Jim's Explora I Trip Report

It's always exciting when a new product in the luxury cruising space makes an impressive debut, and Explora Journeys has done just that - which is why we're delighted to be able to share this fantastic new venture with you!

Jim has just returned from his very first voyage on board the brand new Explora I, and he couldn't be more excited to share his thoughts and impressions with you. After reading all about the impressive journey he took on board the Explora I, we're certain that you'll be inspired to experience this new offering for yourself. Read on to discover what makes Explora Journeys remarkable, and contact us to book your own journey!

I just got back from my first cruise on the brand new, much anticipated Explora 1. This is an exciting day for us here at Specialty Cruise & Villas, as we not only have a new ship to sell, but a whole new cruise line! This ship will be the first of six that will be launched, one each year through 2028, the last two being powered by hydrogen.

First Impressions

This is a product I really like, and you will be hearing much more about it in the coming months, but I wanted to let you know some of my general impressions right away. We very rarely see new entries into the luxury market, and this one comes from the world's leading maritime company, and they know what they are doing. Our clients who have already been onboard have been amazed by it, some claiming they will cruise on nothing else again. This new cruise line, known as Explora Journeys, is owned by the MSC Group, the world's largest operator of container ships. It is a privately held Italian/Swiss company based in Geneva, Switzerland, and managed by the Aponte/Vago family. The family has a long maritime tradition. They own and operate 721 container ships, 23 contemporary (very large, mass market) cruise ships, and now the luxury line, Explora Journeys. There are not too many companies out there, if any, with this depth of experience in maritime operations. If something can be done in the shipping segment, these guys can probably do it.

The ship itself is really amazing. My first impression was of its size. It is 64,000 GRT with 14 decks! This is larger than anything else we normally sell, but it only carries 900 people. The ship is outrageously spacious, but at the same time cannot really be considered intimate. This is really something our clients need to consider. You will never feel crowded on this ship, but it might be a bit of a walk from one venue to another, although it is quite easy to navigate. Some of you will feel blown away by all the space and facilities this ship has to offer, while others might feel it is just too big. I think it is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I feel that different types of products and choices are good for the luxury cruise segment, and Explora 1 is certainly different.

Most of you fully understand what an all inclusive luxury cruise is. Explora does all those things very well. You would never be disappointed, but what I will concentrate on now is what she does differently or noticeably better or worse than her competition. First of all, let's look at the outside areas. All I can say is that they are unsurpassed, all 67,000 sq feet of deck space spread among four decks! There are four pools, three outside (one adults only), each with a magnificent bar area, and one pool inside under a solarium, which is one of the most beautiful venues that I have ever seen on a ship. It really must be seen to be believed. There is nothing like it in the luxury segment. This allows an outdoor pool experience in any weather. Within the solarium there is the pool, loungers, some suspended over the water, a crepe and gelato bar, a huge drinks bar and a couple beautiful long narrow hot tubs that must be 35-40 feet long overlooking the ocean. As a matter of fact, there are a number of hot tubs like this all over the exterior areas of the ship. There might be enough room for the full complement of passengers to all be in a hot tub at the same time on this ship! This is great for people like me who don't really like people near me when trying to relaxi. There are numerous sports areas outside, as well as an outside work out area, complete with gym machines. There are also 64 private cabanas. On top of it all, on deck 14 sets the Skybar, a beautiful outside space for a soothing cocktail and infinite views.

Accommodations

There are far more options than on most products. Like most of our products, they are all suites. The entry level is called an Ocean Terrace Suite, and at 377 sq ft is slightly larger and maybe a little more contemporary in design, but not greatly different than most of the competition. The main difference is that the veranda is a little deeper than most, allowing for a full length daybed, and table with chairs on each terrace. The next category up is a Grand Ocean Terrace at 420 sq ft., with a considerably enlarged veranda. From here, we go to a Penthouse suite of 463 sq ft. The Penthouses offer a luxurious, spacious retreat. with oceanfront floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terraces to unwind and relax. And with a characterful private dining area for four, and a calm, comfortable place to work, you can entertain others or spend time to yourself as you see fit. The Penthouse Suite features a queen-sized bed or twin beds, some suites feature a double sofa bed and a spacious lounge area. Your suite includes dining table for 4 guests, spacious work desk area, private refrigerated mini-bar, replenished according to the guests’ preferences, espresso machine and tea maker with a complimentary selection of coffee and teas, and safe.

Next up is the Deluxe Penthouse Suite with 517 sq ft. Deluxe Penthouse Suites feature a separated lounge, queen-sized bed or twin beds, some suites feature a double sofa bed and a spacious lounge area. Your suite includes dining table for 4 guests, spacious work desk area, private refrigerated mini-bar, replenished according to the guests’ preferences, espresso machine and tea maker with a complimentary selection of coffee and teas, and there's a safe. Maximum capacity is 2 adults and 2 children under 18 years.

The Premier Penthouse is a larger version of the deluxe penthouse with doors separating the lounge and bedroom. This might be my favorite Penthouse accomodation type. The Grand Penthouse at 610 sq ft. features an even larger lounge area. Some have massive verandas. Now we remove to the Residence categories. The first is the 754 sq ft Cove Residence. Enjoy perfect views of the ocean from your terrace’s dining area and private outdoor whirlpool, and make the most of the dedicated butler service, king size bed, large double sofa bed and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea. Outdoors is a panoramic ocean-front terrace with a private outdoor whirlpool, a dining table and sun loungers. The suite includes separate living, dining and sleeping areas, a spacious lounge area, dining table for 4 or 6 guests, spacious work desk area, private refrigerated mini-bar, espresso machine and tea maker with a complimentary selection of coffee and teas and a safe. Maximum capacity is 2 adults and 2 children under 18 years.

The Retreat Residence Suite features a king-sized bed, large double sofa bed and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea. Outdoors is a panoramic ocean-front terrace with a private outdoor whirlpool, a dining table and sun loungers. The suite includes separate living, dining and sleeping areas, a spacious lounge area, dining table for 4 or 6 guests, spacious work desk area, private refrigerated mini-bar, replenished according to the guests’ preferences, espresso machine and tea maker with a complimentary selection of coffee and teas and a laptop-size safe. Maximum capacity is 2 adults and 2 children under 18 years. The Serenity Residence Suite at 1,216 sq ft, with its 507 sq ft rear facing veranda might be my favorite residence onboard. It features a king-sized bed, large double sofa bed and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea. Outdoors is a panoramic ocean-front terrace with a private outdoor whirlpool, a dining table and sun loungers. The suite includes separate living, dining and sleeping areas, a spacious lounge area, dining table for 4 or 6 guests, spacious work desk area, private refrigerated mini-bar, espresso machine and tea maker with a complimentary selection of coffee and teas and a laptop-size safe.Occupancy 4. The 1,604 sq ft Cocoon Residence suite is a larger version of the Serenity with an even bigger rear facing veranda. Last, but not least, the Owner's residence, simply one of the most extravagant accomodations afloat at 3,013 sq ft.

Restaurants & On Board Amenities

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. The included restaurants cover all bases: Sakura for pan-Asian; Emporium Marketplace for an upmarket food hall-style venue where the majority of dishes are made fresh to order; Marble & Co. Grill, a steakhouse and seafood restaurant; Med Yacht Kitchen for Mediterranean cuisine and Fil Rouge for French-inspired cuisine.

My first dining experience onboard was at Emporium Marketplace, soon after embarkation. At first glance and taste, I thought, wow, this is the best onboard buffet restaurant that I have ever been to. But after looking a little closer, that is not really what Emporium market is. It is indeed more of a food hall type venue with stations making food fresh to order. The pasta station includes about six types of whole made pasta. I'm not talking about just the preparation but the actual pasta itself. A first, as far as I know. The quality of the food is excellent with a lot of seafood, fresh shucked oysters, crab legs, maybe bouillabaisse, and a sushi station. The restaurants not suggesting reservations are Med Yacht Club and Fil Rouge. Both are fairly large, well furnished venues. The first is open for lunch and dinner and is influenced by sophisticated, beachside Mediterranean restaurants, embracing the varied cuisines of the Mediterranean region. The second, Fil Rouge, features French inspired cuisine. More formal than Med Yacht Club, and open for Breakfast and dinner, this was probably my favorite dining venue. My favorite dishes were the Dover sole deboned and served tableside, which is also available in different preparations at Med Yacht Club. I also had a wonderful pork tenderloin dish, and the daily souffle was always excellent. The seared foie gras I had was a bit undercooked. Breakfast in Fil Rouge was an excellent way to start the day. Don't miss the brioche with poached egg, spinach and hollandaise topped with caviar and gold leaf. The following restaurants suggest reservations. Inspired by the marbling found in only the finest beef, Marble & Co. Grill serves exceptional cuts, personally sourced and sustainably farmed with a European steakhouse experience. Different cuts of meat from various parts of the world are featured. Try the fingerling potatoes with caviar as a starter. Named after the cherry blossom - the national flower of Japan - and symbolic of renewal and optimism, Sakura offers Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian flavours for a taste of Pan-Asian cuisine. Very popular onboard and usually open for lunch and dinner. For an additional charge, Anthology, defined as a collection of selected cultural works of art, is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients, along with wines by highly coveted winemakers. Set in an ambience of refined elegance, with the opportunity to dine al fresco, Anthology offers flawless service in an intimate yet elevated atmosphere. Guests are invited to experience menus curated by some of the world's most celebrated guest chefs and discover their inspiring creations representing cuisines from around the globe. Guests chefs alternate every couple months. On my cruise, Chef Mauro Uliassi from the 3 star Michelin restaurant of the same name in Senigallia, Italy was featured. On our cruise, his sous chef was cooking, serving many of the same dishes produced at the restaurant in Italy. They have their own ingredients and wines brought to the ship, so the experience is unique. It is a very high end experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A set menu of 10-12 courses is served for 195 Euro, with each course matched to a wine brought over to compliment the menu for 75 Euro. This is a unique opportunity to taste some real world class cuisine. The line will partner with a new top chef from the world of fine dining every three months to create the menu. It may be a bit pricey but foodies with a penchant for visiting some of the world’s best restaurants will likely go for it. The guest chef program onboard the next couple months will feature chef Emma Bengtsson and her Michelin two star Swedish restaurant Aquavit from NYC. There is also a coffee lounge, La Crema Cafe on Deck 5, where you can get a coffee drink anytime, with a pastry or light snack.

The ship has 12 bars and lounges, 8 indoor and 4 outdoor. I especially enjoyed the Malt whisky Bar, an intimate venue with some great single malts and a knowledgeable staff.

I also need to mention the onboard shopping, which is the best and most varied I have seen on a cruise ship in our market. There are shops that sell interesting products, such as Italian gins, designer limoncellos, designer fragrances from Patagonia, as well as boutiques by Rolex, Panerai, and Cartier. Also, worth a mention are the interesting culinary programs available as shore programs. Explora has put together a whole team to research and run these.

Summary

In summary, this is a product that we are more than excited about. They are doing almost everything extremely well, right out of the gate: the food is superb, the service caring and professional, and the ship is just lovely with beautiful public spaces. Because of the huge amount of outdoor space, and the way it is utilized, there is a real feeling of being connected to the ocean, which is absent on most ships. I was disappointed, or maybe surprised on a couple of counts. There is not a dedicated Italian restaurant onboard from a company with Italian ownership, though the pasta and pizza in Emporium, and the Italian dishes in Med Yacht Club are wonderful. Also, except for the residences, butler service is not offered. I was disappointed by this as the butler service in the Yacht Club enclave on MSC's mega ships is the best in the business and I kind of hoped it would be brought over to Explora. But, who knows, the suite "hosts" who take care of the accomodations do an excellent job, and I was not onboard long enough to see if there is much impact because of this. Also, it is worth mentioning that Explora has created a product not in the mold of a traditional cruise product. There are few programmed activities, no Captain's cocktail party, no formal nights. Indeed, there is no dress code(vague recommendation that most dress country club casual) anywhere except in L'Anthology Restaurant. Entertainment(quite good) is kind of designed as a drop in type of situation. No one will care if you drop in on an entertainment venue for 15 minutes and then move on to another. Most passengers at this point are North American, though I'm told that might not be true on all itineraries. On my cruise passengers were mostly North American with some Italians. Explora claims its goal is to bring European luxury to an international clientele

Who is going to enjoy this ship? Explora will appeal to travelers who enjoy luxury resorts around the world, maybe Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, One & Only and the like, as well as other luxury cruise products. Most will be well heeled and well travelled, perhaps recently retired, who value their private family downtime, are interested in food, but don't care too much for the traditional formalities of cruising.