In December of 2023, I was invited to preview the Explora I. Explora Journeys is a luxury cruise line owned by MSC cruises. This is my honest review of the new cruise line.
This cruise sailed from Barbados. I stayed one night at a hotel/resort called The Crane. The Crane was on the opposite side of the island, but I had a nice stay and the room was extremely large and comfortable. If you ever want to go to Barbados, I will suggest this property for a comfortable stay!
Boarding day for Explora was really smooth. The ship had its own tent and terminal, so it was easy to drop bags and find where to board. The ship only holds around 900 people, making boarding really smooth. You walk up one ramp, and are immediately greeted with a glass of bubbly.
Explora I has a wide open layout, which makes it feel very spacious, yet still intimate and luxurious. The ship was easy to maneuver from deck to deck and smelled great! My first impression was top notch.
The rooms on Explora are all suites, if you are an experienced cruiser, think about twice the size of a standard balcony cabin. These rooms include 24 hour included room service off of any menu on the ship, a comfortable king size bed, a huge balcony with a lounger, a large bathroom and shower with heated floors and in room entertainment (tv and movies). The rooms are extremely comfortable with a home-like feel.
Having sailed on MSC cruises before, I was most curious how the food would be on their luxury product. The first night, I went to their steakhouse. I had a small snack in the buffet earlier and the food was really excellent. Flavorful, well done and tasty. The dinner did not disappoint. Absolutely amazing. One of the best overall meals I have had anywhere. Pleasantly impressed and amazed.
All in all, I highly recommend trying Explora Journeys. Especially for those that would like to try out a luxury product for a price point that is really competitive with standard balconies on other lines. When you cruise with EJ, you will have a ship that has comfort on all levels, a staff that remembers your name, drink of choice and delivers with a smile. From the spa to the theater, you'll find yourself immersed in luxury, comfort and relaxation. The towels at the pool smell wonderful and are soft and plush. The deck chairs are pillowtop, there is a basketball court and a pickleball court on the top deck. You will love this ship! Feel free to comment below any questions or thoughts.
Some other info about this trip:
We sailed from Barbados on a caribbean cruise itinerary with stops in St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Antigua. Explora has some wonderful excursions in all ports.
We disembarked in Miami. You will see this itinerary on a lot of Explora Caribbean offerings.
