Very nice! Out of my price range. I can stay in España in the autumn for 3 months for the price of a cruise. With your gift of gab. I'm sure you'll find a bunch of folks to have some great converstations with. You're a people magnet. People are just drawn to engage with you.
I've just gotten off the Explora I (Panama to Miami) and this is the best, most concise total ship review I've come across. I would agree with all of your assessments. I would add that the Welcome Champagne is no longer Veuve Cliquot but is now (or was then) Mercier Champagne, not bad but not Veuve. Also, as a "shade aficionado" myself I would have welcomed more of the cabanas. Many of the loungers went unused even on sea days and in my opinion they could benefit from more shaded areas. One other thing, the pool on Deck 12 was closed for renovations which was a disappointment as it's probably the best of the pools imho. Overall I loved it and would definitely book on this ship again.
We were booked on this ship out of NY for a trip to Bermuda October 1st-8th 2024 round trip but then the trip was canceled. We did receive our deposit back, but we were wondering if this ship or another one would ever be leaving out of NY. We have been cruising with MSC staying in the Yacht Club which is wonderful by the way, and who is the owner of Explora 1-5 so we wanted to experience these ships.If you have any idea if that might ever happen we would appreciate it. (Flying isn't fun anymore) Also great job showing all the ships over the years in your reports and videos. Thank You.
Oh bummer! Yeah, leaving from a homeport is definitely super convenient. If it doesn’t already show on Explora’s own schedule, I like to use CruiseMapper.com to follow ship schedules per port. Thanks so much for watching over the years! It’s my pleasure!
Is the pricing akin to something like Viking, Oceania or even more expensive like Regent? And is it formal like Cunard or casual like Viking? It's a beautiful ship. Maybe one day.
Shore excursions are not included though most cruises on Explora earn OBC with travel advisors. There is only one restaurant with an upcharge and that is the 3 Michelin starred one, that is the tasting menu. Anthem? It’s 195 euros per person upcharge plus 75 euro upcharge for wine pairings.
Nice video but the ship looks a bit boring, probably for older (over 65) people......unfortunately in 49 and quite fun. Im booked and paid for a 10 day stay in October..not sure i've booked the right cruise....we will soon find out. Not complaining though.
Another Explora video that does not include excursions. Literally, not a single YT video about this ship ever has footage of excursions. It only talks about the ship. How much do excursions costs? Are they any good? I think every TH-camr were guests of Explora and did not spend an extra dime to buy any excursions to film them.
@@erindaly What???? So they stop at various ports and you go off on your own? They don't want to make any money selling their own excursions? Why was this critical piece of information missing from every TH-cam review of Explora?
@@KVDC2008 Yeah, my understanding is they feel like passengers prefer making their own arrangements in the ports and atttactions. I’ve seen several vlogs in which this aspect was mentioned. It does seem a bit strange. But perhaps if they start receiving guests’ complaints they may change this policy down the road.
Perhaps this was different when the original commenter posted but Explora Journeys does offer shore excursions. I can see various options available for me to book. They are just not included in the price of your trip like apparently some other upper tier cruise lines offer.
We despise MSC too but Explora is WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME. Not one thing like MSC. We find Explora to be the best value for luxury cruising today. We thought the food was only rivaled by Regents. Oceania, Seabourne, Viking, and Silverseas way way below in terms of food. Service was similar to Silverseas. Great service everywhere. Drinks amazing. Included wine of very good quality (like $15-$20/bottle in the US grocery stores. The included liquor was also high end (Chopin and Grey Goose vodka, Woodford Reserve bourbon, Tanqueray Ten gin). I think i also remember them even having a 20 yr. Tawny port included. We were really impressed. The Sakura restaurant was our favorite but the French restaurant also very very good. All restaurants were great, even the Marketplace. Just our 2 favorites were the French and Asian Fusion. Best food at sea, no question.😊
MSC’s base product is poor, dear. Their food on their standard cruise is of low quality. The ships, the newer ones, are quite beautiful, but the service is lacking. And MSC doesn’t sell cruises in segments. You don’t board one day with all your fellow crew members and sail for 7 days and then get off together. With MSC’s model, they add new cruisers virtually every port and then some people get off practically every port. It’s a carousel of people joining and leaving.
Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel! ~ What do you think about the luxurious new Explora I from Explora Journeys?
Thank you for the review - it’s not easy to find Explora actual reviews- so thank YOU for the review and information.
My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching!
This a jaw-droppingly beautiful ship. If I only had the money!
Onboard in April from Vancouver to Hawaii. Can’t wait.
Bon voyage!
Very nice! Out of my price range. I can stay in España in the autumn for 3 months for the price of a cruise. With your gift of gab. I'm sure you'll find a bunch of folks to have some great converstations with. You're a people magnet. People are just drawn to engage with you.
Love your smooth videos. Also nice seeing you on camera. 😊
Thanks so much! Glad you like the new format trial!
Thanks so much for your great review. We are looking at doing our first cruise with Explora so really appareciated your review.
My pleasure! Thank you and bon voyage!
I'm looking forward to the Malt Whisky Bar.
Outside is classic, inside, very beautiful... but I'd love to travel on an old times ocean liners...
Are you watching the TV show Death and Other Details? The fictional ship would be right up your alley!
@@PopularCruising Thanks!!!
Never heard of this show but now I gotta watch!@@PopularCruising
your closes chance is the Q2
There is only one ocean liner left in the world. That’s Queen Mary 2 (Cunard). Fyi
Beautiful.
heading to Panama ... juts got off seabourn venture - I hope emtertaiment has been polish :)
I've just gotten off the Explora I (Panama to Miami) and this is the best, most concise total ship review I've come across. I would agree with all of your assessments. I would add that the Welcome Champagne is no longer Veuve Cliquot but is now (or was then) Mercier Champagne, not bad but not Veuve. Also, as a "shade aficionado" myself I would have welcomed more of the cabanas. Many of the loungers went unused even on sea days and in my opinion they could benefit from more shaded areas. One other thing, the pool on Deck 12 was closed for renovations which was a disappointment as it's probably the best of the pools imho. Overall I loved it and would definitely book on this ship again.
Thanks so much! Oh how interesting about the Veuve. Cheers!
Nice video...correction, it's Technogym equipment, not Total Gym.
Thanks! Ah yes, my bad.
We were booked on this ship out of NY for a trip to Bermuda October 1st-8th 2024 round trip but then the trip was canceled. We did receive our deposit back, but we were wondering if this ship or another one would ever be leaving out of NY. We have been cruising with MSC staying in the Yacht Club which is wonderful by the way, and who is the owner of Explora 1-5 so we wanted to experience these ships.If you have any idea if that might ever happen we would appreciate it. (Flying isn't fun anymore) Also great job showing all the ships over the years in your reports and videos. Thank You.
Oh bummer! Yeah, leaving from a homeport is definitely super convenient. If it doesn’t already show on Explora’s own schedule, I like to use CruiseMapper.com to follow ship schedules per port. Thanks so much for watching over the years! It’s my pleasure!
Is the pricing akin to something like Viking, Oceania or even more expensive like Regent? And is it formal like Cunard or casual like Viking? It's a beautiful ship. Maybe one day.
As a luxury ship, its pricing is closer to the likes of Regent, and the dress code is definitely casual and not formal. Thanks for watching!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Are gratuities included? Shore exclusions included? I think the upcharge restaurant is $200 euro each? a foodie cruise looks like..
explorajourneys.com/us/en/life-on-explora/onboard-services
yes they are included , this is the response war to seabourn
Shore excursions are not included though most cruises on Explora earn OBC with travel advisors. There is only one restaurant with an upcharge and that is the 3 Michelin starred one, that is the tasting menu. Anthem? It’s 195 euros per person upcharge plus 75 euro upcharge for wine pairings.
Wow. We are Regent regulars (soon to be gold). But this ship is really in the ballpark.
Nice video but the ship looks a bit boring, probably for older (over 65) people......unfortunately in 49 and quite fun. Im booked and paid for a 10 day stay in October..not sure i've booked the right cruise....we will soon find out. Not complaining though.
I'm 40 myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
This ship has to have the highest square footage of pool/spa per passenger…
Right?!
Another Explora video that does not include excursions. Literally, not a single YT video about this ship ever has footage of excursions. It only talks about the ship. How much do excursions costs? Are they any good? I think every TH-camr were guests of Explora and did not spend an extra dime to buy any excursions to film them.
Apparently this line does not offer shore excursions. They are going for a bit of a different vibe.
@@erindaly What???? So they stop at various ports and you go off on your own? They don't want to make any money selling their own excursions? Why was this critical piece of information missing from every TH-cam review of Explora?
@@KVDC2008 Yeah, my understanding is they feel like passengers prefer making their own arrangements in the ports and atttactions. I’ve seen several vlogs in which this aspect was mentioned. It does seem a bit strange. But perhaps if they start receiving guests’ complaints they may change this policy down the road.
@@erindaly Thanks again, I appreciate your candor and follow-up.
Perhaps this was different when the original commenter posted but Explora Journeys does offer shore excursions. I can see various options available for me to book. They are just not included in the price of your trip like apparently some other upper tier cruise lines offer.
With such monotonous, dull, and plain decoration, is this really a luxurious cruise ship?
So Explora is tied to MSC. That means a hard pass from me. I wouldn’t spend a cent with anything to do with MSC.
No idea.
Can you please expound on the cons of MSC?
We despise MSC too but Explora is WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME. Not one thing like MSC. We find Explora to be the best value for luxury cruising today. We thought the food was only rivaled by Regents. Oceania, Seabourne, Viking, and Silverseas way way below in terms of food. Service was similar to Silverseas. Great service everywhere. Drinks amazing. Included wine of very good quality (like $15-$20/bottle in the US grocery stores. The included liquor was also high end (Chopin and Grey Goose vodka, Woodford Reserve bourbon, Tanqueray Ten gin). I think i also remember them even having a 20 yr. Tawny port included. We were really impressed. The Sakura restaurant was our favorite but the French restaurant also very very good. All restaurants were great, even the Marketplace. Just our 2 favorites were the French and Asian Fusion. Best food at sea, no question.😊
MSC’s base product is poor, dear. Their food on their standard cruise is of low quality. The ships, the newer ones, are quite beautiful, but the service is lacking. And MSC doesn’t sell cruises in segments. You don’t board one day with all your fellow crew members and sail for 7 days and then get off together. With MSC’s model, they add new cruisers virtually every port and then some people get off practically every port. It’s a carousel of people joining and leaving.