Perryhouse Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Hi everyone, So I have been Googling Explorer of the Seas since its refit and now it has come to Southampton I wanted to read some reviews and look for updated photos. However all I found were terrible reviews for the ship, staff and overall experience. I am now very worried as this is our first ever cruise and it just so happens to be on this ship! Also we have not been on holiday for five years so this holiday is very important to us! What do I do.....do I contact my travel agent with my concerns? Or do I carry on as normal and pray our cruise will be ok? Cancelling the cruise or changing to a different date is not an option unfortunately due to work commitments. Also if we do have a bad experience who do we complain to in order to get some of our money back as £4,000 is not pocket money. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Hello! I can only speak from my experience on the ship prior to the refurb/upgrade back in October 2013 (7-night cruise... Cape Liberty, NJ to Bermuda)... Back then, the captain was Henrik Loy... the cruise was enjoyable with absolutely no issues... food, service and entertainment was excellent in our opinion (went with my wife, mother-in-law, and my wife's aunt and uncle). Yes, especially pre-refurb as an older and smaller class of ship, it could have used some cosmetic upgrading/updating, but we knew this going in and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (we also chose a balcony stateroom). I believe they have added more dining and entertainment choices and really spruced up the ship... back in 2013, the only specialty dining choice was Portofino (which we enjoyed!). I'm sure there are more experienced forum members that can answer your other questions... I hope you have a spectacular time! :) - John Perryhouse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Perryhouse, please do not be overly concerned with the reviews that you read online. It has been my experience that some people just like to complain. Honestly, I don't know where some of these complaints come from ! I wonder if it's a competitor just planting bogus bad reviews sometimes. I sailed on the Explorer in November of 2014 for 14 days (repositioning from NYC to Port Canaveral - before the refurb) and it was glorious ! I think it all comes down to what you expect, going in. If you expect perfection then you will be disappointed. This is your first cruise so you don't have anything to compare it to. You will love it ! I found the crew to be very thoughtful and pleasant. Don't let those bogus reviews worry you. The ship will be beautiful, big, fun and you will have a blast. I'm not sure what upgrades they made to the Explorer in drydock but I'm sure they will make her an even more beautiful ship. It looks like they have replaced Portofino's with a Chops Grill (steakhouse - Deck 11) and they have added Giovanni's Table down on deck 4. Honestly, the food is wonderful in the Main Dining Room so if you don't feel you want to spend the extra money on the "premium" restaurants, don't. I rarely do ! Have fun and don't worry. You will be hooked after just 1 cruise ! Booly100, michelle and Perryhouse 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 I agree with WAAAYTOOO... some people like to complain and you may not know the true intent or source (also you know what they say... people by nature are more likely to speak out to complain than they are to compliment). The main dining room food and service is excellent... you are generally served by the same waitstaff team each evening and they get to know your preferences. Even the casino dealers and staff are very friendly... it's not a typical casino atmosphere where they cannot offer any advice/suggestions if asked, etc... You will be hooked after the cruise... that cruise (although our 3rd overall) led to the booking of RC cruises this year (Liberty of the Seas) and next year (Allure of the Seas)! Booly100 and Perryhouse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 My advice is to take any review with a grain of salt. Everyone is different and everyone finds different things good or bad. Look at food as an example, some dish I find utterly disgusting you may absolutely love. Doesnt mean either of us are wrong. Same with cruise reviews. I'd keep what you have, have an open mind and enjoy your vacation! Perryhouse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I've been in a similar situation prior to various cruises I've been on, overly concerned with a number of bad reviews, only to find out that they were meritless once I was onboard. Keep in mind that much of what is reported by other cruises is very much personal and subjective. Thus, what is important to you can be very different to someone else, much like food quality/taste arguments. In addition, I've noticed that the number of bad cruises increases when ships are on short itineraries (perhaps the crew is more tired having to make over the ship more frequently) or when they are moving from one itinerary (e.g., North America) to another (e.g., Europe). I've seen similar reviews regarding the Brilliance and I expect a few "hiccups" as she makes her way to Europe. However, I also know that the experience on 4/5 night cruises is very different than what passengers will be having on 12 night cruises. Perryhouse and WhiteSoxFan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booly100 Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 You have absolutely nothing to worry about, we're on Explorer the end of June and can't wait. Their can be a few "glass is half empty" sorts of people on cruises- I know, your on your holidays right?! Just avoid them, or mock and have a giggle at how grumpy they are, don't let them bring you down. The boat is going to meet and beat all your expectations- You will have an amazing time- look forward to it! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I have never had a "bad" cruise, I have had cruises that didn't live up to my expectations and that were disappointing in some way, but I have never come off one thinking "god that was awful, I wish I had stayed home". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 JTI, I am with you. I have never had a BAD cruise. 'Nuff said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSoxFan Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I always have a tendency to ignore the really great reviews and the really horrible reviews and look at the rest. There are some people you just cannot please and there are the cheerleaders. My advice, this being your first cruise, is to not have any hard and fast expectations. Be flexible, go with the flow and you'll have a great time. Perryhouse and DocLC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perryhouse Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 You have absolutely nothing to worry about, we're on Explorer the end of June and can't wait. Their can be a few "glass is half empty" sorts of people on cruises- I know, your on your holidays right?! Just avoid them, or mock and have a giggle at how grumpy they are, don't let them bring you down. The boat is going to meet and beat all your expectations- You will have an amazing time- look forward to it! :D @Booly100 we are on the same cruise I assume on 29th June? Have a great holiday too. Thank you everyone you have all helped put my mind at ease I am now looking forward to my holiday again and not dreading it. Booly100 and JohnK6404 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booly100 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 @Booly100 we are on the same cruise I assume on 29th June? Have a great holiday too. Thank you everyone you have all helped put my mind at ease I am now looking forward to my holiday again and not dreading it. Yip- 29th June, 2 weeks of heaven- get me out of here!!!! Can't wait now! Just check your cruise compass booklet every night for things you want to do the following day and you can't go wrong. Enjoy! Perryhouse 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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