Explorer of the Seas
Fancy a stroll along a Royal Promenade at sea? One that’s complete with an English Pub, Café, shops, shops and more shops? Then it’s time to book a cruise on one of the 12 Royal Caribbean’s floating cities that offer this WOW factor. Especially a cruise that has a few sea days to enjoy!
Table of Contents
The Royal Promenade can be found on the following ships:
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- Voyager of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Adventure of the Seas
- Explorer of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
A Right Royal Promenade Entrance
The Royal Promenade is a mall, just like you’d find in any decent city, located in the centre of these ships. It’s truly the hub of life on these amazing ships.
It’s THE central meeting place to be for both shopping and fun times – always abuzz with an exciting atmosphere at any time of the day and night.
Happy Hours, morning teas, midnight snacks, musicians playing, dance parties – it all happens here.
Royal Shopaholics – Duty Free Awaits
Even if you’re not a shopaholic – just being around the hype of sales and people browsing so intensely is a fun experience.
And…the shopping experience on the Royal Promenade is like no other. Just about every day there are sales – Swiss watches, jewellery, handbags, clothing, duty free stuff and more. (NB – Take scissors on board in case the credit card needs to be chopped up after the first three days of specials!).
Enjoy a daily walk (or three) past the –
Fashion District – this is the place to shop to find an item of clothing that isn’t the usual souvenir t-shirt.
Fashion District on the Royal Promenade.
Perfume Shop – here you’ll find a huge range of perfumes such as Chanel, Clinique, Lancôme, Estee Lauder and more.
Perfume anyone?
Logo Souvenir Shop – there’s everything from clothing to keyrings featuring the Royal Caribbean logo – you’ll be tempted to join the cruise family and buy one. An excellent shop for buying small gifts for the family back home. (Especially on the days when there are 2 for 1 specials).
Kate Spade-New York – if this range of creative handbags, wallets and fashion accessories doesn’t tempt you, nothing will!
The bag with the red poppies kept calling out – pick me, pick me!
Solera – shelves full of so many well-known fragrances and make-up items – all duty free of course meaning the prices are very competitive.
Perfume anyone?
Watches and jewellery – always a firm favourite – so many choices such as Citizen, Bulova, Tag and Tissot.
Daily there are masses of items on display – again on special. NB – be careful you don’t go over the amount allowed through customs when you get home. (Never the case for me, but I did notice a couple of large transactions taking place while on board.)
Watch Sale in the Royal Promenade
Party time along the Royal Promenade
Every night there’s bands and artists to sit back and enjoy – not to mention the parties on a regular basis. Everything from the “Rock Brittania” and “70s Disco” dance parties to family themed parades that are such fun to watch.
Party Time!
The English Pub
Crown and Kettle English Pub
I’m sure most of you aren’t interested in pretending to be a Royal just to drink beer and cocktails at an English Pub when cruising (right?). But, the pub is such an enjoyable experience and I recommend a drop in on a daily basis. What better way to relax after spending a day ashore, as we did on Mystery Island, Vanuatu, and working up a well-earned thirst. All the energy used walking around in a grass skirt needed replenishing!
Even if you aren’t a drinker, just settle in for an hour (or so) of people watching. Then there’s always someone waiting for a game of darts challenge.
The Pub (in this case The Crown and Kettle on The Explorer of the Seas) sits, very handily, in the middle of the Royal Promenade. The bar attendants will offer you up to 64 varieties of international bears and happily create a “Beertini” or “Cockt-ales”.
Happy Bar Attendant creating a “Cockt-ale”
Apparently…. Frank Sinatra once said:
- “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink.
- When they wake up in the morning, that’s
- As good as they’re going to feel all day”.
(Probably a bit of a stretch here, but funny nonetheless)
Beertini and Cockt-ale Recipes
Why not try one (just the one…) of these concoctions that can be created by one of the happy bar attendants:
Beer’s Knees
- The Botanist gin
- Fresh lemon juice and honey
- topped with lager in this beer version of a classic prohibition cocktail.
Belgium Sour
- Crown Royal,
- honey, fresh lemon juice and marmalade (Yes marmalade!?)
- are first stirred together and then topped with lager.
Dublin Iced Tea
- Bacardi Superior rum,
- Jameson Irish Whisky,
- Hennessy Cognac and Port
- Topped with Guinness Irish Stout. (Probably best not to have too many of these!)
Then there’s the Classics of the High Seas:
Luxury Martini
- A classic martini shaken with your choice of
- Tanqueray gin or Grey Goose vodka and served with
- your choice of a lemon twist or cocktail olives.
Boston Iced Tea Party
- Tanqueray gin,
- Bacardi Superior Rum,
- Absolut Vodka,
- Triple sec and sweet & sour topped with Coca-Cola.
Did you know:
Beer is the third most popular beverage in the world – Coming in behind tea and water. (There’s a Trivia answer for you!)
Café Promenade
The Cafe is sometimes quiet – but rarely.
This little gem is open 24 hours a day! This means if you feel like brunch because the soft rocking of the ocean made you sleep in (or whatever reason) visit the Café. You can settle in for fruit, light snacks, juice or brewed coffee and fight with your willpower when faced with all the sweet delights!
Late afternoon there are delicious pizzas constantly being cooked AND there’s even “Ben and Jerry’s” ice cream in the Café
Quiet Time on the Royal Promenade
If you prefer a quieter time along this Royal walk, pick one of the dining times (5.30pm or 8.00pm) when you’ll have this magic place almost to yourself for a while.
Time to Surface
Make sure you remember to visit the top decks – you’ll need to enjoy fresh air and give the “Royal” wave to other guests on board!
Handy to Know:
- Visit Royal Caribbean’s website for the best deals for cruises with Royal Promenade ships.
- Gypsy’s Tips & Tricks might come in handy.
- Tips for first time cruisers.
