Explorer of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Took the explorer of the seas out of Southampton on our second cruise to the Norwegian Fjords . . . our third on Royal Caribbean and 60th overall. Our cabin, and expanded veranda on deck 7, was the highlight of the trip.
The crew, the worst aspect.
The food was a disappointment . . . something like eating three meals a day in an Applebees! Eight dinners and eight breakfasts served to our party of four resulted in not one meal being served in anything resembling the correct order (for example I got desert one night before my wife had her entrée), The food quality matched the service.
Cabin Review
Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony
Good size and layout. Very comfortable and well positioned for ship services
Port Reviews
Southampton
One of the best ports we have seen to start and end a cruise. If you use the Holiday Inn on the dock you can walk to the ship and have a great pre-cruise dinner!
Rotterdam
More commercial than historic or pretty sights. Interesting but make sure the ship has bus service into town as the walk is pretty far. The downtown areas offers good shopping.
Flam
Flam was really great on our first visit, and still has some interesting venues to see. But they have re-done the port area and it now looks like a cruise ship dock area from the Caribbean . . .packaged stores and restaurants.
Have coffee and a waffle in the dock tavern!
Alesund
This was the sleeper stop of our trip. We used the hop-on-hop off bus the move around and found both the town and areas interesting and exciting. Make sure to get to the mountain view point and visit the outdoor museum.
Stavanger
Interesting both from the city itself and surrounding area. Make sure to visit the old town, and if you like steamed mussels this is the place for them!