Just recently got off the Explorer. Our cruise was March 28th for a 9 nighter doing the Eastern Caribbean. The was our first time on Explorer but not our first time with Royal Caribbean. We are platinum members and had a suite for this cruise so we go priority boarding. Arrived at the port around 11:30 am, a bit of confusion with the parking attendant and we ended up going around the block a couple times before we caught on and just stayed in the right lane to unload luggage and THEN go to the parking lot. Parking I believe is a bit steep at 16.00 a day (144.00 for a 9 night cruise - let's hope some of these funds will start being used to improve the port area. Once luggage was dropped off we went through a security check and were greeted by a RCCL employee who was handing out numbers for the bus - she gave us a 5- we had priority boarding so didn't need the number and gave it back to her. Oh for those of you who worried that you have priority and your friends/family don't DO NOT worry we had a couple traveling with us that did not have priority boarding, once they checked in on the "regular" side they were allowed to come sit and wait with us on our side. Very nice waiting area, but not large enough for all the suite, platinum, diamond and diamond plus members that's for sure. They had cookies out and for drinks coffee, tea, water, and some kind of juice. The only problem was the bathroom was a LONG walk away. I did notice they did not take any of the "before you board" pictures this day, they had the backdrops all covered up, and even when we did board the ship there were no sail-a-way pictures being done. They were having a coast guard drill and made the announcement around 11:30 that we would not be able to board buses at noon. They did keep us pretty well informed as to what was going on. I found embarkment very pleasant even with the extended wait and people coming off the same time we were dropping off luggage. We boarded the ship a little after 1:00 and you could not get into your rooms until 1:30 due to the coast guard drill, so we headed for Windjammer to have a little lunch. We did not have a problem finding a seat and putting our carry ons down and then going to get a bite to eat. Someone was walking around filling drink orders so you didn't have to worry about carrying a drink and a plate and silverware, etc.... At 1:30 we headed to our room to drop off carry ons and then explore the ship, our luggage was in a our room we got there, so we decided to unpack - DO NOT do this - head straight to the promenade as they have little raffle tickets out everywhere, and by the time we got down there (3:00) the drawings had all taken place, which I thought unfair as people were still boarding the ship when they did the drawings, but I'm sure they are on a schedule, so..... Sail a way was amazing, a bit chilly but the rain had stopped for us and it was very clear out - going under the bridge you really need to be outside up high watching that, WOW!! First night they had a parade on the promenade, simply wonderful, I would advice you get there early get an outside seat at one of the pubs and then your right in the action.

We had fairly smooth sailing. The first sail day I didn't notice too many bathing suits, but people were out on the pool deck in shorts. Our CC group had arranged a cabin crawl for this morning, we had a blast, going from cabin to cabin, and the crew would just look as our group passed them in the halls. I would strongly recommend a cabin crawl if you have a good CC group. After the cabin crawl some went to lunch together and then we all met up in the chamber for our M&M. Our M&M was very well represented by ship staff, the CD (Gordon) was there, the activity director (Phil), and a few of the officers (food and beverage) (hotel) etc.... I was very pleased to see such a turn out of RCCL staff and they DO read this CC site. It was mentioned by several of the staff, so we ARE being heard!!

I tried to post live while on board but the internet was so slow that it just was not worth it. I did hear a few say about the cybercabins that they returned them because they just did not work correctly. But not being able to get on the internet at high speed was not a priority for me and surely did not sore our trip. Read more