Explora Journeys' Explora I Cruise Ship Review

Table Of Content

• Current itinerary of MSC Explora 1
• Explora Journeys introduces exclusive Mediterranean experiences for 2024
• MSC Explora 1 - user reviews and comments
• Explora I Has Four Upscale Pools - and Gorgeous Infinity Whirlpools
• Explora really wants you to know that unlike most cruise giants, they are family owned and European.
• Journey Together Gatherings (shipboard family program)

These suites are with a double sofabed (to accommodate 3rd/4th person), separate living/sleeping areas, and fitted with smart technology for controlling the lights, heating, air-conditioning and curtains. As part of the MSC Group, Explora Journeys is committed to building ships for tomorrow, utilising today's latest technologies and being ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available. Unlike other upscale brands, Explora Journeys caters to families as well, he noted, with a complete entertainment program for children. Austin said that Explora never aimed to create a “copy of a classic, traditional cruise brand” but something “very special, different and unique” that incorporates the “vision and the dream” of MSC Cruises Group owners to create something entirely new. According to Chris Austin, the company’s chief sales officer, the company continues to differentiate itself from the competition in the luxury field as it receives the Explora II next August. The luxury ship will spend several weeks in Northern Europe and spend the winter in North America and the Caribbean Sea before returning to Europe for voyages in the Mediterranean Sea next summer.

Current itinerary of MSC Explora 1

The all-suite Explora I (there are 461 suites across three main categories) was built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy. It offers several upscale inclusive dining options, plus an extra-fee restaurant. There are 12 bars and lounges, 7,500 square feet of wellness space and some of the most inviting outside spaces -- infinity pools, cabanas, sunken day beds, and infinity whirlpools -- I’ve seen, both at sea and on land.

Explora Journeys introduces exclusive Mediterranean experiences for 2024

The brand's mandala-inspired logo was designed by Alexa Aponte-Vago (MSC Group's CFO, MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte's daughter and Pierfrancesco Vago's wife). In January 2018 strong rumors started to circulate about MSC considering the establishment of a new (all-inclusive luxury) cruise brand. There was also the possibility (instead of creating a new brand) MSC to just create a parallel "expedition" fleet, but in 2020 was confirmed that this would be a new brand.

MSC Explora 1 - user reviews and comments

I was in a “Premier Penthouse,” a mid-tier room that had a separated living and sleeping space with a walk-in closet with a seated vanity and balcony equipped with a table, two chairs, and a chaise. The almost-entirely marble bathroom had a large vanity, a rainfall shower, and—a perk I couldn’t get enough of—heated flooring. The shelves were filled with curated objects, books, and games, creating a home-like atmosphere. My room came with a Technogym bag with a yoga mat, foam roller, and exercise bands, along with exercise classes built-in to the television. Even more impressive is that there was enough room in my suite to comfortably do a yoga class.

Expert Review of Explora I Cruise Ship - Cruise Critic

Expert Review of Explora I Cruise Ship.

Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:02:35 GMT [source]

Specifications of MSC Explora 1

While the bathrooms overall are a tad smaller than some others within the luxury cruise sphere, they have heated marble floors and plush large towels. The whirlpools are also designed with bench seating facing outward, so you can enjoy the view and talk to your friends, as opposed to the more traditional round seating. While the weather on our Pacific Coast itinerary didn't lend itself to pool time, I found myself wishing we were in a warm climate so I could try every pool. That said, we did find a nod to MSC's Yacht Club in an illuminated marble lighted staircase leading to two of the ship's restaurants. Almost everything is included, save shore excursions, airfare and a first-at-sea specialty restaurant that features a rotating cast of Michelin-starred chefs.

On our sailing, this exuberant space was well-used by passengers and was a favorite spot onboard for daytime fun and relaxation. Aft on Deck 14 is the Panorama Lounge & Bar (an outdoor venue with a Whirlpool/Jacuzzi and sunbathing areas with loungers) and the Sports Court (outdoor facility for playing basketball, volleyball, football, tennis). Midship are the Funnels (smokestacks) adjacent to the Retractable Glass-Roof that covers the main swimming pool (on Deck 11 below). There are nine dining options on Explora I -- just don’t expect a main dining room or traditional buffet restaurant in the mix. Instead, passengers will find five inclusive specialty restaurants, one extra-fee restaurant, an inclusive in-suite dining menu, a coffee shop for drinks and light snacks and a gelateria and creperie. Explora I will appeal to travelers who enjoy experiencing luxury resorts around the world -- think Four Seasons, Fairmont, One&Only and Greece’s Sani and Ikos resorts.

All 461 cabins on Explora I are suites, all with an outside terrace. Suites mirror public spaces, designed to feel like a boutique hotel or room at a luxury resort, rather than a cruise ship. The line has achieved this not just in the decor – modern and neutral -- but in scale. The ship has a total of 18x food and beverage venues including 10x dining (6x restaurants, Chef`s Kitchen) and 12x bars and lounges (8x indoor + 4x outdoor). Wine selections are according to the current itinerary program/regions sailed, with a certified sommelier service for the boutique wine labels and wine pairing. Both inside and outside spaces in the ship’s entry-level cabins, Ocean Terrace suites, are among the largest at sea, measuring 377 square feet inside and 75 outside.

Explora really wants you to know that unlike most cruise giants, they are family owned and European.

The brand "Explora Journeys" debuts with the 14-night "Extended Journey of Scottish Isles, Danish Cities, and Icelandic Fjords" itinerary (roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark) leaving on August 1st (2023). In October 2022, the brand's inauguration/ship's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from May 31st (11-night "Maiden Journey into Mare Nostrum" from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens) to July 17th, 2023 (out of Southampton England UK). Exquisitely designed with the guest and relaxed, home-like comfort in mind. Immerse yourself in all of the detail behind the Explora Journeys ships, from design and architecture, to safety and technology features. Re-imagining entertainment and enrichment, with thoughtful, personalised experiences.

Journey Together Gatherings (shipboard family program)

Of the 461 suites on Explora I, 10 are wheelchair accessible, located on decks 8, 9 and 10. Spaces flow nicely, while maintaining a feeling of individuality to each venue. Even the art space has the feel of a Soho gallery, a destination for art, rather than a passageway on the ship.

Ft. spa has nine treatment rooms and a thermal area complete with saunas, steam rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, and even a Himalayan salt cave. I had a muscle release massage on a sea day which effectively relaxed my muscles after the 12 or more hour travels from Vancouver to Copenhagen. The treatment rooms were spacious and the massage included soft stretching and aromatherapy.

Wealthy Travelers Are Flocking to This New Luxury Explora I Cruise Ship: Photos - Business Insider

Wealthy Travelers Are Flocking to This New Luxury Explora I Cruise Ship: Photos.

Posted: Sun, 22 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

EXPLORA I's canceled inaugural sailing (Southampton to Copenhagen/Jul 17 thru Aug 1) can be seen in the ship's Wiki section. The 15-night "A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle" itinerary included visits to 12x Northern European ports in 4 countries. On Deck 12 are the Forward Pool & Lounge (adults-only sundeck with a large swimming pool and sunbathing area) and the 2-lane Running Track (making a full circle/looping nearly the entire deck with lined up sun loungers for relaxation). MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company.

Those wanting to dine here will need to dig deep as the fee is €190 per person (approximately $205) and an additional €75 ($81) for paired wines, making it a contender for one of the most expensive restaurants at sea. It’s a multi-course fine-dining extravaganza that will see some of the world’s best chefs craft the menu on three-month rotations. Similar to New York’s former Plaza food hall, the Eataly chain and London’s Fortnum & Mason food hall. It was buzzy and often busy (in a good way), with drool-worthy dishes available at every mealtime. Explora Journeys, whose sister line is MSC Cruises, is the luxury offspring of shipping giant the MSC Group. The company has ambitious expansion plans that will see a further five ships launch by 2028.

But I have to say my favorite amenity of the guest room, even though there was a customized bar and Dyson supersonic hairdryer, were the auto-focusing binoculars for viewing the many archipelagos and wind farms in the North Sea. Since Explora Journeys is aligning itself with luxury resorts -- not luxury cruise lines -- the suites, all with huge balconies, have a similar upmarket boutique hotel feel, too. Balconies feature a marble-top table, two chairs and a couples’ daybed with ample space for dining and relaxing. The third-largest cruise brand in the world, European cruise line MSC, announced its plans to move into the ultra-luxury market in 2018 and in the years since brought Explora Journeys from ideation to realty.

The hydrogen powers a 6-MW/megawatt fuel cell to produce all the electricity needed for the onboard hotel operations. With Explora 5 (2027) and Explora 6 (2028), MSC's Explora Journeys investment totaled EUR 3,5 billion. Deck 3 houses an Aft Marina Deck (for launching watersports activities) with an adjacent Marina Lounge & Bar and two fore-located Tender Areas (portside and starboard) for ferrying passengers (transportation via tender boats) between the ship and the shore. The onboard dining experience is all-inclusive and marked by flexible dining times and gourmet dishes prepared with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients. The boat has 13 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins. By annual passenger shipping volumes, MSC is ranked the world's 3rd largest cruise shipowner - following only Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean.

That makes Explora I one of the few places where you can go into the boutique in the morning and leave with a Rolex right away. (The ship limits sales to two per day to keep its inventory stocked). To keep the experience special, the Rolex boutique will likely only appear on Explora I, as opposed to sister ships. Expect another luxury brand to appear on Explora II, we were told.