My husband and two children (10 and 5) have just returned from 2 weeks cruising the med on Explorer. Lots of positives, just a couple of moans.

Main Moan 1st

I like children. I am a teacher. I'm used to children. I know they are on the ship for a holiday BUT the number of unaccompanied children (not just teenagers but younger ones too) roaming the ship shouting, running etc. was unbelievable. There were definitely not parents around keeping an eye on them (even in the pool areas) where the rules state that those under 16 must be supervised. Often there were boys dive bombing and ducking each other in pools and hot tubs. If RC see this as a problem (surely they must as so many guests were complaining) then they will have to employ pool attendants. The guys that were there cleaning did talk to the kids at times and warn them but this only helped for a minute or two. I think there are safety issues as well as for the comfort of other guests. There was a problem with a large gang of teenagers that took over the library - noisily playing cards. They wanted to talk and play music whilst they played (not a problem if in a suitable area) so I think someone from security could have politely moved them on and solved many of the problems that came from this group. One night all the scrabble boxes were damaged and muddled, the cards (about 30 brand new packs) all muddled. The 2.00 am curfew for under 18s was observed more strictly after this according to my husband, who used the computer room late most nights and says that it was not enforced until then. Read more