Written & Images by Chloe Hambidge

‘Ocean State of Mind’

The Back Story

MSC has always taken the world by storm, and Explora Journeys is no different. The company’s new luxury label is a sight to behold. The peace that is conjured when you see their renowned ‘Ocean State of Mind’ becomes a way of life as soon as you step onboard. Explora Journeys effortlessly boasts small ship luxury with enough facilities to give the illusion of a sprawling resort at sea. A cocktail of intimacy, innovation and choice.

When introducing Explora Journeys, it’s hard to resist the urge to scream from the rooftops that you simply must get onboard. There’s something irrevocably special about this flourishing brand’s fleet, both physically and conceptually. Redefining luxury cruising may seem like a noble yet delusional quest, yet after stepping onboard EXPLORA I, it’s abundantly clear that luxury cruising has been rejuvenated, and we’ve seen it with our very eyes.

Despite the appeal of all the off-the-beaten-track coves and cosmopolitan cities the fleets’ smaller ships sneak into, it’s impossible to ignore the delights hidden in the traversing from A to B. Your home at sea onboard Explora Journeys is a six-star plus experience, ticking all the boxes for the whole family.

With an endeavour to unveil the delights our globe has to offer, Explora Journeys does more than just immerse, they protect. Restoring life’s essential balance with a combination of discovery and appreciation for well-being and nature, they have an innate respect for the waters that are the wind beneath their wings.

Utilising the very latest environmentally supportive technologies, your journey isn’t just a life enhancing sailing, but a voyage into the future. From energy-saving appliances to their Selective Catalytic Reduction System, what we are witnessing is just the beginning.

The Explora Difference

Unique complimentary experiences from the moment you get onboard…

• 1.25:1 host-to-guest ratio offering authentic and intuitive service, a weight that is lifted as you cute ties with any form of worry thanks to the fleets hospitality experts

• Access to Ocean Wellness Spa and thermal area- unlimited wellness opportunities

• Group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities and rituals. Highlights for me include reformer Pilates sessions, paddle tennis courts and an outdoor fitness area where you can prioritise moving your body whilst watching the world glide by in panoramic bliss. In partnership with Techno-gym.

• All on-board gratuities covered

• High-speed complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship

• In-suite welcome bottle of champagne (champagne became a common motif throughout our journey) as week a bottle of wine or spirit if your choice.

• 24-hour concierge service and In-Suite Dining

• Twice-daily housekeeping including evening turndown service for a glistening living quarters throughout your sailing

• Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required/available)

*Additional inclusions and benefits apply to guests staying in Ocean Penthouses and above.

Set the Scene (Our Experience)

Our journey onboard Explora Journeys commenced in Venice, standing regal in Fusina port, EXPLORA Is’ beauty speaks for itself. As if approaching our very own private yacht, this feeling is inescapable from the second you step onboard. Welcomed by a runway of smiles, the hosts onboard are something of a driving force behind Explora Journeys’ success. Elevating your journey at every turn, every wish is granted tastefully and effectively, you can sense the pride emitting from the hosts, not only to be onboard, but to be able to assist you.

I was struck by the magic of choice at every juncture onboard, without the 360 vistas of the horizon, you truly would believe you were at a luxury resort. With a similar charm to the much acclaimed Ikos resorts, this comparison was a motif from the agents onboard. In just another display of the lines guaranteed perfection, each restaurant is as enticing as the next- and they’re all free of additional charges for a true luxury all-inclusive experience (apart from Anthology- which comes with an experience fee, pioneering a culinary journey). There is no such thing as ‘speciality restaurants’ onboard, as all the food available is of the same high quality. This choice is streamlined with all their other public areas from their sprinkling of pools to the opportunity of stumbling upon a new bar at every turn.

Stepping onboard Explora Journeys is a much needed breath of fresh air, they have perfected every fine line and detail and have transformed it into the best it can be.

Ticking a box for everyone, if you’re looking for a multi-generational holiday on our oceans, Explora Journeys has you covered. With a wonderful kids room boasting PS4s, Segways, Pool table and so much more, they assure that their pint sized guests are well looked after whether you’re on or off board. The Creperie & Gelateria is also a big hit with the kids onboard, well, no one onboard can resist the delights of the sweet treats on offer.

Our Living Space

Walking into our Ocean Front Terrace Suite was a journey in itself, one that promised comfort and rejuvenation thanks to its plush king-sized bed, large lounge area brimming with books and floor-to-ceiling ocean views. A genuine home-away-from-home experience, we were greeted by everything we could want and more.

Pouring heart and soul into their rooms, comfort embodied us thanks to all the small thoughtful touches. With heated bathroom floors, a sensory light by your bedside table lighting up your path if you wake in the night, and an espresso machine if you don’t want to make the stroll to Crema the second you open your eyes.

A few highlights for us tucked away in the wonders of our suite include the Dyson hair dryer, which made getting ready for our glamorous night ahead all the more exciting. In typical Explora Journeys fashion, every nook and cranny of space has been maximized, I loved the walked-in wardrobe/vanity area, allowing you a whole private space to transform whilst your partner can continue to relax.

It was a much adored reprieve to carry us on our travels.

The Dining

A carousel of dining extravagance:

Anthology

An experience over a restaurant, pay homage to the rich tapestry of flavours hidden amongst Italy. A gastronomic journey designed to enlighten the mind as well as the palette in a celebration of regional flavours and authentic ingredients. A refined and elegant venue, enjoy panoramic vistas whilst indulging in the culinary genius of Frank Garanger, Head of Culinary. Open for dinner.

Sakura

Embark on a Pan-Asian explosion with a delightful blend of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian flavours. A gorgeous venue dripping with traditional fixtures, from cherry blossom climbing the ceiling acting as an enticing cocoon to festoon lights adorning the ancient tea room-inspired space; authenticity doesn’t just stop in the kitchen. Open for lunch and dinner.

Marble & Co. Grill

An intimate affair, these dark marbled interiors and soft lighting ooze sophistication alongside understated extravagance. The food speaks for itself with exceptional cuts and expert sommeliers, it’s a match made in heaven, and I’m not only talking about the steak and red wine. Open for dinner.

WE’VE TRIED & TESTED

Appetizers: Slow cooked pork belly with baby carrots, orange glaze, aged apple vinegar reduction.

Crushed fingerling potatoes & Normandy Butter with chives, Calvisuis Oscietra caviar, crème fraiche.

Beef: Grilled prime rib, aged 30-days cherry tomatoes, Au poivre sauce

Emporium Marketplace

An Emporium is defined as a place offering many different things, travel the world from the comfort of this relaxed space. Bathed in natural light and welcomed by endless views of the horizon fill you plate with sushi, fresh seafood and a daily rotisserie. Pasta is cooked to order as well as freshly baked pizza and an endless array of mouthwatering dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

WE’VE TRIED & TESTED

To recommend one particular dish wouldn’t do the marketplace justice. We dined here every day for breakfast and lunch, each day indulging in something different. Every ingredient is undeniably fresh, whether made before your eyes or not. The world truly is your oyster at this gastronomic hub of excellence.

Med Yacht Club

A more relaxed ambience and effortlessly refined design allowing a perfectly plush setting to revel in la dolce vita of the Mediterranean. A celebration of cuisine as well as the joys of good company, socialise amongst sharing plates, each better then the next and created with passion. With an infusion of tastes and textures from Italy, Spain, Greece, France & North Africa, culinary immersion is something to be embraced.

WE’VE TRIED & TESTED

Tapas to share: Patatas Bravas

Acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham P.D.O Dehesa de Extremadura

Appetizers: Grilled octopus

Meat Entrees: Osso buco Milanese

Fil Rouge

A decadent space uniting international flavours with a French influence and an intimate ambience. Embodying elegance with a timeless dining venue and mouthwatering cuisine, this laid-back restaurant packs a tasteful punch. Open for breakfast and dinner.

WE’VE TRIED & TESTED

Appetizers: French Caribbean Cajun spiced jumbo lump crab cake with roasted cherry tomato aioli, vegetable slaw

From the grill: Dover sole, herb butter, chive potatoes

The Pools

Don’t be daunted by the sheer variety of poolside leisure available at your fingertips whilst sailing. Each reprieve is the gift that keeps on giving, simply roll a dice and let the fates choose your path. With three heated outdoor pools one being adult-only (the Astern pool being our personal favourite- private cabanas and panoramic aft views; it’s a dream come true), one heated indoor pool with a retractable roof- which is the biggest pool I’ve seen on a ship to date, and five indoor and outdoor whirlpools.

Where there are guests, there are hosts, and where there are hosts there is unmatched service; you will never go without a drink in hand. This is also thanks to the several outdoor bars and lounges acting as a beacon to every pool.

With generous outdoor spaces and a promenade snaking around the upper decks, even on a sea day relaxing to the soft lull of the sea, you can’t help but embrace the ‘Ocean State of Mind’.

Ocean Wellness

Inspired by the ocean, dipping your toe in wellness onboard is a rejuvenating experience that promises to stay with you long after you travel. A trip to this space is one dedicated to emitting relaxation, it’s easy to wander the serene facilities and leave everything behind. I loved the salt cave, where you can just recline and take a much-needed deep breath.

With dim interiors and glowing spotlights leading the way, embark on a wellness journey in this slice of heaven. Recently picking up awards for Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line and Best for Wellbeing at the Wave Awards, succumb to this acclaimed hideaway. These state-of-the-art facilities include a Steam Room, Experience Shower, Hydrotherapy Pool, Finnish Sauna, Salt Cave, Steam Shower, Ice Fall, Heated Marble Loungers, Outdoor Relaxation Area, and that’s before touching on their invigorative treatments- with specialties by Dr Levy Switzerland.

With an outdoor fitness & cardio space allowing panoramic sea views, an array of included classes including reformer Pilates, and a gym brimming with renowned Technogym. You no longer have to sacrifice your fitness journey when you go on holiday, but enhance it instead, move your body and invigorate the mind, whilst not miss a thing

To enquire about this upcoming cruise line feel free to give us a call on 020 8501 0917, we are happy to ask any further questions and provide you will their best offers

BOOK BY THE 4TH DECEMBER TO GET UP TO 50% SAVINGS, PLUS RECIEVE A REDUCED DEPOSIT OF 5%