Explorer of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International
Fast Facts
Vessel: Explorer of the Seas
Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International
Star rating: Not yet rated
Tonnage: 138,000 GRT
Total cabins: 1557
Balcony cabins: 757
Entered service: October 2000
Facilities: Dining room, buffet, pizzeria/ice-cream parlour, alternative restaurant, hamburger joint; casino, cinema, golf course, golf simulator, sports court, rock-climbing wall; fitness centre, day spa, solarium, ice-skating rink, theatre, wedding chapel, children's clubs (five age groups), teen disco.
Voyager of the Seas could be described as a holiday destination of its own. It has a very wide range of facilities for passengers from a 60 x 40 feet ice rink through a miniature golf course to a wedding chapel. It is designed for families and active cruisers of all ages. There is plenty to attract people of all ages. Three and four night cruises tend to attract the 30s age group whereas the majority of people on ten day cruises tend to be in their 50s.
The three deck main dining room is probably the most spectacular of any medium priced cruise liner. Dinner sittings are on a pre-assigned seating plan but passengers can change their bookings on a daily basis or opt for a more flexible dinnertime. The food is very well prepared but the sheer size of the passenger list means that the menu is somewhat restricted in comparison to smaller, more flexibly organised ships. There are several other eating venues on the ship with specialised menus that should be explored. Of course, vegetarian and “Healthy eating” dishes are always available. The best dining on board is probably in the Euro-Italian Restaurant Portofino, but this seats only 80 diners and is so popular that a small booking fee is charged. Room service is available on a 24/7 basis but the menu is somewhat restricted.
There is a wide choice of cabins on the ship from Standard cabins to the Royal Suites that are equipped with balconies and their own baby grand pianos. A tip for families is that they should book as early as possible as family cabins are very popular. Regardless of the price range of the cabin, all have comfortable beds and bedding. All are well maintained and even the smallest gives sufficient room for comfort. All cabins are en-suite but only the suites have a bathtub.
There is a seemingly endless range of activities available on the ship and everyone from the most active to those less energetic will find almost too much to do. There is even an $11 million art collection! Whilst the place to see and be seen is the Royal Promenade with its shops, bars and cafés, there are quiet spaces too such as the Aquarium Bar with its beautiful tanks holding 56 tons of salt water and hundreds of tropical fish. Of course, passengers can always run off excess steam on the jogging track.
Voyager of the Seas is a family orientated cruise liner with almost too much to do for everyone. The food is good and the cabins are comfortable, although there is so much to do, most people won’t be in them for very long.