Explora Journeys is the new luxury subsidiary of MSC Cruises (MSC stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company).
The Explora I has been in operation since 2023. She is the first of six luxury cruise ships scheduled to be launched by 2028. Our overall impression was very good. The Explora I is a medium-sized ship with a maximum of 900 passengers. This is a comfortable size and of course luxury. For comparison, ships in the “normal” price segment: the Aida prima has a maximum of 3,300 passengers, the newest ship from tui, the Mein Schiff Relax, carries up to 4,100 paying guests; The MSC World Europa has 6,782 passengers on board. Conversely, there are also luxury liners with significantly fewer guests where the yacht feeling is even stronger, such as the Europa 2 from Hapag Lloyd with a maximum of 514 passengers, or ships from Silversea Cruises.
What do we particularly like about the Explora I:
1.) The kitchen. The quality of the culinary offerings in all restaurants on board is better than on most ships, including those in the luxury segment. It is also a decidedly European, Italian-centric cuisine (apart from, of course, the excellent Asian restaurant Sakura).
2.) There are no narrow, small cubicles. The smallest of the 461 suites measures 35 square meters, the largest 289.
3.) The design of the ship is modern. The style: European luxury, high quality.
4.) The air conditioning systems, often a nuisance especially on American ships, are state-of-the-art and “hide”, which means: no cold air blown into your face and causing you to get cold.
5.) The whiskey bar and the Crema Cafe were also very successful. 6.) There are cabanas in the pool area.
7.) Great outdoor hot tubs with direct sea views.
8.) Very friendly staff. Minus.
High level whining:
1.) No included butler service like Silverseas Cruises, except in the very expensive Ocean Residence Suites.
2.) Excursions are high quality, but quite expensive. Compare: On Silversea expedition ships most excursions are free of charge.
3.) The entertainment program is too focused on a specific music taste. Should appeal to different audiences.
4.) No individual caviar portions available, only in combination with dishes. (We know: it is complaining on a very demanding level)
5.)The security at the entrance could be friendlier.
6.) Some may miss one big elegant restaurant for events like the captain´s table.
Overall: One of the best luxury cruise ships in the world.
Where will the Explora I cruise in 2024: in the Caribbean in winter, in the Mediterranean in summer. A 45-day world trip is also offered in May and June from Vancouver via San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico, Panama, Colombia (Cartagena), Guatemala, Caribbean, Canary Islands, Casablance to Barcelona. The Explora 2 is also scheduled to set sail with guests in the summer. She will be sailing in the Eastern Caribbean in winter 2024.
