What happened to the cruising experience? Our view.
Nov 26, 2023, 5:58 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,045
Having finished three weeks on Explora, memories are positive. With the current sale happening, we now have three future bookings.
Every booking with this new line is a cut to the former favorites.
Every booking with this new line is a cut to the former favorites.
May 12, 2024, 10:06 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,045
Currently on third Explora cruise. Past couple months have been on SB Quest TA crossing. A deeply discounted cruise to compensate for the miserable holiday experience previous year. Also, a first time since reopening Cyrstal Serenity cruise. On Quest, barely a familiar face among crew. It was a "I had a good time anyway"
cruise because of a couple fellow passengers. And 100% better than the previous disaster cruise.
On Serenity, I'm greeted with familiar faces, good food and drink.
I board Explora for third time and greeted with a dozen crew that know me (and my quirks) and address by name. 360 passengers on a ship that holds 900. Fully staffed crew meaning probably 2-1 ratio. Food and overall service is tops. Plenty of critical comments to make, but in today's market it's my preferred carrier. I'm finished with SB and SS. Getting on ships that I've spent over 3.5 years on and not seeing many familiar faces is a clue. On Crystal, I see crew from SB and SS.
cruise because of a couple fellow passengers. And 100% better than the previous disaster cruise.
On Serenity, I'm greeted with familiar faces, good food and drink.
I board Explora for third time and greeted with a dozen crew that know me (and my quirks) and address by name. 360 passengers on a ship that holds 900. Fully staffed crew meaning probably 2-1 ratio. Food and overall service is tops. Plenty of critical comments to make, but in today's market it's my preferred carrier. I'm finished with SB and SS. Getting on ships that I've spent over 3.5 years on and not seeing many familiar faces is a clue. On Crystal, I see crew from SB and SS.
May 13, 2024, 12:39 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,252
As an aside, we have friends who just got off an Oceania cruise that so disappointed them that they cancelled remaining plans to sail with Oceania and vowed never to sail with them again.
Glad you like the Explora. I've looked into them, but their destinations are not interesting to me.
May 13, 2024, 5:49 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Manhattan NV
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 3,045
Agree Explora itineraries unlikely to interest the well traveled class. Perhaps they will improve when more ships are sailing. If not, they'll have six ships sailing in circles at 10% occupancy.
May 13, 2024, 11:39 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: NYC/DC
Programs: AA,SPG, Delta, Amtrak, JB
Posts: 978
Currently on third Explora cruise. Past couple months have been on SB Quest TA crossing. A deeply discounted cruise to compensate for the miserable holiday experience previous year. Also, a first time since reopening Cyrstal Serenity cruise. On Quest, barely a familiar face among crew. It was a "I had a good time anyway"
cruise because of a couple fellow passengers. And 100% better than the previous disaster cruise.
On Serenity, I'm greeted with familiar faces, good food and drink.
I board Explora for third time and greeted with a dozen crew that know me (and my quirks) and address by name. 360 passengers on a ship that holds 900. Fully staffed crew meaning probably 2-1 ratio. Food and overall service is tops. Plenty of critical comments to make, but in today's market it's my preferred carrier. I'm finished with SB and SS. Getting on ships that I've spent over 3.5 years on and not seeing many familiar faces is a clue. On Crystal, I see crew from SB and SS.
cruise because of a couple fellow passengers. And 100% better than the previous disaster cruise.
On Serenity, I'm greeted with familiar faces, good food and drink.
I board Explora for third time and greeted with a dozen crew that know me (and my quirks) and address by name. 360 passengers on a ship that holds 900. Fully staffed crew meaning probably 2-1 ratio. Food and overall service is tops. Plenty of critical comments to make, but in today's market it's my preferred carrier. I'm finished with SB and SS. Getting on ships that I've spent over 3.5 years on and not seeing many familiar faces is a clue. On Crystal, I see crew from SB and SS.
May 13, 2024, 4:26 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,252
Seeing friendly and familiar faces of crew and fellow passengers does make a big difference. Having crew who know your predilections is a big one.
I always tell Ms747FC that while those smiling crew faces are great, who knows what they are saying about us when they are chatting in their own quarters.
I always tell Ms747FC that while those smiling crew faces are great, who knows what they are saying about us when they are chatting in their own quarters.