Explorer of the Seas?

Question

RCI's Explorer of the Seas in mid march 2008? Anyone been on this ship? what was your favorite and least favorite part? im going to the southern caribbean. Where did you go on your cruise? what are the ABSOLUTE MUST NOT FORGET HOME items i should bring? Thanks a bunch =]

Answer 1

I have not been on the Explorer but I have been on two of its twin sister Voyager class ships, the Adventure and the Mariner.  We actually took the Adventure on a Southern Caribbean cruise to Aruba, Curacao, St Thomas and ST Maarten, leaving from Puerto Rico.

The ship is great.  Its like a mini version of the larger RC Freedom, Liberty and Independence of the Seas.  It has about the same things except the Flowrider.  But it has an in-line skating track instead.  There are lots of activities on  board, including the rock climbing wall, an ice skating rink, a full sized basketball/tennis/volleyball court.  And the thing to not miss is the ice show.  Its free but you have to go to a designated place to get tickets and be sure to get to the arena early because its open seating.

WHAT TO BRING:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:

-swim wear (at least 2),

-shorts, tank tops and "T's"

-sandals,

-beach shoes,

-your snorkel equipment if you have it,

-sun glasses and sun screen,

-lotions,

-a cap or big hat for the sun,

-a book if you are a reader, -

-your music player,

-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, -good walking shoes,

-your camera, and

-other personal toiletries.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, etc. You don't need to take a lot of regular clothes because you will spend most of your time in shorts and swim wear. A couple sets will do; plan to mix and match them.

Most cruises have a formal night when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up; men in a tux or suit and women in a gown or party dress. You can wear what you would wear to church and you'll be fine. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. Any color dress or suit will be find and be consistent with what others wear.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

-If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship, bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take some one dollar bills (and also a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.