Explorer of the Seas Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,038 reviews

A quick get away to Bermuda over Memorial Day

Review for Bermuda Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
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tbntr99
First Time Cruiser • Age 20s

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Sail Date: May 2009
Cabin: Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony
Traveled with children

Psgs: We are a couple in our very late 30's and travelling with our 5 year old son and inlaws. We have sailedon Celebrity (pre-kid) 3 times and this is our 4th RCCL cruise. This is my sons 3rd cruise. We most recentlysailed on Adventure of the Seas in February. We now choose to cruise RCCL for the activities offered tokeep an active 5 year old busy.General Impressions: We booked this 5 night cruise to Bermuda last June as a little getaway over MemorialDay weekend. We decided to invite the inlaws for a little family style vacation. After a 20+ minutes drive to Bayonne, weparked the car for $95 for the 5 days and headed onto the ship. We are platinum members so were easilyonboard within 10 minutes. We arrived about 2pm so were just able to get into our stateroom and drop offbags and headed out to explore.We both agreed we liked Explorer even more than Adventure. The cabin hallways were wider and able topass other people without someone stepping aside. For some reason we also liked the promenade better -seemed narrower but more comfy.The balcony cabin was just as we remember and housekeeping (Renny) was just great. Everything was cleanand in order and no complaints. The balcony looks as if it had recently been painted and was nice and brightand clean. All public rooms and rest-rooms were always spotless. We spent the majority of our evenings afterdinner at the irish style pub and promenade area. We enjoyed a couple of shows, the casino and bingo.Food: Never a complaint. We enjoyed a lunch at Johnny Rockets...3 dinners/1 breakfast in dining room...1 dinner at Portofinos.. Windjammers for breakfasts and lunches. This is our second time toPortofino and just cannot be beat. The service, presentation and food were just excellent. We especially enjoyed therestaurant manager as he was very interactive with us and other tables.KIDS CLUB: Cannot say enough...this is the reason we chose RCCL. We spent every day and all meals (exceptPortofino) with our son and it is nice to have a few hours at night to have some drinks, casino time and enjoy therest of the ships adult amenities. They have wonderful themed night (Pirates, Space, Un-birthday) and he lovedevery night of fun!  He did not participate in any of the daily activities there as he was with us so I cannotmake any comments on those days. The slide and kids pools in the back of the ship were great - it was sunny but windy the first day and the back of the ship was just perfect. When I was complaining "Why do we have to leave? Can't we stay on board another week?" our last morning, my son replied he could "move into the kids club and live there." We didn't take it personally, just reassured us he had a great time.Bermuda: For once, we did not book any excursions. We learned prior to sailing that he first day in port was BermudaDay which is a national holiday. All our internet research indicated limited ferry and bus service due to the holiday. Therewere two ships (ours and NCL) in port at Kings Wharf that day and maybe as a result of the tourism, they were running aregular schedule. Some morning buses were delayed due to the morning marathon in Hamilton and parade butpeople jumped on the ferry. We did see the marathon, the parade, Hamilton Fort and enjoyed a wonderful lunch inHamilton. All the shops were closed so no comments on shopping.  We enjoyed a dinner at Frog & Onion in thedockyard and walked around to enjoy some of the shops. Tuesday we went tothe maritime museum and the boys golfed. WE did not make it to the beaches due to prior day of sunburns andthe timing. I wil be using that as an excuse why we simply MUST go back. There is not nearly enough time spent inBermuda but was fun while it lasted.Overall: Great time...so great, would not mind seeing more of Bermuda and looking at this same cruise during schoolspring break in April next year.

Cabin Review

Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D1
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