Explorer of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International

Overview

The Explorer of the Seas was launched by Royal Caribbean in 2000 and is one of their five Voyager Class ships. The 142,000 ton ship offers 15 decks, accommodates 3,114 passengers, and boasts an impressive array of activity and entertainment options.

Its schedule in 2008 includes 5-night cruises from New York to Bermuda (Kings Wharf) and 9-night cruises departing from New York and calling at Bermuda (Kings Wharf), St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico.

Accommodation

The Explorer of the Seas boasts 1,557 cabins that can be divided into four main categories:

Suites

Private balcony with ocean views
Sitting area with sofa bed
Two twin beds or one queen-size bed
TV and telephone
Refrigerator or mini-bar
Private bathroom with bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer

Balcony Staterooms

Private balcony with ocean views
Sitting area with sofa bed
Two twin beds or one queen-size bed
TV and telephone
Private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer

Ocean View Staterooms

Window with ocean view
Two twin beds or one queen-size bed
TV and telephone
Private bathroom with shower
Vanity area
Hairdryer

Interior Stateroom

Two twin beds or one queen-size bed
TV and telephone
Private bathroom with shower
Vanity area
Hairdryer

Dining

The Explorer of the Seas offers a wealth of dining options. The ship operates a traditional two-seating dining schedule for dinner (passengers are assigned a table for the duration of their cruise based on their preferred seating time), and open seating for breakfast and lunch.

Meals from many restaurants, including the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Café, are included in the price of the cruise. There is a $20 service charge per person if you choose to dine in Chops Grille or the Portofino Restaurant. In Johnny Rockets there is a service charge of $3.95 per person.

Restaurants and other dining options include:

Ben & Jerry’s – Premium ice cream. Charge.
Café Promenade – 24-hour café in the Royal Promenade serving pizzas, pastries and sandwiches. No charge for meals, regular coffee, tea, water, iced tea or lemonade. Charge for speciality coffee drinks, beer and wine.
Chops Grille – Steaks and seafood. Reservations required and $20 cover charge payable. Smart casual dress code (except on formal evenings). No children under 13.
Johnny Rockets – 50’s style diner popular with teenagers. Offers burgers, fries and milkshakes. $3.95 cover charge. Casual.
Main Dining Room – The elegant main dining room spans 3 levels, with each level named after a legendary explorer (Columbus, Da Gama and Magellan). Casual clothing for breakfast and lunch. Dress codes vary at dinner (e.g. on 9-night cruises there are typically two formal nights, one smart casual night, and six casual nights).
Portofino Restaurant – Italian-themed restaurant with seating for 88 guests. Reservations required and $20 cover charge payable. Smart casual dress code (except on formal evenings). No children under 13.
Room Service – 24-hour menu offering a range of meals and light snacks. Breakfast and meals from the main dining room menu also available. No charge for meals, coffee, tea, water, iced tea or lemonade.
Windjammer Café – Casual restaurant serving continental breakfast, full-buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late night snacks. No reservations required. No charge for meals, regular coffee, tea, water, iced tea or lemonade. Charge for speciality beverages, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Entertainment & Public Areas

Aquarium Bar – Intimate bar with 4 huge aquariums full of tropical fish.
Casino Royale – Features blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, roulette and craps tables (16 in total) plus 293 slot machines.
Champagne Bar – Sparkling wines, champagnes and canapés. Casual dress in the daytime. In the evening follow the planned dress code.
Connoisseur Club – Cigar lounge selling premium cigars and liquors.
Crown and Kettle – British-style pub offering beer by the pint.
Library
Maharajas – Indian-themed lounge. Live music every evening.
Chamber – Gothic-style nightclub. Over 18s only.
Observation Deck
Pool Bar – Centred among all three Deck 11 swimming pools
Royal Promenade – Mall spanning 4 decks. Features numerous restaurants, lounges and stores.
Schooner Bar – Nautical-themed piano bar. Casual dress in the daytime. In the evening follow the planned dress code.
Screening Room -
Studio B – Professional ice shows.
Sky Bar – Outdoor bar overlooking the pool area.
Palace Theatre – The main show lounge seats up to 1,350 guests over three levels.
Viking Crown Lounge – Lounge on Deck 14 comprising 5 connecting rooms: 19th Hole – Golf-themed sports bar, Cloud Nine - Lounge, Crow’s Nest – Observation lounge at the fore of the ship, Dizzy’s – Jazz club with live music nightly, Seven Hearts – Card room.
Weekend Warrior - Sports bar in the Royal Promenade showing sporting events on multiple TVs.

Spa & Fitness

Explorer Dunes Golf Course – 9-hole miniature golf course on Deck 13.
Golf Simulator – Good practice for one of Bermuda’s golf courses. Fee payable.
Ice Skating Rink – Studio B is open to guests for skating when not being used for shows. Skates and lessons available.
In-line Skating Track – Situated on Deck 13. Skates available.
Rock Climbing Wall – 30ft high rock climbing wall. Equipment and lessons are provided. Reservations are required and a fee is payable.
SeaTrek Scuba Diving Dive Shop – Take a PADI scuba diving course onboard. Participants must be at least 12 years old.
Solarium – Adults-only pool area with bar and 2 whirlpools.
Sports Court – Outdoor activity court on Deck 13 suitable for basketball and volleyball.
Swimming Pools
Running/Jogging Track
ShipShape Day Spa Fitness Centre – 15,000 square foot fitness centre with ocean view gym, full-service spa and salon.
Whirlpools

Other

Board Room
Conference Centre – Offers seating for up to 400 guests.
Art Auctions
Royal Caribbean Online – The ship’s internet café is situated on Deck 8 and is open 24 hours. Internet access is $0.50 per minute.
Skylight Chapel – Situated on Deck 15 this chapel serves as both a wedding chapel and a nondenominational place of worship. It can accommodate up to 60 guests and boasts a stained glass skylight. It is the ship’s highest point.

Kid Stuff

Adventure Ocean – Children’s programme open to children aged 3 – 17.
Adventure Beach – Children’s area with swimming pool and waterslide.
Optix Teen Disco – Teen-only nightclub.
Video Arcade – New and classic video games.

Reader Reviews and Additional Information

Carol :

Fantastic cruise. It was very easy to get on and around the ship once on board. Food and entertainment was plentiful and varied and there were too many things to do to count. The journey was so smooth that you couldn't even tell you were on a ship, and the time we had in Bermuda itself was excellent, especially the beach.

Richard :

This was our first cruise so we really didn't know what to expect. Any reservations proved to be totally unfounded. The ship was absolutely gorgeous, the entertainment was superb and there were so many things to do you were spoilt for choice eg. ice skating, rock climbing, swimming. Can't wait to go again.

James :

We had an excellent 5 night cruise to King's Wharf Bermuda on this ship. Getting to and on the ship presented absolutely no problems and was quick and efficient. We had a wheelchair user with us and it was easy to find assistance and get around once we were on board. There was a little bit of rust here and there eg. on our balcony, but all the public areas on the ship were spotless. Well worth a look.

Stanley :

I normally go for a cabin with a balcony, but in the past I've realised I didn't really use it that much so this time I booked a simple ocean view room, which was more than adequate. The ship was in good condition and as on many of these vessels there is a bewildering array of things to do. I particularly like the gambling possibilities. Spent a couple of excellent days in Bermuda. It's small enough to get a pretty good overview in 48 hours and it was especially nice spending time at the beach. A great cruise and worth recommending.

dawn :

My sister and I cruised to Bermuda on the Explorer of the Seas in May of 2006. The ship is really beautiful, and Bermuda was awesome! The Dockyard area was clean, well laid-out, with plenty of shopping and dining opportunities for those who don't want to wander too far from the ship. The small beach area was also nice. The show at the Dockyard was entertaining, and some local vendors were on hand, showcasing the best of the island. I'm not surprised that Michael Douglas and his family spend so much time in Bermuda. The scenery is lush, and the food was delicious. We're going back again this summer!