Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

Just checking.

I checked cruisecritic but the reviews are varied and I wanted a peer's info.

TIA

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

Yes, and loved it.

We were on a 9 night cruise from Bayonne, NJ.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

I have. It was nice. Huge ship.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

We have been on it three times. We love it.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

I was on it November of 2010 from Bayonne to the Caribbean. Had a great time.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

I was just on it for New Years - if you have specific questions, let me know.

I previously sailed all Celebrity so I am biased because I really loved the attention to service and the quality of the food.

When I was on the ship, many people were a bit put off by the quality of service. It was the complaint I heard the whole week while we were on the ship.

The only things I experienced was that it took a few days for the waiters to "get" what you liked and they didn't go out of their way to bring you an "extra" this or that... Breakfast was really slow in the main dining room but lunch was phenomenal. The Windjammer was not my taste, IMO. Didn't enjoy eating there.

In terms of the room, I asked for ice the first day and it took three times to get it from the front desk. And, had to keep repeatedly asking for it. But other than that, she was good - just not very visible as the stewards are on Celebrity.

My experience on Celebrity is that if you even mentioned that you liked something, it would be there every day for you.

Now, that said, I thought the ship had a lot of nice things to do - mini golf, rock wall, great jazz club, good pool, entertainment was good, great promenade.

I think if you are easy going (like we are) you will have a great time. If you are used to a certain level, you may be put off.

I definitely recommend it.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

Loved the Explorer! We went with my in-laws back in 2009 & had a wonderful time! They enjoyed the ship so much that they went on it another 3 or 4 times.

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

Thanks so much all!

I should have included more info in my original post, but I've already been on the Mariner and Adventure (sister ships.) I LOVE this class of ship - so much to do.

I was mainly concerned about reports of a sewage type smell on the port side of the ship that seems to have been going on for years on cruisecritic. Some reviews mention it and others don't. I think I will book starboard just to be safe.

I also was concerned about the age of the ship.

I don't know why I didn't say this from the beginning - braindead move on my part.

I am guessing since you all had good experiences no one smelled the sewage.

I am an easygoing cruiser so I'm not worried about expectations and imperfections. DH is a different story. His only experience on a cruise was a disastrous trip with his ex and I am trying to persuade him that it can be a much different experience. (I know the line, ship, and itinerary he went on so I know it was an isolated thing. Plus I'm not his ex. )

Re: Long shot, but has anyone sailed RCI's Explorer of the Seas?

Oh yes, we did smell that from time to time...especially getting off the ship. But not enough not to book.

There were some areas that needed freshening up, but they keep it pretty nice. I heard while on the ship that they may dry dock it soon.