Explorer of the Seas Review
An enjoyable cruise to the Canaries, but pity about the coffee!
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Additional details
Embarkation at approximately 1.00pm was quick and easy. From arrival in the City Cruise Terminal to entering our stateroom took approximately 15 minutes. Having checked in on-line prior to the holiday probably helped speed the process. Disembarkation was just as easy and quick. We had opted to carry our own luggage off the ship and had an early departure at 6.15 am as soon as the gangways were in place and were out of the terminal by 6.20! Travellers should note that the RCI gangways meet the cruise terminal at first floor level and to get to the ground floor you have 2 very slow lifts and an escalator – an obvious congestion area during busy departure times for those struggling with 2/3 heavy cases!
Our first impressions of the Explorer were good . Some recent reviews were critical describing the ship as tired despite the 2015 refurbishment. That was not our impression. We thought everything was immaculate and spotlessly clean. The new interactive information panels on each deck were great and provided instant information on what was on and where and how to get there. The Saphire Dining Room which is three decks high is impressive with excellent furniture, fine cutlery and china. All the public areas, bars and the Windjammer buffet room were well appointed and well laid out. The toilets were always immaculately clean. The Palace Theatre is excellent with good sight lines, Studio B - the ice rink - was another impressive venue.
We had a promenade stateroom [6605] on Deck 6 with a bow window that overlooked the Grand Promenade on Deck 5. We thought it might suffer from noise from the Promenade but the room was well insulated and there was no disturbance. The window seat was a good vantage point even though we were away from the centre of the Promenade The cabin was well equipped with a flat screen tv, tea and coffee making facilities, excellent king size bed, plenty of storage space, dressing table and a double seat sofa. The shower was excellent, piping hot water at all times, with a glass door - not curtains, and fine 100% Egyptian cotton bath towels. Towards the end of the cruise our shower developed a fault but was back in full working order in less than an hour after a telephone call to ‘Maintenance’. Full marks to RCI.
Cabin Review
Promenade Stateroom
Port Reviews
Madeira (Funchal)
A delightful city a 5 minute shuttle ride from the ship. The flower and vegetable market is a must see as is the fish market next door. Streetside cafes abound and a visit to the famous Madeira wine cellars for wine tasting is possible. If time permits and the weather is clear a cable car ride up the maountain is spectacular and so is the toboggan ride back to town if you are brave enough.
Lanzarote
Arrecife the capital of is a 10 minute shuttle drive from the ship. This cost 12 dollars but a free shuttle provided by the town was supposed to be available but which we did not see. Arrecife is a pleasant small town with some a nice shops in the main street but of limited interest.
Vigo
The old town with its fine church and oyster market is a five minute walk from the ship. The town centre which has some good shopping is anther five minutes away making Vigo the most convenient shopping or dining option on this itinerary. there are a number of fine restaurants including many offering fresh oysters in the old town. Ther is also a modern shopping mall on the dock side adjacent to the ship's berth for some last minute shopping.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
The dock exit is a short walk from the ship's berth but the city centre is at least another mile or so away. We took the hop on hop off bus from the dock entrance on a tour of what turned out to be a disappointing city.