Explorer of the Seas: Sanitation Record & Health Report

Explorer of the Seas has been hauling Royal Caribbean loyalists since 2000, which means this ship has been at sea longer than most of its passengers have been legally allowed to drink. A 2015 refurb helped shake off some of the early-aughts energy, and at 138,279 gross tons spread across 15 decks, "Explorer" is not exactly a subtle name for a vessel this large. The Voyager Class was Royal Caribbean's original flex — the ships that made competitors nervous and port cities reconsider their pier infrastructure — and the Explorer still carries that legacy, even if newer fleet siblings like the Icon class have since stolen the spotlight. For a ship pushing 25 years old, it holds its own.

On the cleanliness front, Explorer scored a 92 on its most recent CDC inspection in November 2025 — passing, but worth noting that the fleet average hovers around 95. Here is the catch: there is exactly one inspection on record, which means we cannot say whether this is a ship that consistently earns its scores or just had a good Tuesday when the inspectors showed up. A single data point is not a trend; it is a photo. Whether it is a flattering photo or just a lucky angle, only time — and future inspections — will tell. For now, the green light stands.

Who it's for: Royal Caribbean diehards who want the classic mega-ship experience out of Miami without paying Icon-class prices. Families who want options — multiple dining venues, big pool decks, the whole carnival-at-sea production — and are not precious about sailing on something that predates the iPhone. Who should skip it: Anyone whose travel philosophy requires the newest, shiniest thing; anyone anxious about that below-average CDC score without the inspection history to contextualize it; and anyone who genuinely needs a ship where 3,114 fellow passengers does not sound like a crowd problem.