AN INTRODUCTION TO EXPLORA Journeys CRUISES
I was determined to find my family the perfect cruise line. We had done enough Disney cruises when the kids were younger, but my husband had firmly declared, “I am not a cruise person.” He doesn’t like crowds and wants to feel like he is the only guest at a serene hotel or resort. Having sailed Explora in the Caribbean before I took my family to the Mediterranean, I knew that if an Explora cruise wouldn’t convert him, nothing would.
This relatively new luxury cruise line has masterfully created an atmosphere that feels both refined and welcoming to families, not much differently than a 5-star beach resort that is popular for couples but still has a kids club and game room for the “kid minority.”
Explora will soon have three sister ships, the Explora I, II, and III with really minor differences between them. While the Explora I and II split between the Caribbean and Mediterranean, the Explora III will have Explora Journeys cruises sail Alaska starting the summer of 2027 followed by a fall in Japan.
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SHIP ITINERARIES: EXPLORING THE MEDITERRANEAN
Our Mediterranean itinerary was nothing short of spectacular, and I found myself constantly thinking its really the best region to cruise. We embarked on a seven-night journey that took us through some of the most iconic ports in the region, including Barcelona, Ibiza, Nice, Marseilles, Genoa, Portofino, and wrapping up outside of Rome.
The Mediterranean route proved to be an inspired choice for our family with teenagers. Every single port offered that perfect combination of cultural enrichment, shopping opportunities, gelato (even though the ship has amazing gelato and soft serve) and casual exploration that kept our teens engaged rather than bored. We snorkeled in Ibiza, took a coastal boat ride in Marseilles, spent the evening exploring Nice, hunted down the best Genovese pesto and focaccia, and admired Portofino’s coastline from the Jacuzzis onboard the ship.
The beauty of Explora’s itinerary planning is that even if you opt not to book an organized excursion, which we didn’t at most ports, you can always find something to do, and on your own schedule. Tenders to the shore were efficient and frequent, allowing us to disembark whenever we pleased. Once on land, Explora provided transportation to central locations in ports to make casual exploring easy, which served our family’s flexibility and spontaneity on vacation mode.
Explora SHIP AMENITIES: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Pools and Outdoor Spaces
The main Explora pool has the ability to open and close its glass roof based on the weather of the sailing which is a great feature.
The main pool deck features multiple pools, including an infinity pool that seemed to merge with the Mediterranean horizon, a more family-focused pool, adults-only pools, and hot tubs. My husband and I particularly enjoyed the adults-only retreat area when we sought a quiet moment, and our entire family enjoyed using the hot tubs overlooking the water in the evenings.
The Owner’s Cabin features a beautiful private hot tub with outstanding views.
WELLNESS FACILITIES:
I have to gush about the full-service spa and wellness facilities because they were truly world-class. I book the spa services for my clients in advance for any days at sea because those days fill up first. The spa treatments, salon services, and fitness center were top of the line, and ones that we utilized multiple times on our vacation. I purchased a wellness package on my first Explora cruise that combined training, salon services, sound therapies in addition to facial and massage. I highly recommend!
The spa itself is an oasis of tranquility, featuring a large coed area with hydrotherapy pool, Himalayan salt room, steam, and sauna.
What made the wellness experience even more special was that my whole family worked with a trainer together for three sessions throughout the cruise, and I worked with him on both my itineraries. This was such a bonding experience—watching my teenagers engage with a dedicated trainer in a fun, educational environment was a great vacation perk, as we believe strongly in the importance of modeling physical wellbeing.
Wellness facilities are full sized and provide all that a five-star resort offers.
Using the hydrotherapy pools after our workouts became my husband’s favorite part of the day, and I have to agree—the combination of different temperature pools, steam rooms, and saunas created the perfect recovery routine. The salon also deserves mention; I treated myself to a hair treatment mid-cruise, and the stylist was phenomenally skilled.
CULINARY EXCELLENCE
Sakura, the Japanese and Asian-fusion restaurant, is a popular choice for dining under their cherry blossom ceiling.
The dining options on Explora Journeys cruises absolutely won over my family. With multiple specialty restaurants, each offering distinct cuisines and atmospheres, we never once felt bored with our dining choices.
We found the “buffet” to be our favorite dining option, outranking all of the sit down restaurants. Now, I must address something important about the food in the “buffet” area. The quotation marks are intentional because calling it a buffet feels almost insulting to what Explora has created. This is outstanding dining with made-to-order stations, fresh ingredients, and presentation that rivals the specialty restaurants.
All the food was excellent, and it ranged from freshly rolled sushi to just-grilled burgers, fresh house-made pastas with customizable sauces, seafood towers, to still-hot pizza we watched go right from the oven to our plates. Staff members serve you at each station, making sure that everything remains sanitary and avoids the spread of excess germs that plague the big ships.
The well-equipped demo kitchens on Explora Journeys cruises offers daily cooking classes in regional dishes. A gret way to spend the afternoon on the ship. We made a variety of tapas and paellas on our day at sea once we left Spain.
My daughter and I enjoyed taking a cooking class, which are offered in small groups most evenings with reservations. We enjoyed a Spanish inspired menu, where we cooked grilled octopus and fried potato appetizers, then finished with a classic seafood paella. This would be a bit too fast paced for a young teen or for someone who had limited cooking experience as a note. Our final products were served to us alongside the chef’s example and glasses of wine, and we got to keep our chef hats.
The dishes and types of cuisines vary each day to ensure that guests who enjoy working with the culinary team in the demo kitchen and can do more than once in the cruise without repeating the recipes prepared.
FAMILY-FOCUSED AMENITIES on Explora Journeys cruises
The daily art classes were a fun highlight for our kids. Each day offered different projects, primarily watercolor painting and bead work.
Resident artists aboard the ship offered daily art classes and were able to offer a lot or a little instruction based on request. My daughter, who is an experienced artist, enjoyed painting on her own while my son was guided through an easy painting.
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The kids’ game room was well-equipped with age-appropriate entertainment, though I’ll be honest—most children over 12 may not be entertained for very long. Video games, board games, fuse ball, and more are available to children who are checked in and cared for under staff supervision.
It’s not necessarily a traditional kid’s club, but younger kids will enjoy playing games with the staff and other children. Basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts are also available on the upper decks for families who might want to play a match, or for anyone who just wants to shoot hoops.
FAMILY ACCOMMODATIONS On Explora Journeys cruises
The Grand Penthouses have a double sleeper sofa in their living area for a child, and certain entry cabins can have a twin sleeper sofa in addition to the king sized beds. Connecting staterooms exist but tend to sell out quickly.
For our family of four with two adults and two teens, we ended up booking two separate rooms, and we would recommend that layout for families with similar arrangements. The rooms were large, each with sitting areas, full closets, spacious bathrooms, king beds, and pull-out sofa beds if needed. Each room also came with its own miniature library, with titles ranging from classics like Henry James’ “The Portrait of a Lady” to contemporary romance novels, all provided in multiple languages. Our veranda came with lounging chairs as well, and a small dining table in the living portion of the stateroom.
The entry level verandah still feels spacious and comfortable.
The Luxe Recess Insider Membership is for
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ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES
The nightly music trivia became our family’s competitive obsession. Themes ranged from soundtracks and Disney classics to rock anthems, and the turnout every night was impressive. Disney trivia night got super competitive, with families scoring extra points when you were willing to dance to the right answer. My husband got us a perfect score in classic rock trivia, and we were not too far behind in the other categories. Winners received a small piece of Explora merchandise—we won visors. After trivia ended nightly, karaoke would take over the stage and keep the party going for another few hours.
A private dining table can be reserved for special dinners.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON Explora Journeys cruises
Our Explora Cruise experience exceeded every expectation I had for what a cruise could be. From the impeccable service to the excellent food to the curated design, every detail was executed flawlessly. The Mediterranean itinerary provided the perfect blend of cultural enrichment and relaxation, the amenities kept every family member engaged and happy, and the accommodations gave us both togetherness and necessary personal space.
Would I recommend Explora Cruises for families? Absolutely, without hesitation. This is luxury cruising done right: both elevated and elating, we had a blast on our cruise. We’re already planning our next Explora adventure.
If you’re exploring cruise options, I invite you to schedule a free 15 minute cruise quote planning call with me. We handle cabin accommodations that suit your crew like connecting state rooms, or multi-generational travel considerations. We can assist with all the pre and post-cruise details—from selecting VIP-enhanced hotel stays before you set sail to arranging transfers and shore excursions. We will focus on all the details so you can focus on getting excited.
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