A Non-Cruiser's Honest Opinion of Explora Journeys

Pre-cruise experience: The browsing and booking process for Explora Journeys was quick, simple, and enjoyable. There were many intriguing itineraries to select from. I’d highly recommend selecting destination experiences and making dining reservations in advance—you’re always able to adjust once onboard.

Ship and accommodations: I cruised on the Explora 1, the first of the luxury ship collection, built in 2023. The vessel features 461 suites, five heated pools, six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges. The entry-level Ocean Terrace Suites are among the most spacious in the industry at 35 sqm and 7 sqm of terrace space. The rooms continue to grow from there, capping off in the owners residence at 250 sqm indoors and out. The rooms are extremely comfortable and quite chic. The design is modern and classic, and includes innovative storage solutions, a comfortable division of space, and feels far more like a hotel suite than a room on a cruise ship.

Dining experiences: While Explora seems to excel in many areas, dining has to be the greatest standout in my opinion. Each of the specialty restaurants has a unique menu and theme with extremely thoughtful service. From Pan-Asian and French to a classic steakhouse, a 7-day cruise was hardly long enough to sample every option. The Emporium Marketplace—Explora’s equivalent to most cruise lines’ cafeteria/all day dining offering—exceeded my expectations at every visit. Guests can enjoy anything they have a taste for: sushi, raw bar, grilled seafood, roasted meats, handmade pasta, fresh pizza, Caesar salad made to order, and much more.

Entertainment and activities: There is never a dull moment aboard the ship. Entertainment, hands-on activities, meet ups, and fitness experiences are on the schedule from dawn until far after dusk. A well-appointed fitness area and a show-stopping spa offer hours of onboard R&R.

Destinations: The dedicated destinations team was a joy to work with each day. There was such a wide variety of activities in each port, it was difficult to select only one. I would recommend spending some time upon embarkation learning about your excursions—the online descriptions provide a good idea of what to expect, but diving deeper into the details will ensure that what you’ve selected is the right fit. One example is an excursion I signed up for not realizing it would be a very large group on a tour bus—all my previous excursions were more intimate.

Value assessment: With Explora, you get what you are paying for. A beyond-premium experience comes at a premium price, but while onboard it wasn’t something I thought about twice. The cost of the cruise includes nearly everything, save a few exclusive experiences and extremely high-end drinks. Aside from a spa treatment, I didn’t pay for anything onboard.

As an infrequent cruiser, I was surprised when they collected passports at the beginning of the trip. We got them back the day before disembarkation. Often your fellow cruisers may have been on the ship even longer than you—combining your itinerary with one prior. I found I liked meeting these people to get their thoughts on things like restaurants and activities, so I could prioritize what to experience!