Jewel/Explorer

[buckeyemom16]

Hi seasoned RCCL crusiers! Thinking about jumping on this kids sail free promo. Looking at the Jewel of the Seas out of San Juan or Explorer of the Seas out of NJ. I know Explorer had the noro outbreak but besides that any pros/cons about these ships? We've been on 4 CCL, 1 DCL, and 1 NCL. So we are experienced cruisers. Any experiences with kids clubs would also be helpful to share. We have a DS3 and DD10. DD loved CCL's club. DCL and NCL not as much. Thanks!!

ETA I am also looking at the Oasis but it's more expensive and the itinerary doesn't thrill me so it's probably not an option but I am aware it is one of the newer, nicer ships which is why it made the cut.

 

[woody73]

. . . Looking at the Jewel of the Seas out of San Juan or Explorer of the Seas out of NJ.

We sailed on the Jewel OTS (a Radiance class ship) and enjoyed it.

We sailed on the Mariner OTS, Navigator OTS. and Voyager OTS -- which are sister ships to the Explorer OTS in the Voyager class -- and LOVED them!

The Voyager class ships have ice skating rinks, Ice Shows, and the Royal Promenades. These ships are our favorites in the RCI lineup -- large enough to have many of the newer features, yet small enough that it's not overwhelming.

Woody

 

[buckeyemom16]

Thanks for the feedback Woody! Due to a mixup with the booking for the Explorer we ended up with the Jewel. It is such a port intensive itinerary (only one sea day) we decided it should be ok! Very excited about the itinerary. Any further information about the Jewel?

 

[woody73]

. . . Any further information about the Jewel?

Be sure to visit Cafe Latte-Tudes on deck 5 of the atrium. They have delicious snacks such as pre-made sandwiches and cookies (there's no charge for snacks). The selection changes daily. My favorite is the Mud Slide cookie. Yum!

Woody

 

[buckeyemom16]

My favorite is the Mud Slide cookie. Yum! Woody

Sounds super delish! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Herbie]

We have done both of these cruises. If I were taking the kids, I would choose the Explorer. I would choose the Jewel if its just mom and dad. The explorer has better pool facilities for the kids. The main pool on the jewel is rather small.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Thanks for the feedback Woody! Due to a mixup with the booking for the Explorer we ended up with the Jewel. It is such a port intensive itinerary (only one sea day) we decided it should be ok! Very excited about the itinerary. Any further information about the Jewel?

Let me know how it goes. We booked the jewel out of SJ for Septmber.

 

[NancyIL]

Having been on Jewel & Brilliance, as well as Adventure (twice), Explorer, and Mariner - I prefer the Radiance-class ships. I think the Voyager-class ships are a little too big, so the Freedom and Oasis-class ships don't interest me.

 

[happypooh]

We booked for the Jewel out of San Juan as well! This will be our first trip on RCL after taking 3 on DCL so we'll see how it goes.
We've taken two Holland American cruises, one Norwegian (never again) and two Carnival...so we're not pure DCL cruisers.
I'm excited about the trip as we have never been to Aruba or any of the other ports, but have to say I am way way more excited about going to Norway/Iceland/Faroe next year on DCL!

 

[JLitfin]

Having been on Jewel & Brilliance, as well as Adventure (twice), Explorer, and Mariner - I prefer the Radiance-class ships. I think the Voyager-class ships are a little too big, so the Freedom and Oasis-class ships don't interest me.

Anything you can say about the Adventure would be appreciated, we are booked on this ship for next January

Thanks

 

[Sandyagarcia]

I would love any feedback on the Explorer, we will be sailing in early July!!!
We have cruise with Disney before and trying RCC for the first time... I hope that we love it as much as the Dream or the Fantasy????...

 

[buckeyemom16]

Let me know how it goes. We booked the jewel out of SJ for Septmber.

I will! I'm very excited to try some ports we've never been to.

 

[NancyIL]

Anything you can say about the Adventure would be appreciated, we are booked on this ship for next January

Thanks

I was on a 7-night Caribbean cruise in March 2008 and a 14-night Transatlantic cruise in Nov 2010 on Adventure of the Seas. The ship is part of RCI's Voyager-class family, and it was a very nice ship. My personal preference is for RCI's smaller (and older) Vision and Radiance-class ships, but many people prefer the larger ships with more bells and whistles.

You can read the Cruise Critic reviews here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=192

 

[JLitfin]

I was on a 7-night Caribbean cruise in March 2008 and a 14-night Transatlantic cruise in Nov 2010 on Adventure of the Seas. The ship is part of RCI's Voyager-class family, and it was a very nice ship. My personal preference is for RCI's smaller (and older) Vision and Radiance-class ships, but many people prefer the larger ships with more bells and whistles.

You can read the Cruise Critic reviews here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=192

Thanks.