View source for Explorer of the Seas

{{short description|Voyager-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin|display title=ital}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = File:Explorer of the Seas docked in Argostoli (2023).jpg
| Ship caption             = ''Explorer of the Seas'' docked at [[Argostoli]], Greece in 2023
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              =
|Ship country=[[Bahamas]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship name                = ''Explorer of the Seas''
| Ship renamed             =
| Ship owner               =*[[Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.]] (2000)
*Explorer of the Seas Inc.<ref name="dnv">{{cite ship register |register=DNV |id=19903 |shipname=Explorer of the Seas |access-date=12 March 2015 }}</ref>
| Ship operator            = [[Royal Caribbean International]]
| Ship registry            =*2000–2002: [[Monrovia]], {{flag|Liberia}}
*2002 onwards: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship route               = [[Caribbean]] & [[Mediterranean]]
| Ship ordered             =
| Ship builder             = [[Kværner Masa-Yards]] [[Perno shipyard|Turku New Shipyard]], [[Finland]]
| Ship original cost       =
| Ship yard number         = 1345
| Ship way number          =
| Ship laid down           = 15 June 1998
| Ship launched            = 4 November 1999
| Ship completed           = 28 September 2000
| Ship christened          = 21 October 2000
| Ship acquired            =
| Ship maiden voyage       = 28 October 2000
| Ship in service          = 2000–present
| Ship out of service      =
| Ship identification      =*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: C6SE4
*{{ship register|DNV|19903}}
*{{IMO Number|9161728}}
*{{MMSI|311316000}}
| Ship fate                =
| Ship status              = In service
| Ship notes               = <ref name=vesseltracker/><ref name=dnv/>
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              =
| Header caption           =
| Ship class               = {{sclass|Voyager|cruise ship}}
| Ship tonnage             =*{{GT|138,194}}
*{{NetT|108,654}}
*{{DWT|11,000}}
| Ship displacement        =
| Ship length              = {{cvt|311|m|ftin}}
| Ship beam                =*{{cvt|38.6|m|ftin}} - Waterline<ref name=STXEX>{{cite web|title=Explorer of the Seas|url=http://www.stxeurope.com/sites/Finland/Products/Pages/Cruise%20Ships%20and%20Ferries/Explorer-of-the-Seas.aspx|work=STX Finland|access-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416215540/http://www.stxeurope.com/sites/Finland/Products/Pages/Cruise%20Ships%20and%20Ferries/Explorer-of-the-Seas.aspx|archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref>
*{{cvt|49.1|m|ftin}} - Max<ref name=dnv/>
| Ship height              = {{cvt|63|m|ftin}}
| Ship draught             = {{cvt|8.3|m|ftin}}
| Ship depth               = {{cvt|11.7|m|ftin}}
| Ship decks               = 15
| Ship deck clearance      = {{cvt|3400|m|ftin}}
| Ship ramps               =
| Ship ice class           =
| Ship sail plan           =
| Ship power               = 6 × [[Wärtsilä]] 12V46 (6 × {{cvt|12600|kW}})
| Ship propulsion          =*[[Diesel-electric transmission|Diesel-electric]]
*Two [[ABB (company)|ABB]] [[Azipod]]s and one [[Fixipod]]
*Four [[bow thruster]]s
| Ship speed               = {{convert|23.7|kn}}
| Ship capacity        = 3,286 passengers (double occupancy), 4,290 (maximum)
| Ship crew               = 1,180
| Ship notes               = <ref name=vesseltracker>{{cite web | title=Advanced Masterdata for the Vessel ''Explorer of the Seas'' | url=http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Explorer-Of-The-Seas-9161728.html | work=VesselTracker | year=2010 | access-date=25 November 2010}}</ref><ref name=dnv/><ref name="cruise travel guide">{{cite journal|date=January–February 2009|title=Cruise Ship Guide|journal=Cruise Travel|publisher=Lakeside Publishing Company|pages=37–43|issn=0199-5111}}</ref><ref name="cgpsix">{{csr|register=PSIX|id=16001|shipname=Carnival Destiny}}</ref>
}}
|}

'''''Explorer of the Seas''''' is a {{sclass|Voyager|cruise ship}} owned and operated by [[Royal Caribbean International]], completed in 2000. She can accommodate over 3,000 guests, including scientists making use of a built-in [[Earth's atmosphere|atmospheric]] and [[Oceanography|oceanographic]] [[laboratory]] operated by the [[University of Miami]]'s [[Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science]]. The lab, with its attendant educational and outreach programs for passengers, was discontinued in 2007.

==History==
[[File:Explorer of the Seas (ship, 2000) 002.jpg|thumb|''Explorer of the Seas'' at [[Nieuwe Waterweg]] in 2015]]
The ''Explorer of the Seas'' was completed in 2000 and has the capacity of 3,000 passengers.
An automated system for gathering data was installed in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Explorer of the Seas Oceanlab Research Program|url=http://oceanlab.rsmas.miami.edu/|publisher=Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science |access-date=1 July 2015}}</ref>) At launch, ''Explorer of the Seas'' had a tonnage of {{GT|137,308}}, exceeding that of her sister ship {{ship||Voyager of the Seas}} by 32 GT and making her the world's largest passenger ship. She held that record until being overtaken by {{ship||Navigator of the Seas}} in 2002. In early 2015, ''Explorer of the Seas'' received major upgrades, including the replacement of the inline skating rink with a [[Flowrider]] surfing simulator and increasing her tonnage to 138,194 GT.<ref>{{cite web |title=Now Our Best Ship Is Every Ship |url=http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/General_Info/Flyers/12028421_Revit_QuickReference_Guide.pdf |publisher=Royal Caribbean International |access-date=24 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=voy_flowrider>{{cite web|title=VOYAGER CLASS FLOWRIDER REFURBISHMENT|url=http://www.mobimar.com/news-voyager_class_flowrider_refurbishment|work=Mobimar.com|access-date=27 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307203825/http://www.mobimar.com/news-voyager_class_flowrider_refurbishment|archive-date=7 March 2014}}</ref>  The ship's godmother is [[United States|American]] athlete [[Jackie Joyner-Kersee]].<ref>http://www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/ship-godmothers-with-serious-sports-status/ Joyner-Kersee{{full citation needed|date=September 2024}}</ref>

In 2019 September, it was announced that the ship will get a refurbishment with $110 million in makeovers before its 2020 summer season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cruisepassenger.com.au/rcls-explorer-of-the-seas-to-undergo-162-million-makeover/|title=RCL's Explorer of the Seas to undergo $162 million makeover|date=26 September 2019}}</ref> The refurbishment that was to take place under the amplification program in 2020 was delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead only technical refurbishment took place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/06/17/what-was-added-each-royal-caribbean-ship-during-its-royal-amplified-refurbishment|title=What was added to each Royal Caribbean ship during its Royal Amplified refurbishment|date=17 June 2020 }}</ref>

In July 2021, the ship was used to house some rescue workers and other officials involved in the rescue and recovery effort of the [[Surfside condominium building collapse]].<ref>{{Cite web  |last1=Wile |first1=Rob |last2=Hanks |first2=Doug |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article252533648.html |title=Facing a hotel bed shortage, some condo rescue crews will sleep aboard a cruise ship |website=[[Miami Herald]] |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=2 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702231433/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article252533648.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Ports of call==
[[File:A huge cruise ship visiting Sydney Bridge Harbour.jpg|thumb|left|''Explorer of the Seas'' visiting Sydney Harbour]]
In fall 2014, she sailed 5 to 9-day Caribbean cruises out of [[Port Canaveral]], Florida.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cruise Calendar|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/search/cruiseCalendar/home.do?cruiseCalType=cruiseCalTypeShip&cruiseCalType=cruiseCalTypeDest&cruiseCalMonth=9&cruiseCalYear=2013&x=26&y=11| publisher=Royal Caribbean International|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref> After dry-dock refurbishment in the spring of 2015, ''Explorer of the Seas'' began to sail Northern Europe, Mediterranean, and Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands itineraries out of [[Southampton]], [[Hampshire]], United Kingdom.<ref name=ExToSailEur>{{cite web|title=Explorer of the Seas to Homeport in Southampton, and Sail European Waters in 2015|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1090/explorer-of-the-seas-to-homeport-in-southampton-uk-and-sail-european-waters-in-2015/|work=Royal Caribbean Press Center|publisher=Royal Caribbean International|access-date=4 April 2014}}</ref>

From November 2015 to 23 April 2016 ''Explorer of the Seas'' was based in [[Sydney]], Australia, for the summer cruise season. A 24-day cruise relocated the ship to [[Seattle]] for the summer 2016 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5271227/explorer-the-latest-mega-cruise-ship-to-discover-wollongong/|title=Explorer the latest mega cruise ship to discover Wollongong|first=Greg|last=Ellis|date=8 March 2018|website=Illawarra Mercury}}</ref> In 2019 January, the ship brought 4,000 passengers to [[Wollongong]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5857867/giant-cruise-ship-to-bring-thousands-of-holiday-makers-to-wollongong/|title=Giant cruise ship to bring thousands of holiday makers to Wollongong|first=Greg|last=Ellis|date=18 January 2019|website=Illawarra Mercury}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
===Rescue of ''Tumbleweed''===
On 16 February 2008, while en route from Bayonne, New Jersey, on a nine-day cruise to the Caribbean the bridge crew heard a faint mayday call over the radio.  This turned out to be the crew from ''Tumbleweed'', a {{convert|39|ft|adj=on}} sailing vessel,<ref name="Silverstein">{{cite web |url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2413|title=Royal Caribbean Ship Rescues Sailors in Distress|date=27 February 2008 |last=Silverstein |first=Erica| work=The Independent Traveler|access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref> which had a planned sail from Baltimore to the Florida Keys.  The crew reportedly had a mechanical breakdown of both engine and sails.  The vessel drifted for 11 days to the location N32.35 W 72.49–roughly {{convert|275|mi}} southeast of North Carolina. ''Explorer of the Seas'' located and rescued the three men, who then departed the ship in Puerto Rico on 21 February 2008.<ref name="Silverstein"/>

===Crew overboard===
On 5 May 2010, a crewmember was caught on surveillance jumping overboard. The ship turned around to rescue him but was unable to locate the crewmember.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseshipmissing.com/Cruise_Ship_Missing/Satyanand_Buddaru.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704064843/http://www.cruiseshipmissing.com/Cruise_Ship_Missing/Satyanand_Buddaru.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 July 2011 |title=Satyanand Buddaru |publisher=Cruise Ship Missing |date=5 May 2010 |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2014}}

===''Norwegian Star'' collision===
On 14 September 2012, ''Explorer of the Seas'' was moored in [[Bermuda]] when heavy winds pushed [[Norwegian Cruise Line]]'s {{ship||Norwegian Star}} at its stern. Neither ship suffered any significant damage.<ref>{{cite web |author=Greg |url=http://www.cruiseind.com/2012/09/15/norwegian-star-breaks-moorings-in-bermuda/ |title=Norwegian Star Breaks Moorings in Bermuda |website=CruiseInd |date=15 September 2012 }}</ref>

===Norovirus outbreak===
On 24 January 2014, 281 passengers and 22 crew members aboard ''Explorer of the Seas'' fell ill, reporting symptoms of vomiting and [[diarrhea]]. Due to the number of passengers sick, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] sent a Sanitation Program Officer and an [[epidemiologist]] to the ship on Sunday, 26 January 2014, when it was docked in [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cp24.com/world/281-passengers-ill-aboard-royal-caribbean-cruise-1.1655874|title=281 passengers ill aboard Royal Caribbean cruise|date=25 January 2014| work=cp24.com|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> By 27 January 2014 the number of ill increased to 564 passengers and 47 crew members and a decision was made to end the cruise early.<ref>{{cite news |author=David McFadden| url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/01/27/royal-caribbean-explorer-of-the-seas-cruise-ended-after-hundreds-sick-with-diarrhea-vomiting/ |work=The National Post | title=Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas cruise ended after hundreds sick with diarrhea, vomiting |date=27 January 2014|access-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> After ''Explorer of the Seas'' returned to port, 684 of the 4,237 aboard had symptoms of [[norovirus]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/we-made-it-nearly-700-sick-illness-plagued-cruise-ship-2D12018372 |title='We made it!': Nearly 700 sick as illness-plagued cruise ship returns home |last=Aleccia|first=JoNel |date=29 January 2014|website=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129210657/https://www.nbcnews.com/health/we-made-it-nearly-700-sick-illness-plagued-cruise-ship-2D12018372|archive-date=29 January 2014|quote=At least 630 of the ship's 3,071 passengers and at least 54 of the 1,166 crew members came down with diarrhea and vomiting—classic signs of norovirus.}}</ref>

===Gastro outbreak===
On 16 December 2015, A total of 182 passengers out of the 3,566 on board Explorer of the Seas contracted [[Gastroenteritis|infectious diarrhea]]. The ship's operator contacted South Eastern Sydney Local Health District before arriving in Sydney at 6am. None of the passengers were taken to hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/gastro-outbreak-aboard-cruise-ship-bound-for-sydney-hits-182-passengers/news-story/28c107a3093f2cad6d2b4ec42fcea1e8/ |title=Gastro outbreak aboard cruise ship bound for Sydney hits 182 passengers|website=News.com.au |date=16 December 2015 }}</ref> It was also on this cruise that all of the passengers on board experienced a freak storm on 15 December 2015. During this storm the ship experienced a crosswind of {{convert|150|kn}} and the ship [[Angle of list|listed]] to the port side by 10 degrees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/news/news.cfm?ID=6709 |title=Storm, Strong Winds and Big Wave Hit Explorer of the Seas|website=cruisecritic.com.au |date=16 December 2015 }}</ref>

On 4 November 2019, the ship was forced to delay her arrival back in Southampton due to the heavy storms battering Western Europe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruisehive.com/intense-storms-impact-two-royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-sailings/35519|title=Intense Storms Impact Two Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Sailings|newspaper=Cruise Hive |date=2 November 2019|last1=Thakkar |first1=Emrys }}</ref>

===Coronavirus pandemic===
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) reported that at least one passenger had tested positive for [[severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]] within 14 days of disembarking from the ship on its voyage from 8 to 15 March 2020.<!-- note: the cdc's list has asterisks next to voyages on which at least one passenger who tested positive had exhibited symptoms while on board, while for all other entries, although the passengers had tested positive within 14 days after disembarking, the cdc explicitly states that it may have been possible that the transmission of the virus may have happened after disembarkation. --><ref name="cdc.2020.04.22">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html|title=CDC's role in helping cruise ship travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic {{pipe}} CDC|date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422081046/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html|archive-date=22 April 2020}}</ref>

=== Surfside search and rescue ===
After the June 2021 [[Surfside condominium collapse]], ''Explorer of the Seas'' was moored nearby to host nearly 600 search and rescue personnel assisting with the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Assists Florida Search and Rescue Teams |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-assists-florida-search-and-rescue-teams |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref>

===Passenger overboard===
On 9 August 2024, an unnamed passenger from the United Kingdom fell overboard as the ship traveled from Santorini, Greece to Zadar, Croatia. Search efforts commenced, with the Croatian Coast Guard assisting, and a planned stop in Zadar was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2024 |title=British passenger falls overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-passenger-falls-overboard-royal-caribbean-cruise-b2594939.html |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> The search was called off after four days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dex |first=Robert |date=13 August 2024 |title=Search called off after British tourist lost at sea on Croatian cruise |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/search-called-off-british-tourist-royal-caribbean-croatian-cruise-adriatic-b1176133.html |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>

=== Storm troubles ===
On 7 November 2024 a storm affected the ship near the [[Canary Islands]], causing a 14.5º heel, some injuries and material damage.<ref>[https://www.antena3.com/noticias/sociedad/escenas-panico-crucero-que-sufrio-vientos-huracanados-llego-escorar-45-grafos_2024112367420451488d69000106707b.html Escenas de pánico en un crucero que sufrió vientos huracanados y se llegó a escorar 45 grados] Antena 3 (23 de noviembre de 2024)</ref><ref>[https://www.eldia.es/buzzeando/2024/11/23/panico-alta-mar-crucero-escora-111983572.html Pánico en alta mar: un crucero se escora 45 grados cerca de Tenerife] El Día (23 November 2024)</ref>

=== Passenger overboard ===
On 2 March 2025, a female passenger went overboard on the first day of a themed "The 80s Cruise" traveling from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas. The ship stopped for search and rescue, but resumed course several hours later while the Coast Guard continued search and recovery efforts.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/woman-overboard-royal-caribbean-ship-the-80s-cruise-1236154210/]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news | author=Marsha Walton | title=Scientists study high seas in high style | url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/06/24/Scienceship/ | work=CNN | date=25 June 2004 | access-date=8 May 2013}}

==External links==
{{commons category|IMO 9161728}}
* {{Official website|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?br=R&shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=EX|name=''Explorer of the Seas'' official website}}
* [http://www.voyager-class.com Voyager-Class.com] - the largest online resource for information & pictures of the Voyager-class ships
* [http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/list?IDNo=9161728&search_op=OR Miramar Ship Index - ''Explorer of the Seas'']

{{largest passenger ships}}
{{Royal Caribbean International cruise ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Explorer of the Seas}}
[[Category:1999 ships]]
[[Category:ships built in Turku]]
[[Category:ships of Royal Caribbean International]]