Table Of Content
The ocean-inspired wellness philosophy of Explora Journeys, embracing a mystical power of the sea to invigorate our senses and lift our spirits. This marks the start of a series of itineraries spanning three continents, offering guests cultural immersion and an opportunity for inner and outer discovery on their quest to the Ocean State of Mind. On 1 August 2023, EXPLORA I departed on her Maiden Journey, sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark on an epic 14-night journey through seven captivating destinations with a two-night stay in Reykjavik, before returning to the Danish capital. The BEDROOM is with a King-sized bed (180x200 cm / 71x79 inches), but some cabins are with two twin beds (90x200 cm / 35x79 inches). These suites are with a double sofabed (to accommodate 3rd/4th person) and with separate living/sleeping areas.
And this feeling of spaciousness was reflected throughout the 813-foot-long Explora I.
Explora I is the much-anticipated first cruise ship by Explora Journeys that debuted in August 2023. Explora Journeys is the luxury cruise line -- or luxury lifestyle brand -- by the Geneva-based MSC Group, with a further five ships in the pipeline. Luxurious, serene, and spacious, each of our 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences have been created with refined European elegance, comfort and simplicity as the focus to offer a real ‘Home at Sea’ to our guests. The huge TERRACE covers the ship's full width and has an outdoor infinity pool, shower room, 3 daybeds, a dining area (6-seat table), lounge area (cushioned sofas and chairs). The ship's only extra-fee restaurant, Anthology, has a first-at-sea concept featuring rotating menus from MIchelin-starred chefs. On our sailing, San Francisco-based chef Claude Le Tohic had prepared the menu; previous guest chefs have included Emma Bengtsson from New York's Aquavit and Mario Uliassi from Italy.
Explora Journeys is Welcoming of Families
The company is run by Victor Velton (President) and Yuri Polissky (CEO). The forward section of Deck 6 is a crew-only zone with staff and crew cabins, Messhall (crew dining room and bar lounge) and the crew sundeck (bow-facing sunbathing area with a large Jacuzzi/spa pool). The onboard shops include the first at-sea Rolex Boutique, via an exclusive partnership (signed in June 2023) between Explora Journeys and Rolex SA (1905-founded, Geneva-based watch designer and manufacturer).
T+L's Review of Explora Journeys' Explora I
The experience focuses on creating “authentic connections” with mindful choices, as well as highly curated and individualized experiences. Speaking during an industry event in Miami Beach last Wednesday, Austin added that the company now needs help to tell this story. EXPLORA II is currently being built in Italy and will come into service in August 2024. EXPLORA III will become the first of two liquefied natural gas powered vessels to join the Explora Journeys’ fleet with the ship due to be delivered in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027. EXPLORA I will also call the port of Copenhagen on 15 August 2023 with a sailing to Hamburg, Germany. The maiden voyage coincides with the release of first interior photos of the ship which spotlight EXPLORA I‘s Lobby, Sakura Restaurant, Med Yacht Club Restaurant and Ocean Terrace Suite.
Suites are Spacious and Among the Largest Entry-Level Suites at Sea
Explora Journeys: Creating a Unique Cruise Brand - Cruise Industry News
Explora Journeys: Creating a Unique Cruise Brand.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:01:05 GMT [source]
All OCEAN PENTHOUSES receive as a welcome gift a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne (Grand Vintage). All DELUXE PENTHOUSES receive as a welcome gift a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne (Grand Vintage). All PREMIER PENTHOUSES receive as a welcome gift a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne (Grand Vintage).
Food on Explora I is Exceptional, There’s Just One Extra-Fee Restaurant
Chris Austin, the line's chief sales officer, told us that Explora is targeting affluent working professionals, as opposed to merely retirees. This is significantly less than mega ships like the Icon of the Seas that will sail with thousands of people. Amenities and people didn't feel crammed together, although that could be because I wasn't on a full revenue sailing.
EXPLORA I represents a new era of luxury ocean travel.
Passengers in SERENITY Residences receive complimentary private butler services from the ship's Residence Hosts. Passengers in RETREAT Residences receive complimentary private butler services from the ship's Residence Hosts. Passengers in COVE Residences receive complimentary private butler services from the ship's Residence Hosts.
I didn’t get to try it, but passengers that did said it was extraordinary, with technical dishes such as raw red shrimp with mandarin extract, pineapple and sage flowers and seabass with roasted mango, morel mushrooms and butter sauce. 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.
I watched a fantastic singer, Kerry Ellis, perform in the ship’s Journeys Lounge, which is the closest venue to a theater onboard. The show was packed out, but aside from that, The Lobby Bar emptied early and one evening a group of us visited the Malt Whisky Lounge around 11 p.m. To find the bartenders already clearing away (though another party also arrived shortly after us).
In April 2023, Michael Ungerer announced that the ship's godmother would be Sylvia Alice Earle (1935-born American marine biologist, oceanographer, author, lecturer, and also the founder of Mission Blue/global network of protected marine areas). The special event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Claudio Graziano (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri's CEO). Explora I's keel-laying (aka coin) ceremony at Fincantieri Monfalcone was held on February 24, 2022. During the special event, two newly minted coins were placed under the hull's first keel block.
From the modern, elegant, and unstuffy design to the deluxe food, I have a feeling we're not in MSC Cruises territory anymore. This is where crystal-infused water in the spa meets a whiskey bar and cigar lounge. New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys just launched Explora I, a 461-suite ship. T+L's cruise editor was one of the first on board to report what you can expect. It’s one of the few luxury cruise lines that is catering to children, too, and there was a range of young travelers on our sailing, from babies to teens.
The new arm of the business brings a completely new identity to both the MSC family and the medium cruise category, harkening its design, ethos, and service style more akin to a superyacht or boutique resort, than what is expected for a cruise ship. Explora Journeys has plans to launch five other Explora ships in the next four years. Not everyone wants to be around children during precious vacation time, so there are plenty of adult-only spaces, including a heated outdoor pool and spacious sun deck with day beds and loungers, Ocean Wellness spa and restaurants such as Anthology. Instead, there are eight inclusive dining options, including five specialty restaurants, in-room dining, a cafe and gelateria (the chocolate sorbet is divine!). In-suite dining is nothing new in the luxury market, but with a huge 75-foot balcony, the experience of dining on a beef fillet cooked to your liking, on your private veranda, feels all the more indulgent.
No comments:
Post a Comment