Explorer of the Seas makes maiden call to Newcastle, Australia

In:
11 Feb 2019

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas made its maiden call to Port of Newcastle on Sunday, February 10.

Explorer of the Seas is the third largest cruise ship based in Australia. It’s estimated the megaliner’s visit injected more than $600,000 in a single day into the Newcastle, Hunter and Port Stephens regional economies in passenger spend alone.

Royal Caribbean’s managing director Susan Bonner said that Explorer of the Seas’ call is one of four to the Port of Newcastle for the 2018/19 cruise season by Royal Caribbean International and sister brands.

“Newcastle’s vibrant city centre coupled with easy access to world class beaches, coastal countryside and rolling vineyards makes it an incredibly popular port of call amongst both our Australian and international guests. We receive consistently positive feedback from our guests about their time in Newcastle, particularly for friendliness of locals,” said Ms Bonner.

“We’re delighted to be bringing Explorer of the Seas to Newcastle twice this season, returning on Saturday 16 February. Our sister company Celebrity Cruises has called at Newcastle twice already this summer, and looking ahead to next season, we can’t wait to bring our guests here on four occasions”.

Photo tour of Junior Suite stateroom on Explorer of the Seas

In:
21 Jul 2018

Lots of Royal Caribbean fans relish a stay in a Junior Suite (JS) and today, we have a look at one of the Junior Suites from Explorer of the Seas to give you an idea of what to expect if you book a similar stateroom.

We stayed in this particular room aboard a June 2018 Explorer of the Seas sailing from Seattle, Washington. These photos come from stateroom 9614 on deck 9, which is on the "hump" of the ship.

This type of Junior Suite offers 277 square feet of living space.

A private balcony offers 50 square feet of space outside.

Top 8 Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas hidden secrets

In:
05 Jul 2018

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas offers sailings that span the globe and we have a few lesser-known tidbits about Explorer of the Seas that you may want to know about prior to getting onboard.

Hot tub in the spa

Walking around Explorer of the Seas' pool deck, you will find some great pool options including the ever popular hot tub.  Did you know there is a bonus hot tub in the Vitality Fitness Center that you can use anytime?

Located at the entrance of the Fitness Center is a rather large hot tub that is available for use by all guests. Not only is this hot tub larger than the ones on the pool deck, but it also is great if the weather outdoors is not exactly pool weather.

Complimentary sauna and steam rooms

Speaking of the Fitness Center, Explorer of the Seas also offers complimentary steam room and sauna room access.

Right across from the aforementioned hot tub is the Fitness Center changing rooms, which also have access to the steam and sauna rooms.  Feel free to use either venue during your cruise, as there is no additional cost to them on Explorer of the Seas.

Restrooms with a view

In places like Alaska, where the view outdoors never ceases to amaze, you may want a great view outdoors all the time.  On Explorer of the Seas, the men's and women's restroom on deck 11 aft offer not only the necessary facilities, but also a fantastic view outside.

A floor-to-ceiling window greets guests in the public restroom outside the Windjammer.

Peek-A-Boo bridge

One of the best features of Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships has to be is the Peek-A-Boo bridge feature, where guests can peer into the bridge of Explorer of the Seas almost any time.

The observation window allows guests to look down onto the bridge and observe what the officers are up to in their daily navigational duties.  

To reach the Peek-A-Boo bridge, head up to deck 11 and walk past the sliding doors that go forward of the Solarium and do not seem to lead anywhere.

From there, keep walking forward until you reach the front of the deck and you will see an area that provides a view of the bridge.

Find the ship's Godmother

It is not difficult to locate, but there is a small plaque notating Explorer of the Seas' Godmother, Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Every Royal Caribbean cruise ship has a ceremonial Godmother, who is selected to christen a new cruise ship when it launches.  Joyner-Kersee, who became the first woman to score 7,000 points in the 1986 heptathlon, was the second Olympian to christen a Royal Caribbean ship, following figure skater Katarina Witt.

You can find a plaque dedicated to Ms. Joyner-Kersee on Deck 4 near the aft elevator bank.

Couch in Windjammer

If you are looking for arguably the most comfortable spot to enjoy the many bounties found in the Windjammer, try one of the tables that offers couch seating.

Towards the back of the Windjammer in the aft seating area, you will find a few tables that offer a couch on either side of the table. Don't dawdle, because these seats go quickly.

Main dining room design

While dining in the main dining room, be sure to check out the amazing art and design of the main dining room of Explorer of the Seas.

The stunning three-level formal dining room on Explorer of the Seas is linked by a grand staircase, dramatic fluted, gold-leaf columns, golden velvet curtains, and a domed ceiling with a gold sky burst rays. The Sapphire Dining Room features a gilded sunburst of gold and silver leaf that bathes the three-story dining room in a luxurious glow.

A series of intricate mosaics adorn the walls (covering an area of 663 sq. ft.) of the dining rooms. The murals, rendered in stone and glass mosaic, depict the constellations in the night skies present at the time of their global discoveries.

Helipad

Whether you are looking for the perfect spot for sail away, or just a great place to enjoy the view, Explorer of the Seas' helipad is the perfect location.

Located on the bow, guests can walk to the helicopter pad and enjoy the unobstructed views that you can only get from the helicopter pad. 

From the helicopter pad, guests can enjoy a near 360-degree view of what is surrounding Explorer of the Seas.

To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 5 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.

Did we miss any Explorer of the Seas secrets? Share them in our comments!

Royal Caribbean released a new six-night Tasmania sailing onboard Explorer of the Seas

In:
04 May 2017

Royal Caribbean has released a new six-night Tasmania cruise onboard Explorer of the Seas for later this year.

Departing Sydney on Saturday, December 9, 2017, the six-night round-trip cruise includes two port days and three days at sea. The voyage calls to Hobart, Tasmania and Melbourne, Australia.

“Many of our new customers opt for shorter cruises of up to six nights for their first time at sea, and once they get a taste for the fun, convenience and value of ocean cruising with Royal - they’re hooked!” said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australia and NZ.

“This cruise offers guests the perfect way to explore our own beautiful backyard, while treating themselves to the huge range of dining, entertainment and activities onboard,” Armstrong concluded.

Design Beauty: Main dining room on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas

In:
25 Aug 2016

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are as beautiful to look as they are fun to cruise aboard, and the sheer beauty of these ships should not be overlooked by guests.  Royal Caribbean designed its cruise ships to be innovative, both in what they offer for guests to do, as well as design.  Where other cruise lines tend to base their ship designs on past patterns, Royal Caribbean has created its own tradition.

Given how recognizable Royal Caribbean ships are, this is the first in a series of blog posts to look at the beautiful designs that encompass a Royal Caribbean ship.  Hopefully this will provide insight into the design of these areas, as well as highlight the beautiful and creative designs that shape these magnificent ships.

A focal point of the cruise experience is dinner, and Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas has perhaps one of the most striking dining rooms available in its main dining room. Today it is simply the Sapphire Dining Room, but for many years it had a different name that helps explain why its dining room looks the way that it does.

The stunning three-level formal dining room on Explorer of the Seas is linked by a grand staircase, dramatic fluted, gold-leaf columns, golden velvet curtains, and a domed ceiling with a gold sky burst rays. The Sapphire Dining Room features a gilded sunburst of gold and silver leaf that bathes the three-story dining room in a luxurious glow. 

Lush carpets, classical music and white glove service all accentuate the terrific food served in here.

Prior to being renamed to the Sapphire Dining Room, each floor of the dining room bore the name of a famous explorer from history: Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco de Gama.  A series of intricate mosaics adorne the walls (covering an area of 663 sq. ft.) of the dining rooms.  The murals, rendered in stone and glass mosaic, depict the constellations in the night skies present at the time of their global discoveries.

Spotted: Sabor at Sea lunch on Explorer of the Seas

In:
28 Jul 2016

We are really big fans of Royal Caribbean's Sabor specialty restaurant because of the terrific and fresh food they serve, but not all Royal Caribbean ships have a Sabor restaurant on them. Nonetheless, it appears that may not stop some ships from offering a Sabor experience, minus the full restaurant.

On Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Blog reader Angie shared with us photos of the "Sabor at Sea lunch," which was held on day 6 of their cruise in Giovanni's Table.

It appears this was a one-time event on the ship, and cost $25 per guest to enjoy.

Angie reported that the lunch was, "extraordinarily good and there is a ton of food."

This is not the first experience of this kind on Explorer of the Seas. Earlier this summer season, we spotted an Izumi Asian Breakfast buffet offered onboard as well.

Would you be interested in a Sabor lunch on Explorer of the Seas? Tell us in the comments!

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas ready to begin new summer South Pacific season

In:
18 Jul 2016

Royal Caribbean fans down under can look forward to two Voyager-class ships offering cruises to the South Pacific this summer on Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Both ships where revitalized recently from bow to stern, costing a total of $180 million, and will offer 2016/2017 summer cruise itineraries to destinations like Mystery Island and Port Vila in Vanuatu, and Noumea, Isle of Pines and Lifou (Loyalty Islands) in New Caledonia.

In addition, both ships will offer more stops than ever to Fiji, which has proven to be a real favorite port of call. Royal Caribbean will more than double the amount of Fiji calls year on year, with 34 visits across the season to two destinations, Suva and Lautoka. There will even be two Fiji overnight calls, when Explorer of the Seas stays the night in Suva during her repositioning voyages between Australia and Seattle.

Royal Caribbean Managing Director for Royal Caribbean International in Australia and New Zealand, Adam Armstrong, thinks these two ships will offer guests a lot of fantastic cruise options, "Since we arrived in Australia some eight years ago, we have been delivering Australians with the style of cruising they had previously been traveling overseas for. With two Voyager Class megaliners now sailing from Sydney, there’s double the opportunity to cruise on Australia’s most feature-packed ships, and double the fun."

Fares for a seven night roundtrip sailing on Voyager of the Seas start from AUD$1,009 for the first guest and AUD$549.50 for the second, when booked before 30 July 2016. The cruise departs Sydney 1 November 2016 and includes calls to Noumea and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Explorer of the Seas to Alaska

In:
06 Jul 2016

Listen to the Show

One of the biggest surprises Royal Caribbean has announced over the years was the fact that Explorer of the Seas would offer cruises to Alaska, beginning in 2016. The prospect of a Voyager-class ship heading to the Last Frontier got a lot of us intrigued and excited and this week, we have a first-hand review of what it is like to take a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska. We will discuss what Explorer of the Seas offers, how its size impacts the itinerary and much more.

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Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas arrives in Seattle

In:
17 May 2016

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas arrived in Seattle on Monday, which makes it the largest cruise ship on the West Coast.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Tom and Diane Trudnowski took photos of the ship, which is deployed to Seattle to offer her inaugural Alaska cruise season.

Explorer of the Seas will be unmatched in onboard amenities when the ship debuts in Alaskan waters. Guests on the ship’s seven-night round-trip itineraries from Seattle, Wash., will sail up Tracy Arm Fjords for an incomparable view of Sawyer Glacier. In September, the ship will sail three Pacific Coastal cruises, seven nights in duration, which feature an overnight in San Francisco, Calif.

Explorer of the Seas, the 15-deck, 1,557-stateroom ship which accommodates 3,840 guests was revitalized in 2015 to bring signature Royal Caribbean innovations like the FlowRider surf simulator, virtual balconies for interior staterooms and a variety of new dining experiences onboard.

 

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas to be featured in new Australian television show

In:
25 Jan 2016

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas will be featured in a new television show on the Nine Network in Australia as part of a new commercial partnership.

The one-hour primetime special, "Australia's Mega Cruise Ship" will show off Explorer of the Seas and will air on January 28 at 7:30pm in Australia.

The show will air on Nine Network and be hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski and will look at what a typical sailing offers its guests.

Gruzlewski will take guests into all corners of the ship, showcasing many of the stateroom categories and public features including the restaurants, theatre and Flowrider surfing simulator. Viewers will also check-in regularly with a family of four and an experienced cruise couple as they enjoy their real-life holidays, looking at many of the activities suited to each demographic.

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