When I stepped inside the luxury cruise ship "Explora I," I felt like I was entering a glamorous, high-end boutique hotel floating on the water, completely detached from the world. I've cruised a time or two before, but this experience was unique.
Instead of a massive ship teeming with over 3,000 passengers, this vessel, resembling a mega-yacht, accommodates a maximum of 900 passengers across 461 luxurious suites ranging from 377 sq ft to 1,604 sq. ft.—a vast space by maritime standards. Naturally, all suites boast sea views and are equipped with numerous luxuries, including espresso machines, Dyson hair stylers, 65-inch TVs, a chaise lounge on every balcony, and an accompanying butler or maid.
"Explora I" is a newly launched ship, part of the Explora Journeys fleet, a luxury subsidiary of MSC, the world's third-largest shipping company. It measures 814 feet in length and rises to a height of 184 feet.
The ship features four outdoor pools and an indoor pool with a glass ceiling for rainy days. The pool areas offer sunbathing spots and various private spaces where waiters serve a range of drinks and treats directly to the exceptionally comfortable sunbeds.
Additional facilities include a gym equipped with the latest devices, fitness amenities on the top deck under the open sky, a walking track around the ship providing a unique moonlit experience, a tennis court, and a spacious spa and beauty complex with 11 treatment rooms, a special salt room, and an option to plunge into a frozen ice bath. The treatments are highly professional but are not inexpensive—the price for a massage, for example, starts at €220.
Certainly, there's no room for boredom. Consider joining the cooking workshop led by French chef Jean-Louis Dumonet, who will instruct you on how to make various pastas, unique meat dishes, pastries, and more, all from a sea-view designer kitchen. The three-hour workshop costs €150 and includes a chef's jacket as a keepsake.
Additionally, the cruise offers enriching lectures about the cultures along the sailing route, sports classes, yoga and stretching sessions, and a children's club, among other activities. Highlighted tours at docking destinations include, for example, during a stop near Bruges in Belgium, a paid tour at Zwin Natuur Park to observe wildlife and bird flocks. This tour also features a cooking session on traditional Belgian cuisine, with an optional excursion to Bruges city center to cruise the canals and participate in a chocolate-making workshop at the local Chocolate Museum.
Onboard shopping includes a duty-free shop open during the voyage, complemented by luxury brand stores such as Cartier, Panerai, Piaget, and Rolex, making it the most coveted retail spot on the ship.
Gourmet dining is a cornerstone of this cruise. The fare includes three daily meals, plus unlimited soft, hot, and alcoholic beverages throughout the day—available even at the pool, show hall, and disco, a notable upgrade from typical cruise packages that generally charge extra for drinks.
The ship's culinary offerings are managed by top international chefs in collaboration with the distinguished chef Frank Granger, head of the Explora Journeys culinary department. The ship boasts five elegant restaurants and an extensive room service menu, ensuring a premium dining experience for all guests.
One of the highlights of such a decadent cruise is the chance to dine at a new restaurant each day, starting with breakfast. The French restaurant particularly stands out, offering breakfasts that are as fascinating as they are flavorful, with creative dishes that go well beyond standard breakfast fare.
For example, the steakhouse is a must-visit, where the chef's specialty—30-day aged roasted ribs, elegantly served on cherry tomatoes with a lavish hollandaise sauce—awaits. The wine list impresses with selections like French Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Australian Shiraz, and Nebbiolo, alongside an assortment of exclusive boutique wines.
Another notable dining spot is Fil Rouge, a sophisticated French restaurant that serves an array of internationally inspired dishes. The standout here is the tuna tataki, presented on a crispy tart made with tomatoes and olives, garnished with fresh vegetables and a hint of white pepper.
The ship also features 12 round-the-clock bars and lounges, where guests can enjoy an inclusive array of premium beverages, including champagne, diverse wines, single malt whiskey, and global beers.
While the cruise package covers most expenses, indulging in a special dinner at the ANTHOLOGY restaurant, which is not included in the package, is highly recommended. This venue offers a distinctive dining experience, changing chefs every three months, each hailing from Michelin-starred backgrounds. The tasting menu is priced at €190 with an optional wine pairing for an additional €75. During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting Italian chef Mauro Uliassi, the proprietor of a celebrated three-Michelin-star restaurant.
Will you wallet suffer?
Following its winter voyages to the shores of North America and the Caribbean, the vessel sets course for Europe during the summer to navigate the Mediterranean waters. This includes journeys through the more secluded Greek islands, the islands of Croatia, and various Italian locales.
What is the cost? Starting July 5th, a seven-night cruise embarks from Piraeus and visits these destinations: Piskardo (Kefalonia), Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj in Croatia, and Fusina (Venice) in Italy. Prices begin at €4,165 per person for a double room. Reservations can be made via MSC Cruises Israel.
On August 11th, the Explora 2 sets sail from Barcelona for an eight-night cruise. This cruise includes visits to Ibiza, Marseille, Genoa, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Porto Santo Stefano in Italy, and Rome. The starting price is €4,100 per person in a double room.
Currently, the ship does not operate departures from Israel. Passengers need to travel to a European location to embark. Please note, airfare is not included in the cruise price.