how about getting grandmom a scooter? also, bring a sweater to the ice show - it gets chilly. my feet were freezing too in sandals. But it's a good show. your Compass when you get to your room will tell you when the tickets are available. The line moves fast. You generally get the tickets outside of Studio B where the shows are.
If you want to get around the island, the bus/ferry tickets are relatively cheap. Transportation is readily available and very frequent. We used both the bus and ferry to see the entire island in the two days we were there onboard the Explorer of the Seas.
As for Horseshoe Beach, it's really nice. Often crowded because it's the only one in the immediate area that has some amenities (restrooms, food, etc). It is a bit of a walk down the hill from the bus stop, about 1/4 of a mile. Not too bad walking down, but walking back up can be tough on some people. There was a guy there with a van who would take you up or down the hill for $1 per person - well worth the cost.
I'm not a big proponent of shore excursions offered by the cruise line - usually more expensive and almost always very crowded. There are other ways to get around or do the same thing for less money and alot less people. There are also independed companies who offer very good excursions. Taxis in Bermuda are a little expensive. Talk to some people who took a taxi from St. George, on one side of the island, to the Royal Naval Shipyard, where the Explorer of the Seas docks, and they paid $75 for the 4 of them to go one way.
As for your cabin, the aft is a great place to be. You may feel some slight vibrations from the engines, but nothing unbearable. Being in the Atlantic Ocean, you could feel some 'motion of the ocean', but nothing like you would in the front of the ship.
We've been on RCCL many times, including 3 of the Voyager-class ships (Voyager, Explorer, & Navigator), and I know you will thoroughly love the ship and the itinerary.
But you mentioned 'rep'. I hope you booked this with an agent and not directly with the cruise line. If you did book it with the cruise line, then you need to do some of the work yourself - you should be checking the price to see if it went down or if there are any specials being offered. The cruise line will not notify you of any price reductions or specials.
If you want to get around the island, the bus/ferry tickets are relatively cheap. Transportation is readily available and very frequent. We used both the bus and ferry to see the entire island in the two days we were there onboard the Explorer of the Seas.
As for Horseshoe Beach, it's really nice. Often crowded because it's the only one in the immediate area that has some amenities (restrooms, food, etc). It is a bit of a walk down the hill from the bus stop, about 1/4 of a mile. Not too bad walking down, but walking back up can be tough on some people. There was a guy there with a van who would take you up or down the hill for $1 per person - well worth the cost.
I'm not a big proponent of shore excursions offered by the cruise line - usually more expensive and almost always very crowded. There are other ways to get around or do the same thing for less money and alot less people. There are also independed companies who offer very good excursions. Taxis in Bermuda are a little expensive. Talk to some people who took a taxi from St. George, on one side of the island, to the Royal Naval Shipyard, where the Explorer of the Seas docks, and they paid $75 for the 4 of them to go one way.
As for your cabin, the aft is a great place to be. You may feel some slight vibrations from the engines, but nothing unbearable. Being in the Atlantic Ocean, you could feel some 'motion of the ocean', but nothing like you would in the front of the ship.
We've been on RCCL many times, including 3 of the Voyager-class ships (Voyager, Explorer, & Navigator), and I know you will thoroughly love the ship and the itinerary.
But you mentioned 'rep'. I hope you booked this with an agent and not directly with the cruise line. If you did book it with the cruise line, then you need to do some of the work yourself - you should be checking the price to see if it went down or if there are any specials being offered. The cruise line will not notify you of any price reductions or specials.
Pete
Pete, I did go directly to the cruise line as I didnt know any agents to book our trip. Since this is all new to me, I dont know what to ask RCCL about specials? Any pointers would be very helpful.
Thank you so much for your time.
DeAnna
I cannot thank everyone so much for your information and pictures. 3 more days and I am off to the sea. I cannot wait!
I showed my grandma everyones replies last night. She looked at the trips offered by the cruise line as she got a little worried about traveling place to place with my husband and I. She found an Excurison she really is interested in (Land and Sea). So, now I am even more EXCITED as hubby and I get a whole day in Bermuda alone.
Now everything changes.
I dont know what to do with just him. I must see the pink beach and from there I have no clue what to do. HA HA
I am also having such a hard time packing. I spent 1 hr ironing and making sure shirts are folded just right.
Off to work. Thank you again for your support and quick answers.
I have sailed the Explorer a few times and it's a lovely ship. I have not been to Horseshoe Beach so you'll have to wait for info from others.
Formal night is everything from a lovely long sundress to a formal gown and for the men from a sport jacket to a tux. On regular nights you'll see people in decent shorts but it's not recommended like it is on Carnival.
One suggestion, as soon as muster drill is over, have your husband run over to the viking crown lounge (dizzys) and get seats for you and your grandmother (while you go put your lifejackets back in the room) because the view going to the Verrazano and under it is spectacular.
If there's anything I can help you with regarding the Explorer please feel free to ask.
My husband was very happy to get this advice. He has sailed a few times and never been on this ship, and he said he was trying to think of a great place for grandma to sit as we leave NJ.
There are alot of things to do and see near the pier. There's a beach with a bar, museums, shops, etc., so you don't need to go far. If you want to see the island, the ferries and buses make it very eacy to get around. Shopping in town is nice, but as with most British Commonwealths, it's expensive compare to other islands in the Caribbean.
There are many excursions available, but the only one I don't recommend is the caverns. There are two near St. Georges and neither are worth the time or price of admission. Much better things to do with your time and money than to waste them on the caverns.
As for booking with the cruise line; you never want to do that because most of the time you're talking to a reservationist who has been with the company for less than 6 months (based on facts from the cruise lines), has never been on a cruise, and knows nothing about any of the ports of call. And, as I mentioned, they will also not notify you of any specials or price reductions, which is why I mentioned you should check the latest rates to see if anything has changed.
I agree that the caverns weren't really worth it and the steps - I think there were 88 of them. Holy cow I had to stop and rest at one point and I'm not all that old.
Sorry I missed this post till too late. You should be on board already!
Have a great cruise! We've done this ship and route three times, and LOVED it each time. We were fortunate to have that top cabin on the previous picture last year!
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DeAnna! You must be on the ship by now! Please check in and tell us how things are going! 
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