EXPLORER OF
THE SEAS
PHOTO TOUR
AND
COMMENTARY
OVERVIEW
Overview....................................................Page One
Pools and Open Decks.................................Page Two
Spa and Related Areas................................Page Three
Shops, Children, and Other Public Areas....Page Four
Bars and Lounges.........................................Page Five
Indoor Entertainment....................................Page Six
Dining (Main Dining Room)........................Page Seven
Dining (Casual Venues)...............................Page Eight
Dining (Specialty Restaurants)....................Page Nine
The Bridge...................................................Page Ten
The Royal Promenade a 394-foot
long three deck high public space runs
through the center of Explorer. Lined
with shops, bars and eating venues, the
area resembles a small city street or an
indoor shopping mall. However, it is
more than either such place. With
bright colored decorations, whimsical
art work, and lights that change over
the course of the day into the evening,
it seeks to be a setting for adventure.
Parades, live music, and events
occurring in the street add to the sense
of excitement. At a minimum, it serves
an excellent vantage point for people
watching.
Above left: Guest Relations desk, located at the aft end of
the Royal Promenade, serves as the reception desk in this
floating resort.
Above right: The Shore Excursions Desk is next to Guest
Relations.
Right: Guests can book future Royal Caribbean and
Celebrity cruises at the Next Cruise Office.
The art work on Explorer is
employed to maintain a level
of excitement and
adventure. Left:
Photographs of rock stars
and autographed musical
instruments adorn the
stairways in the forward
atrium. Right: Take a look
up at the walls of the Royal
Promenade and you will see
life-size sculptures taking
part in the action.
Below: The paintings and
sculptures are abstract.
ACCOMMODATIONS The 1,557
passenger cabins on Explorer fall into four
major categories. There are suites (not
shown); ocean view cabins (left); interior
cabins (above)(the cabin above right is an
interior cabin with a view of the Royal
Promenade); and balcony cabins (right).
All staterooms are equipped with television,
telephone, refigerator/mini-bar; hair dryers;
110/220 volt electrical outlets and
individually controlled air
conditioning/heating controls. Of course,
the higher one goes in the cabin categories,
more is added to these standard features.
At each end of the Royal Promenade, Explorer has an atrium rising as much as
11 decks through the ship (left).
A trademark feature of each of the RCI ships that has a Royal Promenade is a
vintage motor vehicle, which in the case of Explorer is a motorcycle.
Explorer is the second of Royal Caribbean's Voyager
class mega-cruise ships. (See our profiles of sister ships
Adventure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas).
Although this class has now been surpassed in size, at
142,000 tons, Explorer is still a very big ship.
Since the Voyager class is so big, RCI was able to outfit
each of the five Voyager class ships with an extensive
array of facilities and amenities. These range from
casual sports-orientated facilities to upscale dining
establishments. There is a lot to do on Explorer of the
Seas.
The emphasis on Explorer is on physical activity rather
than on intellectual enrichment. The days are casual as
are most evenings.
Inside Explorer is decorated in a contemporary modern
style which is consistent with the goal of providing an
active, exciting adventure experience. At points, such as
the Royal Promenade and the Casino, the atmosphere is
similar to Las Vegas or an upscale theme park.
However, at other points such as the Champagne Bar,
Dizzy's and the Aquarium Bar, the atmosphere is that of
a sophisticated upscale hotel. Thus, there is a great deal
of variety.
As a big ship, Explorer can carry a large number of
people. However, there is good passenger flow and no
feeling of overcrowding. Some events such as the ice
shows and The Quest are extremely popular and one
must plan well in advance to attend them.
In 2015, Explorer underwent an extensive refit and
revitalization. This included sprucing up the existing
decor and amenities. In addition, new venues were
added. Explorer emerged from the drydock looking
fresh but with a more contemporary look. Furthermore,
the ship's array of features puts Explorer at the forefront
of the Voyager and Freedom class ships.

Cruise ship photo tour - Explorer of the Seas - Royal Caribbean - page 1
Captain Henrik Loy
Gordon Marshall, Hotel Director
|
At the heart of Explorer lies the
Royal Promenade.
Above left: The signs displaying the map of the ship are colorful and artistic.
Above center: In the hallways leading to the guest cabins are display cabinets with
curios from various nations.
Right: Electronic signs provide interactive information about such things as what is
happening aboard and navigating around the ship.