{"id":52725,"date":"2024-02-16T09:32:27","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T09:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outthere.travel\/?p=52725"},"modified":"2024-06-21T09:12:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T08:12:52","slug":"new-horizons-explora-i-explora-journeys-north-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outthere.travel\/new-horizons-explora-i-explora-journeys-north-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"New horizons
EXPLORA I, Explora Journeys, North Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is an \u2018ocean state of mind\u2019? We find out aboard Explora Journeys\u2019 all-new EXPLORA I … the cruise they don\u2019t want us to call a \u2018cruise.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While this isn\u2019t my first time on a cruise, it is my first time on what is billed as an \u2018ocean journey\u2019 \u2013 a cruise that we\u2019re not supposed to call a \u2018cruise<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 \u2013 on the first new cruise (oops!) line to launch in more than 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I experience some firsts. I learn a lot about ship etiquette by breaking the first unwritten rule of \u2018cruising\u2019 and befriending the very first person I meet on board. A fellow solo traveller, she\u2019s a first-time seafarer \u2013 albeit a seasoned luxury vacationer \u2013 wooed by what promises to be the antithesis to mega-ship ocean cruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My new friend makes the blunder of referring to the ship as a boat \u2013 and I learn firsthand the difference is that \u201cyou can fit a boat on a ship, but never a ship on a boat.\u201d It is from her second gaffe (she whistles on a visit to the bridge) that I find out it\u2019s bad luck to do so. Apparently, it could bring on a storm. Turns out maritime folks are rather superstitious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I meet fresh-faced, eager crew members (in figure-hugging designer uniforms… I have to admit ogling the handsome ship-security team members far more times than it is appropriate), excited to be making their first working trip on a ship due to a recruiting strategy resulting in 60 per cent of front-of-house staff coming from luxury landlubber resorts. Unversed in the ways of competitor cruise lines \u2013 including that of Explora Journeys\u2019s parent company, the Italian cruise stalwart MSC \u2013 they bring with them an entirely different way of doing things. I wonder if they too fall foul of the obscure superstitions of life on board, or if it\u2019s all in their Ecole h\u00f4teli\u00e8re de Lausanne<\/em> (the finishing school for hospitality) training manual. It\u2019s right there on page 5\u2026 \u201cno bananas, and always step onboard with your right foot first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also learn for the first time how to accessorise my dinner jacket with a life preserver, should it be required (unlikely with the amazing ship tech we saw on the bridge and now that we know not to whistle onboard). I celebrate completing my first-ever AI Technogym (custom-built to withstand saltwater conditions) workout in a hot tub on the ship\u2019s top deck against a vermillion sunset \u2013 no filter. I hear my first Nebraskan accent as a couple ask the pool attendants if the ship\u2019s retractable, glass conservatory roof can be activated so that they can prove via FaceTime to their friends back home that the sun shines differently in Belgium than in the Netherlands \u2013 and spend the afternoon pondering the quandary for myself. I marvel at the powerful WiFi that allows them to call home on my first time at sea when my internet hasn\u2019t resembled an old-school dial-up connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I bake my first souffl\u00e9 under the tutelage of one of the \u2018master chefs of France.\u2019 I add \u2018Belgian chocolatier\u2019 to my list of skills on a visit to a chocolate factory in Brugge on a land excursion. I hear the dulcet sea shanty of a German all-pensioner, all-male-voice choir in the port of Hamburg. I extol the virtues of a close-to-six-figures-Euro, limited-edition Swiss watch to a fellow guest in the world\u2019s first floating Rolex boutique. I eat (and boy do I eat\u2026) rather well too, savouring the best food I\u2019ve ever had on a ship. I discover my love for Italian biological red wine, paired with a long-anticipated meal by renowned chef Mauro Uliessi and his prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Michel Rocchi. I celebrate a fellow traveller\u2019s birthday twice while crossing between timezones. We drink the bar dry of absinthe. I watch in awe one evening as a couple of octogenarians twerk at the disco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An ocean journey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with the Rolex, I understand why discerning travellers want to shell out for this luxury ocean journey. There\u2019s a widespread attitude of \u2018saper vivere\u2019 (experiencing life to its best) on board \u2013 an apt term to use given the brand\u2019s Italian roots. It\u2019s appropriate because Explora Journeys encapsulates a more European approach to contemporary luxury hospitality, taking a big step away from the gilded, old-world expectations of legacy cruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explora Journeys\u2019 sailing itineraries are continuous. Guests join and disembark at any point \u2013 or even jump off and rejoin further along \u2013 without having to commit to the industry\u2019s typical seven days and seven nights, Saturday to Saturday sailing. Clever scheduling means that destinations rarely repeat, and a more nimble ship allows for more unique ports of call. The aim is to do something different to the usual, cookie-cutter shore excursion \u2013 no tour leaders waving umbrellas, no talk-and-walk headsets. The excursions are all about local flavour and unrivalled access, whether it\u2019s a \u2018destination essentials\u2019 tour or more of a boutique \u2018little secrets\u2019 tour. For adventurous (and affluent) souls, there are some \u2018beyond boundaries\u2019 excursions: renting a whole island in the Stockholm archipelago for lunch or an audience with a Zulu healer in Durban \u2013 that kind of thing. Then there are special escorted journeys, like tracing invisible map lines in the Arctic with Explora(\/er) extraordinaire, Mike Horn. Other more cerebral expeditions take guests deeper into the sustainability and conservation work of the ship\u2019s parent company\u2019s social-responsibility arm, the MSC Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an ethos of cultural intelligence throughout the onboard programming. Alongside the expected experiences like musical-theatre revues, sunset photography lessons, champagne tastings, and top-deck yoga, you’ll find holistic wellness journeys like Ocean Wellness, covering sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, energy, and immunity therapy, and horizon-expanding enrichment sessions with inspiring speakers. There are unique networking events too for teetotallers, solo travellers (Explora Journeys has got rid of traditional single-supplements on fares) and the LGBTQ+ community. I\u2019m not really one for \u2018organised fun\u2019 but I like the way that the experiential initiatives tap into the idea that time away can be about self-improvement and self-care, while also cultivating camaraderie in newly forged friendships through daily doses of carefree hedonism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A signature cocktail on the ship\u2019s chic Sky Bar on the 14th deck? Why not? As the summer sun hits the horizon, I tip my sunglasses and glance at my friend\u2019s new Rolex. It\u2019s time to head down for the pan-Asian dining delights of Sakura. The evening roars before we realise it\u2019s almost showtime at the Journeys Lounge. Before we know it, the curtain comes down. What next? Perhaps a tasting at the Malt Whisky Bar? Stargazing on the Explora Lounge\u2019s deck? Dancing into the wee hours at the Astern Lounge, fueled by absinthe? Sure. In fact, let\u2019s do it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All hands on deck<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a crew\/guest ratio of 1.25:1 and a diverse team of nearly 60 different nationalities, service is jovial and more casual than on most cruise ships. As someone who hates the white-gloved, starched-tunic master-servant dynamic you sometimes get onboard cruises, I enjoy the more relaxed approach to hospitality here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosts (as they\u2019re called) are empowered to engage authentically with guests. Speaking to some Indonesian hosts (I habitually ingratiate myself to ship staff, especially ever since watching Ruben \u00d6stlund\u2019s \u2018Triangle of Sadness\u2019), they seem happy to be part of the crew. Of course, I don\u2019t expect them to say otherwise, but I\u2019m told that they each get to experience what it\u2019s like to sail as a guest during their induction. There\u2019s a vibrant social life on board, and their sailing rotations allow them to return home to family much more often than other operators. In their cabins, they sleep on mattresses manufactured by sleep-science specialist Dorelan, similar to those in guest cabins. I\u2019m glad that Explora Journeys are altruistic when it comes to staff well-being, which is refreshing, considering some of the stories you hear about life below deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They all come under the command of Captain Serena Melani \u2013 \u201cMe-lA-ni\u201d she reiterates \u2013 sure to distinguish herself from the Italian Prime Minister. She\u2019s been sailing for 34 years as one of just a handful of women on a bridge, and she tells me that she still has to put up with misogyny in the industry at large. Even as we cast off on the Elbe River on this trip, the Hamburg port authority\u2019s pilot boatman didn\u2019t care to address her as a superior officer, when it is customary to do so. A champion of inclusion, she\u2019s made a point of maintaining a 50-per-cent female quota on EXPLORA I\u2019s bridge crew. I\u2019m always in awe of powerful, accomplished women, and the \u2018girl power\u2019 aboard honours the ship\u2019s godmother, renowned oceanographer Silvia Earle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The captain tells me that she is currently reading a book by a celebrated Italian author about how to bring greater diversity into the minds of others. On her Spotify playlist, she listens to Dvo\u0159\u00e1k and Donna Summer in equal measures. My admiration of her verges on fanboy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ship shape<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master (yes, sadly the language is still gendered) Melani talks a lot about the ship tech, which, while a little over my head, engrosses several other guests, mostly male, bald, and dinghy owners, I suspect. Fair play to them; this is the ultimate in superyacht Top Trumps<\/em>, but even the talk of bow size and thrust does not titillate me. I do, however, appreciate that EXPLORA I has unrivalled manoeuvrability. Serena drops a timely joke about three-point-turning in the Suez Canal, and the group guffaws. This lady is for turning though \u2013 as she did spectacularly right in front of Hamburg\u2019s iconic Elbphilharmonie building, putting us right up close, nose-to-nose even, with concert-goers having a beer on the festival hall\u2019s balcony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serena is very fond of her vessel; she says it\u2019s a ship with soul. It’s easy to see why. EXPLORA I is glorious: on the outside, she looks like a superyacht, with her tiered design in sleek blue and white, a far cry from the mega-cruise operators\u2019 gargantuan floating blocks. She also uses innovative, environmentally supportive technology \u2013 hybrid power generation (think of a Toyota Prius) and selective catalytic reduction (think eggy exhaust pipes, but better) that enables a reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. Future ships in the soon-to-grow fleet are already primed to adapt to alternative energy solutions and a commitment to achieve net zero by 2050. Then there\u2019s the bit that makes me \u201caww.\u201d EXPLORA I is \u2018dolphin certified,\u2019 meaning very minimal underwater noise and waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interior architecture and design, deck upon deck, are best in class, blending elements of Swiss precision, contemporary European artisanal flair and universally exquisite comfort. EXPLORA I\u2019s public spaces are beautiful and considerately appointed. The shipbuilder Fincantieri, has really \u2018pushed the boat out.\u2019 But the news is that her younger sisters will be a step up. EXPLORA III and IV will be powered by liquid natural gas, so they\u2019ll be slightly bigger ships. With added space, they have room to introduce 55 more cabins, but they\u2019re only increasing room inventory by 11. So, there\u2019s going to be many more communal spaces to play in and apparently, some market-defining surprises to come. As if a 700sqm \/ 7,500sqft spa and four enticing pools aren\u2019t enough opulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My \u2018Home at Sea,\u2019 (I\u2019m lapping up the marketing speak) is a Premium Penthouse which outscales some of the hotel rooms I\u2019ve had the pleasure of staying in. No portholes here. Every room has a balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sea view. There are no inside rooms. My penthouse is generous (at 61sqm \/ 655sqft) and is considered a \u2018mid-level\u2019 category accommodation. Suites are entry-level (with a Veuve Cliquot welcome amenity), then penthouses (with Mo\u00ebt & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015), then the residences at the top of the tree (Dom Perignon, of course) \u2013 the names and champagne that come with them indicate the level of luxury to be expected at each tier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Residences offer the best size, design, appointment and elegance, with private whirlpool baths on their balconies. All homes are packed full of high-end facilities and amenities: Frette linen and bathrobes, Dyson Airblades, in-room Technogym, signature house \u2018Mandala Blue\u2019 toiletries, fresh flowers, a boudoir-style walk-in-wardrobe\/dressing room and a shiny Italian marble bathroom. It prompts me to think that no stone is left unturned, or unpolished even. It\u2019s particularly true as my (long-suffering) Cabin Steward picks up after me so fastidiously and frequently, even though I barely see him. I know he sees me though, because whenever I leave my home and return \u2013 even for a split-second \u2013 every crease on the bed is ironed out, every cushion fluffed, all my clothes are folded or hung meticulously in colour graduation, and my toiletries rearranged like a model city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food and beverages on board are a dream, with six distinct high-end eateries, 12 lounges and a chef\u2019s table for classes and demonstrations \u2013 and that\u2019s all on top of in-room dining. I enjoyed the EATALY<\/em> style gastro-food hall Emporium Marketplace with its 18 cooking stations. I often say that I like to eat from the buffet of life. But every outlet \u2013 from the French-inspired Fil Rouge to Nobu-wannabe Sakura, to Scandi-beef touting steakhouse, Marble, to the \u2018harbourside\u2019 Med Yacht Club \u2013 is an epicurean\u2019s dream. This is underpinned by Explora Journeys’ philosophy of not wanting chefs who sign cookbooks onboard, but ones who deliver great food. Even when the superstars come in, it\u2019s all about the cooking, not the personalities. Anthology\u2019s open kitchen is the seafaring home to renowned culinarians Mauro Uliassi and Emma Bengtsson, for example. Dining here does come at a premium, but it’s worth the small extra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admittedly, the philosophy is a good one, but I do think they need to balance it with creating more atmosphere in their restaurants. While each space is handsome with themed, noteworthy interiors, I find that their ambience teeters on \u2018dining room\u2019 at best. In my marketing days, hotels and restaurants often talked about \u2018restaurant-ainment\u2019, creating memorable moments beyond the eating. My humble opinion is that EXPLORA I\u2019s eateries could do with some of that.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s not all smooth sailing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s my job to be nit-picky\u2026 and there are a few things to highlight about my experience with Explora Journeys that need improving. I am cognisant of the fact that this is a maiden voyage, so there are bound to be opportunities for refinement. While Explora Journeys excels onboard, it could do better on land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luxury land-based resorts work very hard to cotton-wool their guest into their world from the moment they start their holiday, right up to when they return home: branded transfers, private terminals, six-star concierge services and VIP lounges, with scented towels and ice-cold water at every turn are just some examples. As an Explora Journeys passenger, I don\u2019t really feel special until and unless I am onboard.

The check-in and boarding experiences are wholly ordinary, and nothing has been done to make the hangar-like cruise terminals less depressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The onboard concierge staff know less than I do as a first-timer to the city of Rotterdam beyond the excursions they sell\u2026 to the extent of not even if I am to turn left or right out of the terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My return from an excursion in Brugge was chaotic, to say the least, with thousands of travellers, including those from other ships, thronging in the terminal and no Explora Journeys staff to be seen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I understand that it\u2019s hard to enhance the experience with existing port infrastructure and with the volume of guests, but my opinion is that more effort is required of the brand to uplift itself above the rest. If the likes of Belmond can do it in inner-city train stations, and upscale river cruise operators can do it in a village in the middle of nowhere on the Mekong, then surely Explora Journeys can do it too. You would think that because of their relationships with the land-based authorities, it would be something that an MSC-owned company would excel at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And\u2026 let\u2019s talk about Brugge \u2013 an excursion sold to me as an immersive look at this cultural city. As I step off the bus, the first thing our exuberant guide does is hand me a talk-and-walk headset and beckon the group forward with her with a paddle (remember, both are on the list of Explora Journeys no-nos). To top it all off, the headsets crackle violently with every word she barks, and I can\u2019t hear a thing she says. We\u2019re marched frenziedly through crowded attractions \u2013 \u201cwe\u2019re on a tight schedule\u201d \u2013 she yells. While Brugge is beautiful, the way I engage with it with Explora Journeys is far from cerebral. It seems old cruise habits die hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our group is, however, granted access to the private family home at Ardonesdomein, which is special. But what should have been a 15-minute visit here, stretches well over an hour and I pace the historic room, too scared to sit on any of the antique furniture..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in the cocoon of EXPLORA I, I tell myself to invest far more time (and perhaps more money) at the ship\u2019s Experience Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An ‘Ocean State of Mind’<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know, travelling on water represents an embodiment of the sublime, a reminder of the vastness and majesty of the natural world,\u201d exclaims my now BFF at breakfast on the last day of the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stunned, I put my espresso down to contemplate her conversion into a fully-fledged ocean explorer. But she\u2019s right: the sea beckons to our adventurous spirit. And when you\u2019re on it, you experience a sense of awe and humility at the almost ethereal expanse, not to mention the places it brings you. I\u2019ve always believed that travelling on the sea is not merely a physical endeavour; it is a profound and inspirational exploration of self and a testament to the indomitable human spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explora Journeys is indulgent, there\u2019s no doubt about that. But with each of its ocean journeys comes a blend of relaxation and stimulation that inspires calm and joy in lavish measures. The canny copywriters on the brand\u2019s marketing team have dubbed its signature benefit an \u2018ocean state of mind\u2019 \u2026 which, while a tad Prozacesque, neatly sums it all up: effortless luxury, exploration on the water and transformation of inner and outer self, with rewards that are physical, intellectual and spiritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet sometimes I think that you have to call a spade a spade. What Explora Journeys offer travellers \u2013 despite all the holistic marketing jargon \u2013 is still a cruise. A bloody good one at that, perhaps even the best one I\u2019ve had the pleasure of travelling on and most definitely one I\u2019d recommend to traditional cruise-nay-sayers or those sitting on the fence. And I\u2019m confident, with time, that their approach to cruising could well define the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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www.explorajourneys.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography by Uwern Jong and courtesy of Explora Journeys<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n