RC Explorer of the Seas: Part I - Getting There and Miami

American Airlines Lounge at Pearson

It's been a while since I've been on a Royal Caribbean ship, so I and my bestie booked a trip on the Explorer of the Seas. We used the cruise line's air booking service, and got a ride on American Airlines. This is a first for me, so this trip introduced us to AA's Business Class product. By the time we got through security and customs there wasn't a lot of time before boarding, so I dashed into the lounge, and grabbed a mimosa, then headed to the distant gate. 

Mimosa! because you need the potassium

Boarding was quick for us, since we were zone 1. I had been prepared for the fact that AA doesn't have screens, and you have to BYOD. I figured I would probably just read anyway. They do have a good movie selection, though, with a few titles I might watch on my way to Vegas (spoiler alert!). The seats are fairly standard for medium-hop business, with a nice amount of legroom, and a bit of tilt with the recline. The aisle side armrests go down, for those who can benefit from such an arrangement. There is space in the centre armrest section for stowage, which includes a charging outlet (no USB on this one). The tray is in the outer armrests, and folds in half. The only thing that bothered me was that the space under the seat in front was slightly lower than normal, and wouldn't fit my carryon. 

AA Business Class leg room

The service was excellent, and our glasses were kept topped up. The breakfast was good, with the eggs being full of potatoes and vegetables. The accompanying fruit salad was also nice. All in all, this was a fine way to get to Miami.

AA Business Class Breakfast

We stayed at the Intercontinental in Miami. It's on the bay, and convenient to the port, and the Bayside Marketplace. The room was very nice, with a partial ocean view, and a view of the swimming pool and pool bar.

🎶Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name🎶

It was very windy, so after we had a couple of beverages by the pool, we decided to take it to the Marketplace and grab a snack. While we were there, we saw a pirate boat, and learned we could take a cruise on it for a scant $25 each. What would you do? We booked a sunset cruise. Of course, it was raining by the time sunset came around, but we did have a good time. It was a cash bar, but I would expect that.

I want to say The El Loro but that's redundant

Next: Part II - Onboard The Explorer of the Seas 

 

Via Rail Business Class

 

Union Station Business Class Lounge

I'd never tried Via Rail's Business Class before, but I wanted to visit a friend on the route, so I booked a trip. The lounge opened shortly after I arrived. It was very basic, offering soft drinks, and little else, but it was a nice, quiet space to wait. They announced boarding, so you don't need to watch the clock or a screen.

Lounge offerings

The seating in business class is interesting. The front half of the carriage faces backwards, and the back half faces forward. In the middle there is a common table, so a party could sit face to face. The chairs are reasonably comfortable for a short haul, but somewhat skinny.

Via Rail Business Class seat

Tray

They have windaisle seats

I preordered the vegetarian breakfast, as I try to limit my meat intake. I have had some meals before that were obviously expressions of hostility towards vegetarians on the part of the caterers, but this took the cake (cake would have been nice). The vegetables in the eggs were overcooked to flavourless mush, and the potatoes were oddly textured and completely devoid of flavour. Nothing was even salted, and no salt was provided.

The vegetarian breakfast

On the way back, thankfully, they didn't have my vegetarian meal, but managed to scrounge a salmon. It was served cold, which I thought was an odd choice for cooked salmon, but any fish in a storm...

Salmon

The service was good, anyway. And considering the price, it's not a bad value. Just don't tell them you're vegetarian. 😉

Next: Part I of my RC Explorer of the Seas report