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 a luxury lifestyle brand created from scratch, and their Maiden Voyage set sail from Copenhagen earlier this month. We have several travel industry peers aboard, and the reports of the ship, crew, food and service are glowing.
There is just one ship operating currently, but there are 5 more near-identical ships on order that will hit the water between now and 2028. Explora I will hold 922 guests when fully loaded, and the ship is 64,000 tons. If you’re wondering how this compares with other small ship luxury ocean lines, here are the stats. A higher passenger space ratio indicates more space per person, overall. This space can be part of passenger suites but also includes public spaces.
| Guests | Size (tons) | Passenger Space Ratio | |
| Explora Journeys | 922 | 64,000 | 69.4 |
| Oceania | 1200 | 67,000 | 55.8 |
| Seabourn | 600 | 40,000 | 66.0 |
| Viking Ocean | 930 | 48,000 | 51.6 |
Here’s a bit more detail about this exciting new brand:
- Spacious Suites – The entry-level stateroom on Explora ships is a 377 square foot suite with a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, and a veranda (or “Sun 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 an in-suite mini-bar), all specialty dining, gratuities, taxes/fees, and high speed internet… it really includes everything other than shore excursions (Explora calls these “Destination Experiences”). This is because in preliminary surveys, potential guests indicated they 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 (as with Seabourn) you have complete control over the choice.
- Dining – there isn’t a main dining room on Explora, 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 ahead of time OR come as a “walk up”. One of the restaurants will be themed for the specific 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 (well known for their amazing food), so we are expecting great things with Explora’s culinary program.
- Entertainment – much like the restaurant situation, Explora does not have a big main theatre that cranks out the Vegas-style production shows. Instead, there are a wide variety of smaller venues (10 of them!) with different styles and types of entertainment, that are intended for you to drop in at your whim. No more setting your watch to rush through dinner to make the show.
- Size – With 922 guests, Explora 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.
- Itineraries – Most Explora itineraries start and finish in major ports, making flight 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) – Explora I does not have a home port but rather roams the world continuously. There are many 6-to-10-day itineraries you can combine with the segment immediately before or after, meaning you can string together cruises and be on board as long as you like WITHOUT repeating any ports. When staying at a hotel, you can pick your check-in and check-out dates… Explora Journeys has come as close as you can to replicating that on a moving vessel. Also consider the possibility of creating a Custom World Cruise. You choose the segments you want to be on board, and in between segments you can stay for a while in a destination that intrigues yyou… then fly to catch up with the ship for your next onboard segment.
- 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 invited to be on the Advisory Board for this exciting new brand. As such, we can get you an exclusive 300 Euro “Journey Experience Credit” (onboard credit) to spend on ANY Explora cruise that’s 7 nights or longer.
We have an explainer 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. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/qxtqmE94EBg
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
