A TASTE OF LUXURY: EXPLORA JOURNEYS MAIDEN VOYAGE

At embarkation, we were greeted at the terminal with a glass of fizz and an assortment of homemade sweet treats – just a glimpse at the impeccable service ahead. The boarding process was smooth, having already checked-in on the My Explora app and after leaving our cases with the helpful concierge, we soon followed the navy carpet to the gangway.

Stepping aboard, the ‘new ship’ smell aroused our senses and before we knew it, we were at the beating heart of the vessel – the Lobby Bar. An illuminated wall of spirits, plush sofas and one-of-four Steinway pianos made this a stylish welcome-spot and soon it was filled with guests, who were making the most of the atmospheric ambiance – cocktail in hand!

After a quick ‘Lemon Drop’ at the bar, we easily found our way to the lifts and headed to our Ocean Terrace Suite, one of the 461 ocean-front suites onboard. This entry-level accommodation featured a bespoke king-size bed with a down duvet and pillows, a comfortable lounge area, a spacious terrace with daybed and dining area and a bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and heated floors. Special touches such as the welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, espresso station, binoculars, selection of reading books and Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, further defined the attention to detail.

Our attentive room host, Akash, appeared with a smile and introduced himself, asking of any personal preferences for the in-suite mini-bar and assisting us with the air conditioning, heated flooring controls and service-request feature. Throughout the week, Akash surpassed our expectations – always returning to a spotless suite with unique towel art and exquisitely turned-down every evening, with a selection of goodies, including personal water bottles, shower samples and handmade chocolates.

After our suitcases were delivered, we unpacked and made ourselves at home, flicking through the television movie selection, checking the app for the evening entertainment and popping the champagne. The getting-ready process was made easy with the spacious walk-in wardrobe and seated vanity area, with light-up makeup mirror. As our stomachs rumbled, we knew it was time for dinner, with six different restaurants to choose from, this was no easy feat!

Of the six, Sakura – embracing Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian flavours, Marble & Co. Grill – a premium steakhouse with signature dishes including 30-day-aged prime rib, and Anthology – celebrating the talents of guest chefs through exclusive tasting menus (€190pp), required a reservation – something we ensured to make early on!

Whereas Fil-Rouge – serving international cuisine in a contemporary setting, Med Yacht Club – offering a Mediterranean-inspired menu of seafood sharing plates and other dishes from Italy, Spain, Greece and France, and the Emporium Marketplace – serving up everything from sushi to pasta cooked-to-order and freshly baked pizza, were all venues which you could attend without booking, at a time that suited you.

Fil-Rouge was the first restaurant we attended, with the fresh lobster dish taking ‘Star of the Show’ and the spectacular blackcurrant soufflé rounding off the meal nicely. Our evening was then brought to a memorable end by Guest Artiste Pianist, Francesco Parrino, effortlessly performing a few personal requests. Pitch-perfect and passionate, Parrino was a hit with all guests and continued to astound with his performances throughout the rest of the trip!

Waking up wide-eyed and refreshed after a peaceful night’s sleep, our day at sea was spent in the sun-drenched Conservatory Pool and hot tubs! Freshly made waffles and crêpes from the Gelateria & Crêperie kept my sweet tooth satisfied, until our tasty tapas selection and fresh octopus at Med Yacht Club, later that evening. 70s music-lover, Kris, was delighted to hear that ‘A Tribute to Billy Joel’, followed in the Journeys Lounge – topping off the day nicely. Shoutout to all-round musical mastermind, Eli, who wowed the audience with his vocals and piano skills.

Catching up with Lead of Entertainment and Enrichment, Drew Gowland, reiterated the time and thought put behind every onboard feature. Creating a new concept, that bends the rules of traditional cruise entertainment, where guests can appreciate new experiences, events and rituals without regiment, was certainly a bold statement but added a sense of freestyle to our journey, allowing us to enjoy what we wanted when we wanted. Along with Drew, it was clear to see just how passionate every host and Explora Journeysrepresentative were about this one-of-a-kind experience.

The next two days were spent discovering the unique identity, wonderful wildlife and breath-taking natural beauty of the Shetland and Orkney Islands. From playful ponies to rich Norse history and landmarks, these remote archipelagos didn’t fall short of enriching possibilities, with Explora Journeys offering a selection of excursions at each port. After busy daytimes ashore, returning to the ship for a night-time of good food, good wine and good times was always eagerly anticipated.

My well-walked legs certainly appreciated the next two days at sea, especially with a spa day at the top of my priority list! Explora’s spa and wellness facilities comprise more than 10,764 square feet of space dedicated to a well-equipped fitness centre, a spa with indoor and outdoor wellness areas, a beauty studio, an outdoor sports court and a 360-degree running track encircling the ship. I opted for a ‘Back to Brilliance by Tides Wellness’ massage that focused on restoring inner balance and strength. Followed by a dip in the Hydrotherapy Pool, Sauna, and exhilarating Ice Fall, it’s safe to say I left feeling brilliant.

After the ultimate physical indulgence, it was only right to treat our stomachs with more exquisite food. Head of Culinary, Franck Garanger, made regular appearances around the ship and to our delight, stopped by our table the night we dined at Marble & Co. – making conversation about his passion for true cooking, as we expressed our gratitude for the outstanding cuisine we had tasted so far. Sipping on fine wine and savouring every mouthful of the most succulent prime rib, we then made our way to Guest Artiste, Lisa Jane Kelsey’s set. Oozing glamour, the classical soprano singer belted out musical masterpieces, accompanied by the fabulous in-house band.

As our sea days drew to an end, and our final port of call of Reykjavik was on the horizon, I took advantage of the stunning outdoor spaces – luckily the weather was rather mild. The Sky Bar on 15 became a favourite spot of mine, offering a panoramic view of the ocean and the Attoll Pool below, with cocktails on tap! And caffeine-fiend, Kris, often found himself in the Crema Café for an afternoon pick-me-up and pastry. From bar to bar, the service was faultless. General Manager, Heike Berdos, articulated how care was taken to hand pick the finest hosts, with backgrounds in luxury hospitality and you could certainly tell.

Arrival in Iceland’s Capital soon came about, with an overnight port stay to make the most of the city and our last evening onboard our new home-at-sea. After a hearty breakfast in the Emporium Marketplace, we set out to explore the Land of Fire & Ice. Charming us with its dramatic volcanic landscape and deeply rooted Nordic Heritage, we wandered the waterfront past the Sun Voyager Sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall to the beating heart – Laugavegur. The Rainbow Road led us directly to the mighty Hallgrimskirkja Church, and from there we hopped on a sightseeing bus to the Perlan and Saga Museum.

We were warmly welcomed back onboard for the final time and headed back to our suite. Having skipped lunch, we thought best to give the In-Suite Dining Service a go, for a quick light bite before dinner. Our fresh Caesar salad and Club sandwich arrived swiftly on a silver tray, with silver cutlery and cotton napkins. Even behind closed doors, the meticulous care and quality of delivery rivalled that of the speciality restaurants. As Kris took to the balcony with the binoculars, watching the shores for the flukes of whales and fins of dolphins, I settled down in the comfy lounge area and scrolled the top-drawer selection of films, anticipating our last meal with friends we’d made whilst onboard.

I had saved my favourite outfit until last, so a photoshoot on the terrace was mandatory – especially with the postcard-perfect backdrop behind us! Heading down to dinner, we reminisced on the last 6 days as we enjoyed sushi and sake at Sakura, under the cherry blossom trees. Sombre at the thought of disembarkation, we appreciated the little things: our last nightcap, our last round of applause for the band, our last walk to the lifts. Although the ‘lasts’ felt heavy after such a memorable week, the ‘firsts’ will go down in history. My first taste of luxury cruising set at a standard of service, quality, and style so high, I never thought possible. Bravo!

Featured Explora Journeys Cruises