Explora Journeys: My 6-Day Experience Aboard This New Luxury Cruise

Explora Journeys, owned by the renowned MSC Group, launched its maiden voyage just nine months ago. With the Explora I voted as the "Best New Cruise Ship" by Travel + Leisure Magazine, and with the cruise line's plans for five more luxury ships between 2024 and 2028, the time is now to embark on this extraordinary journey.

Upon stepping foot on Explora I, I was blown away. The ship feels like a luxury five-star resort, the crew treats you like you're the most important guest onboard and the dining options are like what you'd find in New York. Throughout the week, they really delivered when it came to quality and every guest I talked to claimed Explora I had become their new favorite ship (and many booked future cruises while aboard). There are too many highlights to include here but let's go over a few:

THE SHIP

The 813-foot ship was designed to resemble a luxury superyacht, with plenty of space for each guest to find their own private area to relax. With three outdoor pools, an indoor pool, several whirlpools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an open-air gym, a pickleball court, a basketball court, a spa, an array of activities and seminars, numerous dining options and lounges and an array of boutiques (including the only Rolex boutique onboard a cruise ship), there is plenty to explore aboard Explora I. All 461 spacious oceanfront suites include their own balcony, heated marble bathroom floors and even a Dyson hair dryer. I could go on and on about the design and layout of this ship (all of it, really!), but I’ll leave it at that and am open for questions!

WELLNESS

Explora Journeys places an emphasis on “Ocean Wellness.” You can find fitness classes like pilates and bootcamps, wellness classes such as sound baths and breathing exercises and remarkable spa facilities. Within the spa, they have a wellness area that is available for all guests (even without booking a treatment) which includes a Himalayan salt cave, hydrotherapy pool, experience showers, Finnish sauna, steam room and more. If you’re looking to leave your cruise feeling relaxed and invigorated, you’ll have plenty of options to do so.

DINING

Explora Journeys shines when it comes to their dining. The ship has six remarkable dining options, my favorites being their Pan Asian Sakura and their Med Yacht Club, which features dishes from Spain, Italy and even Morocco. Their other amazing dining options include their steakhouse, Marble & Co.; their French restaurant, Fil Rouge; their Emporium Marketplace, which includes tons of options (including grilled lobster and oysters in the half shell at dinnertime); and Anthology, which features a tasting menu created by rotating Michelin-Starred chefs. You'll find numerous lounges and bars throughout, including a moody whiskey bar and cigar lounge, and they even serve high tea in their Emporium Lounge every day, which was always a treat. In short: if you're a foodie, Explora Journeys will absolutely NOT disappoint.

Image 1: Astern Lounge; Image 2: High Tea

SERVICE

Being aboard this ship, the crew really makes each guest feel special. There is a 1.25:1 guest to crew ratio, but when the ship isn’t at full capacity (like my journey), it’s more like 1:1. The attention to detail and friendliness of every single crew member is a special experience within itself and you'll really find that they bend over backwards for each guest.

DESTINATIONS

Explora Journeys will be focusing on lesser traveled destinations and offering remarkable shore excursions, with a goal of fostering profound personal enrichment. Think camping on a polar ice cap in Greenland, whale-watching from a whirlpool in Norway, helicoptering over the colorful UNESCO World Heritage Site Iguazu Falls in Brazil and much more. They mindfully curate their itineraries with longer port days and overnights in special destinations.

UPCOMING JOURNEYS

Explora I will be making its way through Central America and the Panama Canal as it heads toward Miami. From there, it will make a transatlantic voyage to Europe and will host incredible itineraries throughout Europe this summer. Explora II will be launching in August from Barcelona and has more fantastic European itineraries through 2024. Get in touch with me for a full list of their journeys as well as all current promos they have on offer (spoiler alert: you'll receive an extra €150 experience credit per person on journeys over seven days when booking with me as your advisor!)

Whether you're into cruising or haven't yet experienced it, Explora Journeys is a great place to start — especially now, when prices and capacity are lower. The ship features more delicious food than you can imagine, the most friendly service around, plenty of space to relax (and no waiting in line) and so much more. While Explora Journeys absolutely fits in the luxury category, it's comfortable. There is no strict dress code or themed nights, so guests can feel at home during their time onboard.

If you have any questions about Explora Journeys or would like more information, please submit an inquiry and I'll be in touch soon!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on cruise travel. For further inspiration, check out my guide, The Ultimate Adventurers Guide to Cape Town.