Explorer of the Seas Review
Superbly designed mid-size ship with an excellent crew
Rating by category
Additional details
This 3200 passenger ship should get a design award. Instead of the ordinary round atrium, it has a four deck high Royal Promenade that has the feel of a New Orleans street with a party going on. Shop entrances are along the promenade and bars and a cafe spill out tables and chairs for seating. At various times there was big band dancing (with a most excellent ship's band), reggae, disco, and any number of special parties.
Were that not enough, the activities crew, led by Dan Whitney and his sidekick Amy, put together loads of activities. Dan Dan is part stand-up comedian and his "game show" hosting had the audience in stitches. On-board classes and activities also included sushi making and cupcake decorating as well as a galley tour followed by a free flowing champagne brunch.
This ship has side by side pools filled with warm salt water and hot tubs on the main pool deck. There were plenty of deck chairs and music and dancing there as well. Just forward of that is a large adults-only solarium with hot tubs, multiple quiet nooks for napping or lounging and its own bar. The spa has sauna and steam rooms and a large hot tub pool. To my delight, unlike other ships I have recently visited, there was no additional charge for daily usage for these facilities.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony
Beautifully decorated, very spacious with lots of storage. The bed was next to the balcony doors, which I liked. Nice bathroom with a glass shower stall. Good water pressure, plenty of hot water, plenty of outlets, refrigerator. It was perfect. I also liked the fact that the balconies on this ship are divided by floor to ceiling metal "walls" and not those flimsy dividers where you can hear everything your neighbors say. I never knew whether or not I had neighbors.