Explorer of the Seas: The Ship That Changed My Life (2010–2014)

Where I fell in love—with the world, with the journey, and with a new version of myself.

Some ships become part of your résumé.
Explorer of the Seas became part of my life story.

From 2010 to 2014, sailing out of Bayonne, New Jersey, this ship was my universe—a floating city where cultures met, where stories unfolded, and where my own destiny shifted forever.

It was onboard Explorer where I met the father of my daughter, Maxene.
It was onboard Explorer where I fell in love—deeply, unexpectedly, and beautifully.

But the magic didn’t end there.

The Itinerary That Felt Like a Love Letter to the Caribbean

Among all the routes I’ve sailed, nothing compares to the rhythm of the East Coast–to–Caribbean itinerary.

Two ports, in particular, became my personal sanctuaries:

🌴 St. Thomas — the place where time slows down

There’s a softness to St. Thomas—warm light, calm water, and a peaceful energy that melts stress the moment you step off the gangway. It was my reminder that life doesn’t always have to move at the speed of the ship.

🌊 St. Maarten — pure freedom on a beach

Shopping, swimming, sun on my skin, and a laid-back island vibe that felt like an exhale.
If Explorer was my home, St. Maarten was my reset button.

Those port days were my way of breathing again.

East Coast Guests: Sharp Minds, Big Hearts

Serving the East Coast demographic was an education in culture, pace, and personality.

They were:

• Direct — no sugar-coating, just honesty

• Fast-paced — time is gold

• Well-diversified — conversations as rich as the accent mix

• Generous — both in tipping and in spirit

They valued quality, efficiency, and intellect.
And when you delivered?
They rewarded you with respect, loyalty, and remarkable kindness.

I loved that energy.
It sharpened me.
It trained me.
It prepared me for any dining room in any corner of the world.

The Conversations I’ll Never Forget

Some of my most meaningful memories aren’t grand events—they’re the quiet moments over dinner service:

New Yorkers and Jersey locals sharing pieces of their lives, offering wisdom you can’t buy, and speaking with the bold clarity only East Coast people have.

They made me laugh.
They made me think.
Sometimes, they made me better.

Those voices still stay with me.

How Explorer Shaped the Woman I Am Today

Working on this ship felt like entering a real-life masterclass.

I learned:

• to move with speed without losing grace,

• to think quickly and serve with precision,

• to adapt to every personality at every table,

• to connect deeply, even in brief moments,

• and to stay steady no matter how demanding the pace.

And perhaps the greatest lesson of all came from the people of New York:

“If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.”
They lived it.
And eventually—I did too.

Crew Life Then: Raw, Real, and Unforgettable

The culture on Explorer during those years was something special.
Simple.
Focused.
Supportive.

We had our routines, our secret corners, our inside jokes, and our small traditions that made long contracts feel human.

It wasn’t just a workplace.
It was family.

A Message to My Younger Self on Explorer (2010–2014)

If I could go back, I would whisper:
“Connect more. Speak more. Don’t rush through the moments—these years will shape everything.”

Because looking back now, what I miss most isn’t the ports or the schedule.
It’s the conversations—those deep, wise, unexpectedly profound talks with East Coast guests who carried a lifetime of stories.

Explorer of the Seas will forever be my favorite.

Not just because of the Caribbean breeze, the itinerary, or the ship itself.
But because she held some of the most defining years of my life—years of discovery, growth, love, and transformation.

Explorer wasn’t just where I worked.
She was where I became myself.