Following in the wake of the Voyager of the Seas, which shares the same basic layout and facilities, the Explorer of the Seas comes with a few twists of her own. Chief among these are two scientific laboratories, one dedicated to studying the sea and the other used to make atmospheric observations. The marine research lab on Deck One has scientific equipment to measure ocean currents, temperature, and salinity. Scientists look for key indicators of ocean health, such as the amount of dissolved oxygen and the presence of photoplankton. The atmospheric lab on Deck 14 takes readings from an array of instruments located along the perimeter of the vessel's hull and superstructure.

Once collected, the data from both labs is sent to researchers ashore. The main participant in the research effort is the University of Miami, which specializes in the study of marine sciences. The university staffs the ship's two laboratories with visiting scientists, who sail for two weeks at a time (not a bad assignment). Another beneficiary of the research being done on the Explorer of the Seas is the federal government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Passengers are invited to visit the labs and meet the scientists on guided tours of the research facilities.

Also distinct to the Explorer of the Seas is her collection of celebrity artwork--paintings, photographs, and prints created by famous actors, musicians and the like. Artists whose work graces the forward stairway include Billy Dee Williams, Peter Falk, Anthony Quinn, Miles Davis, Herb Alpert, and Tony Curtis. Royal Caribbean estimates the value of this art collection at more than $600,000.

Decor throughout the ship spans time periods and historical styles, from the traditionally nautical atmosphere of the Schooner Bar (a standard on every Royal Caribbean ship) to" the brassy, contemporary flash of the Aquarium Bar, so named for the four gigantic fish tanks that together hold 56 tons of saltwater. In fact, much of the public decor is positively Camivalesque, especially the dramatic Gothic ambiance of The Chamber, a bilevel nightclub/disco located just below the Royal Promenade. The glitz is matched only by the grandeur, which is best expressed in two main public rooms: the dining room and showroom. In these spaces, as much as anywhere else on the ship, Royal Caribbean distinguishes itself from the competition.

Unlike some of the other major cruise lines, which have opted for two or three smaller dining rooms to create a more intimate feeling on their 100,000-tonners, Royal Caribbean has taken an opposite approach. The main dining room is a three-deck extravaganza that seats more than 1,900 people at a time--so large that its five sections carry different names to help guests navigate the space. Seen from the main entryway, the dining room's balconied tiers rise upward like a miniature atrium within the dining area, Capped in the center by a celestial dome. Surrounding the dome from the floor to the ceiling are fluted gold-leaf columns.

Yet this is just one of six dining venues, which also include Portofino, an alternative Italian restaurant; the casual buffet restaurant; a finger-sandwich cafe along the Royal Promenade; light fare in the Solarium; plus a Johnny Rockets ondeck for burgers, fries, and shakes (not to mention the Sprinkles self-serve ice-cream bar located along the Royal Promenade).

The Palace showroom, capacity 1,350, is just as impressive as the main dining room. Rising five stories from the orchestra pit to the ceiling, the showroom exudes an opera-house ambiance inspired by the great music halls of the Old World. The Maharajah's Lounge, a secondary showroom as big as the main showroom on some smaller ships, seats another 350 guests for cabaret-type shows.

But you don't have to wait for showtime to be entertained aboard the Explorer of the Seas. For those who enjoy the great indoors, the casino is one of the largest at sea. The Connoisseur Club is an elegant place to enjoy a stogie; the Crown & Kettle, the perfect place to savor a stout. Televised sports, beer, and hot pretzels are the main attraction in the Weekend Warrior sports bar. Outdoor participant sports include the aforementioned rock-climbing wall and in-line skating track, plus nine-hole miniature golf course and combination basketball/volleyball court.

During days at sea, demand for the sports facilities is high, so Royal Caribbean asks passengers to sign up in advance to use the rock-climbing wall. Ascents are scheduled in 15-minute intervals. As with other popular facilities such as the alternative restaurant, spa, and beauty salon, it's best to reserve your time early in the cruise.

If shopping is your game, the boutiques along the Royal Promenade should keep you busy until the next port-of-call. Duty-free stores include Island Clothing for resort wear, the Logo Souvenir Shop for everything Royal Caribbean, a Gift Shop for jewelry and perfume, plus a General Store for anything that you might have left at home.

As on her sister ship, the Explorer of the Seas has 138 atrium cabins. These are inside staterooms with windows that overlook the Royal Promenade. The bay-window design doubles as a sitting area for people-and-parade watching below. (The Royal Promenade is often the stage for Mardi Gras-style processions and "street" performances.)

With 22 different cabin categories, the Explorer of the Seas offers a stateroom to suit virtually any budget, from standard-issue inside cabins to the top-of-the-line Royal Suite nicely equipped with a baby grand piano and private hot tub. Overall, almost half of the cabins have balconies (765 out of 1,557).

On a ship this big, special attention can be paid to passengers with special needs or interests. Younger passengers, for example, have their own extensive deck space with shuffleboard, deck checkers, and tic-tac-toe. Adventure Beach is a family area with a splash pool and water slide. Older kids have their own computer lab (separate from the ship's Internet Center) and a teen nightclub. The video arcade has dozens of games for kids of all ages.

Passengers with disabilities are accommodated equally well. There are 26 staterooms for people with mobility problems, conveniently located near the elevators and designed with flat floors for easy bathroom access and a five-foot turning radius in the bathroom, sleeping area, and sitting area. Provisions can also be made for passengers with hearing and/or or vision impairments.

Health & fitness needs are seen to in 25,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space. The spa area includes 14 treatment rooms, an aerobics floor, and a separate gym with more than 60 pieces of workout equipment. The adjacent Solarium has a pool, two whirlpools, and a cafe under a retractable glass canopy.

While passengers have responded enthusiastically to Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships and their unique facilities, they were less than thrilled by all the extra charges Royal Caribbean was initially imposing. But in this case, passengers found that you can fight corporate headquarters, and Royal Caribbean rescinded the nickel-and-dime fees for just about everything except the Portofino specialty restaurant, where a $20 per-person fee is still charged, and the golf simulator, which costs $25 per hour for up to four passengers.