My First Cruise - All Aboard Explora I

The brand was created by the owners of MSC, a family-run company from Geneva, with over 300 years of sea-faring experience who deeply believe in the value of family, culture, history and the environment. These values are built into every aspect of the ship, with sustainability at the core of every decision. The company plans to be net zero by 2025.

My favorite fact about the ship is, the bottom of the boat is engineered to be sound-proof to not disturb or affect the animals. It also travels at a slower pace than traditional cruises, 18 knots, as opposed to 22–30 knots, so guests feel a sense of calm. I have nothing to compare it to, but I will say laying on the deck of the infinity pool while traveling to our next destination was just that: calming, relaxing and refreshing.

Explora I has the largest outdoor space in the industry, with a generous deck to guest ratio. There are 461 cabins, all of which are ocean-facing with decks, lounges and panoramic views. Our cabin was spacious, clean and felt like a boutique hotel. One of the perks to cruising is you only have to unpack once, which for someone who is used to packing and unpacking every few days, this was a true luxury. This is a great way of traveling as a family with kids, or as a multi-gen trip. But back to unpacking, the closet in our room was incredible. There was ample storage space, a jewelry drawer and a vanity desk complete with a Dyson blow drier. We love!

The activities on board are endless. From workout classes, pickleball tournaments, live music and nightly entertainment, a cooking class with a Michelin-star chef, spa treatments, a kids club, name that tune, shopping (there was a Rolex store on-board where you can purchase a Rolex and walk out with it the same day) and more. We didn’t even scratch the surface of the activities and we were on board for a week! Granted, we took advantage of exploring the different islands we visited, but if there is someone in your group that doesn’t care to ever leave the ship, rest assured, they’ll never get bored on board Explora I.

Our route was Athens, Mykonos, Volos, Skopelos, Thessoleniki and Istanbul. I’m sure you’re unfamiliar with a third of those destinations, which is by design. The brand has thoughtfully curated routes catered to well-traveled, discerning travelers. Guests will get to explore a range of off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Explora I left from Athens port, so I arrived a day early to squeeze in some time in one of my favorite cities. This trip, I decided to explore new neighborhoods such as Exarchia and Psirri. And of course, I had to make stops at two of my favorite hotels, The Dolli and Athens Capital. Both incredible boutique properties with rooftops, pools and stunning views of the Acropolis. We ate at Vezene and were blown away with every bite.

The next morning, it was time to board the cruise, luggage and pre-cruise anxiety in tow. I pictured us waiting in a long line in the heat of the afternoon. Instead, it was a seamless and fun process. We pulled up to the port and were greeted by the equivalent of a hotel bell-hop. They took our luggage, walked us inside to the Explora counter where we checked-in, were welcomed with ice-cold water and tea and walked through security.

Once through security, we walked into the boat, showed our passports, again, got our cabin number and received our room and ID card. This ID card was scanned every time we left the ship and got back on. From there, we were guided into a lounge, met with champagne and waited in a small line to fill out forms like you would at a hotel. After that, we were free to roam the ship for the rest of the afternoon.

We wandered around the ship to get our bearings and then went to the infinity pool deck in time for our sail away, saying goodbye to land and hello to a new way of traveling.

I recommend arriving a day or two early to ensure plenty of time to account for any flight mishaps or delays. Once on board, head straight to the dining reservation desk to book your meals on board. Next, stop by the spa to make appointments for the day at sea. The spa is only open to all guests for a few hours during the day at sea and then reserved for guests with appointments only.

Explora I is the perfect solution for families with young kids, multi-generational families looking for a unique and easy vacation, couples and friend groups.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on cruise travel. In need of further inspiration? Check out my guide, Top 3 Hotels in Mykonos for a Dream Vacay.