With Explora II set to launch in August 2024 and four more equally glamorous ships on order, Explora Journeys is making waves in the luxury cruise space. So, what’s new for the world’s newest cruise line?
The latest news from Explora Journeys is that master perfumer Alberto Morillas has created a bespoke fragrance for the luxury line.
Even if you haven’t heard of Alberto Morillas, you’ll certainly know some of the world-famous perfumes he has created for companies such as Bulgari, Cartier, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Kenzo and Marc Jacobs.
Suites onboard Explorer Journeys’ ships will be stocked with room diffusers and bathroom amenities featuring the signature Mandala Blue fragrance, and if you fall in love with the Mediterranean-inspired scent you can buy the products to take home (beautifully packaged by Italian company Culti Milano).
There may be other luxury cruise lines that have their own fragrances – Seabourn Signature Scents by Molton Brown springs to mind – but Explora Journeys is also doing a few other things differently.
Bigger ships
Explora Journeys is part of the massive, privately owned MSC Group, which owns the 22-ship line MSC Cruises and MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping company.
Explora II (and the next two ships after that) will be almost identical to Explora I. They are 248 metres long, 32.6 metres wide, have 13 decks and accommodate up to 922 guests in 461 all-balcony ocean-front suites.
In terms of guest capacity, that makes them similar to Viking’s ever-expanding ocean fleet (930 guests), and size-wise similar to Crystal’s newly refurbished Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony – although the Crystal ships accommodate fewer guests (meaning there’s more onboard space per guest).
Ultra-luxe lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn and Silversea operate smaller ships with fewer guests, but Explora Journeys’ crew-to-guest ratio is up there with the best.
Explora I has 640 crew members (or hosts, as they’re called) to look after up to 922 guests. Explora III is due to launch in 2026 and Explora IV in 2027, and both will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The fifth and sixth ships in the series, due to enter service in 2027 and 2028, are set to be hybrid-powered to enable emission-free operations in port, and will be slightly larger than the first four.
Family friendly luxury cruising
Explora Journeys welcomes families with children as young as six months old onboard its ships. There are 78 interconnecting suites in three categories (Ocean Suites, Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences), a very well-equipped Nautilus Club for young children and teens aged six to 17, and the culinary team is happy to cater for younger guests.
Even better, infants aged between six to 23 months old sail free of charge and guests save up to 50 per cent off fares for children aged two to 17 years.
Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, of Explora Journeys, said, “Designing our Journey Together Gatherings program has been a highly collaborative process with the travel advisor community. We are proud to launch this unique program, providing a valuable opportunity to target gatherings of friends and multi-generational families.”
Although children are welcome in restaurants, lounges, pools and bars, the Helios Pool & Bar on Deck 12 is reserved exclusively for adults.
Wining and dining
Explorer Journeys is not alone in throwing the main dining room concept overboard. The ships have six supremely elegant, individual restaurants as well as the Chef’s Kitchen (where up to 12 guests can take private cooking classes and enjoy the results in the private dining room) and 24/7 in-suite dining.
All restaurants are included in the fare, with the exception of Anthology, which offers a whole new culinary experience at sea – and all except Fil Rouge offer indoor and outdoor seating (a big plus).
Sakura serves pan-Asian cuisine; Marble & Co is a very high-end steakhouse; Med Yacht Club specialises in regional Mediterranean dishes; Emporium Marketplace, which is open all day, offers global cuisine; Fil Rouge’s menu is French inspired.
Anthology hosts world-renowned guest chefs who come onboard for three months, to present exclusive menus paired with wines by acclaimed winemakers. Since Explora I set sail in August 2023, guest chefs have included Mauro Uliassi and Emma Bengtsson; Claude Le Tohic is the third to join this illustrious group.
The ships each have 12 bars and lounges, including a gelateria and creperie, Crema cafe, four pool bars and one bar dedicated to whisky.
What’s included and what’s not
Every journey (Explora Journeys’ preferred word for cruise) includes a generous raft of perks, which are much the same as other luxury lines’ inclusions.
These are: as mentioned, all dining apart from Anthology and the Chef’s Kitchen; all soft and alcoholic drinks (plus an in-suite welcome bottle of Champagne, and the guest’s choice of a bottle of wine and spirits on arrival); access to the thermal spa; use of the fitness centre and sports courts; free self-service laundry; free WiFi; and staff gratuities.
Shore excursions (also known as Destination Experiences) are not included. They fall into a variety of categories – Beyond Boundaries, Tailored Experiences, Enchanting Explorations, Destination Essentials and In-Country Immersion. And as on all ships, luxury or otherwise, spa treatments cost extra.
Voyage highlights
Sail into an ‘Ocean State of Mind’
Explora I’s journeys from October 2024 to April 2025 have been revised so that the ship will sail in the Caribbean to support the growth of the brand in North America. Her (northern) winter 2024-2025 season starts with a Grand Journey from Barcelona to the Caribbean.
From April and November 2025, Explora I will sail in the Mediterranean on combinable seven-, 14- and 21-night itineraries.
Explora II’s eight-night maiden journey from Barcelona, Spain to Civitavecchia (Rome) is scheduled to depart on 11 August, 2024. She will then continue to sail in the Mediterranean until November 2024, when she will reposition to the Caribbean.
For further information, visit explorajourneys.com.
