Join me on an Unforgettable Journey aboard Explora I!

I was recently lucky enough to be invited to join EXPLORA I for an ultra-luxury voyage around the Adriatic and wanted to give you an insight into my experience sailing with Explora Journeys. I’ve heard amazing things from my colleagues who have sailed with them before, and it’s safe to say the experience lived up to my every expectation!

On Board Explora I

My immediate impression was that the ships have a very upmarket feel. The interiors are sleek, modern and luxurious with a neutral palette throughout that leaves you completely relaxed. We stayed in a Grand Ocean Terrace, which had a large balcony, a separate dressing area with ample space for hanging clothing, dressing gowns and slippers, a vanity area with an illuminated mirror and possibly my favourite feature, a Dyson hairdryer! The bathroom was a very good size, with a large walk-in shower with a seating area at one end, heated flooring and a handy night light. In the mornings, I loved using the in-suite espresso machine or sampling the selection of signature teas.

Aside from our suite, my favourite place on board had to be the outdoor area at the back of the Emporium Marketplace. It’s the perfect pre-dinner stop to enjoy a couple of oysters and a cool glass of champagne as you watch the sun dip behind the horizon at the end of a beautiful day before heading off to your restaurant of choice.  

Exceptional Service & Dining

The service was truly incredible from our suite host to the team in the restaurants, bars, guest services and shops! I would describe the staff as proactive rather than reactive, from always making sure your glass is full to dropping my napkin on the floor for it to be immediately replaced without having to ask.

This exceptional standard of service continued throughout all of the dining venues on board. I enjoyed Fil Rouge, where I had a beautiful melon & grapefruit salad, some delicious lamb chops (you’re able to request how many you’d like) and for dessert I had the highly recommended Chocolate soufflé, finished off with petit fours. We also visited the Med Yacht Club, where I had a selection of Italian ham and cheeses, followed by Moroccan Chicken, which was stunning, paired with a beautiful blush wine.

My favourite dining experience had to be in The Emporium Marketplace on the last evening of our cruise, where we dined on lobster tail and fresh grilled prawns, with a simple salad and a glass (or two!) of champagne – a perfect end to our experience onboard EXPLORA I.

Exploring the Adriatic

We boarded in Bari and visited Zadar and Rovinj in Croatia before disembarking in Venice. In Zadar, we sat in the sunshine and listened to the hypnotising sea organ playing and in Rovinj, wandered around the harbour, the market and treated ourselves in a few of the many shops before settling in a small street café and enjoying a cocktail whilst people watching!

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 incredible and the food was delicious!

If you are interested in experiencing an Explora sailing for yourself, please do get in touch! We have an incredible offer that ends August 3rd, so be sure to book yours before then to receive a FREE case of wine*.  For more information on the cruise line or to secure your own ultra-luxury sailing, simply call us today on 0808 163 9421.