Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Explorer Started *Express Walk-Off* Today

sea-cruise

By sea-cruise,
in Royal Caribbean International

Recommended Posts

sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
Posted

We disembarked the Explorer today. This was the first time this ship offered Self Assist or Express Walk Off at the Cape Liberty port. We received a notice in the stateroom and had to sign up at the Purser's (Guest Relations) desk, and we were given an Express Ticket. We were off the ship at about 8:00 a.m. before the first colors were called.

Pieces of baggage were not restricted on this debarkation so the shuttles were very crowded with luggage, but I'm sure after this cruise they will start putting the normal restrictions on the pieces allowed on the shuttles.

I will be logging on again tomorrow due to unpacking, checking emails, etc. Hope this news helps you.

P.S. It was a wonderful cruise. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
aqhacruiser

aqhacruiser

Posted
Posted
We disembarked the Explorer today. This was the first time this ship offered Self Assist or Express Walk Off at the Cape Liberty port. We received a notice in the stateroom and had to sign up at the Purser's (Guest Relations) desk, and we were given an Express Ticket. We were off the ship at about 8:00 a.m. before the first colors were called.

Pieces of baggage were not restricted on this debarkation so the shuttles were very crowded with luggage, but I'm sure after this cruise they will start putting the normal restrictions on the pieces allowed on the shuttles.

I will be logging on again tomorrow due to unpacking, checking emails, etc. Hope this news helps you.

P.S. It was a wonderful cruise. :)

 

Hey this will be a good thing for people that travel light!:D Plus most people that fly are restricted somewhat on baggage anyway so if they can get off the ship first they have a better chance of catching those flights! I think this was a smart move for RCCL to do:D Thanks for posting it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Popping in for 5 minutes here...STILL unpacking...ugh.

We did really like the Express Walk-Off. The only thing is that they have to get the bugs out being it's their first time. I'm sure it'll iron out quickly.

I know that if they put all Express pax in one lounge, and have a staff member lead us off, as they do on other ships with the priority debarkation, it will be a lot better.

We were told to stay in any public area until our express was called, but you know how the passengers always jam the stairwells and halls even though their colors are the last ones off? Well, of course there were hundreds of pax in the way so we couldn't get through.

I got in front of my DH, DD, & SIL, and kept plowing through, saying, "I'm sorry but we're express walk-off and we need to disembark now...please let us through". The crowds parted, and most people were VERY NICE! :)

We got to the gangway at around 8, just after they were cleared by customs, and we got off, went to the shuttle area, and showed our express tickets. It was very easy, and painless for the most part.

BTW....Don't overlook the events on your Compass. They offered a Bridge Tour and a Backstage Tour for any pax who were interested. I did the Backstage Tour and enjoyed seeing all the wigs and costumes! :D

The food was really good...No complaints. I'll bbl and write more.

Mary

Link to comment
Share on other sites
skipsu14

skipsu14

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info about disembarking. We are leaving on the next 9-night for the Explorer. Sorry to go off topic, but when did they offer the tours?! and how much did they charge!?! :) also, what did you think of Casa de Campo?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bchbms

bchbms

Posted
Posted

I keep reading so many posts from people who seem like repeat cruisers who have trouble getting off the ship. We sailed on the Empress in September, we are Platinum peeps, and were invited to wait in the dining room until our color was called. It was very nice, we sat with others we had met along the way, and were escorted off the ship first, through the throngs of people sitting on the floor and on the plant stands, etc. I thought this was a great perk and the way things are usually done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Thanks for the info about disembarking. We are leaving on the next 9-night for the Explorer. Sorry to go off topic, but when did they offer the tours?! and how much did they charge!?! :) also, what did you think of Casa de Campo?

I'm glad you asked that question because I had read horror stories here regarding that port. I heard that it was dirty, appeared unsafe, etc. You'll be surprised when you see it. :)

We had a starboard side balcony. We pulled in and I went out there expecting a disaster zone, but it was all beautifully landscaped with flowering bushes, shrubs, palm trees, and grass. There is a walkway that takes you to the tour buses (if you go straight ahead after you get off the ship).

To the right is a nice "terminal" (you'll notice a light green roof on the building) and there you will catch the shuttle busses that run to Altos de Chavon, the Marina, etc. The Marina is $5.00 round trip and Altos de Chavon Village is $7.00 round trip. They offer more sites, but I don't recall the destinations.

We got on the shuttle and it was a 20 to 25 minute ride to Altos. The

Casa de Campo resort is beautiful.

I can't tell you about the beaches because we didn't go to one, but you can google and find lots of info on them.

I hope you get to see the Village. Have a GREAT time!!!!!:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I keep reading so many posts from people who seem like repeat cruisers who have trouble getting off the ship. We sailed on the Empress in September, we are Platinum peeps, and were invited to wait in the dining room until our color was called. It was very nice, we sat with others we had met along the way, and were escorted off the ship first, through the throngs of people sitting on the floor and on the plant stands, etc. I thought this was a great perk and the way things are usually done.

I agree about the Platinum/Diamond Priority Debarkation. I did that in past RCCL cruises too, and it worked out very nicely.

I hope they start having a lounge for the Express pax to use. If they are going to offer it, they might want to keep the people together the same way they keep us together.

btw....I like your dancing Mary letters...that's my name as well. :p

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I know this is off topic but....

This is the cruise that Marissa was claiming to be interning on with the cruise director. Did you see her assisting the CD?

 

PS express check out is good , they did it on the Navigator too.

No, I didn't see any girls assisting the CD.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
redsoxfan56

redsoxfan56

Posted
Posted
I forgot to post that the Hotel Manager said they are adding a second ship to the Cape Liberty port due to the Explorer ususally sailing at full capacity. I don't know the name of the ship so if anyone hears please let us know. Thanks.

 

Love this! Hope maybe some additional Boston departures in 2009 also!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sea-cruise

sea-cruise

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Thank you so much Mary! We will be porting in Caso de Campo in April. After seeing your beautiful photos of Altos de Chavon, that is where we probably go. Thanks for the info on how to get there! :)

You're welcome! You might be on the same sailing as our senior citizens group! They are sailing April 17 (not sure of the exact day). Our grandson is getting married on April 26th and we couldn't join them because we would be getting back to NJ just before the wedding and we'll have out-of-town family staying here that week.

I'm so glad you'll get to see the village! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

Posted
Posted
I don't think it's the same cruise as your SC group. Or if it is, they aren't posting much on the roll call. :D We are on Serenade for the canal sailing. We sail on April 19th from San Juan.

 

-Patti:)

 

Patti, you need to come with us on Monarch's final cruises in October! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...