Explore I, a clear statement of intent

We embarked on the impressive Explora I of the Explora Journeys shipping company, on a specific itinerary, part of the repositioning towards the Mediterranean after having sailed around the American continent in the winter season.

That Explora Journeys was created to attract discerning travelers, cruisers or not, is something the cruise line had already explained in the years leading up to the official launch of its first ship. The traveler who chooses Explora Journeys is already special for having wanted to experience a new, top-tier product in the competitive world of luxury cruising.

Explora I is the highly anticipated first cruise ship from Explora Journeys, which debuted in August 2023. With five more ships in development, Explora II will also sail the Mediterranean starting in September of this year, its launch date.

Its 63,900 gross tons make it one of the largest luxury ships, with capacity for 922 guests and 640 crew members, which represents a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.25:1, extremely high.

Fourteen decks provide ample indoor common space while maximizing passenger privacy. The generous outdoor decks boast over 2,500 square meters of ocean views, with 64 private cabanas and five swimming pools in very different locations—another distinguishing feature, as it's unusual to find so many pools on a ship of this size.

One of the pools features a retractable glass roof for use in any weather, while the other is an indoor, heated spa pool. Several indoor and outdoor jacuzzis are also located on the promenade deck of the ship, which has been designed with water as its focal point to help passengers achieve what Explora calls "the ocean state of mind." This is their mission statement.

It's a truly beautiful ship with many stunning spaces, and its beauty is the first thing that impresses, both inside and out. A classic navy blue hull with gold details, a stepped aft marina with two semicircular pools, one of them an infinity pool, located on separate aft decks, that is, at the rear of the ship.

The spaces flow beautifully while maintaining the distinct identity of each room. Even the art space has been designed to be just that: an art gallery, not just another corridor on the ship.

The luxury shops are located on either side of the truly impressive lobby, prominently displayed, and elegantly adorn the space with top-of-the-range watch brands and luxury jewelry that perfectly define the ship's identity. Another very clear statement of intent. Rolex watches aren't sold just anywhere, and certainly not on any other ship.

Luxury cruise lines' desire to attract discerning luxury hotel guests to the sea is nothing new, and it's clearly a well-thought-out objective, as many hotel brands in that segment have announced their own cruise lines. Some are already sailing, though their strategy leans more towards large yachts than traditional cruises. This is where Explora aims to combine the cruise experience with luxury resorts and cosmopolitan hotels.

Explora Journeys is a very open concept that can appeal to seasoned travelers, professionals with only a few days of vacation, multigenerational families, and a wide range of real-life profiles not necessarily experienced cruisers—those who value their downtime with privacy, a touch of exclusivity, plenty of comfort and quality, and who don't mind excessive formality. There's no gala night, nor a dress code beyond personal decorum.

Explora I's symmetrical deck plan is filled with stunning venues and expansive outdoor spaces. It's one of the few luxury ships with an exclusive kids' club and family-friendly facilities.

Explora I is a ship where living is easy; it has everything. Upstairs, on deck 14, you'll find the outdoor sports court and fitness area, allowing you to exercise while enjoying the ocean breeze.

The ship's highest bar, the Sky Bar, is also located on Deck 14. Further down on Deck 12 are two of the ship's side Jacuzzis and the adults-only Helios Pool & Bar at the front. A jogging track runs along Deck 12, and there are also rows of sun loungers and a cluster of cabanas, making it one of the best places to soak up the sun away from the main pools.

Deck 11 is a vibrant deck centered around the Conservatory Pool & Bar beneath a retractable roof—a clever and unusual feature in this segment—for when the ship is in cooler weather. This turquoise pool is flanked by luxurious cushioned double sun loungers that appear to float over the shallow edges, a giant screen with a cascading waterfall that envelops you in soothing sound, and two Jacuzzis, all with ocean views.

On the same deck, the Emporium Marketplace occupies half, while Chef's Kitchen, Malt Whiskey Bar, Nautilus Club, and Explora Lounge occupy the other half. Most of Deck 10 is dedicated to suites, but it also houses the Bridge, the Ocean Wellness Fitness Center, and the Atoll Pool & Bar.

Deck 5 houses the Ocean Wellness Spa at the bow and the Astern Pool & Bar at the stern, along with several restaurants, the aforementioned art gallery, and the guest services area, which is another triumph in design and service. The central staircase descends to Deck 4, where one of the ship's main focal points is located: the opulent and majestic Lobby Bar, exceptionally conceived in color, size, and design to dazzle. It's there that you'd never guess you were on a ship.

The surrounding shops, more restaurants, a small casino on one side, and the Journeys Lounge, the ship's largest entertainment space, complete Deck 4.

At Explora I, all suites feature terraces—461 in total—with varying categories and sizes, located on decks 6 through 10. The suites maintain the elegance reflected in the public spaces and have been designed to be lived in and enjoyed. They feature modern, neutral décor, a dressing room, a living and dining area, and unique details such as radiant floor heating in the bathroom that warms you each night, or a chaise lounge instead of a hammock on the terrace.

Ocean Terrace, Ocean Penthouses, Ocean Residences, and the Owners Suite are the suite categories, differentiated by size and amenities. As the company welcomes families and multigenerational groups, 82 of these suites can be connected.

Explora I offers nine dining options, and it's clear this aspect has been carefully considered. There isn't a main dining room or a traditional buffet restaurant. The closest thing is the Emporio Market Place, where most dishes are freshly prepared.

Five specialty restaurants, in-suite dining, a café for drinks and light snacks, and an ice cream parlor/creperie. Sakura transports you to Asia, from sushi to pad Thai. Marble & Co. Grill is a steak and seafood restaurant with a very extensive menu. Med Yacht Kitchen offers Mediterranean cuisine, and Fil Rouge is French-inspired, featuring, incidentally, lobster Thermidor.

The lineup is completed by Anthology, which began as a tasting menu restaurant with a menu and renowned chef that changed every few months, and now presents itself as a high-end Italian restaurant. I'll leave that for another time; I'm content with having had the opportunity to meet Franck Garanger, the French chef responsible for the cuisine at Anthology and throughout Explora Journeys.

Garanger is intimately familiar with the demands of this type of client and the logistical challenges of bringing the finest ingredients on board, having worked for some of the most renowned cruise lines for their cuisine. Incidentally, he lives in Spain. "Recruiting" this chef is yet another clear statement of intent from Explora Journeys.

And the spa and its thermal area are sublime. It's a matter of taste, but combining a day at the pool with a few hours at the spa, including an intensive "muscle release" massage, sauna, and baths, followed by relaxing in your suite until dinnertime, is one of the best ways I've found to spend a day on board.

There's no shortage of bars at Explora I. The Malt Whiskey Bar, located opposite the very pleasant Explora Lounge, is one of those essential classics, thanks to its size, its menu, its service, and its decor. What can I say? A whisky in a Chesterfield and good company.

Explora I's entertainment program is simple and refined, featuring vocalists, a small orchestra of several musicians, and various guest artists.

The sessions take place in the main Journeys Lounge, a cabaret-style theater with well-spaced individual seats instead of fixed rows, which transforms into a nightclub for the late-night crowd, and in the Astern Lounge, a small, elegant space with a pool table. The instrumental jazz sets are always a hit.

Explora I and Explora II, which launches in September of this year, will remain in the Mediterranean for the entire season, covering both the east and west and exploring all those places that a cosmopolitan traveler wants and needs to see, and in the best way possible. This is a smart decision not only to attract American travelers, who have always been enamored with this region, but also to make it easier for less adventurous European travelers.

The proposal facilitates cruises of 7, 14 or more days, in combinations of itineraries and highly immersive experiences on land.

Explora Journeys constantly evaluates customer satisfaction, knowing that it's not just about good service and good food because these are inherent concepts in the proposal for the segment they intend to serve, but that they truly want to offer the best travel experience for each and every one of their guests, whatever their expectations may be, and Explora I has already been a clear statement of intent.