Seven Seas Explorer Review

4.5 / 5.0
262 reviews

Lisbon to Barcelona - a Great Cruise on RSS Explorer

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Seven Seas Explorer
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gjewing
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
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Additional details

Sail Date: Aug 2016
Cabin: Penthouse Suite

This is the first time we have cruised on a ship bigger than 450 passengers – previously having sailed on the chic Club Med 2 (twice) and Regent’s Navigator (3 times). So we were apprehensive about upscaling but the draw of cruising on ‘the most luxurious ship ever built’ was too tempting to avoid.

Is it the most luxurious? – we have not enough cruising experience to really say but Explorer is stylish, spacious, if a little ostentatious in places. Our suite (Penthouse 820) was beautiful with superb décor and an amazing wet room – the colour scheme and furnishings were lovely and the balcony was enormous. Even though this was Explorer’s 4th cruise since its inauguration some ‘snags’ still were not ironed out in our suite and, ship wide, we thought some fittings were a little flimsy and lightweight. However, it is a beautiful ship and we never felt crowded or rushed at any time. There was ample space on the sun decks for all those seeking sun or shade, though bar service to the upper pool deck was slow at times – except for Edwin, who was ever present and engaging.

As always, the staff make the ship and several staff we knew from our Navigator cruises were on board and, as ever, so welcoming. They reported that expectations of staff were even higher on Explorer but our experience was that the service was similar to that we had come to expect on the Navigator. Luxury comes in many forms – not just the fabric of the ship and, at times, we felt that some staff were lauding the fact that they were on ‘the most luxurious ship ever built’ and serving the passengers was a bit beneath them. This was particular so with staff at the Reception desk who, at times, were discourteous and unhelpful – we highlighted this on the mid cruise review and received a telephone call saying that this would be addressed and was work in progress. On a 6* ship this should never be ‘work in progress’. (NB a previous Cruise Critic review raised concerns over the Reception staff.)

Cabin Review

Penthouse Suite

Cabin B

Beautifully furnished, equipped and spacious. Bathroom/wetroom was capacious and well equipped. The balcony was huge and was furnished well with table, chairs and L shaped sofa.

Port Reviews

Lisbon

Quirky but rambled on a bit - it was a very hot day so we shortened it.

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