By: Danielle Elliott, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Someone is going to have to drag me off this ship in 6 days. This was my first thought upon seeing the stunning lobby of the Explora I on my first ever voyage with Explora Journeys–and let me tell you, it will not be my last.
If you haven't heard of Explora Journeys, I’m not surprised, as this cruise line is pretty new to the travel world. Explora 1 set sail on her maiden voyage on August 1st, 2023 and Explora II is expected to set sail in 2024.
Explora I boasts 461 Ocean-front suites, 7 included culinary experiences and 4 pools (3 outdoor and 1 indoor, with a retractable roof). With a max occupancy of 1,000 guests, Explora Journeys truly takes small ship sailing to a whole new level. The entire feel of Explora I resembled more of a boutique European hotel rather than a cruise ship.
My fellow Marvelous Mouse Travels travel agent and I agreed that the following phrase captured our sentiments about the feel onboard: casual elegance. Everything about the ship exudated luxury, from the small section of high-end shopping (including brands like Rolex and Cartier), the Veuve Clicquot champagne that was poured for us at every meal, and the impeccable level of service that the Explora I staff (referred to as hosts) provided. While indeed luxurious, I didn’t in any way feel that Explora I was pretentious or stuffy.
As a mom, I was thrilled to learn that Explora Journeys is actually a family-friendly cruise line. Now don’t get me wrong, you aren’t going to find any water slides, zip lines or go carts on board–but that doesn’t mean kids will be bored!
The Nautilus Club is a dedicated area for kiddos ages 6-17, where kids can find foosball, a pool table, gaming systems such as Nintendo Switch, a selection of board games and a jukebox tablet which connects to platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Nautilus Club hosts are responsible for keeping children safe and adhere to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) policies and standards regarding youth activities. Parents can relax and truly enjoy some time together while having the peace of mind that their children are being cared for–and having a blast!
Explora Journeys refers to their accommodations as “Homes at Sea” and once I stepped inside our Ocean Terrace Suite, I instantly knew why. The neutral and modern design of the room was again, luxurious in feel, but also still cozy.
The walk-in closet, which included a vanity area, was a pleasant surprise. Off the walk-in closet, was a very good-sized bathroom with a large vanity and toilet. The shower was pretty large by cruise ship standards, and included a rainfall shower head and a stone shower bench.
Separated from the bed area was a seating area that included a table and couch. A mini-bar (which is restocked daily and upon request) and Espresso machine, and tea pot with a selection of coffee and teas are also all part of your stay.
Waiting for us was a bottle of bubbly with that signature yellow label as well as two Explora Journeys-branded metal water bottles.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by our Suite Host, who opened our bottle of Veuve Clicquot with flair as we toasted to the beginning of our journey. He explained how in-room dining worked, as well as restaurant reservations and explained that he was there if there was anything at all that we needed.
Something important to note about the accommodations onboard is that every suite is ocean-front. You won’t find any obstructed views onboard–just a stunning view of the ocean with a furnished balcony (where you’ll find a table and pair of chairs, as well as a daybed) to take it all in.
I was also fortunate enough to take a peek at some of the other Homes at Sea such as a Premier Ocean Penthouse and Retreat Residences. Some of these higher category room types can connect with the Ocean Terrace Suites. This is a wonderful set up for larger parties traveling together or a multi-generational trip. Your Marvelous Mouse Travels travel planner can help you determine the best room type for your party size and budget, and which Homes at Sea offer connecting accommodations.
The Retreat Residences in particular left me speechless which included floor to ceiling windows, a spacious sun terrace with a private whirlpool, a separate work desk area (with ocean views!) and a sizable living area. Guests staying in these luxurious Homes at Sea also receive their own private butler.
Okay so I’m going to be honest, I could do an entire blog post on just the food on this ship alone because it was some of the best I have ever had. Aboard Explora I there are 7 incredible dining options included:
Another dining experience that we both loved was afternoon tea, available daily in the Explora Lounge. The atmosphere was perfect: views of the ocean and a pianist playing as you sipped on your choice of tea as well as delicate finger sandwiches, cakes and other pastries. It was the perfect mid-afternoon snack to hold you over until it was time to eat–again!
For me, The Emporium Marketplace deserves a special mention. Aboard other cruise lines, this type of eatery may be known as a “food court” or “buffet”, but The Emporium Marketplace reminded much more of the upscale food halls one would see at Harrods in London.
Sushi, charcuterie, a selection of global cheeses, pizza, salads, soup, meats cooked on the rotisserie are just some of the offerings you’ll find here, along with burgers and international offerings which change with each mealtime. My personal favorite was the daily selection of fresh pasta. Each day there was a speciality pasta of the day (usually a type of ravioli), along with a sauce of the day. I blissfully ate my perfectly al dente fresh pappardelle covered in pesto, with my glass of champagne as I overlooked the ocean.
I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of activities on board Explora Journeys. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was never bored. From the pianists playing on the Steinway & Sons pianos found throughout the ship, photography classes, mixology classes, trivia and even the opportunity to walk alongside the Captain of the Explora I, there is more than enough to keep guests entertained, especially on days at sea.
In the evenings, guests can enjoy a main show (on our sailing we experienced some incredibly talented musicians, including a Billy Joel tribute show!). Each Explora Journey also includes An Evening by Candlelight, where guest artists perform in a cozy, candle-lit atmosphere. One evening, my colleague and I experienced some amazing karaoke–and yours truly even belted out some Mama Mia!
For those looking to truly enter into “An Ocean State of Mind”, which is what Explora Journeys encourages guests to do, there are yoga classes multiple times a day, along with sessions on sleep, nutrition and boosting your immune system. If you are looking for some pampering, my travel companion experienced what she called “the best massage of her life” at the spa upon Explora I. While I didn’t book a spa treatment, I did take advantage of the wellness area of the spa, which is included in your journey. This section includes a steam room, a hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall, heated marble loungers and a relaxation room.
When it came time to disembark, I did (begrudgingly) leave this floating boutique hotel. It’s hard for me to fully express just how remarkable this ship is. Time and time again, I was blown away by the level of service that we received throughout our entire journey. No request was too big or too small for the hosts onboard. At the Emporium Marketplace, the staff thought nothing of carrying your dishes full of the delicious food to your table for you. The chef at the fresh fish section of the Emporium Marketplace always kept a piece of salmon aside for my colleague at lunch. It was little touches like these that really made our sailing so memorable and sets Explora Journeys apart.
