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Royal Caribbean International

MV Explorer of the Seas

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Travis Pittner
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: June 2, 2001
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

We just returned from a cruise on Explorer of the Seas on June 9th, 2001 and had a wonderful time. This was our first cruise and we are very much looking forward to the next one. We traveled with 28 other family members and got married in St. Thomas at Emerald Beach Resort. This ship is magnificent, there is so much to do on this ship it makes the week go by to fast.

So much to say here, there are over 18 different bars on this ship and we hit them all. The Royal Promenade looked to be the crown favorite open 24hrs serving pizza and little sandwiches. The piano Bar was fun to sit at after dinner and Dizzy's Jazz bar is very nice for late night or even daytime because the view from here is amazing. The camber was a big hit for the younger crowd and are open the latest serving alcohol. The casino was very nice, I didn't win anything, but the atmosphere was very nice.

The food was great. I heard some bad reviews about the food, but I never heard or experienced one bad thing while on the boat. The Windjammer was very nice, the breakfast and lunch was good here, but when you get there go to the back to Island Grill. They have all the same items on the buffet line and the line is always shorter or no line at all. Plus you have a better chance to get a seat to sit down at. Take advantage of the room service for breakfast, it was nice to have coffee in the room in the morning.

We were in cabin 8620 with a balcony. It was great. The room is just big enough for 2 people and that is about all. It had a small couch that basically held packages. All the bags and luggage stored easily under the bed and out of the way. The bathroom was a good size and the shower was very nice and roomy for a cruise ship. The sliding doors make it better for larger people. There is not much storage in the bathroom for deodorant and shaving cream etc.., but there is room beside the mirrors in the vanity area.

We attended most of the shows; the Ice show in Studio B was the best. Very good show and you don't want to miss it. The comedian was really good. The cruise director Ken Rush was very good and had events going on all the time.

Ports of Call: Nassau, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Labadee

Nassau: we did the Americas Cup Sail race. This was a very fun and exciting experience.

St. Thomas: Well we got married first and then off to the down town area and did some jewelry shopping then went to this place called the Green House. Very good painkillers (the drink) we sat there for an hour or so and then took a taxi to the sky lift to the mountaintop. This is well worth it. It cost $3.00 for adults to go up there and the view is worth a million dollars.

San Juan: We did the Rain Forest tour. We did not like this that well at all. It took the whole day away from you because the hour trip out and hour trip back. We didn't like San Juan that well.

Labadee: This was almost the best stop other then St. Thomas. The water was beautiful and the sand was soft. My recommendation is when you get off the boat and come ashore go to the other side of the island. There are chairs and hammocks all along there. Everyone goes to the beach right off the boat and it is so packed there. It is a lot more peaceful on the other side. The Jet Ski tour is really good and worth it. We also did the banana boat ride for 10.00 it was worth it.

We went with 28 family members and everyone had a great time. This cruise ship is designed for all ages, but they should but some kind of curfew for them at night. Kids were running the halls and steps at 1:00 and 2:00 in the morning.

Email me if you have any questions because there is to much to tell in this small review. inthesouth@msn.com