First Look at Explora I, the New Luxury Ship From Explora Journeys

Table Of Content

• This first Explora I only just set sail in August 2023. Explora II will hit the seas in the summer of 2024.
• My cabin looked more like a sizable and efficiently designed hotel room than a cruise ship stateroom.
• Generous Outdoor Decks
• Explora Journeys is Welcoming of Families
• Explora I's Extra-Fee Restaurant Anthology is Special -- and Might Be the Only One for the Fleet
• It seems I’m not the only one whose affinity for luxury has made me a fan of Explora.

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. The thermal area would get pretty crowded during sea days, but I popped in on one port morning and had the area to myself for over an hour. If the next five ships are just as ritzy as the Explora I, I have no doubt this new brand will go on to become a strong competitor in the growing luxury cruise market.

This first Explora I only just set sail in August 2023. Explora II will hit the seas in the summer of 2024.

Review: Explora I Ocean Terrace Stateroom Is Better Than Any Hotel - Business Insider

Review: Explora I Ocean Terrace Stateroom Is Better Than Any Hotel.

Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

All of its whirlpools are infinity style, and face the outside of the ship. 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. MSC EXPLORA-class vessels' initial cost was EUR 495 million (USD 600M) per unit. This also delayed Explora Journeys' boats 3 and 4 deliveries that were rescheduled for 2026 (from 2025) and 2027 (from 2026), respectively. On July 6, 2022, was signed the MoA for building two more MSC EXPLORA ships (Explora 5 and Explora 6), which are both LNG and hydrogen-powered - with engines running on LNG/liquefied natural gas and also fitted with a containment system for liquid hydrogen.

My cabin looked more like a sizable and efficiently designed hotel room than a cruise ship stateroom.

The accommodations reflect the all-inclusive nature of Explora Journeys with a welcome bottle of Champagne on arrival, a bottle of wine and a bottle of spirit of the passenger's choice and an in-room mini-bar. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. "Explora Journeys will bring a new perspective to the travel industry [by] reinventing the classic cruise experience for the next generation of luxury travelers," Ungerer said. While further details about dining, destinations, and - importantly - prices are still hush-hush, Explora is aiming to make a splash not just among cruisers but the travel industry as a whole, says Michael Ungerer, the cruise line's CEO.

Generous Outdoor Decks

While daytime venues and restaurants are animated, entertainment was on the quiet side in the evening, with many passengers happy to slink off to their suites early. I was introduced to this lesser-known coastal reserve which, admittedly, I’d never heard of until this week, via Explora Journeys’ shore program. This brand-new high-brow cruise line is currently showcasing its first ship, Explora I, in Northern Europe where I joined a three-night sailing from Hamburg to Southampton, following its maiden voyage on August 1. Each of our 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences are designed with a refined elegance in mind; floor-to-ceiling windows and private sun terraces bring  guests closer to the ocean itself. MSC Group has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Explora I is equipped with catalytic reduction technology that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent.

Explora Journeys is Welcoming of Families

This concept is helmed by rotating guest chefs, including some who have led kitchens with several Michelin stars. Expect to pay $190 for the tasting menu or $265 with the wine pairing. Instead, it was subtly luxurious, appearing more like a premium hotel than a cruise ship.

Explora Journeys Has Five Exceptional Restaurants Included Within the Fare

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.

Explora I’s Symmetrical Deck Plan is Filled with Dazzling Venues and Ample Outdoor Spaces

When it's time to eat, the ship has a choice of six main restaurants with menus inspired by the destinations visited and featuring local and fresh ingredients taking inspiration from the destinations visited. Explora Journeys has announced details of five of the restaurants, which will feature all-inclusive menus that include unique signature dishes influenced by a variety of international cuisines. They are pan-Asian Sakura inspired by the ancient tea rooms of Kyoto in Japan; Marble & Co.

Explora I's Extra-Fee Restaurant Anthology is Special -- and Might Be the Only One for the Fleet

EXPLORA I, a 63,900 GT vessel, was delivered on July 20, 2023, at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard, starting construction on June 10, 2021. This time-honoured maritime ceremony saw commemorative coins placed in the ship. A symbol of blessing during construction and a wish for good fortune.

The design is sophisticated and timeless, with a muted color scheme and artful touches like an installation by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare of books from the British Library’s collection wrapped in African fabrics. An art gallery on deck five displays rotating exhibitions of paintings and photographs from the destinations throughout the world where the ship docks. You won’t find any buffets aboard Explora I, the first of four ships from Geneva-based cruise company MSC Group’s newly launched cruise line Explora Journeys. Nor will you find any single-use plastics or shows that you need to rush to finish dinner to see. Gone are many of the hallmarks of a typical cruise ship, in favor of a more boutique, tailored experience. All of the restaurants onboard Explora I are on the smaller side; there is no main dining room.

These are first-come, first-served -- there's no fee to reserve one. Luckily, Explora I has the Conservatory Pool, a lovely space with a retractable glass top so people were able to have pool time despite the chilly weather. The loungers throughout Explora I are more posh and plush than I've seen on any other luxury ship -- you melt right into them. I could only imagine the selfies that you'd take from the pool as the ship sailed into Positano or St. Barths (one hardy couple stuck it out for chilly San Francisco).

Explora Journeys Caters Its Luxury Cruises to the Future Luxury Traveler: Live from Explora I - Cruise Critic

Explora Journeys Caters Its Luxury Cruises to the Future Luxury Traveler: Live from Explora I.

Posted: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

What will likely put some travelers off is the cost (around $200 per person, without wine). The line will partner with a new top chef from the world of fine dining every three months to create the menu. It’s pricy, but foodies with a penchant for visiting some of the world’s best restaurants will likely go for it. 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. Well-heeled and well-traveled, perhaps in high-powered or creative senior roles or recently retired, passengers who value their private family downtime, but don’t care much for the formalities of cruising, will likely love Explora I. Our entry-level Ocean Terrace Suite — spacious by ship standards at 377 square feet — further reinforced the luxe hotel sensibility.

The onboard dining experience is all-inclusive and marked by flexible dining times and gourmet dishes prepared with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients. Cabin types include Owner's Residence (1), Ocean Residences (22), Ocean Penthouses (67), and Ocean Suites (371). The ship has a total of 82 interconnecting cabins (Family Suites) designed for families and small-group travelers.