My First Time on Board Explora I
I had the privilege of sailing aboard Explora (I) during the very first weeks after her maiden voyage, and it stayed with me in a way few travel experiences do. Not because of spectacle, but because of the absence of it.
I did think the design of the Explora (I) was stunning, but not in the same way as the mega ships. There was no over-the-top architecture competing for your attention (well, the lobby bar has a wow factor). No bumper cars or ice skating rinks, no long queues for the next activity. What I found instead was a ship designed entirely around calm, space, and the ocean itself. There is not a single inside suite on board. You wake up to the horizon. Full stop.
Why I Keep Thinking About It
I think about this often now, particularly after a recent three-night sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. A remarkable ship by any measure, but one where my Apple Watch kept alerting me to noise levels above safe thresholds. A cruise ship where your watch is concerned about your hearing is telling you something. Explora Journeys is the answer to that.
What Makes Explora Journeys Different
Designed in Switzerland and built in Italy by Fincantieri, Explora Journeys sits in a category of its own. This is not a repositioned mass-market product dressed in soft furnishings. The brand’s core philosophy, what they call the Ocean State of Mind, holds that the sea is the destination, not the backdrop. On select ports, late departures after 11 PM allow for real discovery rather than a rushed few hours ashore. Imagine a full day in Saint-Tropez from 8 AM to 11.30 PM.
What’s Included in the Fare
All nine dining venues are included. So are drinks: wine, spirits, Champagne, along with unlimited Wi-Fi and all tips. There are no surprise charges at the end. The Spa offers indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool, and a thermal suite. Adults-only areas are genuinely quiet. And when you want company and conversation, it is there, but never pushed on you.
- Nine distinct culinary experiences, including In-Suite Dining
- Unlimited beverages, including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, specialty coffees, teas, and soft drinks, available anytime, including in-suite
- One in-suite welcome bottle of champagne on arrival
- One in-suite bottle of wine and one in-suite bottle of spirit of your preference on arrival
- Access to Ocean Wellness – The Spa thermal area
- Group wellness, fitness, and mindfulness activities
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Authentic and intuitive service from our team of hospitality experts
- Onboard gratuities
- Shuttle services from the port to the city center (where required / available)
Alaska Through a Different Lens
Alaska is one of those destinations that demands more than a port stop and a bus tour. Glacier-sculpted fjords, the Inside Passage, extraordinary wildlife, and genuine cultural encounters ashore. These are experiences that reward time, not speed. Which is exactly why Explora Journeys’ approach fits Alaska so well.
In Summer 2027, Explora III makes her Alaska debut, the newest ship in the fleet, and the first Explora vessel to sail these waters. Sailing from May through September 2027, she combines the unique vantage point of exploring Alaska from the sea with the comfort of a true sanctuary on board. Itineraries run from 7 to 14 nights, with longer sailings designed specifically for deeper immersion. Departure ports include Vancouver and Seward, with voyages taking in the Inside Passage, Hubbard Glacier, and the Gulf of Alaska.
This is Alaska, not simply seen, but deeply felt.
Explora III: The Newest Ship in the Fleet
Explora III represents a step forward for the brand. At 73,000 GT, she is larger than Explora I and II, runs on LNG fuel that cuts greenhouse gas emissions by over 80%, and introduces a conservatory pool with a retractable glass roof, a wine sanctuary, and two Owner’s Residences, one designed by Patricia Urquiola. Every suite remains ocean-facing.
- 461 Ocean-Front Suites
- 5 Heated Pools
- 7 Restaurants
- 12 Bars & Lounges
- 1.25: 1 Guests per host ratio
My Honest Take
Explora (I) changed how I think about ocean travel. When the noise is gone, the announcements, the crowds, the constant activity, what remains is the water, the light, and a level of hospitality that feels personal rather than scripted.
If you have been thinking about Explora Journeys, I am happy to help you find the right itinerary and suite for your plans.
Get in touch to discuss availability.
Ilonka Molijn – van Ginkel
Creator & Founder of Sophibee · Luxury Travel Advisor & Travel Editor
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