An Explora Journeys Review – By Martin & Luke
Day 1: Travel and Embarkation
We embarked on Explora I in Istanbul for the 7-day “Journey from Ancient Empires to Iconic Islands.” Our flight from London was just under four hours, followed by a one hour transfer to the port. We opted for Uber, but taxis of all sizes are readily available at the airport. For a more seamless experience, I’d recommend arranging a transfer through the cruise line, as it can reduce waiting times.
Our itinerary started with an overnight stay in port, and Explora I requested that guests arrive between 12:00 and 20:00. We reached Galataport around 18:45, the check-in process was straightforward and efficient. If arriving by taxi, request to be dropped off at the underground area, which takes you directly to the check-in point. With a late arrival, our first evening was relaxed. We dined at the Emporium Marketplace, Explora’s version of a buffet, featuring a wide range of live cooking stations, including pasta, grill, and salad bars, along with specialised stations for oysters, charcuterie, cheese, bakery, and pastries.
After dinner, we explored the ship briefly to familiarise ourselves with its layout, ending the night with drinks and a couple of games of pool in the Astern Lounge.
Day 2: Exploring Istanbul and Onboard Life
We started the day at 8 AM with breakfast at the Emporium Marketplace. Afterward, we attended a morning meeting in the Astern Lounge, where Andrew and Raj spoke about Explora’s values.
Following the meeting, we visited the gym. After our workout, we ventured out to explore Istanbul. While parts of the city appeared a bit rundown, the views from the ship were impressive. We were out for about an hour and a half, and on our return, we were ready for lunch at the burger bar in the Emporium Marketplace.
In the afternoon, we continued exploring the ship, including a tour of the spa. We also visited the Explorer Lounge, the Whiskey Bar, and the Cigar Lounge. After a few more rounds of pool in the Astern Lounge, we returned to the suite to relax before dinner.
That evening, we dined at the Med Yacht Club, where we enjoyed a four-course meal. The fillet steak with spinach and Gorgonzola was a highlight. Dessert was an apple crumble with a pistachio base. After dinner, we watched the sail away from the Sky Bar and ended the night in the Astern Lounge with more pool.
Day 3: Sea Day and Suite Life
For this journey, we stayed in an Ocean Terrace Suite (8056), one of about 80 suites designed for twin occupancy. Most of the suites on board feature king beds, so it’s essential to specify bed preferences when booking. Our suite came with a fully stocked mini bar, a coffee machine, and a kettle, with a selection of teas. Guests can choose their wine and a bottle of spirits to be ready upon arrival, along with a bottle of champagne. The marble bathroom featured a large walk-in shower and heated floors, though some suites offer a bathtub as well.
The cabin was well-equipped with both European and US plugs, as well as USB and USB-C ports. The bedside MagSafe chargers were a thoughtful touch. During the sea day, we toured the ship and had the opportunity to view several accommodations, including the Cocoon Residence and the Owners Suite, which boasts over 3,000 square feet of space.
After the tour, the day was spent leisurely. While Luke headed to the gym, I relaxed by the Atoll Pool on deck 10, where there were plenty of loungers available.
Day 4: Exploring Bodrum
We began the day at the Emporium Marketplace for breakfast, and I couldn’t resist the pancakes again. Afterward, I went to the gym while Martin visited the spa.
Post-gym, we had lunch at the Emporium Marketplace and then ventured out into Bodrum. Back onboard, we prepared for dinner at Sakura, which was an incredible experience. We ordered a variety of starters crispy duck, tempura crab, gyozas, and dim sum before indulging in mains. My short rib Panang was tender and flavourful, while Martin’s lobster pad Thai was slightly underwhelming.
That evening, we attended the “Movie under the Stars” on deck 11, which was a delightful way to spend the night. After the film, we called it an early night.
Day 5: Exploring Rhodes
After breakfast, we explored Rhodes, specifically the Old Town, as we had both been there before. The ship docks close to the Old Town, and it’s only a short 10-minute walk away. The bustling streets are filled with shops and cafes, while a beach is a 20–25 minute walk for those seeking a more relaxed experience.
Back onboard, I opted to visit the spa, which offers free access to various amenities, including the spa pool, sauna, steam room, and outdoor terrace. The only restriction is on sea days, where access is limited to specific times unless you have a treatment booked.
In the evening, we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks at the Sky Bar during the sunset session, with cocktails and chilled music. Dinner followed at Marble and Co., the ship’s European steakhouse. We both started with the slow-cooked pork belly before moving on to steak Luke had the beef filet, and I opted for the rib-eye, both cooked to perfection.
We ended the night, once again, playing pool, determined to improve our skills by the end of the cruise.
Day 6: Katapola and a Quiet Escape
The day began with a tender journey to Katapola, a quiet port perfect for a peaceful hike. We hiked up a mountain for about two hours, enjoying the tranquillity and beautiful views. Afterward, we returned to the ship for lunch and spent the afternoon either at the gym or on the beach.
That evening, we revisited Sakura for another delicious meal, enjoying the Al Fresco dining experience. We ended the night with a show at the Journeys Lounge and a few more rounds of pool before retiring for the night.
Day 7: Paros
This morning started with our usual visit to the Emporium Market for breakfast. While the breakfast selection remained the same throughout the week, there was still enough variety to enjoy something different each day.
After breakfast, we set out to explore our final port of the cruise: Paros. Like Amorgos, Paros requires a short tender ride to shore. Explora Journeys has been exceptionally efficient with tender service, operating four boats in constant rotation, making the process seamless.
The tender dropped us off right in the heart of Parikia, the main town on the island. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an inviting array of cafés, bars, and restaurants lining the sandy beach. To the left of the town centre, there was a long stretch of beach dotted with small beach bars—perfect for those seeking a peaceful spot to sunbathe. Meanwhile, the center of Parikia revealed a charming maze of cobblestone streets, lined with shops and boutique hotels housed in traditional white and blue buildings.
After a few hours of exploring, we returned to the ship just in time for lunch. Being our last full day onboard, we opted for something different and returned to Sakura. On port days, Sakura offers a limited lunchtime menu from 12:00 to 13:30, featuring sushi and customisable bento boxes.
The afternoon followed our usual routine—Luke headed to the gym while I spent my time soaking up the sun. Like many ships, Explora has several hot tubs located around the top decks. However, Explora’s tubs are uniquely designed as long, horizontal pools rather than the traditional round shape. This layout allows everyone to enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean, which is a particularly nice touch.
After packing our bags, we began the evening with pre-dinner drinks at the Sky Bar, which by this point had become a popular spot for guests to gather and share stories about their day before heading to dinner. For our final meal onboard, we returned to Marble & Co. As with our previous visit, it was a feast—steaks, lobster tails, and an array of delicious sides made for a memorable last dinner.
Following dinner, we made our way to the Journeys Lounge for the evening show, where the Resident Artistes performed a fantastic selection of disco and dance hits from the 70s through to the 2000s.
To cap off the night—and keeping with tradition—we gathered at the Astern Lounge for one last round at the pool table. Joined by some of the other agents on board, we held our final competition of the trip. By now, we’d honed our skills and naturally won all our matches. A perfect way to end a wonderful cruise!
Day 8: Disembarkation Day
We woke up at 8 AM, as disembarkation was scheduled for 9:30. After the indulgent dinner the previous night, I decided to skip breakfast, though Martin headed to the Emporium Marketplace for one last meal.
By 9 AM, we were ready to leave the suite and made our way to the Explora Lounge, where we awaited instructions for disembarkation. Since we had booked a transfer through Explora, we were grouped with other passengers using the same service. The entire process was smooth and efficient. We didn’t have to wait long in the lounge before being called to disembark, and our luggage was waiting for us as we exited.
With the transfer arranged by Explora, our bags were loaded directly onto the coach, and the journey to the airport took about an hour. An Explora representative accompanied us on the coach to assist with any queries.
At the airport, we arrived a bit too early to check in our luggage, so we waited for about an hour before joining the queue, which took another 30–45 minutes. Once our bags were checked in, we grabbed a bite to eat and proceeded to the gate, ready for our journey home.
Our overall thoughts of Explora Journeys
Luke
Overall, I found the experience onboard to be excellent. The food, particularly in the specialty restaurants Sakura and Marble & Co., was exceptional, and the onboard team were consistently friendly and attentive. The ship itself was beautifully designed, offering a refined and comfortable atmosphere.
One area for improvement would be the evening entertainment. There wasn’t a great deal of variety, and the bars and lounges often felt underutilised, although this may have been influenced by the ship operating at less than half capacity.
Despite this, I would rank the ship as one of my favourites, with a similar ambiance to Regent. However, I still believe the Regent Grandeur has a slight edge, though it’s a close comparison.
I would highly recommend Explora to any guest seeking a high level of luxury.
Martin
Having heard excellent reviews about Explora Journeys, I approached the cruise with high expectations, and I must say, it did not disappoint. Explora Journeys has quickly become one of my favourite cruise lines.
The ship offers luxury without the formality often associated with high-end cruising. The culinary experience was outstanding, with some of the best food I’ve ever had—not just at sea, but in general. The accommodations were spacious, with ample living and storage areas, providing a true sense of comfort.
One of the most notable aspects of my experience was how at ease I felt onboard. In the past, while visiting other luxury ships, it was often clear I was there as an agent, making me feel somewhat out of place. However, with Explora, I felt entirely comfortable and could genuinely envision myself booking a holiday with them. I’ve already recommended the line to friends and family.
Explora also stands out for its inclusivity, offering dedicated meetups for solo travellers, the LGBTQ+ community, and sober sailors at the beginning of each voyage. Guests attending these gatherings are provided with a pin, which discreetly signals their preferences to the staff. For sober guests, this pin is especially helpful in avoiding any awkwardness, as waitstaff are mindful to offer non-alcoholic beverages.
One of my personal highlights was dining at Sakura. The restaurant serves a fusion of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian dishes, with a design reminiscent of London’s Sushi Samba, complete with cherry blossom accents across the ceiling. Guests can choose between indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a sushi bar available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If I had one recommendation, it would be to order a selection of starters to share. The portions are small, and dishes are brought out as they are prepared, allowing you to enjoy a steady flow of beautifully presented, flavourful plates without being overwhelmed by a table full of dishes.
Overall, Explora offers an exceptional luxury experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking refined yet approachable cruising.
For more information on Explora Journeys, please see our website www.sovereigncrusie.co.uk or for a quotation at the guaranteed lowest fares please call us on 03331 224466 where our Luxury Cruise Consultants will be happy to assist you.
