Launching in 2023, the ship was the first to join the fleet of Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand from MSC Group.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The ship features 461 cabins, all categorized as suites. Each boasts oversized windows overlooking the ocean and varies in size from a spacious 377 square feet for the entry-level Ocean Suite to the palatial 3,014 square foot Owner’s Residential Suite. Amenities include Dyson hair dryers, Frette linens, private furnished outdoor balconies and mini-bars stocked according to each passenger's preferences, ensuring that every room feels as comfortable as home.
- EXPLORA I’s spa brings serenity to the seas with 11 treatment rooms, including two suites with outdoor spaces and world-class facilities like a hydrotherapy pool, a Finnish sauna, a Himalayan salt cave, steam showers and an ice fall.
- The Ocean and Owner’s Residences provide the ultimate luxurious living experiences on the ship. Choose from four categories of Ocean Residences (Cocoon, Cove, Retreat and Serenity), each featuring dedicated butler service, separate living and dining areas with enough space for four people and terraces that include a private whirlpool, dining table and sunbeds.
- It’s worth paying the extra fee to dine at Anthology, the ship’s excellent fine-dining restaurant. Anthology celebrates Italian cuisine in all regions of the country, from Piedmont’s truffles to the Amalfi Coast’s citrus, in a seven-course tasting menu from chef Franck Garanger.
- Five pools enhance the ship's floating resort feel, with curtained cabanas and plenty of lounge space. The largest of these, the Conservatory Pool, has a retractable roof, allowing year-round use. In the evenings, a video screen beside the pool provides a movie theater experience under the stars.
Things to Know
- The wellness facilities onboard include an expansive spa and a 3,750-square-foot gym, which together create a total of 10,440 square feet dedicated to wellness. The gym, designed in collaboration with Technogym, is equipped with high-tech equipment and offers a variety of fitness classes, including sunrise yoga held on the outdoor deck and Pilates reformer sessions.
- Passengers may notice a unique fragrance; the ship partnered with master perfumer Alberto Morillas to create a signature scent for the cruise, Mandala Blue. Meant to capture the hot sun and sea breeze, the scent includes notes of bergamot, mandarin, Petitgrain Paraguay, jasmine, tonka bean, orange blossom, sea amber, guaiac wood and musk.
- Guests will find diverse activities on board, including travel writing workshops, trivia, afternoon tea, pickleball lessons, wine tastings and destination-inspired cooking classes.
- All menus at the 12 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges feature Mercier Brut champagne by the glass. The French label is part of Moët Hennessy, which also offers other on-board drinking experiences, like a complimentary champagne bottle in your suite as a welcome gift.
- EXPLORA I shows an eye toward sustainability by attaining RINA Dolphin certification, ensuring low underwater noise emissions, which in turn helps preserve marine life. The ship also has banned single-use plastics onboard and on land excursions.
Cruise Line
Explora Journeys
TEL833-925-1567
TEL833-925-1567
WEBSITEexplorajourneys.com
WEBSITEexplorajourneys.com
EXPLORA I
