Explora Journeys EXPLORA II Review: My First-Hand Experience of Luxury Cruising

Explora Journeys EXPLORA II Review: My First-Hand Experience of Luxury Cruising

Is Explora Journeys the right choice for your next cruise? After spending a week onboard EXPLORA II, sailing from Venice to Athens, here‘s my honest review of the ship, the food, the service and what makes this style of luxury cruising feel so different.

A week onboard EXPLORA II

I was lucky enough to experience EXPLORA II on a special Designer Travel Platinum Rewards trip, sailing with colleagues from Venice to Athens, visiting some beautiful destinations along the way.

I‘ve cruised with Princess, P&O and Celebrity, so I already had a good idea of what to expect from a cruise holiday. But I was particularly interested to discover how Explora Journeys would compare.

Would it feel like a traditional cruise ship? Would it feel busy? And would the experience really be more like staying in a luxury hotel?

Having now experienced it for myself, I can honestly say that Explora felt very different.

First impressions: a luxury hotel at sea

From the moment we arrived, check-in was quick and seamless, and we were soon onboard exploring.

EXPLORA II is a beautiful ship, with elegant interiors, contemporary design and a relaxed atmosphere. She feels luxurious without being overly formal, and the service throughout our stay was personal and attentive.

Although she's larger than some of the smaller luxury yachts, she still has that intimate, yacht-inspired feel. There are lovely spaces to sit and relax, beautiful ocean views and plenty of places to enjoy a drink or simply watch the world go by.

The ship accommodates around 900 guests at double occupancy, with approximately 640 crew members. That high level of staffing helps create a very attentive experience, with around 1.25 crew members for every guest.

One of the things I particularly liked was that the atmosphere never felt rushed. You could dress up for dinner, enjoy an evening of entertainment or simply find a quiet corner and relax.

It felt much more like a luxury floating hotel than the traditional cruise experience I was used to.

All suites, with space to unwind

One of the biggest differences with Explora Journeys is that every accommodation is a suite, rather than having the usual range of inside cabins, ocean-view cabins and balconies found on many cruise ships.

The suites are designed to feel like your own home at sea, with generous living space, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private ocean-facing terrace.

Even the entry-level Ocean Terrace Suites offer space to sit outside and enjoy the views, while the larger penthouses and residences take luxury to another level.

I was also lucky enough to be shown around the incredible Cocoon Residence. With a huge private terrace, its own whirlpool and outdoor dining and lounging areas, it felt more like a luxury apartment than a cruise suite!

Whether you want a comfortable base for exploring or somewhere special to spend time enjoying the sea, there's a real emphasis on space and comfort.

The sea-day test: my biggest surprise!

This was something I was particularly keen to experience.

If you've cruised before, you'll know that some ships can feel very busy on a sea day. Everyone is onboard, everyone wants a sunbed, the cafés get busy, and it can sometimes feel as though you're competing for space.

That was one of my biggest questions about Explora.

Well, I was genuinely surprised!

Even on a full sea day, EXPLORA II felt spacious and relaxed. There were plenty of sun loungers around the pools, and we had no problem finding somewhere to settle down. There are four pools onboard, including an indoor pool with a retractable roof, giving guests a choice of places to relax.

The café was a little busier just after breakfast, but I still found a seat. In fact, I managed to catch up on emails and get a few holiday quotes done while enjoying the onboard atmosphere!

The indoor spaces never felt overwhelmingly crowded either.

For me, this was one of the biggest positives of the entire trip. I had expected to love the ship's design and service, but I hadn't expected to be quite so impressed by the amount of space available.

If you enjoy relaxing by the pool, reading in the sunshine or finding a peaceful spot with a coffee, this is a real selling point.

Dining: so much choice

Food was another highlight of our week.

We tried several of the dining venues, and the quality was excellent throughout. There was plenty of variety, from relaxed dining to more intimate restaurant experiences, with different cuisines and atmospheres to choose from.

A few favourites from our trip included:

- Emporium Marketplace — the buffet-style restaurant, where we enjoyed lunch on our first day. The food was exceptional, and it was a lovely, relaxed way to start the holiday. 18 cooking stations! WOW

- Med Yacht Club — Mediterranean-inspired dining with delicious tapas-style sharing plates. A lovely option for a more relaxed evening meal.

- Sakura— Pan-Asian-inspired dining, which made for another wonderful evening onboard.

- Marble & Co. Grill — a great option for those who enjoy a classic steakhouse experience.

What I liked was the atmosphere in the restaurants. They felt more intimate than some of the larger dining rooms you may experience on bigger cruise ships.

There was choice without the feeling of being in one enormous restaurant with hundreds of other guests.

And it wasn't just the food. The service, presentation and surroundings all helped make dining feel like part of the overall experience.

What's included in the fare?

Explora Journeys offers a generous range of inclusions, which is worth considering when comparing the price with other luxury holidays.

Your fare includes:

- Dining at a wide selection of onboard venues, with in-suite dining also available.

- A generous selection of premium drinks, including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, cocktails, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks.

- High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

- All onboard gratuities.

- Access to the Ocean Wellness thermal spa area.

- A welcome bottle of champagne in your suite.

Some dining experiences and additional services may carry a supplement, so it's always worth checking exactly what's included in your chosen sailing.

I also appreciated being able to stay connected. I could check emails and work on a few holiday quotes while onboard, without needing to buy a separate Wi-Fi package.

For anyone who likes to understand the overall cost of a holiday upfront, these inclusions are an important part of the comparison.

Bars, pools and entertainment

There's more to EXPLORA II than simply relaxing in your suite or by the pool.

With a choice of bars and lounges, you can find somewhere to suit your mood, whether that's a cocktail in the sunshine, a drink before dinner or a quieter spot to unwind.

And the entertainment has a similar variety.

During our trip, we enjoyed music trivia and karaoke, alongside evenings of great food and drinks. There were also opportunities to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, with background music and lovely spaces to sit and chat.

I liked that you could make the holiday as lively or as laid-back as you wanted. There was no pressure to fill every moment with activities.

Some days were about exploring ashore; others were about enjoying the ship itself.

And yes, there was even a little visit to the casino!

Exploring several destinations in one holiday

One of the great things about cruising is being able to visit several places without repeatedly packing and unpacking your suitcase.

Our itinerary gave us a wonderful mix of destinations, each offering something different.

• Rovinj, Croatia

We woke up in Rovinj and enjoyed a wander around this beautiful town, with its cobbled streets, little shops and lovely places to stop for a drink or something to eat.

• Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik was absolutely gorgeous. We took a tuk-tuk tour, which was great fun and a lovely way to see more of the destination. The ship stayed into the evening, allowing guests to enjoy the atmosphere after dark.

• Alberobello and the Puglian coast, Italy

From Brindisi, we joined an Explora excursion to Alberobello, famous for its distinctive whitewashed *trulli* houses with their conical roofs.

It felt like stepping into another world. We then visited Polignano a Mare, with its beautiful coastline, dramatic cliffs and blue Adriatic waters.

It was a wonderful way to experience two very different sides of Puglia in one day.

• Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor was another highlight. The ship docked incredibly close to the old town, making it easy to step ashore and explore.

We enjoyed wandering around the historic streets, a little shopping and a drink in the sunshine.

It's worth remembering that smaller ships can sometimes access different berths and ports from larger vessels, although docking locations always depend on the itinerary and port arrangements.

• Milos, Greece

Our final port was Milos, a beautiful Greek island with little tavernas close to the waterfront.

We wandered around the shops, saw the lovely church and even managed a dip in the sea before returning to the ship to enjoy the last of the sunshine.

It was the perfect way to finish the trip.

Every destination brought something different, and being able to return to the same comfortable suite each evening made the whole experience feel effortless.

Who is Explora Journeys suited to?

During our sailing, the atmosphere felt mature and relaxed, with an average age of around 53 among the guests I encountered. That's an impression from our experience rather than an official passenger-age figure, and the mix will vary by itinerary and departure.

I would particularly consider Explora Journeys for:

- Couples looking for a luxury escape.

- Travellers who enjoy five-star hotels and want that style of experience at sea.

- People who appreciate excellent food, premium drinks and personal service.

- Those who prefer a more spacious, relaxed atmosphere rather than a busy, activity-packed ship.

- Experienced cruisers looking for something different.

- Travellers who want to explore several destinations without constantly changing hotels.

It's also worth considering if you're used to booking luxury land-based holidays and have wondered whether cruising might suit you.

The experience is not about having to do everything. It's about having the choice to do as much or as little as you like.

So, how did Explora compare with other cruise lines I've experienced?

Having sailed with Princess, P&O and Celebrity, I found Explora Journeys offered a noticeably different feel.

Rather than a traditional cruise experience built around a wide choice of activities and busy public spaces, Explora felt more like a luxury hotel at sea, with an emphasis on space, design, attentive service and a relaxed pace.

That's not to say one is necessarily better than another. Different cruise lines suit different people, budgets and styles of holiday.

What matters is finding the right fit for you.

For me, the standout features were the spacious feel of the ship, the quality of the food, the personal service and, above all, how relaxed everything felt — even on a sea day.

Would I recommend Explora Journeys?

Absolutely, for the right traveller.

I loved the elegant surroundings, the dining choices, the service and the freedom to enjoy the ship at my own pace. The fact that so much is included in the fare also makes it easier to understand the overall holiday experience when comparing options.

But most importantly, I've now experienced it for myself.

As a travel agent, I believe there's real value in being able to share first-hand knowledge rather than simply repeating information from a brochure. I can talk about what stood out, what surprised me and the sort of traveller I think would love it.

If you're considering a luxury cruise, I'd be delighted to help you explore whether Explora Journeys is the right choice for you.

Thinking about your next cruise?

Get in touch and let's talk about what you're looking for. Whether it's Explora Journeys or another cruise line, I'll help you find the right ship, itinerary and experience for your holiday.

📱 WhatsApp: 07736 301524 or drop me an email - angelasutcliffe@designertravel.co.uk

🌍 https://designertravel.co.uk/angelasutcliffe

Your holiday starts with a conversation.

Angela x