Explorer of the Seas Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,038 reviews

First time cruiser - great cruise

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
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devhead17
First Time Cruiser • Age 40s

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Sail Date: Mar 2010

I went on a 9 day cruise on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas from March 19th-28 out of Cape Liberty in Bayonne. It was my first cruise and I had a great time and feel like I got a great deal for the money. It was definitely a mostly positive experience from the ship to the food to the service to the weather. There were a couple minor things but overall it was the best vacation I've ever been on.

The ship is awesome, very large, and fourth largest in the world (that class of ship actually) with lots to do, for the first two days at sea anyway. I felt that the activities and venues sort of wore thin on the return trip. Some highlights from the ship:

The food is really good especially in the dining room. Do yourself a favor and don't skip the dining room dinner for the buffet, it's not worth it. I didn't have one meal in 9 nights that was at least 2.5 stars and most were better than that. Now it won't blow you away or be the best thing you've ever eaten but it is certainly very good. The food in the Windjammer (buffet) was pretty good. I don't think there are gourmet buffets anywhere so don't expect one here but it was more than passable. Also, you can order breakfast to your room for no charge which is a good idea if you have an early excursion planned. Room service is also free unless you order really late at night. For a $20 per person cover charge you can eat at the specialty restaurant Portifinos and I highly recommend that. They also serve a full lunch in the dinning room and they have a nice salad bar; you can tell the chef what you want and they'll make it and chop it for you, very good.

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