Explorer of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas entered service in 2000 as the follow-up to Voyager of the Seas, the ship that reshaped what a cruise ship could be. The Royal Promenade — a four-deck-high indoor boulevard running 445 feet through the center of the ship — introduced a retail and dining street concept that has since been replicated across the industry. Standing in the Promenade for the first time, even two decades later, produces the intended reaction: this is a city block.

The Voyager-class features include the ice skating rink (Studio B, which transforms into a performance venue for shows), the rock climbing wall on the aft of the ship, and the inline skate track. The 2019 refurbishment updated the entertainment and dining program to something more current: Playmakers Sports Bar (American sports-bar format, bar food, 40+ screens), Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (Japanese), and a refreshed Chops Grille (the Royal Caribbean steakhouse). Johnny Rockets (diner format) is the casual dining alternative to the Windjammer Buffet.

Explorer of the Seas deploys primarily in Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries — she is frequently positioned from Port Liberty, New Jersey, which makes her a natural choice for Northeast US travelers who prefer driving to the port over flying. Bermuda itineraries from New Jersey are a seasonal staple: three or four nights at King's Wharf, then back.

At 3,286 guests, Explorer is larger than most people's reference frame but smaller than Royal Caribbean's newest ships (Symphony, Wonder, Icon are all substantially bigger). The ship is not overwhelming; the size is absorbed by the internal street layout.

Explorer of the Seas is the right choice for guests who want the Royal Caribbean entertainment and amenities package — Promenade, ice rink, climbing wall, Chops Grille — without the 5,000-guest scale of the Oasis or Icon class. New Jersey embarkation is the specific selling point for the Northeast US market.