Experiencing Explora Journeys’ Inaugural North American Sailing

The first of a fleet of six planned upscale ships from Explora Journeys, the impressive Explora I, part of MSC Group, set sail from Southampton, U.K., on July 17, 2023. She made her U.S. inaugural debut in New York City in September, treating guests to a seven-night cruise with port calls in Boston, Canada’s Saint John, Bay of Fundy and Quebec City.

With the goal of helping guests achieve their unique “ocean state of mind,” Explora combines a transformative blend of luxury, relaxation, pampering, and slower pace of travel with unique off-the-beaten-track destinations. And with an industry-leading guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to 1, it’s easy to relax and let go in sublime comfort.

Homes at Sea

Explora I offers 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and an owner’s residence, all with private sun terraces, outdoor furniture including a daybed, sweeping ocean views, floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant interiors and a spacious walk-in wardrobe with a seated vanity area.

Suites start at a roomy 377 square feet, with the owner’s residence with an incredible 3,014 square feet of space, with dedicated butler service. Definitely more than a “home away from home” experience.

Guests receive a welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival, along with a bottle of wine and spirit of choice. Unlimited beverages, fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, teas, and soft drinks are also complimentary, including the in-suite mini bar. Onboard gratuities and Wi-Fi throughout the ship are also part of the all-inclusive package. Of no surprise, each higher-end accommodation brings additional amenities.

Other impressive in-suite touches are the high-end Mandala Blue bath products (made specifically for Explora), spacious all-marble bathrooms and showers, a wireless charger, Dyson supersonic hairdryers, motion-activated light sensors and a library of books in various languages.

Thanks to in-suite binoculars, I was able to spot a pod of dolphins up close and personal from my outdoor terrace. Nightly turndown service and a varied evening treat or gift were also lovely surprises.

Explora Dining

Dining experiences are a crucial part of every cruise ship experience, and Explora I not only delivered, in my view, it vastly exceeded expectations.

Culinary treasures aboard Explora Journeys offer globally-inspired dishes from around the world, carefully selected, tastefully prepared and beautifully presented.

Guests can choose from 24-hour in-suite dining to exquisite fine-dining restaurants.

Anthology celebrates the talents and specialties of international award-winning guest chefs showcasing their talents with superb wine pairings. Chef’s Kitchen is an immersive, instructional culinary class event. And both experiences are available with advance reservations and an extra fee.  

If you’re into Pan-Asian dining, you’ll love Sakura, named after the Japanese cherry blossom. Sakura’s sushi menu alone is both expansive and creative, and other dishes are equally impressive.

Med Yacht Club celebrates the tantalizing flavors of the Mediterranean in a classy, nautical setting. The sophisticated Fil Rouge restaurant highlights top-notch French-inspired dishes. Steak lovers will enjoy Marble & Co., a redefined European steakhouse with impressive cuts.

There are buffets, and then there is Emporium Marketplace, providing guests with more flexible options. The all-day dining experience features 18 separate cooking stations offering cuisine from all over the world. This makes it practically impossible to choose your favorites.

Explora I's Sky Bar. (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)

Cafes and Lounges

The luminous Explora Lounge sports spectacular 270-degree views along with creative cocktails and informal small bites. It even touts its own Malt Whiskey Bar. Journeys Lounge highlights mixology, enrichment and entertainment throughout the day. But you shouldn’t miss Sky Bar on 14, the perfect setting for creative libations and splendid views.

Crema Café brews up specialty coffees along with a selection of pastries. And an absolute favorite of passengers is the Gelateria and Creperie at the Conservatory with its French and Italian indulgences. Other bars and lounges are located in the main lobby and in the pool areas.  

With a total of 18 restaurants, bars and lounges, there are plenty of places to wine, dine, imbibe and relax.

Ocean Pools, Wellness and Outdoor Spaces

Explora I boasts three stunning heated outdoor pools with 64 private cabanas, including one adults-only area and five additional indoor and outdoor whirlpools across the ship’s decks. The Conservatory indoor pool sits under a glass roof and measures an expansive 12,917 square feet.   

One indoor hydrotherapy pool is located at Ocean Wellness-The Spa, which also includes a steam room, steam shower, a Finnish sauna, ice fall, heated marble loungers and relaxation areas. Eleven treatment rooms offer various beauty, body and wellness options to pamper seagoers.

Guests into burning those extra calories will love the fitness center that also includes a studio with wellness programs, an open-air fitness deck, a running track and a sports court.

And speaking of decks, Explora I boasts almost 27,000 square feet of spectacular sea views with plenty of lounging space.

Explora I's Conservatory indoor pool. (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)

Enrichment and Entertainment

Daily schedules are delivered to guest suites each evening, providing information about the following day’s port destination and weather reports, along with dining and shopping hours, onboard activities and enrichment seminars.

For those into gambling, Explora I has a casino with slot machines and game tables. Curated shopping experiences include high-end fragrances and skincare, ready-to-wear clothing items, homeware and gifts, accessories and food and beverage items.

My favorite aspect of the cruise was the impressive entertainment and enrichment seminars provided by resident artists and special guests.

Passengers were treated to musical theater, piano serenades, jazz bands and bygone-era classics. Enrichment seminars covered health, well-being and restorative topics along with travel photography, art, artisanal legacies, dance, sports, and local legendary tales. Families particularly enjoyed the games and competitive fun.

For kids sailing between the ages of 6 to 17, the Nautilus Club is a space dedicated just for younger mariners led by a team of expert hosts. Children aged 3 to 5 are welcome for scheduled age-appropriate activities if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight, the Club offers the latest generation of video games and VR consoles, such as PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iPads and Oculus Pro.

Your children will love the foosball and multi-game table, the pool table and modern jukebox tablet connected to streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple, along with a vast selection of board games and other activities.  

Explora I's Yacht Club. (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)

New Itineraries and Destination Experiences

With sailings ranging from seven to 52 nights long, Explora I will visit the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, the U.S. and Canadian East Coast, the Caribbean, Central America, the Pacific Coast and Hawaii.

The U.S./Canadian itinerary is scheduled through October 2023. In November 2023, Explora I will commence its inaugural Caribbean journey to include the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, Puerto Rico, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

April 2024 brings the inaugural Hawaiian journeys to the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

What all these sailings have in common, however, is that guests aboard Explora I will sail on a truly amazing luxury ship with immersive itineraries that offer a perfect blend of celebrated destinations and less-traveled places while being totally spoiled and pampered along the way.

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