to ask, I am sure I forgot a ton of stuff. Ask away!

[dwbuzzard]

I am going on the explorer on the 1th of Feb. Would like to hear about the Texas holdem'. How much per hand. Is there a buy in? Is there a tournament? Thanks, Hope we have as good of a time.

[JillyChill]

It was a $100 buy-in, and it was limit poker. I dont think there were tournaments, but I will find out more info for you... i dont do poker, so i will have to ask lol.

[JillyChill]

It was a $100 buy-in, and it was limit poker. I dont think there were tournaments, but I will find out more info for you... i dont do poker, so i will have to ask lol.

[Memphis_Wife]

Great review! I am also on this cruise next weekend! Hi DWBUZZARD!

 

I was very happy to read how easy getting on and getting off was for you. We have a 11:30 flight home and we were a little concerned about making our flight - but now I am longer worried.:D

[scher]

Not a question just a statement. We did Capt Marvins a few years ago and thought it was wonderful. But we did not have the man himself. I would be a little freaked out at a 90 year old Captain. Sorry I need a little more reasurance about a smooth sailing then from a 90 year old, if you catch my drift. I am happy you had a great time. We will be sailing on the Explorer Xmas and New Years 07-08 for 12 days out of Bayonne. I am so looking foward to that. Otherwise we are on the AOS in 2 weeks. Loved your review.

[scher]

Not a question just a statement. We did Capt Marvins a few years ago and thought it was wonderful. But we did not have the man himself. I would be a little freaked out at a 90 year old Captain. Sorry I need a little more reasurance about a smooth sailing then from a 90 year old, if you catch my drift. I am happy you had a great time. We will be sailing on the Explorer Xmas and New Years 07-08 for 12 days out of Bayonne. I am so looking foward to that. Otherwise we are on the AOS in 2 weeks. Loved your review.

[raina*faith]

thanks for the review!

 

We are on her this Dec. the 14th.

[TonyaJune]

Thanks for posting the review. It sounds like you had a wonderful time! You made me wish I was right there with you.

 

We will be on the Explorer November 4, and then again on January 4 and we can't wait!

[number one eagles fan]

Great review. I'll be sailing the EOS in April and doing the western itinerary like you. Do you recall if there is a "caribbean night" in the dining room? If there is I'm thinking that might be the night to go to Portofino's. Do you recall what night it may have been? Thanks!

[Cruisehappymn]

Great review! I am also on this cruise next weekend! Hi DWBUZZARD!

 

I was very happy to read how easy getting on and getting off was for you. We have a 11:30 flight home and we were a little concerned about making our flight - but now I am longer worried.:D

 

We were on a week before this one. We were at the airport by 8:30 am. We experienced the same thing. Quick getting off and on.

[fozziscooter]

Thanks for posting your great review. I am so excited, and get more and mroe excited as I read all of these recent reviews!!!:)

Glad that you had a blast!:D

[JillyChill]

Hey Eagles Fan, there was a Caribbean Night, I believe it was either Thursday or Friday night, but I am not positive. I did not use Portofinos, but everybody that I talked to who used it loved it and had no problem getting reservations once onboard.

[JillyChill]

Memphis Wife - we had a noon flight, and we were at the airport around 8:30.... you will have plenty of time, too much time haha

[diamond girl 000]

Great review JillyChill! Thanks! We were on this sailing 1/14 and sounds like the weather duplicated itself from our week. Where did you eat in Cayman? Just curious, a friends father owns a restaurant there - Guy Harvey's Island Grill, right upstairs from the Harley shop. We didn't get to eat there ourselves since at the time, I couldn't remember where he said it was or what it was called! I was too hungry, LOL!:D

[cruiseguy1016]

Wednesday, Day 4 – Costa Maya – Definitely, by far, the best day! We took a bus ride into Mahuhaul(sp) and found this great spot to spend the day. We just walked up and down and found 4 beach chairs, a table with an umbrella, the ocean, and GREAT bar and food service. (THANK YOU PACO) We just laid in the sun, and the water taking tequila shots all day. It was wonderful. There was a reef about 100 yards out, so there was no waves, so we were able to literally sit in the water all day, it was wonderful.

 

I will be on the Explorer 2/25/07:) . I am looking for something to do in Costa Maya. Was this excursion booked through RCI or did you do it yourself. If you did it yourself, how did you go about finding the bus that took you?

 

[JillyChill]

Cruiseguy - As for getting the bus, all you have to do is leave the "port area" of costa maya, there is pretty much only one way out, just buy a ticket into mahuhual, and off you go. its about a 5 minute bus ride. we just walked up and down the main street (you will see it, its a very small town, cant miss anything) until we found a place that offered the following: booze, food, chairs, and the beach. there are about a dozen of these places, just be sure to get there early, it fills up fast, we were there around 10:30 and it was almost full. No matter where you go, you will have fun, Mahuhual is beautiful.

 

Diamond Girl - We ate at this little place called hammer heads, right near the pier, good food, good drinks, just very expensive (like every other place in grand cayman) GREAT view of the ships and ocean.,

[Deaner13]

Wednesday, Day 4 – Costa Maya – Definitely, by far, the best day! We took a bus ride into Mahuhaul(sp) and found this great spot to spend the day. We just walked up and down and found 4 beach chairs, a table with an umbrella, the ocean, and GREAT bar and food service. (THANK YOU PACO) We just laid in the sun, and the water taking tequila shots all day. It was wonderful. There was a reef about 100 yards out, so there was no waves, so we were able to literally sit in the water all day, it was wonderful.

 

 

I will be on the Explorer 2/25/07:) . I am looking for something to do in Costa Maya. Was this excursion booked through RCI or did you do it yourself. If you did it yourself, how did you go about finding the bus that took you?

 

 

I was also on this cruise last week. Costa Maya was by far our favorite port. Take the bus into Mahahual ($3 per person) and go to a restaurant called the Cat's Meow. It is pretty close to the front where the bus lets you off. The tables are right on the beach and you can sit there all day and drink and eat and swim. The food is excellent and they have really good prices. And the owner is super nice and will come out and talk to you. Then right next door is a place where you can get a 45 minute massage for $20. It was the most fun we had the whole cruise. If you get there by 10am you should be able to get a table. When you are ready to leave there are plenty of taxis to take you back for only $2 per person.

[Deaner13]

Double post.

[emilymad]

Thanks for the review! I am on the 2/25/07 sailing as well. It will be our first time in a promenade cabin and I was a little worried about noise so I am glad to hear that it wasn't really a problem.

 

Do you remember which night was lobster night?

 

 

At Costa Maya was the beach big enough to lay on the beach with lounge chairs or was it more regular tables?

 

Thanks! :)

[vmom]

Do you remember which night was lobster night?

 

 

Thanks! :)

 

Lobster night was the second formal night which was Friday, the day at Grand Cayman.

[WestchesterCruiseFan]

I won't be on Explorer until December :( What were some of your favorite items in the dining room?

[vesw01]

How much was Captain Marvins tour?

[jmnieves]

I was on the 1/28 sailing and the "Caribbean Night" was replaced with a new "Get Out There" menu. Our server stated that this was the first time RC had changed the menu in the 6 years he has worked for them. Our server stated the reason why "Caribbean night" was changed to "Get Out There" was because it was the least favorite night in the dining room.

I can’t remember what was on the menu that night, but EVERY night the food in the dining room was great!

[JillyChill]

Vesw - capt marvins was $35, transportation, water, juice, snorkeling gear were all included.

 

Westchester - my favorite was the escargot.... yummy!!

 

emily - there was enough room for tables and umbrellas, and lounge chairs