Explorer of the Seas Cruise Review by newygal
Trip Details
- Sail Date: December 2015
- Destination: Australia & New Zealand

From all of what I read, I was expecting more. The ship looked old and tired, very Art Deco, out dated. The drinks package was well worth the money, especially when it included bottled water. The bar staff were excellent, they recognised us and had our drinks ready before we had to ask. Any cocktail you could imagine and then some are available, just ask.
The entertainment was very ordinary. Matinee shows should have been offered, especially on sailing days. Night time shows were at good times but were not long enough. Service in the dining room was good but felt rushed some nights. VERY disappointed not to be able to disembark at Bay of Islands. Our tender didn't leave the ship until after 3pm, took around 20 to get to port and then another bus ride to town. We would have just got into town and had to turn around and get back to ship. This was very poorly organised.
Auckland - I felt as though I was back in Sydney, except for the smell. Picton - very pretty. Wellington - hmmm. Tauranga - best day of all, visited Rotarua, well worth the money for day trip with Cruise Tours. Food in Windjammers - lots of it, but lacked quality. Food in the dining room - not a big choice. Most of the dinners were just like frozen dinners, straight from the microwave, very ordinary. Johnny Rockets - well worth the $6.95, all you can eat from the menu.
The entertainment was very ordinary. Matinee shows should have been offered, especially on sailing days. Night time shows were at good times but were not long enough. Service in the dining room was good but felt rushed some nights. VERY disappointed not to be able to disembark at Bay of Islands. Our tender didn't leave the ship until after 3pm, took around 20 to get to port and then another bus ride to town. We would have just got into town and had to turn around and get back to ship. This was very poorly organised.
Auckland - I felt as though I was back in Sydney, except for the smell. Picton - very pretty. Wellington - hmmm. Tauranga - best day of all, visited Rotarua, well worth the money for day trip with Cruise Tours. Food in Windjammers - lots of it, but lacked quality. Food in the dining room - not a big choice. Most of the dinners were just like frozen dinners, straight from the microwave, very ordinary. Johnny Rockets - well worth the $6.95, all you can eat from the menu.
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newygal’s Full Rating Summary
Enrichment Activities
Value For Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Cabin
Fitness & Recreation
Shore Excursions
Service
Cabin Review
Cabin 7352
Cabin was tired looking. Multi million dollar referb didn't include any update on this room. Mould stains in shower. Stains on ceiling. The cabin seemed to vibrate all night. Room attendant, Al, was fantastic.

Port & Shore Excursion Reviews
-
AucklandMuseum well worth a visit. Make sure you rug up, very cold even in summer.View All 360 Auckland Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Auckland Cruise Port Review -
DunedinCold and windy.View All 311 Dunedin Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Dunedin Cruise Port Review -
PictonVery nice place. Walked through markets and marina. Had fush and chups for lunch, wrapped in newspaper.View All 132 Picton Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Picton Cruise Port Review -
Sydney (Australia)Not a problem with embarking, well organised.View All 668 Sydney (Australia) Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Sydney (Australia) Cruise Port Review -
TaurangaExcellent - money well spentView All 267 Tauranga Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Tauranga Cruise Port Review -
TaurangaGary was excellent. Great local knowledge. Visited many places including 360 Kiwi - must taste the Kiwi fruit ice creamView All 267 Tauranga Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Tauranga Cruise Port Review -
WellingtonTe Papa Museum well worth a visit. Weta Cave not worth going to, cinema room LOL, small room holding 16 people with 32 inch monitor. Cave is in 1 roller door out the other.View All 369 Wellington Cruise Port Reviews
View Cruise Critic's Wellington Cruise Port Review
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