This is my first review for Cruise Critic. My wife and I have been on 30 cruises with 16 of these being on Royal Caribbean. This was our second time on the Explorer---we went in October 2006 the first time.

This was a very enjoyable cruise. The cruise staff can make or break a cruise and the Explorer staff was excellent. We were always greeted in a friendly manner all over the ship. All the personnel would go out of their way to ask if they could do more for us. They did not wait for us to ask for anything but asked us first.

We drove to Bayonne from Va. Beach, stopping in Maryland to pick up our daughter and son-in-law who went on this ship with us last year and chose this cruise again. Embarkation was very quick and easy. We arrived early and waited in the lounge for Diamond members and enjoyed our first of many cookies from the ship. We went first to the Windjammer Cafe for lunch. The people working in the Windjammer were always friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to help everyone find a table and bring water, tea, etc. to the tables. Our luggage was outside our door right after lunch. Read more