New travel products don’t come along very often – particularly in the cruise sector. Virgin Voyages has attempted it – but that product is not quite right for our clients (although if you’re a 30-something looking to get a tattoo on vacation, it’s perfect!).
Explora Journeys is luxury lifestyle brand being created from scratch. They surveyed 20,000 travellers (only some of whom considered themselves cruisers) about their vacation and travel preferences. They then used this information to create this brand that launches in July of 2023 (with one ship per year coming out until they have 6 vessels in operation).
Here’s what we really love about what Explora Journeys has created:
- Spacious Suites – the entry-level stateroom on their ships is a 377 square foot suite with a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, and a veranda (or “terrace” as they call them) large enough for 2 chairs AND a daybed for soaking up the sun.
- Inclusions – the fare includes an open bar (including in-suite mini-bar), all specialty dining, gratuities, transfers, taxes/fees, high speed internet… it really includes everything other than shore excursions (that they call “shore experiences”). This is because the feedback they received in their survey indicated that guests would rather make their own decisions about allocating dollars to shore excursions. To be clear – the cruise lines that include shore excursions are not offering them free – they are simply pre-paid. With Explora you have the choice.
- Dining – there isn’t a main dining room, where everyone shows up at an appointed time. Instead, much like a land resort, there are a variety of choices (9 of them!) where you can either make a reservation OR come as a “walk up”. One of the restaurants will be themed for the area through which you are travelling (e.g., when you’re in Greece, it will be a Greek restaurant). Frank Garanger, the Head of Culinary, was formerly with Oceania, so we are expecting great things with Explora’s culinary program.
- Entertainment – much like the restaurant situation, there is no big main theatre that cranks out the Vegas-style production shows. Instead, there are wide variety of smaller venues (10 of them!) with different styles and types of entertainment, that are intended for you to drop in to see (no more setting your watch to rush through dinner to make the show).
- Size – With 900 guests, the ships are small enough to offer a luxury experience, and large enough to be able to offer the multiple food and entertainment venues mentioned above.
- Price – Currently the entry level price point (remember, no matter which room you choose, you’ll have a huge veranda suite with a king bed) is between $350 and $600 per person, per day. With all the inclusions, this translates to really good value – particularly when you compare it to a European urban city stay (which it resembles more so than a cruise, in many ways). Explora has already revealed that their prices will increase (not decrease) as the departure date approaches. Right now, with Explora trying to attract new guests, the pricing is at a real sweet spot. Prices are scheduled to increase in mid-December and again in mid-January.
- Itineraries – Most itineraries start and finish in major ports, making air arrangements very easy. In between, you’ll visit many lesser-known places, which makes this perfect for people who have travelled extensively. You’ll get to the out-of-the-way places, but you don’t have to take a private plane or multiple connections to access them.
- Itineraries (Part 2) – there are many 6-to-10-day itineraries you can combine with the segment immediately before or after, meaning you can string together cruises if you want to be on board longer (and you won’t repeat any ports). When staying at a hotel, you can pick your check-in and check-out dates… Explora Journeys has come as close you can to replicating that on a moving vessel.
- Casual European Luxury – often, luxury cruise lines have things like caviar luncheons and butlers with white gloves. Some people love that stuff. Others in that situation (like me) feel like Gilligan on a ship full of Mr. & Mrs. Howells. Explora has struck the perfect balance between luxury, food, beverage, amenities and service that you can enjoy in a golf shirt (not a tuxedo).
Bob and I are amongst a small number of travel agents on the Advisory Board for this exciting new brand. As such, we can get you an exclusive 300 Euro Journey Experience Credit on 7+ night itineraries.
We just posted a new video about Explora Journeys on our YouTube channel. Bob interviews Aimee Price – the Head of Sales for USA West and Canada. Besides participating in an in-depth discussion of what to expect from Explora Journeys, Aimee also provided a bunch of photos and videos about the ships and their amenities. Watch the Video Here: https://youtu.be/qxtqmE94EBg
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel while you’re there!
Bob and I just signed up to travel with Explora Journeys, departing October 3rd, 2023 (10 nights from Quebec City to New York City). Why not join us?
The segment immediately before ours is appealing too – it’s the North American Inaugural Sailing for Explora, which will be an exciting celebration, and the timing is such that the fall colours should be on full display. Depart Sept. 25th, 2023 (8 nights from New York to Quebec City).
We’ve arranged for anyone who books through us on either of these 2 departures to get a 600 Euro per stateroom Journey Experience Credit (instead of the already-good 300 Euro credit mentioned earlier).
This is a good example of how you can combine two itineraries. If you do, you’ll be on board for 18 nights (Sept. 25th – Oct. 13th, 2023), New York round trip and you’ll receive a discount for choosing back-to-back cruises.
You also have the option to save 10% on these cruises (and others) if you choose to pay in full at time of booking.
Bob and I are super excited about Explora Journeys, and we hope you decide to join us on board next fall! Remember, prices will be going up mid-December, and again in mid-January. Lock in today’s ‘value pricing’ with a 25% deposit and Explora’s flexible booking policy which gives you flexibility to make changes if your circumstances change.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
All of today’s travel opportunities are examples from Explora Journeys:
England & Scotland
- 10-days departing August 24, 2023 (London to Glasgow).
- Visit Edinburgh (overnight), Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Greencastle, Liverpool.
- $6050 per person
Scotland & Iceland
- 8-days departing September 2, 2023 (Glasgow to Reykjavik).
- Visit Fort William, Portree, Kirkwall, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands.
- $3545 per person.
Canada / New England
- 11-days departing October 3, 2023 (Quebec to NYC).
- Visit Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Havre Saint Pierre, Charlottetown, Halifax, overnight in NYC.
- $5350 per person.
Eastern Caribbean
- 8-days departing November 10, 2023 (San Juan to Miami)
- Visit Saint Barthe, Saint Kitts, Dominican Republic, Bahamas,
- $2750 per person.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
