Sunday, June 15, 2014

Explorer of the Seas June 5th, 2014

Who Says You Can’t Go Home?

Making Memories, Our Last Hurrah on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas

The First Sighting

Who says you can’t go home? We were initially booked on our yearly Celebrity Summit cruise to Bermuda, but decided to switch to Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas around the same week. It just made sense. As Explorer is set to leave our Home Port of Cape Liberty (November 1, 2014 Explorer leaves Cape Liberty on a 14 night repositioning cruise. She will be at sea for 3 days and then calls on Philipsburg, St. Maarten/ St. John’s Antigua/ Castries, St. Lucia/ Bridgetown, Barbados/ Willenstad, Curacao/ Kralendijk, Bonaire, Oranjestad, Aruba/ and on November 15, 2014 will arrive at her new home port of Port Canaveral, where she will stay until her revitalization sometime March/April. Afterwards she will sail out of Southampton) Saying good-bye one last time PLUS the added benefit of becoming Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus made cruising on Explorer a better choice for our June cruise. For us, like many, stepping on board Explorer is like "going home".

We arrived to Cape Liberty at 11:10am and the queue seemed fairly long. It never ceases to amaze me that as long as it seems visually, on the other hand it seems like minutes and voila we are being ushered into a bay to drop off our luggage. Our cruise excitement is high and nothing can bring it down. We dropped off our luggage and were through security in minutes. We were directed to priority check in where we were immediately called on to check in. A delight for check in. We took our mandatory boarding picture. I forgot to mention, this was my first time cruising with my PINK BOA. Mr. and I took the obligatory boarding picture wrapped in my pink boa. (I was to later learn that when the other pink boas checked in they saw pink feathers and new some of us had already been there!) We didn’t wait more than a few minutes and boarded the bus for the minute ride across the parking lot. I forgot to mention, as usual, we over packed. J

We boarded Explorer of the Seas, Who says you can’t go home? Having spent most of our days at sea on Explorer, she is very familiar to us. I’ll say it now, we or me missed our kids, as most of the days on board Explorer had been with them, MAKING MEMORIES & CELEBRATING, as usual. The elevator carpet proudly displayed the day of the week, something you surely forget when cruising. We took pictures of the construction at Cape Liberty (Yes, a NEW Terminal and Parking is under construction for the anticipated Quantum of the Seas).


We were initially booked in a starboard mid ship balcony, but when I saw a fantail aft available we quickly grabbed it. We couldn’t wait to see our cabin. We grabbed a cocktail, walked around some and went to our cabin (typically ready by 1:30pm). Were we WOW’d? Yes. The cabin is larger and has a balcony three times the size of a mid ship balcony. We were told but were hoping it had 2 loungers and a table a chairs you can enjoy a meal at. Ahhhh, the additional happiness this cabin gave us. (D1, 1690)

The standard Diamond Welcome basket sat on the desk vanity area as well as water. Note: we checked a 24 pack of Poland spring water bottles, as usual. This time it did not arrive in tact. We taped it, it was secure, it was tagged, but only three bottles were in the destroyed plastic. L If you want to bring on water, carry it on.


I don’t even remember if we grabbed a bite or not. The majority of cruisers head to the Windjammer buffet for lunch. You can also go to Café Promenade or the main dining room. We took our selfies on the pool deck as we waited for muster drill. Muster Drill, yes, you must go. While waiting, semi impatiently, I witnessed a kid about 20 years old throw food over the side. I couldn’t believe what I saw and I said something, nicely. “Well, it was fruit so it is okay” is what the boy said. He wasn’t fresh about it, but I honestly don’t think it is okay to throw anything overboard. Please don’t do it. After muster we headed to the sky bar to meet up with some folks. PINK BOA in tow, I looked for my other pink boa friends. Slowly, one by one they appeared along with some other cruisers who we connected with on various groups. I was excited to meet Christine & her family, as Christine has sailed as a Pink Boa in the past. Although we have never met, she is connected to other pink boa ladies that I know from various groups. I will never forget the feeling when Christine gave me a very special gift from her and Wendy (another beautiful Pink Boa cruiser who I am connected to online.) She handed me a decorated wipe board, feathers and all. To say this touched my heart doesn’t say enough. I was literally in tears and so touched that these very special ladies were thinking of me weeks before we even set sail and crafted this adorable board for us!


Sailing under the Verrazano Bridge is so much fun! If you’re planned to sail from the area, make sure you’re outside on deck as you go under the bridge. Not our first, won’t be our last, but always memorable. We waved voraciously at the nyharborwebcam and although they can’t zoom in really close, they caught some good photos of us! Thank you Lou & NYharborwebcam!

 We headed to the Diamond Lounge knowing that Explorer hasn’t been revitalized and does not have a dedicated lounge. It is held in Cloud nine, a card room. Wine & champagne are gratis, anything else (cocktails, beer is 25% off). We visited with friends but felt like this was not a comfortable “lounge type” area for us to enjoy hanging out. We moseyed on over to the Viking Crown Lounge where we met up with Gil and Gail, friends who we met on Enchantment 2013 and have kept in touch with. What a lovely, lovely couple and we always enjoy their company!   

We had MTD (My Time Dining) for dinner. We were seated in a pretty good location (yes, we’re picky), but our wait staff seemed to not be as attentive as we’re accustomed on Royal Caribbean ships. Dinner was aok though. We were happy to be on board, so happy we forgot to take the first nights food photos. After dinner we strolled around and headed to the Viking Crown lounge. 



Day 2 we had a meet & mingle at 9:30am. Truthfully, sometimes we go and sometimes we don’t. Our cruises honestly don’t hinge on others, but yes, we made plans to meet up with some. We had an early breakfast in the Windjammer, egg white omelets. We were not very impressed with the offerings and give it an “Eh” rating. The meet & mingle was pretty uneventful. Everyone entering was given the complimentary- neck hanging- pad and pen “thing” and a numbered ticket for the usual raffle. Don’t get excited, they don’t raffle off another cruise. RC Logo caps, crappy champagne, but it was fun. We volunteered our amazing cabin for the cabin crawl. Head’s up, our crawl was to be right after the meet, but since the meet was so early we thought it was better to reschedule so the cabins would be clean (& ready) for viewing. We made up to meet around 11:30, same spot as the meet, Maharaja’s lounge. We had previously seen pretty much every cabin type so when the crawl was suggested I opted out and honestly said why. But, seeing our fantail cabin, I wanted others to see it as well. We really had a great time on the crawl. We arranged for 2 platters of fresh baked cookies and had them in our cabin on the coffee table for all to enjoy a sweet-treat while visiting our cabin. Success.

Friends, Fun and Formal Night, Oh My! We had our table switched. Okay, okay, so we were spoiled on our last cruise by Ivan, our Maitre D on Legend of the Seas just a few months prior. We wanted a table for two in the same area as we had on Legend (by the railing as you enter the dining room). Great for people watching! And, oh did we watch the people! (more on this later) From that night on we never had to wait for our table to be ready, it was always waiting for us. Dinner was good. I had the duck and Mr. had the prime rib. Both were good. We saw Gil and Gail seated with the Hotel Director, John Denton at the Captain’s table along with our new friend Sammi (It was her Birthday and her sister works on board). I’ll hop on board the fashion-police wagon now and say that we saw people in the dining room at dinner in every imaginable thing that can be worn, outside of bathing suits. It made for quite the conversation and was entertaining at best. After dinner, we strolled and stopped at the Aquarium Bar for cocktails. What FUN, as the bartenders there put on a cute show. One crouched down, the other put a napkin on the crouched ones head, then a glass, then proceeded to fill the glass with ice, then pour a cocktail in the glass. The crouched one got up slowly and walked away to serve the cocktail to the passenger who ordered it. Very cute.


So, the next morning arrives and we had more fun planned with some Pink Boa cruisers! Thanks to Emmy who got the ball rolling, Lou from PTZ web cams was set to take pictures of us as we tied up in Bermuda at Kings Wharf! 

I needed a good Starbucks! We met on the helipad, but then went to get some coffee. I admit, I forgot my boa in the cabin. I was not happy I forgot it, but my pink boa friends wrapped me in theirs! We waved at the bermudawebcam and Lou and really, really enjoyed the attention. (Note to self, still have to thank Lou and see if he can email the pictures that he took)

As always we saw our trusty pilot, Faithful bringing us in. Have I mentioned this was our 8th time to Bermuda, yes we love Bermuda.



With only one day to spend in Bermuda we decided to just hop the bus over to Horseshoe bay beach (Pink #7 bus, which is now leaving from right outside the gate to the right. You will see it.) I was somewhat saddened because Lou (barmudawebcam.com) told me where he would be staying and to come visit, but with little time it was directly off to the beach. As always, Horseshoe is a pretty beach. It was windy and they weren’t renting umbrellas, but we did rent 2 beach chairs. ($11 each with a $10 fee they give you back when you return your chairs) We situated and I head straight for the ocean. Yes, there has been recent controversy on the environmental-friendliness of the water at horseshoe but I was taking my chances and swimming around! Mr. on the other hand couldn’t bring himself to be as daring as me. We had a couple of drinks, stayed a couple of hours and then headed to the “Best $2.00 you can spend shuttle” that will take up back to the top of the hill. There was a bus there waiting and although there was only one seat available we hopped on and headed back to Dockyard. Our plan was lunch and drinks and the Frog & Onion. When we arrived there was a huge line waiting for tables. Not being a novice, I told Mr. to wait on line as I seeked out to see if there were ‘seat yourself tables” at the bar. Voila! There were and we sat, ordered and enjoyed the live music and rum swizzles. I’ll mention here that I did miss our obligatory visit to the original Swizzle Inn, but with only one day in Bermuda……well, you know the rest. Food was very good as were the rum swizzles. Well, the rum swizzles were probably the better than the food? Maybe. We walked back to the ship slowly as we could see the line forming and getting longer for passengers to re board. Oh, by the way, Carnival Splendor was docked with us, it was a NKOTB cruise.
On our walk down to Horseshoe Bay beach I saw my PINK VESPA! 

Dinner this evening was at Portofino. Nom. Nom. I am a sucker for roasted garlic and amazing bread. Most days at home I don’t even think of eating bread, but here, it is something hard to resist. I ordered Tuna Carpaccio and Mr. ordered beef carpaccio. Both were very good. Our waiter was smart, he also brought out Portofino’s infamous and delicious shrimp and risotto. I had lamb chops, Mr. had the seafood skewer and we both enjoyed. We shared a dessert because we didn’t really have room for any dessert! (but a little chocolate something-something was in order!)



The next day was a sea day. Enjoy doing whatever you like to do.  Dinner was okay. I had the duck (prepared a different way than the previous night) and Mr. had something he enjoyed. Notice we didn’t get to many shows.

Oh Look! Those miracle soda machines! Note they are leaking and being fixed, maybe.

Leigh & Erky from Turkey, Cruise Director and Activities dude, what an awesome TEAM!


Day 4 (June 9th, 2014) we called on St. Maarten, docked with Jewel of the Seas. Having been here many times there were still things we haven’t seen, like Maho. I know so many happy with Bernard’s tours we arranged to tour with him. We didn’t dock until 1 o’clock, so we needed to meet for his tour at 1:30pm. We first stopped at a photo-op then on to Maho beach and Sunset Bar where we watched the planes land had a cocktail and picked up tee shirts for our kids. We didn’t have enough time to get in the water here. We went to Marigot after learning that it was some kind of Holiday there and most everything was closed. We had some authentic food for lunch at Rosemary’s. We didn’t shop in the market, they were mostly closing, but some were still opened. We were then off to Orient beach. We have been here before & the ocean is magnificent as is the beach. I couldn’t wait to get in. The beach was very quiet. We didn’t arrive until after 4pm, most everything was closed. We all dropped our things in a pile on the sand and went right into the ocean. Where we stayed until 10 minutes before we had to leave. Explorer didn’t leave St Maarten until around 8pm, but we were back on board around 6 o’clock.



We ordered mushroom soup (you have to have it) and crab cake for appetizers. (since I am mostly writing by pictures we took I can’t tell you what we had for dinner unless I took a picture)


Today is Day Five and we call on Old San Juan.


Also having been here before, there are still many things to do. Last time I wanted to go to LA Bombonera but it had closed. That was fine with me because that call on Old San Juan we had very bad weather & just enjoyed staying on the ship (oh, sorry, that was a different cruise! J) So, we took a cab to Cafeteria Mallorca on 300 Calle SanFfransisco in Old San Juan and had Mallorca’s for breakfast (we had ham, cheese & egg on a Mallorca that is grilled on a press then dusted with powdered sugar). Oh My.  We enjoyed our authentic breakfast and coffee. You will also enjoy the ambiance of this cafeteria, it puts you back 60 years. That’s if you remember the 1950’s.  The added old timer in his black vest, bow tie and hat appears to probably have been working there since they opened.
I cannot tell you just how good this breakfast mallorca was, and I don't even eat "yellow" cheese!




We quickly looked around the market in the square.


We hopped a cab over to the Candado area after breakfast.


It wasn't as I imagined. Although I am honestly not sure what I imagined. Maybe I thought it was going to be lined with upscale luxury stores and little café’s and be bustling with excited pretty people? I asked the cab driver to be dropped off at GUCCI, but he dropped us at Louis Vuitton. We decided to stroll down Ashford Ave. and see where it lead us. On our walk (back) we stopped at La Concha Renaissance. Nice Hotel. If you want to stay on Ashford Ave. you can stay here.




I never found my Gucci store until we were sitting in a cab taking us back to Explorer! I don’t understand how we missed it. Since there is usually a pool deck BBQ Mr. ventured to see if in fact there was one. It was a little disappointing to find out that they did not have the grills out. They had a buffet set up with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken (?) and salads. Oh, and dessert cakes.


Tonight we ordered seafood ceviche for an appetizer, I would pass next time, but you may like it. Mr.’s lamb chops were excellent, but mine, not so much. 


We received a half-way through survey to hand fill out and leave at guest relations. We commented on how passengers were dressed entering the dining room for dinner. The Maître D came to our table the next evening to discuss. As we left the dining room that night he was outside talking to others and motioned us to come over. They too had the same concern. If nothing else, please don’t ever think it is okay to wear a baseball cap to a dining room. It is not a diner or cafeteria or drive thru. And, your Grandmother would probably be very disappointed in you.

By the way, if you forgot your snorkel gear or just want to buy some, it is available for purchase near guest relations, you will pay around $59.00.

Acupuncture, this guy was all over the place promoting. The oddest is when there was a passenger laying on a table having acupuncture on the promenade.

Oh Escargot! We asked, we received. The End. It is not on the menu.

One night we ordered the Gourmet Meatball appetizer. Sounded very good; spicy sausage, Portobello mushrooms, provolone cheese, sautéed spinach with a port wine sauce (Yes, I read that off a picture of the menu). You could have fooled me they tasted exactly like beef. If there was sausage in there I would be shocked. Just sayin’.


The Cranbury Turkey Roulade for dinner was very good! And, the sugar-free desserts were very good.

There were only 351 children on board this sail The Arcade was always empty. We went to the top tier event. Often we decide not to go because honestly, I can’t be ready early on formal nights!  It’s the fashion-police calling again, if the invitation states formal, don’t show up in shorts, period. To be honest though, there was only one couple there in shorts. All I can say is I wouldn’t be them. We thought the event was lame. Not as it was on past cruises. And, it was sad that at least half a dozen couples were recognized for reaching a milestone and weren’t present. To those folks who earned 210 points and were getting their glass block, I’d gladly take it for you if you don’t want it!

The couple in the center being recognized, (I forgot for what exactly) were very nice! We had breakfast with them in the Diamond breakfast area. Did I forget to mention, if you are on board Explorer of the Seas and you are Diamond or above Crown & Anchor status, don't miss breakfast here.


It was formal night, we took pictures. We had dinner. Then we changed for the QUEST. Again, a time on board we missed our kids who are always the most awesome team leaders. Out of habit, we sat in the same section we always do in Studio B. But, our team looked weak. Then a family we were introduced to by a cruise friend that I keep in contact with came in and sat in a different section. We knew they had tricks and we were quick to join them! I have a saying, “What happens at Quest stays at Quest”.



 We were so lucky to have Captain Steubing and the Monopoly Man on board playing the Quest! Captain Stuebing was our teams "look alike"!

As we sat at the pool late morning all of a sudden our Cruise Director Leigh Xuereb and Erky from Turkey, activities director appeared in their pink Dr. Dentonesque open flap butt with a fake butt sticking out jammies! Unfortunately we didn’t have the camera! So, lesson learned, take your camera to the pool deck!
Yay for a Galley Tour! This was fun and informative. It was awesome to meet head Chef Mc Donald who had just gotten married a couple days before on either St Maarten or Old San Juan (I cant remember). I even had him autograph my new cook book!

We actually remembered to have Johnny Rockets for lunch! Woo Hoo, on our last cruises that had a JR’s we forgot. I think I know why. After some hot French fries and onion rings, after trying to finish a burger (forgetaboutit, for me I hate half) and then wanting a shake! I know why it is better to forget about it. Truth be told, it was very, very good. We wouldn't eat it on land, not our gig, but it tastes great on board a cruise ship!






We had a yummy scallop appetizer tonight and lamb shank for dinner. Both were very good. As an FYI, everyone should know that at the bottom right corner of the nightly menu there is a section with “Premium Selections”. Whole main lobster (1/4-1/2 but we saw them and at best they are 1-1/4 maybe.) for $29.95. Chops Grille Filet Mignon for $16.95. Surf and Turf a 6 oz. lobster tail and 9 ounce filet for $34.95, Plus gratuity. One suggestion, try the Chocolate Sensation for dessert!! Nom.

Packing to go home is not fun. I usually put it off and keep putting it off. This time we packed all our formal a day ahead of time. It made everything else a little easier (If you’re not a light packer).
Additional Notes on Cruising: The safes might be small on some ships and if you have a lot of tech gear you will need to store it. Make sure you have luggage locks and you can store your tech toys in your luggage under your bed. If you have a laptop lock, you can even secure your luggage to the bed frame. Take plenty of various sized zip loc baggies. Don’t try to bring home sand in them, my sand was confiscated. If you want to bring your own water, carry it on. Again, this was a first ours didn’t ‘arrive safely’.

Synopsis: Awesome cruise. Cabin 1690 was ahhh mazing! So was our cabin attendant. We didn’t know the crew like we used to but the crew was pleasant enough. Even though Explorer hasn’t been revitalized she looks pretty darn good! It was great to see old friends and make new ones. The food was okay, it was easily edible and we enjoyed most of what we ordered. The ship had an air of excitement as friends of ours said. We were amused by the 20something year old at the sky bar in his royal Caribbean bathrobe one afternoon. As well as by the folks who thought they were having supper in the “diner room” instead of dinner in a dining room. We had been to the ports of call but still enjoyed all of them again.

Oh Labadee I left you out! Labadee is a favorite port of call but just know that for some odd reason Royal Caribbean gives out maps and suggestions for all ports of call except Labadee. They don’t hand you a map when you disembark or tell you the good from the not so good beaches. If you want to lay on the beach and watch the zip line, that’s Adrenalin beach- a beach you will definitely need water shoes to get into the ocean here. There are also blue clam shell cabanaette to go over your lounger if you want to stay clear of the sun. These are also available on Nellies Beach. I suggest the Nellies side, Nellies or Columbus….I also suggest a ride on the Zip Line here! It is an awesome experience. There is a lot you can do on Labadee or you can do nothing at all and relax floating on a water mat! This time we brought out own water loungers! Best thing we ever bought. I need to mention that unless you drink Labadoozies we couldn't find any bars that had mixers other then soda. No juices, nada. So, rum and coke it was? It was that or risk sugar shock from a Labadoozie. Actually, in retrospect that might have been the lesser of two evils!

Remember to leave your questions and comments. And, Stay tuned for more pictures and commentary.









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