Our Score
Out of 5
We boarded Explora Journey's first ship, Explora I, in Athens, Greece for the Athens to Venice part of its A Journey to Unesco Treasures with an Opulent Edge itinerary
We embarked on Explora Journeys’ debut ship, Explora I, for the Athens to Venice part of its' A Journey to Unesco Treasures with an Opulent Edge itinerary.
The luxury ship has 14 decks and capacity for 922 guests. Lots of facilities, bars and lounge areas made it feel spacious – nowhere ever felt crowded. Its contemporary décor, stylish restaurants and the premium drinks that are included make it particularly suitable for couples or anyone who wants to treat themselves.
Launched in 2023, the cruise liner Explora I has a stylish, contemporary look – think pebble greys, velvet banquettes and hints of sky blue.
The pan-Asian restaurant Sakura deserves a special mention here and we defy anyone to not post a photo of it on social media. One wall is covered in shimmering gold wallpaper depicting swallows and butterflies, while floor-to-ceiling windows divided by black stripes are reminiscent of the paper shoji screens found in Japanese teahouses. Banquettes as red as geishas’ lips gleam beneath golden lanterns hanging from a ceiling swathed in cherry blossom.
We appreciated the heated floors and miniature plug-in night light in our bathroom in our Ocean Terrace Suite (9010), which also came with Explora Journeys’ Mandala Blue toiletries and a walk-in shower which could fit a handful of people if you’re that way inclined. An adjacent make-up table had an illuminated vanity mirror and a powerful yet quiet Dyson hairdryer.
The bedroom had a long handy shelf, a bookshelf separating the bed from the sofa and coffee table and black out blinds – but no kettle. The balcony had space for a chaise longue, table and chairs. On-loan binoculars were a nice touch.
We peeked inside some of the premium suites too, which had bouncy carpets and terraces with Jacuzzis. The Owner’s Residence (8100) at the back of the ship also came with a telescope, dining table for eight and a bar big enough to fit a few drunken humans in a game of hide and seek. At 280sqm, the suite is so big you could go a whole day without bumping into your family.
Explora I’s six restaurants all feel special and only one of them, Anthology, costs extra. It’s hard to pick a favourite, although if pushed we’d say Sakura – we ate there twice, and its prawn gyoza dumplings, soft shell crab and black cod nearly tempted us back a third time.
The Med Yacht Club, which displays nautical touches such as oars and models of clippers, serves dishes such as grilled octopus while French-influenced Fil Rouge has muted grey décor and a menu of fish soup and prawn risotto.
All the guests we spoke to raved about the steakhouse Marble & Co, which has a monochrome colour scheme with black and white photos of cattle and cowboys.
Emporium Marketplace – the ship’s buffet restaurant – is also worth a mention for its choice, outdoor seating area and cuisine’s presentation and quality. We had avocado and smoked salmon on rye toast for breakfast and sashimi and ravioli one night.
There are seven cafés and bars. Pop by Crema Café for coffee and a snack, and Astern Lounge, Explora Lounge or Sky Bar on 14 for sundowners. The triple-height backlit lobby bar is made for gathering with friends or family in that special time between your second shower of the day and dinner, while Explora I's Malt Whisky Bar is a slick space lit with lights made from repurposed whisky bottles. Night owls can also have drinks in Journeys Lounge, which hosts singers and bands on stage.
It's worth noting that the whole ship only serves UHT milk in addition to vegan milk.
With one crew member to every 1.25 guests, a mantra carried forward for sister ship Explora II, there was a smiling face ready to assist everywhere we turned. Dietary requirements are well catered for.
For a mid-sized ship, Explora I manages to pack in a lot of facilities, from a miniature casino to Nautilus Club. The latter caters for children over three and has table football, a pool table, boardgames and video games. Staff look after children so parents can do land-based excursions or have dinner dates while the kids eat at Emporium Marketplace.
Active travellers can join complimentary yoga and Pilates classes, work out in the gym overlooking the sea or play pickleball, row or cycle outdoors on deck 14. There’s also an al fresco running track – 6.5 laps equals 1.6km, which was long enough not to get dizzy. All four pools are filled with saltwater.
Entertainment varies from bachata and line dancing classes to a singer on a grand piano in the lobby bar, flutters in the casino and DJ sets. On some nights, films were played on a big screen above the ship’s longest pool in the conservatory, which has a retractable roof. We watched one with silent disco-style headphones beneath the stars, huddled in beach towels when we got chilly.
With velvet chairs grouped around low tables and a one-foot-high stage, Journeys Lounge isn’t a West End-style theatre so don’t expect all-singing, all-dancing blockbuster shows. Yet its talented singers and musicians look and sound the part, impressing us in gold and black sequinned numbers as they belted out Broadway hits such as Rent’s ‘Seasons of Love.’
Excursions are extra, and as the ship was at half capacity, there weren’t enough guests who wanted to do our first and second choices which was a shame. Most of the crew hadn’t done the excursions we were interested in so they struggled to advise on which one we should pick or what we should see or do in the destinations we visited independently.
Excursions and flights aren’t included, but pretty much everything else is, from entertainment, Starlink Wi-Fi and tips to food and drink – even Champagne and premium spirits.
All suites receive a bottle of Champagne on ice on arrival and all guests can choose a bottle of wine and a bottle of premium spirit to enjoy in your room or take home as a souvenir which was a welcome touch.
Six restaurants
Seven cafés and bars
Theatre
Gallery
Casino
Outdoor cinema
A spa with 11 treatment rooms and a sauna, steam room and salt room
Four saltwater pools
A gym, running track, pickleball court, outdoor rowing machines
After a five-year stint living in Asia, Sarah was inspired to become a travel journalist. Sarah has freelanced for Condé Nast Traveller and National Geographic Traveller and is the author of London Almanac (2010) and Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to British Customs & Culture (2024). She was also the deputy editor of Time Out Abu Dhabi, Where London and London Planner, digital editor of Wanderlust – the UK’s oldest travel magazine.
