Third Time’s the Charm: Discovering Explora Journey Cruise Explora II
For the third time, our family is stepping aboard an Explora Journeys ship. This time, we are sailing on EXPLORA II. And although it would be tempting to give you another extensive tour of the ship, I’m going to take a different approach this time.
In terms of design and overall concept, EXPLORA II is largely a sister ship to EXPLORA I. By now, you have probably seen plenty of photos and videos of the suites, restaurants, lounges and other spaces on board.
So rather than focusing on the ship itself, this time I want to take you along for the experience what it feels like to return to Explora Journeys for a third time and whether it still feels as special as it did on our first cruise.
Read my previous Explora Journeys cruise blogs here:
This blog is mainly about the experience. What does it feel like to travel with Explora Journeys for the third time? Is the experience still as special as it was on our first cruise? What has changed? What stands out? And perhaps most importantly, how does EXPLORA II compare with our previous experiences?
This time, I want to take you along for a glimpse into everyday life on board: the service, the atmosphere, the food, the restaurants, the sense of space and calm, the little details, and of course those moments when you think: this is exactly why we choose Explora.
But there is another important part of the experience that has become increasingly important to us: the destinations.
Every cruise we have taken with Explora Journeys has brought us to different places, and that is one of the things I appreciate most about the experience. As Europeans, we have already seen quite a few of the well-known destinations across Europe. But there are still so many smaller cities, islands and lesser-known places that we might not necessarily choose to visit on our own.
On our previous Explora cruise, Kotor and Rovinj were real surprises for us. Places where, beforehand, you might think: It looks nice, but what are we actually going to do there? Only to find yourself at the end of the day thinking: How special that we got to experience this place.
I want to take you along for what we experienced, what stood out to us, what we now see differently compared with our first cruise, and of course the question that has become even more interesting after two previous journeys:
Welcome aboard my third Explora adventure!
As you probably know by now, everyone on Explora stays in a Suite, and even the entry-level category is already incredibly spacious, with plenty of extras included. That suits us perfectly. We always book two Suites, and this time ours were on Deck 10, not far from the bridge.
The Explora Journeys Cruise Experience
Arrival and Embarkation – First Impressions
Embarkation went really smoothly this time, especially compared with last year in Genoa, where the whole process was a little different. We handed over our luggage, it was tagged, and we could then go straight through to check-in. The entire process took perhaps ten minutes.
Once on board, we were warmly welcomed. It immediately felt familiar again, and we were offered champagne several times. Our Suites were ready at 2:00 p.m., but that wasn’t a problem at all. We simply headed to Emporium Marketplace for a lovely lunch first.
Service: Is It Still at the Same Level?
In many ways, the service was even better this time than it had been on our previous cruise. And perhaps the difference really is in the little things.
Our host, Rey, kept our Suite perfectly tidy every time. But what I appreciate most is when someone gets to know your preferences and starts anticipating what you need without you having to ask. Rey, for example, knew exactly when we would be going to dinner and used that time to take care of our Suite. When we came back, everything was neat, tidy and beautifully taken care of.
It was those little details that really made a difference for us. He would tidy everything up, put some relaxing music on our TV in the evening when we went to bed, and even put an opened bottle of champagne neatly back in the fridge. The bottle was already sitting in the cooler, but he noticed that it had been opened and, without us asking, made sure it stayed properly chilled.
Whenever we asked for something, it was taken care of almost immediately. That may sound like a given, but it was actually one of the things that made the difference compared with last year. Back then, there were times when we had to ask for something more than once, for example for a stopper for an opened bottle of champagne. This time, we hardly had to ask for anything at all.
We also noticed that several members of the crew still remembered us from our previous cruise. We really loved that. A little chat, a familiar smile or someone greeting you by name, they may seem like small things, but they really do give you that feeling of coming home.
Of course, not everything was perfect. At breakfast, for example, we noticed that the pancakes and waffles had already been prepared in advance. Personally, I find that a shame, as I feel it takes away from the freshness. The crêpes, on the other hand, were made fresh to order right in front of you, and in my opinion, you can taste the difference immediately.
Overall, however, we once again found the service to be one of Explora’s strongest points. Not because everything is always perfect, but because the best crew members think ahead and understand what you appreciate without you having to ask. And to me, that is exactly what luxury is all about.
Life on Board
Before this cruise, I was a little curious about how busy the ship would feel. I had read in several reviews that there had been quite a few children on the cruise before ours. But our experience was quite different: there were very few children on board this time, and most of them were still very young.
Explora Journeys welcomes families, and in my opinion, that creates a lovely mix of ages on board. It is not an adults-only cruise line, and that is perfectly fine with us. In fact, we enjoy having different generations travelling together.
Overall, we found the atmosphere on board wonderfully peaceful. There is so much space that you can almost always find a nice spot for yourself. Finding a shaded spot could sometimes be a little more challenging, especially at busy times, but there always seemed to be a sun lounger available in the sun.
One thing I do find a little less appealing is the familiar phenomenon of reserving sun loungers with a towel. And honestly, on Explora, it really isn’t necessary. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, yet during our sea day, we saw guests reserving a spot for up to two hours while they weren’t even there. I still find that a little strange. You put down a towel, head off somewhere else, and in the meantime someone else may be waiting for a place to sit. Especially on a ship like Explora, where there is actually enough space for everyone, there really shouldn’t be any need to do this.
But looking at the overall experience, we found the atmosphere on board incredibly pleasant. Calm, relaxed and with plenty of space to find your own little spot. And ultimately, that is exactly what we love about Explora: it feels like staying at a luxury resort, only at sea.
Food & Restaurants
Food was once again an important part of the experience on this cruise. We had booked fairly late, so by the time we made our reservation, there was no availability in advance at Marble & Co. and Sakura. So, as soon as we arrived on board, I went straight to our host, and thankfully, we were able to get reservations at both restaurants without any problem.
For the other restaurants, no reservation is required, so you can simply walk in. We personally really like that. It means you don’t have to plan out every single day in advance and can simply decide where you feel like eating at the time.
Overall, the food was really very good on this cruise. Personally, Fil Rouge was my least favorite. That has more to do with my personal taste than with the quality of the food, I’m simply not a big fan of French cuisine. Fortunately, there is plenty of choice, so there is something to suit everyone.
We ate at Med Yacht Club twice during this cruise and also at Emporium Marketplace twice. We enjoyed both, but Emporium remains a favorite of ours. It was also the place we regularly found ourselves during the day. There was almost always a table available at Emporium Marketplace for breakfast as well. We also had breakfast at Fil Rouge once, and the food there was very good too.
What I particularly like about Explora’s restaurant concept is the freedom it gives you. There are several restaurants, each with its own style, but you don’t have to constantly worry about reservations and fixed dining times. Sometimes you feel like sitting down for a leisurely meal, while other times you simply want to walk in somewhere and see what you feel like eating.
And that freedom fits perfectly with the relaxed character of an Explora cruise for us.
Internet
This is one area that, for the first time, felt like a small disappointment to us. On our previous cruises, the internet had actually been surprisingly good. We could connect multiple devices at the same time, and the connection was generally fast and stable.
This time, we found the internet noticeably slower. Especially when a lot of people were online at the same time, we noticed that the speed could drop quite significantly.
We understood that the crew now also has access to complimentary internet on board. Perhaps this means that more people are using the connection at the same time, which could explain why the speed is lower during busier periods. Of course, I can’t say for certain whether that is actually the reason.
It wasn’t a major problem for us, but because the internet had worked so well on our previous cruises, we definitely noticed the difference this time. A small downside, especially because we have come to expect Explora to get even the practical details like this right.
Nationalities
Another thing we noticed on this cruise was the international mix of guests. The majority of passengers were from the United States and Australia. There were noticeably fewer Dutch guests, just fourteen in total.
I have to admit, I found that surprisingly few, especially considering that Explora Journeys is a European cruise line. At the same time, we really enjoy the international atmosphere. It’s easy to strike up conversations with people from all over the world, and we think that adds something special to the atmosphere on board.
The Destinations
On this cruise, we didn’t visit every destination. The weather was often very warm, with temperatures around 36°C, and honestly, we didn’t always feel like going ashore in that kind of heat. The ship itself was also rather tempting. Sometimes we simply preferred to stay on board, relax and enjoy everything EXPLORA II has to offer.
Hvar – our absolute favorite
Hvar was by far our favorite destination on this cruise. We had to tender ashore, which was actually a lovely way to arrive. We all headed to Hula Hula Beach Club, where we spent a wonderful day enjoying the beautiful weather and the views.
And what a view it was! From the beach club, we had a beautiful view of EXPLORA II out in the bay. One of those moments when you simply think: this is exactly why we love cruising.
Rijeka
Rijeka was a little less memorable for us. We visited on a Sunday, and many of the shops were closed, which made the city feel a little quieter and less lively.
Of course, the day and the timing of your visit can make a big difference to how you experience a destination.
Who Do We Think Explora Is Suitable For?
We think Explora Journeys is suitable for a wide range of travellers and, in fact, for different age groups. It is particularly well suited to people who enjoy a luxurious, resort-style atmosphere, but at sea.
Don’t expect a traditional cruise with a packed schedule, big shows and formal gala evenings. Explora is much more about space, relaxation and enjoying your holiday at your own pace. You can have a leisurely dinner, enjoy a drink, visit the spa, or simply relax on a sun lounger and do absolutely nothing.
The destinations are another important part of the experience. If you enjoy discovering special and sometimes less obvious places, we think Explora is an interesting choice.
And of course, the food and service play an important role as well. If you value excellent restaurants, personalised service, plenty of space and those little details that make a holiday just that bit more enjoyable, you will probably feel right at home on Explora.
In short, for us, Explora is ideal if you are looking for luxury without the formality or stiffness. It’s a little like staying at a luxury resort, only you’re sailing from one beautiful destination to the next.
Why Do We Keep Choosing Explora?
A question we are asked quite regularly.
It’s a fair question, because there are of course plenty of options when it comes to luxury cruises. So what is it that makes us choose Explora again after two previous journeys?
For us, it comes down to a combination of things that together create the overall experience.
Plenty of space and never too crowded
One of the things we perhaps appreciate most is the amount of space relative to the number of guests. Explora feels much more like a luxury resort than a traditional cruise ship. There is space everywhere, and it rarely feels crowded.
Luxury, without the formalities
We love luxury, but we’re not fans of a mandatory dress code. At Explora, you can dress up if you feel like it, but you don’t have to. That relaxed, resort-style atmosphere suits us perfectly.
Everything within easy reach
We also really like the way everything is set up on board. For example, you don’t have to carry a cruise card around with you every time you want to order a drink. It may seem like a small detail, but it’s exactly these little things that make a holiday feel effortless.
Food we look forward to every time
Food is an important part of the cruise experience for us. We especially love Emporium Marketplace. The variety, the quality and the fact that you can go there at different times throughout the day make it one of our favorite places on board.
A Suite that really feels like your own space
The Suites are spacious and comfortable, and once again, we think it’s the little details that make the difference. You can have various things tailored to your personal preferences, such as your choice of pillows and certain drinks. It makes your Suite feel like your own little space on board.
The spa
Finally, there is another thing we really appreciate: access to the spa is included. Being able to use the sauna and other spa facilities without having to pay extra each time fits perfectly with the relaxed nature of the experience for us.
After three cruises, we know by now that it’s not just about the ship or the luxury itself. It’s about how effortlessly and seamlessly everything comes together.
And perhaps that is ultimately the answer to the question of why we keep coming back.
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Want to read more? Check out: Explora Journeys an Honest guide to the Luxury Cruise Experience
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