MY PLATINUM TOP SELLERS EXPERIENCE ABOARD EXPLORA II – WHAT AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY!

Some trips are extra special, and my 7-night luxury cruise aboard EXPLORA II with Explora Journeys was certainly one of them!

On 12th October 2026, we flew from Manchester to Venice to begin an incredible journey sailing from Venice to Athens, as part of my Platinum Top Sellers trip with Designer Travel.

An opportunity to experience one of the world’s most exciting luxury cruise brands first-hand, explore some beautiful destinations and, of course, enjoy everything this stunning ship has to offer. And what a week it turned out to be!

MY HOME AT SEA – OCEAN SUITE 7077, DECK 7

Let’s start with the ship itself, I was fortunate enough to stay in Ocean Suite 7077 on Deck 7, and what a lovely space to call home for seven nights.
My suite was approximately 35 sqm (301 sq ft) total suite area, with approximately 7 sqm (75 sq ft) private terrace. Plus it had:-

• Floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Queen-size bed, convertible to twins.
• Separate lounge area with flexible coffee/dining table.
• Private refrigerated minibar, espresso machine and tea-making facilities.
• Bathroom with luxury fittings.

I also had the opportunity to view both the Cove Residences and Cocoon Residences, which was particularly interesting from a travel advisor’s perspective. These offer another level of accommodation and are well worth knowing about when discussing the different suite experiences available.

Explora Journeys has a very different feel to some of the more traditional cruise lines. EXPLORA II has been designed to feel more like a luxurious boutique hotel or private yacht, with an emphasis on space, privacy, relaxation and exceptional service. The ship really does live up to its Home at Sea concept.

Some of the highlights include:-

- Spacious ocean-front suites, all with private terraces.
- Six restaurants offering an impressive choice of culinary experiences.
- Premium beverages included.
- High-speed Wi-Fi included.
- Beautiful wellness and fitness facilities.
- Multiple pools, outdoor spaces and plenty of room to relax.
- Beautiful interiors, elegant surroundings and fabulous ocean views.

There is a real sense of space throughout EXPLORA II. Even when enjoying the ship’s facilities, you never feel as though you are on top of everyone else, and the service, dining and attention to detail all help create that relaxed luxury experience.

During our cruise I dined at all the following restaurants:-

- This is Explora's alternative to a traditional buffet, but it is more like an upmarket food hall, with dishes prepared and served at different stations.
- Fil Rouge – French-inspired international cuisine
- Med Yacht Club – Mediterranean - Expect dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, including seafood, fresh vegetables, pasta and lighter options.
- Sakura – Pan-Asian - Sushi, Asian-inspired dishes and beautifully presented food. This was my favourite restaurant, food and dining experience! Closely followed by Fil Rouge
- Marble & Co. Grill – Steakhouse – A European steakhouse, with quality steaks, meat and seafood.

During our cruise, we were able to “take in board” a range of entertainment such as:-

- DJ sets
- Live Music
- Music Quizes
- Kareoke
- Piano Music
- Cinema films
- The Casino and I won at Roulette!

Across venues such as the Explora Lounge, the Astern Lounge, the Journey’s Lounge, the Lobby Bar and the Sky bar,

My Cruise Itinerary:-

STOP 1 – ROVINJ, CROATIA

Our first port of call was the beautiful Croatian town of Rovinj, and oh my what a little gem!
Colourful waterfront buildings, pretty cobbled streets, charming little boutiques and gorgeous views across the Adriatic Sea. We spent time soaking up the atmosphere, wandering through the streets and enjoying the wonderful Croatian charm.
Rovinj is incredibly photogenic, with its pastel-coloured buildings lining the harbour and its beautiful old town. It was a lovely introduction to our Adriatic adventure and a fabulous first stop.

STOP 2 – DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Wow, Dubrovnik… you certainly didn’t disappoint, this was my first ever visit to Dubrovnik, and what a place to tick off my travel bucket list! We spent time wandering through the enchanting Old Town, soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the historic streets and admiring the incredible architecture.
The highlight was a fantastic two-hour Tuk Tuk experience, taking in some of the most breathtaking panoramic views, fascinating history and beautiful sights around this incredible city.
The views across the coastline and towards the famous historic city walls were simply stunning.
Dubrovnik is somewhere that truly needs to be seen to be appreciated, and I’m so pleased to have finally experienced it for myself.

STOP 3 – BRINDISI, PUGLIA, ITALY

Our next adventure took us to beautiful Puglia in southern Italy, and we certainly made the most of our day ashore! We headed from Brindisi to the enchanting town of Alberobello, and what an absolute delight it was.

On this day we had pre-booked a full day excursion through Explora Journey’s to take advantage of the best of what Puglia had to offer accessible from Brindisi

Our first stop was Alberobello, and it was like walking into a fairytale
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its unique Trulli, a traditional whitewashed stone houses topped with distinctive conical roofs. Wandering through the charming cobbled streets, admiring the quirky little buildings, browsing boutique shops and soaking up the atmosphere was a real highlight. Every corner was picture-perfect!
Our lunch stop Masseria Papaerta, a taste of authentic Puglia. What an incredible setting for a taste of authentic Puglia! This historic country estate, dating back to the 18th century, is full of rustic charm, traditional stone architecture and beautiful countryside surroundings.
We enjoyed the most amazing lunch, celebrating the delicious flavours and culinary traditions of southern Italy. Add fabulous company and that wonderful Italian atmosphere, and it made for a truly memorable experience.

Then it was on to the breathtaking Polignano a Mare.
Perched dramatically on limestone cliffs overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, this is one of Italy’s most photogenic coastal towns.
We wandered through the charming old town, soaked up the atmosphere and admired the famous Lama Monachile beach, tucked between towering cliffs and framed by its iconic arched bridge. The contrast of the white buildings, deep blue sea and rugged coastline was simply stunning!

Puglia, you were absolutely wonderful!

STOP 4 – KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

Next up was the stunning destination of Kotor in Montenegro, this was my second visit to Kotor and I loved just at much this time and wow what a location! Our ship was docked right alongside the beautiful Old Town, giving us the most incredible setting as we stepped ashore to explore. We walked the famous city walls, taking in those spectacular views across the terracotta rooftops and the stunning Bay of Kotor, before enjoying a leisurely mooch around the charming little streets and shops.
Kotor is such a special place, with its medieval architecture, winding cobbled lanes, historic squares and dramatic mountain backdrop.
It’s one of those destinations where you simply want to wander, take photographs and soak up the atmosphere around every corner.

STOP 5 – MILOS, GREECE

Our final port of call before Athens was the gorgeous Greek island of Milos, in the beautiful Aegean Sea. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, dramatic volcanic coastline, stunning beaches and charming whitewashed villages, Milos is an absolute Greek island dream!
And of course, I couldn’t resist taking a refreshing dip in the sea in October! 🏊‍A swim in the Greek sea in October, with the sunshine on your back… absolutely YES!
There’s something rather special about enjoying the sunshine and swimming in the sea while knowing autumn is settling in back home in the UK!

We also enjoyed a beer in the Greek sunshine, a few cocktails up on deck and, of course, afternoon tea.

It was one of those lovely days when you really appreciate the opportunity to slow down, enjoy your surroundings and simply make the most of being at sea.

OUR FINAL EVENING ABOARD EXPLORA II

With our week drawing to a close, we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks up on deck as EXPLORA II sailed away from Milos towards Athens.
A lovely opportunity to reflect on what had been an incredible week, the destinations we’d explored, the experiences we’d enjoyed and, of course, the fabulous ship we’d called home.
The following morning, we arrived in Piraeus for Athens, bringing our seven-night Venice-to-Athens adventure to an end.

MY THOUGHTS ON EXPLORA JOURNEYS

So, what did I think?
Having experienced a number of different luxury cruise products over the years, I was particularly interested to see how Explora Journeys compared. What really stood out to me was the emphasis on space, a relaxed atmosphere, beautifully appointed accommodation and a more contemporary approach to luxury cruising.
It’s about enjoying the journey just as much as the destinations, with the freedom to spend your time exactly as you wish.
Whether that’s enjoying a leisurely breakfast, relaxing by the pool, sampling the different restaurants, enjoying a cocktail overlooking the ocean or exploring another beautiful destination, there’s something rather special about the whole experience.