Explorer of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We have cruised 10 times, twice now with Royal Caribbean. This ship has just had a major refit and this was its first cruise since moving from the Caribbean routes recently, to serve the European market.
Whilst the actual cabin was good (6280) our balcony floor and glass was covered with paint and the bathroom flooded 3 times, due to drainage problems. The safe had to be replaced on day one.
Service was extremely slow the first two/ three nights/breakfast in the main dining rooms, with queues to enter at breakfast and lunch times. The Windjammer self serve cafe has too few tables at main meal times, in order to cope. This is the same in the pub and snack bar on the street location. Once space has been allocated for the 3 themed (extra cost) restaurants and the Diamond Club members (loyalty scheme) and art auctions the ship has insufficient seating and lounge areas to accommodate everyone, especially on poor weather days.
Cabin Review
Oceanview Stateroom
Port Reviews
Southampton
embarkation only.....done efficiently.
car parking was easy and close to terminal.
No real problems or issues, apart from over aggressive photographers
Madeira (Funchal)
we have visited Funchal previously for 7 days and therefore had a head start on this port. Average length of walk from mooring spot to centre. Visited the town centre gardens, local shops and cafes. Experienced local snacks and drinks. Very enjoyable time spent here.
Tenerife
Took a taxi into and out of centre from port (8 euros each way ) Building works (new cruise terminal)and road/path changes made it difficult to navigate around port area on foot. Royal Caribbean did not communicate this with us. Visited beach area, shopping centre and old town. Not spectacular but ok for a day out.
Lanzarote
3 klm walk ( 1 hour walk) from mooring to town centre. No mention of free local shuttle bus provided by council,from Royal Caribbean, who charged $24 (return) for their own !! Totally immoral towards disabled and parents pushing buggies etc.
No metered taxis available to city centre (some drivers wanted to charge 24 euros each way), they were mainly there for tours only.
We turned around after 20 minutes of walking as path left the road, so no chance of picking up metered taxi.
We never saw the town that day, only from a distance from the ship. People who did go into town said very little there....so wasted stop really and only 4 hours stay.
Vigo
Mooring very close to town centre and easy walk. Large Centro Commercial close by and nice harbour. Easy walk into historic part of town, with fish stalls, shops narrow passageways and cafes etc. Main part of town is very impressive, with wide streets and good shops, nice cafe bars. Well tended gardens and rows of well groomed trees.
From the harbour you can take a small ferry boat ride to the far side of the large bay ( 5 euros )...embark near to Real Club Nautico. We shall happily return to Vigo in the future