Cruising on the spectacular EXPLORA I

Imagine one of the chicest lobby bars you’ve ever seen: light-reflecting gold and brass and warm browns; the bartenders carrying on conversation with guests while shaking up the latest signature cocktail. Champagne is flowing (Moët Chandon is the house bubbles), and the resident pianist is tickling the ivories, the music floating down from the mezzanine above.

A hotel? No, although it certainly could be a five-star property. This is the central gathering place on the EXPLORA I, the new and first ship in the Explora Journeys portfolio. Six ships are in line to take the waters by 2028, but EXPLORA I is a hard act to follow. As we experienced when we were on board, it’s just beyond expectations. It’s a beautifully designed, state-of-the-art ship that defines luxury at every turn – with the guest always at the forefront.

“Sailing with Explora Journeys is like being at your favourite boutique hotel, maybe even better, because you don’t have to pick just one place to visit,” says Mary Jean Tully, who attended the naming ceremony as a VIP guest on behalf of Tully Luxury Travel while EXPLORA Iwas in port in Manhattan, in October 2023. “They also really prioritize the journey itself, making it the ideal choice for first-time cruisers or anyone seeking a luxurious ocean voyage with a focus on exploration and discovery.”

Chris Austin, the line’s CSO, put it best. “Discerning travellers want a yacht-inspired ship, a ship that has space and choice, and cruise itineraries at a slower pace to allow a greater immersion in the destination.” Add to that that the EXPLORA Ihas some of the largest cabins at sea, with 461 ocean-facing suites – the Ocean Terrace suites with stunning walk-in closets and generous bathrooms are an average of 35 sq metres (377 sq ft) – and, at just 922 guests and 640 crew, along with all the food and beverage options, the ship feels intimate. “It feels like a cosmopolitan boutique hotel vibe,” he adds.

Let’s start with the cocktail bars and lounges. There are a dozen spacious or intimate choices, both indoor and outdoor, to have a sundowner (don’t miss the sunset from Sky Bar on deck 14), listen to live music (take in jazz or piano at the Explora Lounge), dance the night away in the Journeys Lounge, or take afternoon tea. Crema Café is where you’ll find an all-day barista serving freshly brewed espresso and cappuccino (don’t miss the two bite pain au chocolat to go with!). It’s a chic meeting and working spot, as if you’re in a cool urban coffee shop with the rest of the digital nomads. A nightcap at the intimate whisky bar, with its global selection of the finest spirits and convivial bartenders, is also a popular place to see and be seen.

And the food. We can only describe the dining experiences as next level. The Asian cuisine at Sakura is so wonderfully crafted, we dined there twice. Sommeliers are intuitive, making selections to match your dinner choices and your palette. A choice of six restaurants (five are included in all sailings); all are the highest level of service – even the casual marketplace style dining at Emporium Marketplace takes it up a notch or three – while Anthology, which must be booked separately, offers a chef tasting menu from some of the world’s brightest culinary stars. Both Mauro Uliassi and Emma Bengtsson bring their Michelin-starred visions to EXPLORA I, and it’s well worth the experience. Rare is it to find a Michelin-star affair at sea that is so well-curated and thoughtfully crafted.

Like to keep fit while onboard? EXPLORA I has you covered there, as well. And this is no average, below decks gym. Here, you’ll go up top on the ship’s Fitness Deck, and have your pick of the best workout equipment, provided by Technogym. Fancy a spin on a stationary bike with a view? From the deck, you can get your heart pumping al fresco while taking in the sea air while overlooking the ocean.

The ship is sleek enough to dock in many smaller ports, but strong enough to take on transoceanic journeys. EXPLORA I has already made calls in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Nordic ports, New England and Eastern Canada, and is currently sailing the Caribbean until March 2024. Next year, it will go west, traverse the Pacific coast of North America and touch on the islands of Hawaii and beyond.

While taking afternoon tea with the ship’s Master, Captain Diego Michelozzi, we asked him what he loved best about EXPLORA I. “It’s all the light,” he said. “All the open spaces, it brings you to the ocean state of mind that is our philosophy.” And the ship, too, is an evolution for the environment, he adds, as sustainability is a major focus for Explora Journeys. The ongoing goal, he says, is to always reduce emissions, and come up with better ways to fuel the ship. “It’s not what we have, it’s what we leave, for future generations.”

There’s nothing more calming and relaxing than water, says Austin. “The ocean’s our home, we have to protect it and it’s driving that ocean state of mind.”

The Tully Travel Designers are ready to help you get that ocean state of mind with a sailing on this ultimate, all-inclusive luxury ocean journey set in timeless elegance.