Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Explorer of the Seas! In this guide, we provide you with a detailed overview of this Royal Caribbean cruise ship. We'll explore its history, onboard amenities, entertainment options, dining experiences, and children's clubs.

This guide will present you with all the essential information you need to make informed decisions and have a fulfilling cruise vacation on Explorer of the Seas. Let's delve into the details and discover what this impressive ship has to offer!

Watch our full video tour of Explorer of the Seas:

The Explorer of the Seas, launched in 2000, is part of Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships. These revolutionary cruise ships redefined the concept of mega-cruisers and set new standards in the industry.

With a length of over 1,000 feet and a capacity to carry around 3,000 passengers, the Voyager-class ships were the largest cruise ships in the world at their debut. They introduced innovative features like the Royal Promenade, an indoor shopping and entertainment street that brought the energy of a bustling town to the middle of the ocean.

Explorer of the Seas Waterslides — The 2023 refit included the addition of 2 water slides

Explorer of the Seas has undergone several renovations and updates over the years, with the latest one in 2023, including new waterslides and a mini-golf course. Unfortunately, some more extensive updates under the Royal Amplified program had to be postponed in 2021 due to financial reasons after the global health crisis of 2020-2021.

Despite the more modest updates, the ship still has a lot to offer. Explorer of the Seas continues to provide a fantastic cruise experience with its numerous amenities and activities for guests of all ages.

Entertainment and Activities

The Royal Prominade on Explorer of the Seas

Theatre shows

The main theatre features three original productions: "Wild, Cool & Swingin'," "Fast Forward," and "Invitation to Dance." While the shows boast talented casts, some of the productions might feel a bit outdated. However, there are also live music performances, ice-skating shows, themed parties, and game shows that add to the entertainment lineup.

Casino

The casino on Explorer of the Seas offers a variety of gambling options. It features the usual table games and slot machines that you would expect to find in a standard cruise ship casino. However, it's worth noting that the entire casino is designated as a smoking area, which may be off-putting for non-smoking guests or those sensitive to smoke.

Pools

Explorer of the Seas offers an impressive array of pool and recreation facilities. The main pool area features two pools, hot tubs, and a poolside bar. The adults-only Solarium offers a peaceful retreat with a adults-only pool, several whirlpools and bar. At the aft is two new slides, called the Perfect Storm.

Spa and Fitness Facilities

Vitality Spa and Fitness Center provide opportunities for relaxation and workout. The gym, large whirlpool at the entrance, steam and sauna rooms (Located in the changing rooms) are available for anyone's enjoyment free of charge.

Explorer of the Seas The FlowRider with the new Water Slides in the background.

The ship also features a FlowRider surf simulator, mini-golf course, jogging track, basketball court, and rock climbing wall, catering to various interests.

Children's Clubs

Explorer of the Seas has excellent children's clubs divided into different age ranges. Adventure Ocean Youth Program offers a range of activities for kids aged 3 to 11. The program is divided into different age ranges; Aquanauts, designed for ages 3 to 5, Explorers, aged 6 to 8, and Voyagers, aged 9 to 11. The childtens clubs operate from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. and activities paused during lunch and dinner times.

Navigators caters to teenagers aged 12 to 17 offering more mature actives such as Rock claiming, sports tournaments, and arcade competitions. Navigators is divided into two age groups: 12 - 14 and 15 - 17.

Royal Babies and Tots Open Play Sessions provide activities for children under three, accompanied by parents.

Included Activities on Explorer of the Seas:

Most activities and events
Shows in the Main Theatre and Studio B
All Pools and Whirlpools
Ice Skating in Studio B
Kids’ clubs
Gym - Excluding most fitness classes
Steam and Sauna Rooms
FlowRider
Perfect Storm Slides
Mini-golf course
Multi-sports court
Rock Climbing Wall
Jogging Track
Outdoor Movie Screen including Movie Nights

Extra Charge Activities on Explorer of the Seas:

Spa treatments
Most fitness classes
Casino
Bingo
Arcade games
Some activities such as wine tasting and premium craft classes.
Out of hours sessions in the Adventure Ocean kids’ club
Private FlowRider sessions and lessons
Private IceSkating sessions and lessons

Food on Explorer of the Seas

Dining options on Explorer of the Seas are diverse and cater to various tastes. Included dining options like Café Promenade, Windjammer Marketplace, and the Main Dining Room offer a variety of choices. Extra-cost dining options like Chops Grille and Izumi Hibachi and Sushi provide premium culinary experiences.

Dining in Explorer of the Seas Main Dining Room on a Sea Day — Dining in the Main Dining Room for lunch on a sea day!

Included dining options:

Café Promenade: This café offers a selection of included snacks, sandwiches, pastries and pizza, perfect for a quick and convenient meal at any time of day. Plus, you will also find a drinks station with free teas, juices, water and coffee. Cafe Prominade also serves extra-charge speciality coffee and ice cream for an additional cost.
Windjammer Marketplace: This buffet-style restaurant offers an extensive array of international cuisines, providing options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Main Dining Room: The ship's main dining room offers a diverse menu with a variety of dishes to suit different tastes. Experience the elegance of formal dinners or enjoy a leisurely meal with loved ones.
Room Service Continental breakfast: The Continental breakfast menu is free of charge while all other items incur a fee per order.

Extra-cost Dining Options:

Chops Grille: Chops Grille serves top-quality steaks and seafood in an elegant setting.
Izumi Hibachi and Sushi: Izumi offers both sushi and Japanese dishes in a lively atmosphere. It does not feature a Habatchi grill.
Johnny Rockets: This retro-style diner offers classic American fare, including burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
Giovanni's Table: Serves hearty Italian dishes in a warm and inviting ambiance.
Room Service Daytime Menu: Explorer of the Seas also offers 24/7 room service. All regular room service items incur a fee per order (not per item).

WiFi and Internet

While Explorer of the Seas promises fast WiFi, we found it to be unreliable and slow in certain areas. Internet packages are available for purchase, and the Royal Caribbean app can be used for free to access daily planners, bills, and make reservations.

Fellow Passengers on Explorer of the Seas - Who is this ship for?

The ship attracts a diverse mix of passengers, making it suitable for families, couples, and travelers of all ages. On the shorter 3, 4, and 7-night cruises, you will often find many families on board, as these sailings are popular choices for family vacations. These itineraries also attract large groups and multi-generational families looking for a fun-filled getaway. On the other hand, the longer sailings (10 nights or more) tend to draw a crowd of couples and mature passengers aged 50 and above, seeking a more leisurely and extended cruise experience.

Pros and Cons of Explorer of the Seas

Pros:

A wide range of entertainment options for all ages.
Large range of activies for families such as slides, rock climbing and ice skating.
More managable size than the larger ships from Royal Caribbean
Lots of ocean views from many bars and resturatns.
More affordable cruises than the new ships

Cons:

Older ship and looking worn in parts, especially the cabins.
Outdated shows and parades
Slow internet speeds or poor connections around parts of the ship.
Fewer included dining options than the new ships.

With a broad range of activities, Explorer of the Seas has something to offer for everyone, making it a solid choice for families and couples seeking a lively cruise experience. However, it's worth noting that the ship has not seen the level of updates promised, and this is starting to show in some areas, with certain parts of the ship looking tired and the shows appearing outdated. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall cruise experience on Explorer of the Seas remains enjoyable, with its diverse offerings ensuring that guests can have a memorable and fulfilling vacation at sea.

We hope you've enjoyed our comprehensive guide to Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas! Have you experienced the excitement of the FlowRider, savored the delectable dining options, or relaxed in the serene Solarium? Maybe you've explored the Adventure Ocean Youth Program with your little ones or joined the thrilling karaoke contests as a teen? We would love to hear about your adventures and impressions of Explorer of the Seas! Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's continue the conversation about this fantastic cruise ship.

Photos of Explorer of the Seas:

Explorer of the Seas: Everything You Need to Know