Join me on an Unforgettable Journey aboard Explora I!

Last week I returned back from a fantastic holiday with my Dad. We both wanted to experience sailing with Explora Journeys and found a trip which allowed us to tick off a few new locations. Surprisingly, I had never been to Miami before, so we flew out there for embarkation and then visited my 40^th and 41^st countries – Colombia and Panama. I wanted to give you an insight to my experience on-board Explora Journeys.

Explora Journeys is a new European luxury lifestyle experience that is designed to explore the very best of the world’s destinations. The fleet will have six state-of-the-art ships, the first of which launched in August 2023 and the remaining ships joining the fleet from 2024 through to 2028. Each ship will feature the latest cutting-edge technology to provide journeys of discovery through destinations on and off the beaten path. Guests can expect the luxury ocean experience that they’ve always dreamt of with the highest level of amenities and service.

On-Board Explora I

The first thing I noticed was how stylish and modern the ship was. It truly was stunning. Our suite was spacious, compared to other Veranda Suites I’ve experienced, the bathroom floor was heated, wireless charger next to the bed, mini-bar was always stocked and I was impressed with the room service. All of the suites have a private Terrace and a day bed, with table and chairs.

The ship’s central pool, the Conservatory Pool, has a retractable roof, which was open throughout our whole journey. There were beds around the pool area and over by the windows, undercover. This was a very peaceful and tranquil area to relax. It also helped that the Creperie and Gelato was close by!

There are also three outdoor pools and multiple whirlpools, where you can cool off, enjoy the views off the front and back and relax on day beds and sun loungers around the pools and across all of the spacious open deck spaces. 

I found that the service was excellent and that the hosts were genuine and really cared. It was very rare that we had to wait for anything, whether it be food, a drink or just a general question, someone was always nearby and available to assist.

For me, the food was some of the best I have had. Their dining concept is different to other lines, as they don’t have a main dining room and the menus stay the same throughout. They have Fil Rouge (French) and Med Yacht Club (Mediterranean), which are both open dining and require no reservations. Then Sakura (Asian) and Marble & Co. (Steak), that require a booking. We were actually lucky enough to get in each restaurant twice on our 8-night trip.

Exploring Central America

We arrived into Santa Marta, with an overnight stay in port. On the first afternoon, we walked around the local area and on the second day, found a free tour guide online. He was informative and it was fantastic to get a better understanding of the local area and history.

Cartagena was an even more enjoyable port of call, there we took a bus tour, which took us up to the Monastery to enjoy a view over the city. From there we headed down to the port and the Old Town. We opted to depart the bus tour in the Old Town, so we could enjoy the area, have a walk around and then took a taxi back to the port. There was such a contrast between the two ports of call and surrounding areas. We were the only ship in port on the first day, so we picked the best time to head into town, giving us the opportunity to enjoy the ship again the following day.

We had another sea day before arriving at Colon, where we sadly disembarked. We had booked a private guide to pick us up, take us to each of the locks and give us a tour of the Marina and Old Town of Panama City. The Old City, similar to Cartagena, was very interesting and lovely to walk around.

An Ultra-luxury Experience

Explora Journeys are certainly differentiating themselves from other cruise lines with the layout of the ships, the dining venues and more. Having read so many amazing reviews about Explora I, I was excited to see if she lived up to expectations.

Overall, I had a fantastic time on-board and certainly wouldn’t hesitate to sail with Explora Journeys again. I thought the service was excellent, the ship was stunning and the food was delicious!

Explora Journeys have some excellent savings on at the moment, so if you are interested in experiencing an Explora sailing for yourself, please do get in touch. They have sailings out until March 2026, covering Europe, Caribbean, Central America, the Pacific Coast and Hawaii. We provide personalised service, alongside our first-hand experiences and offers you won’t find elsewhere. Simply call us today on 0808 278 9772.

Happy Sailing!