EXPLORA I
Explora class · Mediterranean, Middle East
The brand’s first ship entered service in August 2023. EXPLORA I is a mid-sized luxury ship of about 64,000 GT with 461 suites for up to 900 guests. Every suite faces the sea and includes a terrace, with no standard inside cabins. Instead of large resort-style facilities such as casinos and water slides, the ship offers multiple specialty restaurants, a spa, and a quiet pool deck. Fares include dining and restaurant gratuities, making additional onboard charges easy to understand. Summer itineraries cover the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Arabian Gulf, with long stays in Northern Europe planned for the 2027-2028 season.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9869875)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese food included in the fare
No Japanese language support
Payment in yen not accepted
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholIncluded
- GratuitiesIncluded
- Wi‑FiIncluded
- Specialty diningIncluded
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
The fare is basically a single all-inclusive plan (including meals, standard drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, shuttle buses from ports and more). However, 4 venues and experiences cost extra: Anthology (Italian fine dining, €165 per person), The Cellar (a wine bar, €15 to 20 per glass), The Chef's Kitchen (a hands-on cooking class) and The Chef's Table (a fully personalized course). Shore excursions (Destination Experiences) are also charged separately. The higher the suite category from Penthouse upward, the more benefits are added in stages, such as 1 free spa treatment, free finished laundry and priority reservations.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)Included (included in the fare, no additional charge)
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and waterIncluded (included in the fare, no additional charge)
- Extra chargeDrink packageThe fare includes unlimited wine, champagne, premium spirits (gin/whisky/rum/vodka/tequila/cognac, etc.), cocktails, coffee/tea and soft drinks, and the same applies inside suites. The dividing line is ultra-premium labels (rare cognacs, fine Bordeaux/Burgundy, etc.), which show a surcharge on the menu and are charged separately. On arrival, 1 bottle of champagne and 1 bottle each of wine and spirits are provided in the suite.
- IncludedWi‑FiIncluded in the fare (no additional charge; unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi is available on all ships).
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)There is no fixed daily gratuity, as gratuities are covered by the fare, and no separate service charge line item appears on your onboard account.
- IncludedLaundrySelf-service laundry in two onboard locations is included in the fare. Penthouse and higher suites also receive complimentary finished laundry (valet/pressing). Finished laundry for standard suites may incur an additional charge (to be confirmed).
- Shore excursionsShore excursions, called Destination Experiences, are not included in the fare. They are booked separately by choosing from four categories: Destination Essentials, Overland Immersions, Curated Explorations, and Private Arrangements.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Barcelona (Spain), Civitavecchia (Italy, Rome), Miami (United States), San Juan (Puerto Rico)
- Departure ports: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Miami, San Juan
- All ages
- A calm, all-suite, all-inclusive luxury ship. Children are allowed on board (there is also a dedicated club for ages 6-17, the Nautilus Club), but given the price range and program structure, the actual clientele is mainly honeymooners, anniversary travelers, adult couples, and seniors. An adult-oriented design philosophy is reflected throughout, for example in a wellness area restricted to guests aged 16 and over.
- Mainly attracts affluent couples and seniors from North America and Europe. The proportion of European guests tends to rise during the Mediterranean season, while North American guests are more prevalent during the Caribbean season.
EXPLORA I and II are conventionally fueled ships, but they have 'cold ironing' equipment that connects to shore power while berthed, and they incorporate environmental measures such as eliminating single-use plastics. From sister ship Explora III onward, LNG (liquefied natural gas) dual-fuel propulsion is being introduced, forming part of the fleet-wide policy of aiming for net zero by 2050.
Ship character
- • Adults-only voyages
- • Guests seeking quiet luxury
- • Travelers valuing food and service
- • Memorable special occasions
- • Families with young children
- • Guests seeking lively shows and casinos
- • Travelers seeking low prices
- • Guests requiring Japanese-language support
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
4 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- ArticleJapaneseclublog.club-t.com
clublog.club-t.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- ArticleEnglishShip Review Explora I
cruiseexpress.com.au · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishFull Tour of Explora I | Luxury Cruise Experience with Explora Journeys
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishA First-Time Cruiser’s Perspective: Family Time Aboard the Luxurious Explora I
scottpdawson.substack.com · Sailed Aug 15, 2023 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
English text in preparation.
Sources
- Officialexplorajourneys.com
- Secondary sourcevesselfinder.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (2)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (3)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (4)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (5)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (6)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (7)
- Officialexplorajourneys.com (8)
- Secondary sourcecruiseunique.com
- Secondary sourcegoldringtravel.com
- Secondary sourceblog.panachecruises.com
- Secondary sourceblog.panachecruises.com (2)
- Secondary sourcebucketlistguides.com
- Secondary sourcebucketlistguides.com (2)
- Secondary sourcestarsdesk.com
- Secondary sourcestarsdesk.com (2)
- Secondary sourcestarsdesk.com (3)
- Secondary sourcecruiseline.com
- Secondary sourcestrictlyexplora.com
- Secondary sourcecruiseradio.net
- Secondary sourcetravelmarketreport.com
- Secondary sourcescottandthomas.com
Source: Wikipedia “Explora Journeys” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ocean Suite The entry category, accounting for 301 of the ship's 461 cabins. It has floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a private terrace of approximately 7 m²; approximately 35 m² cabins are considered among the largest entry suites in the industry. The ship's own brand name may also be shown as Ocean Terrace Suite. 301 cabins / Decks 6–10 | 35 m² (377 ft²) | — King bed (180 x 200 cm); convertible to twin beds (90 x 200 cm x 2) | Balcony | Explora I official Ocean Terrace Suites |
Ocean Terrace Suite (Ocean Grand Terrace) A type represented by 70 cabins, with more outdoor living space than the entry category. The terrace is approximately 11 m² and larger than that of an Ocean Suite, and includes a dining table and daybed for outdoor dining and relaxation. Depending on the source, it may also be introduced as Ocean Grand Terrace. 70 cabins / Decks 6-7 | 39 m² (420 ft²) | — King bed (convertible to twins) | Balcony | Explora Journeys official Suites overview |
Penthouse EXPLORA I has 67 of these suites. They feature separate bedrooms and living rooms, plus private dining spaces. A dedicated concierge is included, along with benefits such as priority boarding and complimentary laundry. The category consists of four subcategories ranging from 43 to 68 sq m. 67 cabins / Decks 6–10 | 43–68 m² (463–732 ft²) | — King bed (convertible to twins) | BalconyConcierge | Explora Journeys official Suites overview |
Residence / Owner's Residence A category combining four types—Cove, Retreat, Serenity, and Cacoon (22 cabins total, 70–149 sq m)—with the ship's only top-tier suite, the Owner's Residence (1 cabin, 280 sq m). The Owner's Residence spans the full width of the ship and is served by a dedicated residence manager. 23 cabins / Decks 6-10 (Owner's Residence at the far aft of Deck 8) | 70–280 m² (753–3,014 ft²) | 2-3 people (Owner's Residence accommodates up to 3, including up to 1 child) King bed + separate bedroom | BalconyConcierge | Explora Journeys official Owner's Residence |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Nautilus Club — A dedicated kids and youth club for ages 6 to 17. It offers board games, video games (including PS5), table tennis, table soccer, and outdoor movie screenings on the pool deck. A dedicated nursery for infants could not be confirmed.
- • Helios Pool — An adults-only pool area facing forward on Deck 12. This quiet area has about 100 seats, including sunbeds, lounge chairs, and bar seats.
- • Casino — A small casino on Deck 4 with 18 slot machines and three tables for poker, blackjack, and baccarat. It is smoke-free and open to guests aged 18 and over. The atmosphere is quieter than on larger ships.
- Onboard currency
- EUR
- Gratuities
- Gratuities for crew, restaurant staff, bartenders and others are included in the base fare as part of the all-inclusive offer, so there is no need to tip extra. There is also no particular custom of adding extra tips. However, tips for shore excursion guides and drivers are not included in the fare and are given at your discretion.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Supports both 110V and 220V.
- Formal nights
- There are no formal nights (there are no nights requiring black tie or evening dresses). This is promoted as a point of differentiation from other traditional luxury cruise lines.
- Medical facilities
- There is a 24-hour medical center with nurses and doctors on staff, but it is not equivalent to a hospital on land and mainly handles first aid and minor conditions. Consultation and treatment costs are not included in the fare and are charged separately (the specific fee structure is not public).
- Bringing items onboard
- The official boarding terms explicitly state that bringing alcohol on board is prohibited. On the other hand, there are also multiple reports from actual passengers that bringing wine and the like was tolerated, so handling on the spot appears to vary. It is safest to check with the cruise line in advance.
- Mobile and connectivity
- No information on cruise-line-specific mobile roaming charges or partner plans could be confirmed. Because unlimited Wi-Fi is included in the fare, the usual approach at sea is to switch to airplane mode and use the onboard Wi-Fi.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
A large market-style restaurant occupying about half of Deck 11. Instead of a self-service buffet, chefs finish dishes at live stations, serving sushi, pasta, pizza, and other fare as part of the basic dining included in the fare.
Hours: 24-hour service (breakfast, lunch, and dinner served continuously)
An Asian restaurant with striking decor featuring artificial cherry blossoms hanging from the ceiling. One of the basic dining venues included in the fare.
Hours: Dinner-focused
A steakhouse with a stately feel, centered on aged beef. Open only for dinner, but a basic dining venue included in the fare.
Hours: Dinner only
Outdoor-focused dining themed around the Mediterranean Riviera. Included basic dining known for signature dishes such as lobster ravioli.
Hours: Lunch and dinner
An elegant French restaurant with white tablecloths. It serves breakfast items such as eggs Benedict, and dinner dishes such as Burgundy-style escargots and lobster and veal Wellington.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner
A fare-included cafe serving specialty coffee and light meals.
A central social space filled with natural light. Used as a lounge for reading, relaxing, and enjoying light meals and drinks.
24-hour room service. Enjoy charcuterie, creme brulee, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches in your suite or on the terrace.
Hours: 24 hours
A gelato and crepe stand on deck. Fare-included dessert-style light meals.
EXPLORA I's only fully surcharge restaurant. It originally operated on a rotation in which a leading chef changed every 3 months, but now offers an Italian tasting menu supervised by Culinary Director Frank Garanger.
- Tasting menu (course format)€165
- Wine pairing€70
A paid wine bar where sommeliers' selections can be enjoyed by the glass. Rare and premium vintages can be purchased for an additional charge. Its pricing structure is separate from the standard beverage-included program.
- Wine (depending on label)€15 to €20
A small-group hands-on cooking class for up to 12 people. An additional experience not included in the fare, although the specific price could not be confirmed.
A bespoke special dining experience created in consultation with the chef. Not included in the fare, although the specific price could not be confirmed.
Facilities and activities
An adults-only pool area facing forward on Deck 12. This quiet area has about 100 seats, including sunbeds, lounge chairs, and bar seats.
Five heated pools distributed throughout the ship. All are available to everyone except the adults-only Helios Pool.
A spa with 11 treatment rooms (including two private spa suites). Its thermal suite, including a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, and salt cave, is included in the fare, while individual treatments cost extra. The wellness area is restricted to guests aged 16 and over; treatments are available from age 12 (guardian accompaniment required).
A multipurpose sports court near the Sky Bar on Deck 14. Guests can enjoy basketball, pickleball, touch tennis, and more.
An outdoor running track circling the ship. Each lap is about 250 m, with unobstructed ocean views.
A small casino on Deck 4 with 18 slot machines and three tables for poker, blackjack, and baccarat. It is smoke-free and open to guests aged 18 and over. The atmosphere is quieter than on larger ships.
The main entertainment venue, presenting shows by performers from Broadway and the West End.
A library space for quiet reading and writing.
An onboard art gallery displaying works by masters such as Dalí and Chagall, as well as contemporary artists including Damien Hirst and Mr. Brainwash.
A dedicated kids and youth club for ages 6 to 17. It offers board games, video games (including PS5), table tennis, table soccer, and outdoor movie screenings on the pool deck. A dedicated nursery for infants could not be confirmed.
A total of 12 bars and lounges, including the Sky Bar on Deck 14. Standard beer, wine, cocktails and similar drinks are included in the fare; only rare and premium brands cost extra.
Boutique area selling luxury branded goods and original ship merchandise.