Sailing in Style: Lesley’s review on Explora Journeys
In early August, I travelled with some friends for 14 days, sailing on the beautiful Explora I. This ship is definitely a 5-star experience. At the moment, Explora Journeys offers 2 ships: Explora I and II, with 3 more in the works.
So what stands out on this luxury line? A few things (7 to be exact)!
There is so much outdoor space. There is never a time that there isn’t a lounger to sit on. The ship also has 5 swimming pools – each with a smaller capacity (one pool only is for children, as is one hot tub… not that there are many children on these ships).
There are 12 bars scattered around the ship, along with 6 restaurants, and, of course, a full gym.
They have a wellness center in the spa which is free to visit – the wellness center takes you through a circuit: steam, ice, sauna, two different rain showers of different temperatures, salt room with nice warm chairs made of rock salt, and a hydrotherapy pool. The circuit finishes with the quiet room with warm beds. This is fantastic to do every day if you can find the time.
The lowest-priced ocean view veranda cabin is the largest on any ship.
There is entertainment all over the ship of all kinds, and all at various times each day.
The ship caters to a younger crowd… many in the 50–60 age group and the ship holds a total of just 950 people.
Explora has won many awards, including Travel and Leisure – World’s Best 2025, Condé Nast – 2025 Hot List, Cruise Critic – Best Dining, and much more.
The art, the design, everything about Explora I is unique. This ship is different than other luxury cruises (which I love as well), but this one – well, it’s quite special. I loved the outdoor space. Most of the 6 restaurants had indoor/outdoor seating. Well, it just had everything. I was very impressed (and I am picky).
We cruised Explora Journeys from Istanbul to Venice, travelling up the west coast of Italy and back down around Croatia. This could have been booked as 7 days and you would get off in Genoa – or stay on and get off in Venice for 14 days. If you are there – why not 14? These cruises very rarely duplicate any port, so you could stay on as long as you like. I met an Australian couple who was on for 4 weeks!
I love cruising (small ship cruising that is: under 1000 people). This size ship has everything from restaurants to casino, library, many lounges, lots of entertainment, and beautiful common areas (and cabins). You arrive, unpack… then everything is at your fingertips! There are great areas to see – it’s easy, and it’s fun (in my book). All cruises offer something different – but Explora has taken the experience to another level.
Istanbul is one of my favorite destinations (although I have many). It’s such an interesting place. It’s somewhere everyone should go at some time in their life. There is the European side and the Asian side – each with so much to do.
Next up was Paros, Greece to check out the Naoussa area, which is an area just 20 minutes from the main town and dock. If I go back, I would stay in this area. Lots of walking streets, great restaurants, and you can easily get around without a car.
Then on we went to Palermo, Sicily; Lesbos (a Greek island 10 km off the Turkish border); Naples (a great stop for Amalfi Coast visit); and little-known Porto Santo Stefano. Then the first week ended in Genoa. For those continuing (like me)… we went on to Rome. We chose to stay on board as we had been to Rome a few times, and it was very, very busy at that time. We loved the day on the ship.
Next, we were on to Corfu (Greece); Kotor (Montenegro); Split (Croatia); pretty Rovinj (Croatia); and finally Venice, one of my very favorite places in Europe. I can never have enough of Venice. We explored for 3 days, then were homeward bound.
With this variety of stops, there was something for everyone – from very small stops to major cities like Rome. My favorite ports? Paros, Porto Santo Stefano, Kotor, and Rovinj – and of course Venice, although I enjoyed the other stops as well.
I loved this cruise – the ship and the ports – and will definitely be back on Explora.
Written for Paull Travel by Lesley Paull, September 2025
