Just Off 9 Night Canadian Cruise On Explorer

[webfoot3]

We had a wonderful time. It is too bad that RCCL will be cutting this itinerary next year due to fuel costs. We visited Sydney N.S., Charlottown P.E.I., Quebec City, and Halifax N.S. I can understand the fuel issue since we steamed a day and a half at 22 knots twice to keep to schedule.

The Explorer was in good shape to our eyes. Here are some comments on recent issues.

1. The mini-golf course has been re-covered and is in like new condition (still didn't help my score).

2. On two nights the smell of sulfur was present outside the Palace Theater. It came up during Captain's Corner, but no one on the stage admitted to the problem. (odd since several officers were present on both occasions)

3. The carpet in most of the public areas was in good shape, but some of the hallways looked faded. (not a problem to me)

4. Not one mention of a 14.99 steak on the menu at any time (no Chops onboard). Steak was on the menu every night (sirloin) and on three evenings strip NY Strip was also present. We did have lobster on the second formal night. The quality of the meat was OK, but not as good as in the past. Overall I would give the dining room a B and Windjammer (breakfast B+...eggs much improved from last year) (lunch C...too much of the same thing) (did not eat dinner there). Johnny Rockets was great with the best tuna salad on the ship.

Used room service once and it was quick (10 minutes at 3:30 pm) and good.

5. Service was exceptional. This is one area RCCL is not cutting back at all.

6. Port issues...at Quebec City the Explorer had to dock about a mile and a half from town due to her size. This made for a shuttle bus to get anywhere. In Halifax we were assigned a commercial pier which the captain said later almost made him cancel the port call. It seemed the Sea Princess was given our pier assignment (when I checked what other ships would be in ports before we sailed Sea Princess was not mentioned. I get the impression Captain Eric does not like surprizes). Again we had to shuttle bus, but it was only a five minute ride.

7. Weather...Sailing over 1000 miles north of New York in September means there will be some cool days (if you add 40 knot winds in the Gulf of St Lawrence the work cold is in order). Never saw anyone in the regular pools, but the hot tubs got some use.

8. Cape Liberty...The Captain said that there are big plans for the future at Cape Liberty. I must admit that with what they have to deal with, RCCL does a really good job moving people on and off the ship. We arrived at 11:15 and were in the Windjammer by 12:15.

If you are inerested in pictures, click on the Canada link below.

Ron

[AF-1]

I see you were in a promenade room. Did u enjoy it? Any feedback on these rooms? My wife and I were on Explorer in 2004; we had a wonderful time. Your pics were nice. Thanks for the post.

Cheers

[webfoot3]

Did not look out the window that much except for the parades. Bed was bigger then a queen (we have a queen at home and this was bigger) and very comfortable. A good deal for the money but I would go back to outside (missed the natural light) if affordable.

Ron

[cruiseinfoseeker]

I see you were in a promenade room. Did u enjoy it? Any feedback on these rooms? My wife and I were on Explorer in 2004; we had a wonderful time. Your pics were nice. Thanks for the post.

Cheers

 

 

I was in a promenade on EOS a couple of weeks ago. IMO the width of the room was really tight. I also thought that there was NOT enough drawer space at all. (this was for a 5 night cruise- 2 woman, but packed only necessities-I don't feel we overpacked at all.)

 

Otherwise, the length of the room was fine as were the bathroom and closet.

It was nice having the window seat looking out to the promenade (well we were in 7311 so not actually the promenade, just before the promenade started)

[pach]

Do you know if they still offer the Savor Luncheon?

[csk]

We are on this same cruise on Oct 9th, could you tell me what you did in Sydney, this is the only port I am undecided. I have read some people were disappointed in this port. Thanks and am looking forward to your review.

[grandsix]

Like you, we also had a wonderful time on our 8/28 cruise.

[luvscruising2007]

We were on the same cruise. We really enjoyed it. And, I have to agree that the service was excellent. The food was good; didn't have a single bad meal.

The shows were very good and we especially liked the ice show. It is a don't miss. Hard to believe they can put on an ice show, at sea in a small rink.

To answer question about Sydney. We went to Bell museum and it was nice but not a must see. Our tablemates went to a Fort, I apologize I don't remember the name, and they said it was a very good and informative tour. I know you will have a great cruise. Dress in layers, it will be cool if not cold.

[summerman]

we too were on your cruise and i could not find fault with it at all.

all staff were excellent and attentive,food was good and the ports of call were varied and plenty to see (don't think i would be happy if they took of quebec and charlottown from our stops as they are planning to do next year)

The only moan was when we finished the cruise and came of ship i thought everything was going great was very organised regarding shuttles to collect luggage etc but when we were through customs and outside to collect a shuttlebus to our hotel i found it very a disorganised chaos situation,no RC staff about ,no signage we had to ask 6 differnt people to make sure we got on the right bus it felt as if RC has had your money and now we want the new passengers.

Overall we spent a night before the cruise in new jersey and a day in another hotel before we flew to england and i would like to say since the day we landed to the time we flew we were treated really well by all you americans and i thank you

[Cruiser Steph]

Where did anyone hotel stay before? I can't seem to find a RCCL approved hotel and such no shuttles either. What did you find?

 

Thanks,

Stephanie :cool:

[summerman]

Where did anyone hotel stay before? I can't seem to find a RCCL approved hotel and such no shuttles either. What did you find?

 

Thanks,

Stephanie :cool:

 

stayed hotel sheraton new jersey night before and the rennaisance new jersey day of flight

[familycruzer]

Where did anyone hotel stay before? I can't seem to find a RCCL approved hotel and such no shuttles either. What did you find?

 

Thanks,

Stephanie :cool:

 

 

 

The only two hotels I know of that offer a shuttle are ... Best Western Newark Airport and Country Inn and Suites in Elizabeth, NJ. BW has a fair price but not in a great neighborhood. CIS is more money but a better area.

I stayed at the BW a few years ago and was not happy with the shuttle to the cruise port. They did not let us leave the hotel until about 11:00 and I like being to the cruise port by about 10 - 10:30. At least its only a 15 minute ride from the hotel to the cruise port.

[487]

Did this cruise (9/11/08).

 

Agree with above comments from OP.

 

Main seating was moved to 1730 Hrs.:eek:

 

Seating for the main shows (2030) was all but gone by 2000 Hrs. (except for odds and ends and corners). I think people got up from dinner at 1930 and went directly to the theater.

 

Ice show tickets were gone almost immediately. 4000 tickets for 3000 passengers I was told, and RCCL let passengers take more than one.......or for more than one show........so some paying passengers got none...........for any show at all......and RCCL considers that fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

 

 

For those of you considering a fall cruise to Canada keep in mind that 2/3 of the passengers were over 65, bringing related age issues, both on the cruise AND on ships organized tours. I was informed this is NOT unusual, and is more common on 9-day trips than seven.

[zorbarick]

Do any of you who recently returned from the 9-Night Canada Cruise have copies of the Daily Compass and/or the Dining Room Menus? I'm leaving tomorrow for the September 25 cruise and would love to see them in advance. I can't find anything specific to the Canada 9-Night cruise. Thanks!

[487]

sorry, i just looked at this thread.

 

yes, i have copies of the compass, but I guess it's too late.

[DaveAndEllen]

sorry, i just looked at this thread.

 

yes, i have copies of the compass, but I guess it's too late.

 

It's too late for them, but we too are on Thursday's sailing. Can you still post?

[cruisingrightalong]

Thanks loved the pictures...we leave October 9th!!! same trip!

 

Lou

[DisneyCrazy123]

I will be on the Oct. 9th cruise as well. Thanks for all of the great info. I will be sure to pack some warm clothes.

 

This will be a change for me. I usually only do carribean cruises where it is warm, but I am going on this trip with my 75 year old mother so we can spend some time together.

 

Does anyone know how many formal nights there are?

 

Laura

[terpla]

I was on the Explorer in May to Bermuda and we had a full ship and there didn't seem a problem with ice show tickets. In fact at the performance we attended there were some empty seats. I hope that haven't started to limit the tickets.

 

We will be going to Canada on the Explorer Oct. 9 so we definitely will dress warmly. Glad the Fort was a good tour. We have that one booked.

[Jake2008]

We are on this same cruise on Oct 9th, could you tell me what you did in Sydney, this is the only port I am undecided. I have read some people were disappointed in this port. Thanks and am looking forward to your review.

 

 

Sydney also has a little Casino to visit if you like to gamble at all.:D

[CasaSmith]

My DH and I did the New England/Canada Cruise in 2004. I agree with earlier poster, there is not much to do in Sydney. The day we went it was raining. We went to the Old Church and walked to downtown and back. Most went on tours outside of Sydney, just long day.

 

We are going back but only on a 7 day with the Jewel on Saturday. I wish we were going to Quebec again.

 

May everyone have a safe trip.

[WehoAtlantis]

Thanks for the post, we leave in two weeks and are really looking forward to it.

 

Mike

[cruisingrightalong]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=590892&page=87

 

For those of you on the October 9, 2008 cruising that haven't joined us on the thread please do so. We have a couple of things planned. Don't be strangers!

 

Lou

[samedaynurse]

We too are very appreciative of the review and information as there are four of us going on the Oct 9th sailing.....we are adjusting our packing clothes AGAIN ~L~ to a little bit warmer attire....your pictures were beautiful....we noticed the trees were mostly still green, hoping we get to see some incredible colors !

[marylandcruisers]

did 7311 have a mini fridge?

 

I was in a promenade on EOS a couple of weeks ago. IMO the width of the room was really tight. I also thought that there was NOT enough drawer space at all. (this was for a 5 night cruise- 2 woman, but packed only necessities-I don't feel we overpacked at all.)

 

Otherwise, the length of the room was fine as were the bathroom and closet.

It was nice having the window seat looking out to the promenade (well we were in 7311 so not actually the promenade, just before the promenade started)