We got a ride to the port from our homes in RI and MA and check-in was very easy and efficient with a short wait to board. We were ushered to the Windjammer for lunch since our cabin wouldn't be ready until 2:00 and we enjoyed a very nice lunch with window table and it became OUR table because we got the same table every single time we went to the Windjammer! We thought the variety of choices and quality of the food were very good as buffets go. We explored the ship for a while and then went to our cabin and met our wonderful steward, Joel. He always had a smile and cheerful word and took excellent care of us throughout. The space in the room was more than adequate with plenty of storage and a great little bathroom with circular glass door shower and of course a great balcony which we enjoyed using every day. There was more than enough room for two women and all the tons of stuff we tend to bring! The ship: Explorer is just beautiful with a fabulous open atrium, the Promenade, and the pool deck is huge with two very large pools (and four hot tubs) and also a separate pool for adults only, which is a very thoughtful addition. The decor on the ship is pretty understated and attractive by cruise ship standards and immaculately clean. Entertainment: We went to a couple of shows which were fun but nothing terribly special--the usual song and dance "broadway" style productions. The ice show was a lot of fun, elaborately produced, and very well done. That is a must see. The various games were a lot of fun especially the hilarious Love & Marriage Game and daughter and I enjoyed the scrapbooking classes and the trivia games every day. Fitness Center: Daughter did the elliptical in the a.m. while I attended the Vitality Stretch class and it was excellent. A real workout but felt GOOD. The gym had plenty of equipment for everybody and was bright (with water views all around)and very clean. There is also a hot tub there and the spa is upstairs. Food: We chose the My Time Dining which worked extremely well. We were always seated at a table with different people each night and it was fun to meet so many different people. The food was quite good and very nicely presented. Desserts were disappointing since every single one was totally tasteless but we didn't mind since dessert wasn't our priority anyway. Service in the dining room and Windjammer is excellent---the wait staff throughout the ship could not be more polite, helpful and pleasant. We ate one night at Portofino which was excellent, start to finish. It is well worth the extra charge. We also ate at Johnny Rockets once which was fun---the usual burger and shake meal--but we were virtually the only diners when we were there. I think the location might be a problem, tucked away from everything and far from the beaten path. Ports: We shopped in Bermuda and also explored the Dockyard. Had a terrific beach tour in St. Martin at Boo Boo Jam's Beach Bar with a beautiful beach and oh, that heavenly Caribbean water to swim in. At the St. Thomas stop we took a ferry over to St. John and swam and snorkeled at Trunk Bay which has got to be one of the most gorgeous spots on earth. The biggest surprise awaited, though--in San Juan. Old San Juan is just wonderful---charming little cobblestone streets and old buildings painted in pastel colors and the fort is fascinating. We LOVED Old San Juan and wish we had more time to spend there---a half day just wasn't long enough. Fellow passengers: The ship was full and over 3,000 people makes for a crowd but fortunately the ship is so big it absorbs everyone fairly well. There were a very large number of very elderly on board with walkers, quad canes, electric carts and one had to "go with the flow" much of the time and the flow was SLOW but no problem really. We saw very few young kids but the few on board appeared to be having a great time. We had absolutely perfect weather every single day and made the most of it. We also had unusually calm seas every day and were so lucky in that regard. Everything was just about perfect. Everything that is until disembarkation and then all hell broke loose. We thought we would be very clever and do the "express" and carry our own luggage off which seemed like a good idea and a quick way to exit and boy it was anything but. An absolute nightmare. An unusually large number of passengers chose that since we had such a late arrival at Cape Liberty (see below) and we were herded into Studio B which was actually an uncomfortable waiting area considering we were stuck there two hours. We were sent off in small groups by number, little by little, which was incredibly confusing and the whole process was exhausting. We thought we were so clever by signing on for that and would actually walk off the ship right away but no. Never again on that one. As for the reason for late arrival, sadly there was a tragedy the night we sailed from San Juan when one of the crew jumped overboard. The ship turned around and spent about nine hours (aided by the US Coast Guard) looking for him but sadly he was never found. I have nothing but the highest praise for the Captain and crew with the way they handled the situation by keeping us informed with regular PA announcements and also a letter in our staterooms. They went out of their way to alleviate the anxiety and the crew behaved in a totally professional and compassionate way. It must have been incredibly difficult for them to carry on, smiling and serving everyone's needs without complaint, when such a tragedy had happened to one of their own. All in all, we had a fantastic time and will definitely sail on RCL again.