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Mr_Pete
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 22nd, 2006 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 12th, 2006 03:36 pm | 1st Post |
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I did as much pre work just to get me along, as I wanted to let my first RC cruise to bring me back as a sort of newbie again. All this cruising eventually makes things seem simply standard.
The other thing I wanted to make sure of was not to "COMPARE" everything to Carnival. I did that once on a cruise on NCL, comparing EVERYTHING, and almost ruined what was a nice cruise. I just found I would never go back to them on that size ship (Motor Scow Seaward).
But, I found myself doing just that once I boarded, but this time with a more open mind.
We arrived just after 10:30, which was an hour earlier than recommended, and sat in traffic waiting for those still getting off to do so. We parked the car about 11:00, checked in at about 11:15, and was on the ship at 11:45.
Two disappointments hit me right away.
First, there was no grand atrium upon boarding, but we found the second set of elevators while looking for the stairs, and tried to make our way to our room, just to drop our carryons off. But, the corridors were blocked, so that wasn't going to happen.
So we made our way up to the Windjammer.
The food in the Windjammers was not exactly to our liking, especially with what Carnivals Spirit class buffets are now. I barely touched each of my selections, mostly because for some reason I also wasn't exactly hungry.
Next, we were off to find the dining room, as we were assigned late seating. The MD reassigned us to a table of 10 in a side room off the main dining area for early dining. Turned out, by day two, they had assigned two other couples to that table as well, so it was 7 of us to a nice size table. Lots of elbow room.
So back up to the Lido Deck (not even sure if the decks had names, so deck 11), found ample space. Lots of empty chairs, and never had or saw a lack of chairs the whole week. They were everywhere, and I loved that they didn't "round them up" each night. And having a pool and hot tub available 24 hours was a definite plus!
After our first foo foos we headed to our cabin.
We got what was the last available triple at our time of booking. I liked that we were high up, but not necessarily so far forward. In retrospect, we never felt anything. We were also waitlisted for the next available JS, but the only one that became available was aft on deck 6. Not a good choice, so I let it go.
The room was a disappointment. Although it claimed to be the same size as a standard Carnival balcony room, it sure wasn't laid out like one. It was narrower, with a slightly different configuration, but it was still larger than the closets that kept me away from RCCL all these years. But we got used to it.
And then the balcony really threw me. All the openness was gone. Even breathing resonated. I liked the rail to floor plexiglass on the other ships better.
Also, they could have done better with the bathrooms. Besides a "round" shower, it smelled of urine. It was faint, but it was there. Lately, I see the stewards closing the drains. I wonder if that's where it's coming from, or if there's another reason they do this.
But the BEDS! Saggy and cot like. So I ordered the foam layered whoosie from the steward, and she had it installed by the time we retired, except that we never told her we switched seatings. Oh well.
But, none of this was gonna get me down. There was a whole HUGE ship to explore!
We spent the afternoon at the pool, and headed down when it got close to dinner time.
The food turned out to be very good. I do see it's debated quite often on the CC boards, so I set my expectations low. Something to chose from here and there. I enjoyed all I ordered, and sometimes ordered more than one meal. My only disappointments were the lobster and the turkey, but they were still palatable. Just prepared different than I was used to. Our waiter even brought us second helpings of the lobster.
What I didn't like was that off hours, food was not readily available. I've gotten used to having something available at all hours. We did try Johnny Rockets one night at 11:30. Never had their food before. Never will again. Not my kind of grub. The stuff they had at Cafe Promenade never looked that appealing, and I stayed away from the pizza.
The Windjammers fare was better all the subsequent days of eating there. We only had lunch once in the DR, just so we had more pool time. Never had breakfast there.
After dinner, we went to the first show. It was the welcome aboard affair. All the entertainment all week was very good. Again, didn't have to worry about what I had seen before.
We went to most shows, and enjoyed each and every one of them. They have a talented lineup on this ship.
The Ice show was over the top. You had to get tickets, and I made sure I was there early to get them.
BTW, I was worried about what I wouldn't have priorities to not being a Crown and Anchor member. I had read there are priorities to those members for all sorts of things. Well, it didn't take anything away from me, so I guess it's all extra value stuff.
I always enjoy a good, personable and funny cruise director. We were fortunate to have one on this trip. His name was Allan Brooks, but for those looking for him now, he just left for vacation. There is at least one family doing a B2B this week. I wonder what they think of the new one!
We arrived in Bermuda on Tuesday morning, and all we felt like doing was beaching it. We got our bus passes right on board, and headed to Horseshoe bay both days.
On Tuesday and every Tuesday night, they have a street festival next to the clock tower mall. It's some shows, and local flea market stuff, but it was nice. It's like one big block party. Later that night, they had the deck party on board. We grabbed our grub, ate, and retired.
Now as far as the ship went, it was stunning! More than lots to do, and we still never came close to seeing everything. Loved the Royal Promenade. Love the lounges up in the Viking Crown. The views are stunning, as is the atmosphere. We never even got up there until the fourth day, and unfortunately, never got back there. The main show lounge is accommodating, although they should do something about the bottle neck. I wasn't used to having only two (four) banks of elevators. We did our sneak trick of going up one flight, and then heading down into the masses, just to go back up again. But I was NOT going to walk up 9 flights of stairs!
Everything about this ship was soothing, stunning, and enjoyable.
I was surprised to find the lower decks to be non passable from one end to the other. And was even more frustrating if I found I was on the wrong end on the ship. Having two atriums really screwed me up.
What I did like was being able to go to the front of the ship. I've been waiting to do that for 18 years!
The service was fantastic! Loved how they ALWAYS called you by name. Nice touch. All were very friendly.
The other thing I noticed was that how some diehards on the boards attack Carnival for certain things, yet I found the same experience on RCCL, some slightly different.
For example, Carnival has it's hairy chest contest. I guess the equivalent on RCCL is the hairy leg contest. But I did NOT appreciate the guy in the Speedo pulling down his bathing suit to reveal his hairy ass. First ass I ever saw on the Lido deck.
Other things found were hawking of drinks, the announcements, the in your face selling tactics. None of these things bothered me, but you would think they didn't exist if you read the RCI boards.
Will I sail RCCL again? Most likely. It was truly a rewarding experience. I found most between the two lines interchangeable, and offering probably the same product to the same target audience. What lacked here, was compensated there. And vice versa. The size of this particular ship wins over anything Carnival has, just for the variety and diversity it offers. Do I need an Ice skating rink, rock climbing, or golf? No, but others like it, and there's plenty of other things to do as well. I think I could probably sail for two weeks and have not explored everything this ship had to offer.
BTW, debarkation was a pleasure. We were the fourth group called, and was in our car within 15 minutes, and home in a hour. A nice touch at the end of our trip.
Pix Found HERE:
http://community.webshots.com/album/553049568LuoeHd
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Sat Aug 12th, 2006 04:21 pm | 2nd Post |
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Thanks Pete! I've been waiting for this honest review!  I hoped you would enjoy your first experience on a RCI ship and you did! Yes, the cabins are a bit smaller than what you're used to on Carnival, but you knew that. A shame they didn't have the comfy beds though.
All in all, it looks like you overcame the small stuff and had a great time!
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seawitches
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Posted: Sat Aug 12th, 2006 09:56 pm | 3rd Post |
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I did as much pre work just to get me along, as I wanted to let my first RC cruise to bring me back as a sort of newbie again. All this cruising eventually makes things seem simply standard. No truer words have been said, and the ultimate solution for cruise boredom (if it exists?) Gotta try em all!!
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Catnip
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Posted: Sat Aug 12th, 2006 11:09 pm | 4th Post |
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Good review, Pete! I think it's human nature to compare ships. I have never been on Carnival, but I know that RCCL notoriously has the smallest cabins on the high seas! From what I understand, Carnival's rooms are larger?
Well, I'm glad ya'll had a super time!
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nhrich
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Sun Aug 13th, 2006 12:28 pm | 5th Post |
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| Sounds like you had a great time Pete. Thanks for your review.
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optifire
Cruiser
| Joined: | Sun Sep 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | Central NJ |
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 04:41 am | 6th Post |
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Pete;
Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a great review. We are going on the Explorer next month to Bermuda and we were on her sister ship, The Voyager last year to Bermuda. Reading your review did remind me very much of the Voyager. The elevators were always a problem and such a wait...and also I was shocked with the ship being so large, how small the room was. We always go with an inside cabin as we like to cruise a few times a year, and it sure was small. We love to cruise each year on RC Grandeur and it is a much smaller ship, but the inside rooms seem better laid space-wise then the larger ships. 5 days sure is not enough time to explore all of the places on the larger ships. On the Voyager we never did get to see the miniture golf, the peek a boo bridge, the skylight chapel and even Johnny Rockets.
But like you, with all the down side of things we noticed, we still had a great time, it was still a beautiful ship and with your review of the Explorer, it has made me more anxious for time to fly until we are onboard her. Thanks again for such good details in all the areas. We love the fact also that the port is within an hour from home and so convenient to get to and from. Another reason we loved Bayonne is because parking is at a much better price then when going out of NY. I believe the last time I checked NY was $24.00 a day to park the car.
You said that you drove in, did you have any problems with that Overspraying that people have been talking about on your vehicle? We went out of Bayonne twice so far, and we never had a problem with it, but some people as of this month have been reporting problems with a light mist of spray paint on their cars upon their return.
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RCI Explorer - Bermuda 10-06
Celebrity Summit - Alaska 6-07
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MrPete
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 11:38 am | 7th Post |
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I was concerned and cautious about the overspraying.
I did NOT have any problems, though. I got there early, and parked relatively close to the terminal building; to the right of it, in fact, within 100 feet of the entrance/where you pay.
I've yet to read where the people get "sprayed" are actually parked.
Bon voyage!
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BAMA X 2
Teeny Bopper
| Joined: | Mon Jun 26th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 03:05 pm | 8th Post |
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Nice review Pete!
The nerve of some people to drop their pants in public!
Its a good thing JC was not there, He made me take off my ass showing bite me avatar. This might of sent him over the edge!
BAMA--------->swears he was not on Petes cruise!
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optifire
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| Joined: | Sun Sep 24th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 06:17 pm | 9th Post |
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In both times that we have gone out of Bayonne, we had the handicapp tag, therefore allowing us to park relatively close to the terminal, so that may have saved us also. Plus we get there pretty early, around 11:00 am.
The only thing I really dont like about Bayonne and truly wish they would work on changing is the pulling into the stalls to unload your luggage and then having to back out into that traffic to go park the car. I truly wish they would come up with a system like so many other cruise terminals have in place that you just pull directly into a lane and unload your luggage into the luggage trolleys and then go park your car. That is so much nicer.
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RCI Explorer - Bermuda 10-06
Celebrity Summit - Alaska 6-07
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MrPete
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 11:16 pm | 10th Post |
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I read a helpful hint (but we are able bodied) that if the spaces look open, to park first, and carry/roll the luggage, which we did. But we didn't realize there were shuttles. We were close enough that we rolled them ourselves and forewent the shuttle.
I would have neveer wanted to drop off and go 'round again!
Smoothest embarkation ever, once we parked.
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optifire
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Posted: Tue Sep 26th, 2006 02:30 am | 11th Post |
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| I do agree that once we got inside, it was the smoothest embarkations...We went through the doors, right up to the line and got signed in and we were directed out the back of the building to the shuttles and on the ship in a matter of 15 minutes. It was great. They had a great system in place for getting the people through the lines and onto the ship.
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RCI Explorer - Bermuda 10-06
Celebrity Summit - Alaska 6-07
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