 Expert Review |  | | | | |
| | | | | Overview
A new "island" has sprung up in the Caribbean and its name is Explorer of the Seas! Second of a series that debuted with Voyager of the Seas in 1999, Explorer is truly a destination in itself, boasting an unprecedented wealth of facilities, activities and entertainment-practically as much to do as on the islands she visits. Amenities include a 60 ft. by 40 ft. ice skating rink/concert venue/TV Studio, rock-climbing wall, inline-skating rink, a shopping/dining/entertainment boulevard, miniature golf, wedding chapel, florist, full-court basketball, spa/solarium complex, and, for the first time at sea on Explorer, Atmospheric and Oceanographic Laboratories with hands-on demonstrations, interaction with scientists and such displays as a touchable iceberg. Active cruisers of all ages-from children to seniors -- will love this giant of the seas. There is plenty to appeal to every age group making this a great ship for multigenerational reunions. | | |  top | | | | Dining
The three-level formal dining room is one of the most stunning in moderately priced lines: a magnificent space linked by a grand staircase, dramatic fluted, gold-leaf columns, golden velvet curtains and a ceiling dome with gold sky burst rays, stars and fiber optics. Each of the three levels is themed to a legendary explorer: Columbus, Da Gama and Magellan, with mosaics on the walls celebrating their journeys. Vegetarian selections (including paella) and ShipShape (low-fat) items such as grilled sea bass with ginger lemon sauce are offered. Service by the international staff was attentive and friendly. Other dining venues include Johnny Rockets, a 50's-style dining venue. Royal Caribbean has instituted a $4.95 per person cover charge per guest for both in-restaurant and take-out dining (and beverages are additionally charged). Want still more? Check out the casual buffets of the Windjammer Cafe and Island Grill; and the intimate, 88-seat (reservations-only, fee is $20 per person) Euro-Italian Portofino Restaurant. The Windjammer also offers a casual, open seating alternative dinner in the main restaurant featuring a buffet and table service with no fee and no reservations necessary. Royal Caribbean's room service options are available around the clock via 24-hour menus that offer a range of snacks and sandwiches. At breakfast, continental dishes, along with a handful of egg entrees, are available both in cabins and suites. Items off the main dining room menu can be ordered at dinner. There is no charge for room service (though a buck or two gratuity is recommended). | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
Pleasantly decorated in warm tones with plenty of maple paneling, and featuring an impressive $11 million art collection (highlighted by the work of Hollywood stars like Tony Curtis, Peter Falk and Anthony Quinn), this ship is very pleasing to the eye. The Royal Promenade is the heart of the vessel. You feel like you are in an upscale mall back home as you walk this longer-than-a-football-field, and wider-than-three-lanes-of-traffic boulevard anchored by two atria that are marvels of marble, trees, greenery and colossal sculptures. Diversions on this promenade include the Crown & Kettle, a traditional English Pub; a 24-hour cafe for pizza and pastries; 24-hr. self-serve yogurt; a sports bar; and shops selling everything from ship's logo items to designer merchandise by Versace, Bulgari, and Lladro. While the Royal Promenade is the place to be for a street-fair atmosphere, there are many intimate spaces for quiet times aboard including the Aquarium Bar, with beautiful tanks holding 56 tons of saltwater and hundreds of tropical fish; a clubby cigar lounge; the nautical-inspired Schooner Bar; a well-stocked library; the Card Room; the Champagne Bar; and the Skylight Wedding Chapel (at the highest point on the ship, on Deck 15). An Internet Center, royalcaribbeanonline, is open 24 hours. (basic charge is 50 cents a minute). There is no self-service launderette. | | | | top | | | | Cabins
There are 939 ocean view cabins (765 of those with balconies) and 618 interior staterooms (138 with Promenade views). Twenty-six cabins are wheelchair accessible. Cabins are comfortably spacious, attractively decorated in earth tones with art on the walls, quality fabrics and fine woods. Cabins feature twin beds that can convert to queen-size, phone, television with closed-circuit and satellite programming options, mini-bar, hair dryer and individually controlled air conditioning. The bathrooms are small but functional. Category G cabins, inside with Royal Promenade views, are 150 sq. ft. (as are other standard cabins) and have blackout curtains and special glass in the windows to reduce noise. Balcony cabins are a roomy 180 sq. ft. plus a 4.5 by 8.8-ft. balcony. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
The Palace, the main show lounge, is a four-deck-high, 1,350-seat theater with an opera-house ambiance. Sightlines are excellent for Broadway-style revues. Studio B's ice rink sets the scene for the cool Ice Planet show with a cast of 11 where "snow" falls during some of the numbers. Jazz lovers gravitate to Dizzy's nightly performances. Weekend Warrior is a contemporary sports bar with multiple televisions and a satellite dish. The Casino Royale beckons with a Vegas/rock 'n' roll theme and 300 slots, 10 blackjack tables, three Caribbean Stud tables, three roulette wheels and a craps table. Other options include piano and late evening sing-alongs in the Schooner Bar; music in Maharaja's, an India-themed secondary lounge with impressive elephant sculptures framing its entrance and a very refined interior decor; and The Chamber, a fun nightclub designed to resemble a Gothic castle, with stone columns and arches and a dance floor flanked by chrome suits of armor. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
Extensive facilities with more than 15,000 sq. ft. of workout, aerobics and spa - in addition to 10,000 sq. ft. of Solarium relaxation - are among the largest afloat. The ocean-view gym with stereo and TV monitors offers 20 treadmills, 18 Reebok strength units, 14 Reebok recumbent and upright cycles, eight Reebok steppers, six Reebok Body Trecs, and free weights with multiple benches. There is a jogging track (five times around equals a mile). The Steiner-operated spa has 14 multipurpose treatment rooms, hair salon and relaxation area. The Solarium boasts a Spanish theme with bronze bullfighters and a bull, mosaics and fountains. Its retractable glass roof makes it possible to enjoy its pool and two whirlpools rain or shine - this and the main pool/whirlpool complex are ideal spots to spend a lazy day at sea or take time out after touring ashore. Other recreational facilities include a miniature golf course, driving range and golf simulators; a full-length sports court for basketball, paddle ball or volleyball; a rock climbing wall, rising 200 ft. above the sea - and the ice-skating rink which is open for free skating during the day, and the free inline skating track; and a dive and snorkel shop, where there are additional fees for classes and gear. An array of fitness activities includes everything from Sit To Be Fit classes to Challenge Workouts. "ShipShape" dollars are earned for participation and redeemed for sports gifts. | | | | top | | | | Family
The year-round Adventure Ocean offers supervised programs for four age groups: 3-5 years, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-17. Young sailors have more than 16,000 sq. ft. of dedicated space including a playroom and outside play area with splash pools; teens, have their own club, Optix, with dance floor, DJ booth and soda bar. Activities include crafts, parties, movies, a carnival night and Adventure Science (with hands-on experiments). Children's menus offer tomato and cheese pizza, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and other favorites. Group baby-sitting (children must be 3 and toilet trained) is offered daily (cost is $4/per hr). In-stateroom sitting must be booked through the Purser's Office at least 24 hours in advance (it's available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., children must be at least a year old, and fee is $8/hr. for one or two children within the same family; $10/hr. for three children within the same family). | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
Royal Caribbean typically appeals to couples and singles in their 30's to 50's as well as families of all ages. The median age is in the low 40's on seven-night cruises and in the 30's on three-and four-night cruises, passengers 50-55 and over tend to dominate ten day and longer cruises. Royal Caribbean attracts passengers that are looking for an affordable, active vacation. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
There are two formal nights per seven-day cruise. Generally, about half the men opt for dark suits instead of tuxedoes. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
Royal Caribbean recommends $3.50 per person, per day to the dining room waiter; $3.50 per person, per day to the cabin steward; $2 per person, per day to the assistant waiter. Royal Caribbean also recommends $0.75 per person, per day to the headwaiter, but we don't necessarily unless the service was special. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs. | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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