Thread: Explorer of the Seas; Sept 6, 2008; Bermuda

Hi we just booked yesterday

Anyone else on this sailing?

Originally Posted by ziggysun

Hi we just booked yesterday

Anyone else on this sailing?

No, but went last September, I remember being docked for 9/11, was upset that the US flag was at full mast, but who do I tell? It was the flag on the dock...

Anyway, LOVED Bermuda looking to go back, just not on Explorer, only because I took that ship twice, and only have cruised three times, so you can see my need for something else...

So, anything you want to know about the ship, or Bermuda, I might be able to help.

Let me give you some must dos.

On ship... see Ice Show.

Bermuda... Horseshoe Bay Beach.

Check out this pic, no one in this picture is related to me, just a random shot!

Hi Sk8erguy,

Sorry about them not lowering the flag to half-mast last 9/11. I'm sure it was just an oversight, they probably think they're being respectful having our flag there.

We'll be back in NJ by the 11th this year, so I wouldn't be able to tell you if they got it right this year. We're on the 5 night cruise.

The water looks so blue and I like the rockiness. We're definitely thinking of Horshoe Bay Beach, at least for a couple hours, and then DH is into history so probably a Fort and then maybe the Maritime Museum.

We booked this cruise because it's only a 2 hour drive to the port and it will be our first time to Bermuda so I didn't know there was an ice show on this ship Now that I'm looking into the ship more I've seen the info about it. Is there a charge for it? Or is it like a theater show where you just go in and grab a seat?

Did you do the Mystery Dinner at Portofino's? I'm curious if it's worth the $49.50 per person.

I understand wanting a change. I've done mostly Carnival cruises, but want to check out what else is out there.

Did not make Portofinos, but wanted to. Once you go up to check on the menu you can peep inside, very pretty.. I hear the food is good too. I thought it was in the 20 range, but I could be wrong. Did not know about a mystery dinner.. would have done that in a minute, seems like fun.

Yes, like all shows, the ice show is free, however it is in the ice rink which has limited seats. So, everyone can go, but for "crowd control" you need to get your tickets for specific date/time at the customer service desk. They have a few different shows, the info should be in the daily planner.

I am telling you, if you like beaches, Horseshoe Bay is a MUST! The sand is not really pink...shhhh Fish particles washed ashore leaving a pink type of tint in the sand, still amazing though. One thing to remember, Horseshoe bay is at the bottom of a BBBBIIIIIGGGGGG Hill and the local bus drops you off on top. Sure walking down is easy, walking back up is not so easy, I did it. If you want locals hang out on the bottom and drive you up for a buck, worth it I guess, I just need exercise!

You can rent a scooter, but not a car. If your husband is into historic stuff then you will really enjoy just walking around the port you dock at. There is a small shopping mall and a small little beach/bar way off to the .... I think right. Anyway, the port was an old navy port so some of the buildings are very neat to see.

We did not get out to Hamilton or St.Georges but hear it is awesome there too, we will next time. All we did was an excursion where you see a shipwreck thing and see coral reefs and feed fish, pretty neat actually and the Beach. Of course we walked around and checked out the port since it is large and pretty neat.

Yes, I am too about hour half to two hours away, in upstate NY. From PA you should have a simple ride, just take the NJT all the way up get off at 14 for bayonne, almost like if you were going to Newark Airport (do not see why you would since PHL is very large.). But the point, we took this ship twice because of how it is close and easier then going in and out of NYC, a shame there are not more lines that use this port. This ship, Ex Of Seas, actually does three or four different itineraries.

Also, I know the Cruise Director will be different, but I bet anything, this guy who looks just like Pee Wee (Phil), who is the activities guy will be there, awesome guy. He made all the Bingo events, and the midnight buffet and everything else, fun and memorable!

Also, if your into "adult" games, do the adult scavenger hunt. It will be in the ice rink one of the nights... ummm, wow is all I can say. But lots of fun. My G/F and I were one of the couples that had to run around finding stuff, got a cool key chain for it.. Where did I toss that piece of junk anyway LOL ..

You will have fun. What type of room did you get?

Bermuda has like the second best beaches in the world, next to ANGUILLA.

Originally Posted by boyconny

Bermuda has like the second best beaches in the world, next to ANGUILLA.

I agree, but I do love that one beach you have on St. Thomas... Magens Bay is the one I was told to check out and did... LOVED IT... Hated the cab ride, but hey, who like riding in the back of a pickup truck with a seat welded to the bed?

sk8erguy,

Great info! Thank you!

I'll make sure to get tickets for the ice show asap.

Normally, I would do the ports on my own, but DH doesn't like to be dragged all over the place (he can't keep up) j/k! He could run circles around me physically. He just finds it aggravating and feels we're on vacation, splurge!

We both have our motorcycle licenses so I'm sure we could handle scooters, but his feeling would be that it's easier just to do a shore tour or hire someone to take us around to show us everything for the day. When he's on vacation...he really means it!

It sounds like you had a great time! Everything on the ship sounds like it was alot of fun! It's a good thing I don't have long to wait now

I had to fly out of Newark before so we've been up that way, Virgin Atlantic doesn't fly out of PHL, well they might now, but they didn't back then.

I'm pretty sure that DH knows where it is. He drove a tractor trailer for over 5 years and had to go to NY everyday. I'm amazed I convinced him to try Bayonne...he will NOT go out of NY. He'd rather drive to Florida to leave out of NY

We booked an E2 guarantee. I was just on our reservation and it looks like they assigned us a cabin, but I don't know if once they assign it, since we're a guarantee, if they can change it? If not, then we ended up with, I think, a D3 or D1. Those purple colors look so alike! It's probably a D3 since we paid for an E2. Hey so long as I have a balcony I'll be fine!

Originally Posted by boyconny

Bermuda has like the second best beaches in the world, next to ANGUILLA.

I've never been to Anguilla. But I'll get there some day! Especially if they have the best beaches and if a cruise ship can get there!

I've been hearing of plans to build a cruise ship dock there for years now, but nothing yet, only like the wind jama and the seadream, well the smaller ships go there now.
Link to Anguilla Anguilla Life News Talk - Local and Regional News, Talk Forum, Photos, Information and much more Earth

Originally Posted by boyconny

I've been hearing of plans to build a cruise ship dock there for years now, but nothing yet, only like the wind jama and the seadream, well the smaller ships go there now.
Link to Anguilla Anguilla Life News Talk - Local and Regional News, Talk Forum, Photos, Information and much more Earth

It sounds like I'll have to do a land tour or one of the smaller ships then. I think I might have been confusing it with Antigua, which is another island I haven't been to yet. There's just too many of them We've done land vacations before, but after a full week on one island we get tired of relaxing. I think that's why we love cruising so much.