I wouldn't call myself one of life's luckiest people, however, I did hit the the jackpot this month when I travelled with Explora Journeys from Los Angeles to Vancouver on their maiden West Coast USA voyage. Explora Journeys are the new kids on the block for boutique luxury cruising and, what an entrance they have made! Their first ship, the beautiful Explora I, is everything I thought she would be and more. The wonderful hosts on Explora I certainly know how to look after their guests and as a result, Explora I really does offer hospitality at it's finest.
As we arrived at the port of Los Angeles, we could see how elegant and magnificent Explora I is. A boutique ship with just 461 suites, this is a world away from the bigger cruise lines. No crowds, no chaos and a personal intimate environment. I stayed in an Ocean Terrace Suite and at nearly 400sq ft they are easily amongst the largest lead in categories at sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows the suites are very airy, light and bring a sense of being close to the ocean. The bathrooms are also very spacious with double-size showers, luxury custom toiletries, and amenities that include Dyson Supersonic hairdryers.
Explora Journeys offer an All-inclusive Ultra Luxury Journey, meaning that your food & drink is included in your fare. Dining is therefore a very important part of your stay onboard Explora I, with 11 different places to enjoy the creations from the passionate team of chefs, led by the renowned French Culinary Wonder Franck Garanger. Explora I also has guest chefs on certain sailings, ensuring all travellers enjoy a wonderful experience with cuisine from around the World. I particularly loved the Med Yacht Club for lunch and enjoyed some fabulous steak in Marble & Co. Grill on my last evening on board. I can certainly say that the quality of the dining onboard Explora I is amongst the best at sea.
The entertainment on board is fairly low-key but good quality, with resident singers, occasional guest entertainers, a casino, guest speakers plus quizzes to keep your mind and interest during your relaxing journey. The guest speakers are relevant to your journey and really enhance your destination experiences, the quizzes are great fun and stir up the competitiveness in those taking part!
A focus on destinations is really important to Explora Journeys and, they do not tend to follow the usual pattern of cruise itineraries. They do not arrive at ports when the other cruise lines would and leave a little later, meaning you have a full day of exploration on land and the ports are not crowded for guests of Explora Journeys. One of my stand-out moments whilst on-board was going onto deck whilst we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge on our way into San Francisco, this was truly magical and a moment I will never forget.
Explora Journeys offer a very relaxed experience, there are no formal nights onboard, which proves a relief to many cruise guests, plus if you don't want to venture out of your suite in the evening, the in-suite dining service is also included.
We had the most wonderful time onboard, it was a journey that was memorable from the minute I boarded. I have cruised many times before but I can honestly say that I have found a new favourite and hope to return onboard very soon. Incredible is the only word I can use to describe Explora Journeys and the beautiful Explora I. 'See you soon' is the only phrase I used when leaving the ship and I really did mean it!
