If you like cruises, then the ship Explorer of the Seas is perfect for showing you different beautiful places in the world.
The Explorer of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager-class ships. When she first set sail, she was considered the largest cruise ship in the world. Her sister ships include Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas.
The ship was built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Turku, Finland, and entered service in 2000. At 311 meters long and 49 meters wide, Explorer is still one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It can accommodate up to 3,114 guests and 1,180 crew members.
It has about 1600 cabins and has an exciting equipment. You are guaranteed not to be bored on board.
You can spend the morning browsing the shops on the Royal Promenade, learn how to cook Italian food in the afternoon, and enjoy the latest shows at the Palace Theater in the evening.
Guests can enjoy plenty of included dining options as well as premium culinary experiences. The Windjammer Marketplace and the Main Dining Room offer a range of choices.
Grab a classic American diner-style meal at Johnny Rockets, which serves up your favorite burgers, fries and shakes. It’s a great option for kids and teens.
Royal Caribbean offers paid Internet onboard, so you can log on anywhere with a laptop or smartphone. There are also wired Internet connections (ICafés) throughout the ship.
Here is an overview:
Entertainment
Sail to far-flung locales while savoring world-class onboard experiences aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas.
Every night there is some form of entertainment in the main show lounge. There are many different types of shows, such as comedy, movies, and plays. They are listed in the Cruise Compass, which you will find in your stateroom each night.
The Cruise Compass is a handy summary of what is happening in the morning, afternoon, and evening of each day. It also contains valuable information about the port you’re in, how long you’ll be there, the weather, and other useful details about what’s happening on Explorer of the Seas that day. Think of the compass as a mini newspaper that you should definitely flip through!
Take to the dance floor at Club Twenty for an unforgettable night of fun. The pool parties on the pool deck feature refreshing drinks and upbeat music, while the ship’s numerous bars are the perfect place to end the day.
Thrills and chills come in equal measure on this legendary ship, thanks to fleet favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator, Rock Climbing Wall and The Perfect Storm waterslides.
From laid-back lounging in the Solarium to tee-offs with stunning ocean views on the deckside mini golf course, there’s always something to do. Whether your cravings are for Italian classics at Giovanni’s, Asian-inspired flavors at Izumi or steakhouse staples at Chops Grille, you’ll find plenty of dining options to choose from.
Avid learners can enjoy guest lectures or take dance lessons while those looking to party can check out the after-dark hotspots.
Dining
If you enjoy a variety of culinary options and appreciate both fast food and gourmet dining, Explorer of the Seas is for you.
With ample dining options and an array of activities, Explorer of the Seas provides a vacation for everyone. The ship’s restaurants showcase flavors from around the globe, while the main dining room delivers a classic multi-course meal in a sweeping space.
Upgrade to the exclusive Chef’s Table dinner and embark on a culinary journey led by the ship’s chefs. From fresh scallop carpaccio drizzled with yuzu vinaigrette to savory osso bucco, there are many mouthwatering dishes to experience.
For quick and easy come-and-go snacks, check out the Windjammer Marketplace. This buffet is expansive and offers seating in front of floor to ceiling windows (good views!).
Also included is the Cafe Promenade which features a variety of sandwiches and pastries. There is a small extra-charge ice cream shop on the ship as well.
In the evenings, enjoy a more laidback dinner at Giovanni’s Table or Playmakers Bar and Arcade, which has a more casual feel than the classier Jacques-Arcteau restaurant. Alternatively, you can go for sushi at Izumi.
Restaurants
- Dine on international cuisine in the Windjammer.
- The Chef’s Table offers upscale gourmet cuisine.
- Johnny Rockets features American fast food.
- Chops Grille is a steakhouse featuring American cuisine.
- Café Promenade offers a selection of coffee and snacks.
- Giovanni’s Table offers Tuscan cuisine.
- Johnny Rockets Express serves snacks and fast food in a hurry.
- The main restaurant serves international cuisine.
Bars and lounges
- You can visit Starbucks for your favorite coffee.
- The Lime and Coconut Bar invites you to relax.
- The Solarium Bar offers refreshing drinks.
- The Suite Lounge offers a cozy atmosphere to end the evening.
- The Schooner Bar offers a variety of drinks.
- The Playmakers Bar & Arcade offers entertainment with games and drinks.
- Diamond Club members can enjoy their drinks here. The R-Bar offers delicious cocktails.
- The Pool Bar is located by the pool and offers refreshments.
Drink packages
Look at the prices of the drink packs and see if it makes sense for you. With an average of around 4 drinks per day, you should be able to cover the cost of the alcohol package.
You might not choose either, the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage package, if you are traveling alone. However, if you decide to come with more friends, then the situation might change and you might wanna purchase these packages.
Usually you get a bottle of wine at each dinner and can then take the rest back to your cabin.
For children, juice, milk and water are available as alternative beverages. The non-alcoholic packages are specifically tailored to those needs.
Cabins
Explorer of the Seas offers four types of cabins: Interior staterooms, Ocean View cabins, Balcony cabins and Suites. All have twin beds that can convert to queens, a flat-screen TV with closed circuit and satellite programming options, a minibar and a hair dryer. Suites add a bathtub.
The most luxurious rooms are the Owner’s Suites, which offer extra square footage and better-than-standard amenities like a baby grand piano and a large balcony with hot tub.
Suites on Deck 9 have a special feature: the ability to book a spa-like couples retreat with an en suite treatment room. Some cabins have virtual balconies, which project real-time exterior views from the ship onto wall-sized screens.
Families with children can request baby and toddler equipment. Larger families can choose from spacious family staterooms or staterooms with connecting doors.
Casino
If you’re an adult looking for a good time on the ship, the casino is a fantastic place to spend a few hours.
The casino on Explorer of the Seas is a staple of this incredible vessel’s cruise itinerary, allowing guests to gamble while gazing across some of the world’s most exotic and scenic coastal spots. The casino is huge and boasts a massive range of gambling options, including poker tables and roulette.
We had a lot of fun here in the evenings while the kids were in the kids club. There were many different types of slot machines as well as classic casino games like roulette and blackjack.
Note that the casino is only open when you are on a cruise and not in port.
Pools and Recreation
When it comes to fun in the sun, Explorer of the Seas delivers.
There are several pools, including a family pool, an adult pool, and hot tubs. It should be no problem to find a lounge chair by the pool and a place to relax.
Grab a lounge chair or a seat in the shade and chill with your favorite drink. Or, dive right in and make a splash at the main pool. Then, the pool deck is often the setting for cool events and activities, like belly flop contests and dance sessions with a DJ. There is also a poolside bar and music or bands playing at the pools for your enjoyment. During the cruise, the pools are usually busier and there is a lively buzz around the pool area.
Put thrilling adventures back on your cruise radar onboard fleet favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing wall. Thrill to Typhoon and Cyclone, the boldest waterslide duo at sea.
And, sit down to jaw-dropping ice-skating spectaculars and dazzling world-class entertainment night after night.
Other highlights of this fantastic ship include an incredible show at the Main Theater and live piano and a pint of beer at Schooner Bar.
It’s all included with your cruise fare.
Sport and Activities
If you think days at sea are boring, you’ll be quickly disabused on Explorer of the Seas, where you can try new sports or relax in the pool area or spa.
Sports include scuba diving, ball sports, rock climbing, table tennis, dance classes, ice skating, miniature golf, Flowrider surf simulator, running track, gym, and fitness classes.
In the Vitality Spa, you can pamper yourself with sauna, steam room, beauty treatments, massages, hairdressing, manicures, pedicures, acupuncture and teeth whitening.
Explorer of the Seas underwent a $110 million upgrade in 2020. This included the addition of two high-speed racing slides, a redesigned pool landscape, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the award-winning Adventure Ocean program for younger guests and families, and an exclusive teen hangout with a new look and features. There is also now a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and a dedicated Starbucks on board.
Kids on board
Royal Caribbean is world-renowned for its award-winning and diverse children’s program. On Explorer of the Seas, deck 12 is home to the Adventure Ocean area, where children are cared for.
Experienced and qualified staff care for children of all ages:
- Royal Babies (infants and toddlers ages six to 18 months)
- Royal Tots (children from 18 months to three years)
- Aquanauts (three to five year olds)
- Explorers (six to eight year olds)
- Voyagers (nine to eleven year olds)
There is no babysitting service in the staterooms. However, children over the age of three are welcome to join the Late Night Party Zone in the evening after 10 pm. For a fee, they can be supervised until two in the morning.
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