Ocean Travel from the eyes of a first timer.

There is a very interesting book called Odyssey: Pepsi to Apple, which tells the story of how Steve Jobs recruited John Sculley — then president of PepsiCo — to lead Apple back in the early 1980s. In the book, Sculley recalls that Jobs convinced him with a now-famous line:

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugar water, or do you want to come with me and change the world?”

While I am not trying to change the world quite like Apple did (and I hope I don’t have the same outcome as Mr Sculley), I find a parallel in a recent shift I made in my own career — from “selling sugar water” to “electronics,” metaphorically.

After 30 years in the hotel industry, I have moved into ocean travel — the cruise industry — which many might view as familiar yet very different from hotels. What’s more, this isn’t just any cruise operator. I recently joined Explora Journeys as Executive Director for the UK & Ireland.

As I write this, I have been with the company for just 20 days — and have attended the annual ILTM Cannes, participated in a Sales & Marketing Strategy meeting in Geneva with colleagues from around the world, and spent seven days onboard Explora I, sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Miami — a pretty spectacular “Caribbean induction,” if you will. Given that this is my first time aboard a ship, I wanted to take a moment to capture my thoughts, impressions, and overall experience as a newcomer to the cruise industry.

Although Explora Journeys is gaining momentum — having launched its first ship in 2023 — the brand is still very much in its early stages. Explora I was delivered in July 2023 and made its maiden cruise in August 2023. The second ship, Explora II, is already in service. Looking ahead, the fleet will grow to six ships: Explora III (in 2026), followed by Explora IV and Explora V in 2027, and Explora VI by 2028. So far, the energy and ambition behind the brand are palpable — and I’m truly excited to be part of this journey.

As a new-to-cruise guest — precisely the type of traveller Explora Journeys is focused on attracting — my experience has been nothing short of exceptional. And yes, I can already hear you saying, “Well, of course you’d say that,t Tate… you work for the company!” But I’m approaching this from a different angle: comparing traditional hotel-based experiences with ocean travel, through the eyes of a lifelong hotelier who is only now becoming an ocean-travel specialist…well, a specialist one day! Not to mention the guests who were onboard, with the majority being new to cruising themselves, and of a younger demographic than the cruising stereotype.

Boarding the ship in Puerto Rico couldn’t have been easier. My bags were taken right away, and I was walked straight to check-in. And just to be clear — nobody knew I worked for the company, so I truly saw everything from a guest’s perspective.

The check-in process was simple: show your passport, give your confirmation number, and before I knew it, I was holding the key to my suite. (And yes, suite — because every one of the 461 rooms onboard is a suite!) After a quick security screening, it was time to board.

The moment I stepped onto the ship, everything changed. The noise and heat outside melted away, replaced by cool air-conditioning and an immediate sense of calm. A short safety briefing later, I was on my own to explore my new home for the week.

I quickly discovered all six restaurants onboard — each of which you book through an Explora Ambassador to secure your preferred dining time — spread across different decks of the ship. Beyond dining, there’s the spa, a well-equipped gym, the Crema Café for coffee lovers, elegant lounges, the Malt Whisky Bar, and a generous selection of bars throughout the vessel. With five swimming pools, guests are truly spoiled for choice, and for those seeking something more active, there’s a running track, paddle tennis, and basketball.

We departed San Juan with five long blasts of the ship’s horn, and just like that, we were underway. The sailing was quiet, smooth, and genuinely exceeded my expectations — and I had set them high.

Over the seven days, I dined in all the restaurants, and while choosing favourites was difficult, Marble & Co. Grill and Sakura stood out. Remarkably, you’d never think you were on a ship; the dining experience could easily rival a restaurant in Soho — stylish surroundings, attentive service, and exceptional food. Even better, when the meal ended, there was no bill to sign, as dining and beverages are included in the journey fare (except for select premium spirits).

I found the onboard shopping to be excellent—beautifully curated and complemented by thoughtful, attentive service throughout.

Our daily calls into various Caribbean ports were especially memorable. The sheer joy of experiencing four, five, even six different islands while only unpacking once truly struck me. For those of us who travel often, the constant cycle of packing, unpacking, early check-outs, queues, taxis, airport lines, and rushed breakfasts just to reach the next destination can take its toll—particularly when time is precious. Ocean travel gives all that time back. Whether in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, or any of our other key destinations, the ability to explore multiple places without the logistical stress is invaluable.

The daily excursions were thoughtfully designed for guests who wanted something more enriching than browsing curio shops in each port. That said, if you’re too comfortable on the ship, there’s absolutely no need to leave—some days I explored, and on others I simply enjoyed the beautiful pools and watched the world drift by.

So, as someone new to cruising, would I do this again? Absolutely. Exceptional cuisine, a spectacular ship, personalised service, and phenomenal onboard options—why wouldn’t I want to return? In a world where we are all incredibly busy and, yes, time-poor, ocean holidays are deeply appealing – and really growing in popularity. They remove the stress of traditional travel and allow you to sit back, relax, and sink into your #OceanStateofMind.