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From the moment you step on board, it’s clear that Explora I is not really a cruise ship at all. Or at least not in the way most of us imagine one. There are no booming announcements, no battles for sun loungers, no over-the-top entertainment or waterslides, and no sense of urgency whatsoever. Instead, there’s space. Space to linger over breakfast, space to lose an afternoon by the pool, space to watch the Mediterranean unfurl beyond the horizon without feeling the need to be anywhere else. That, perhaps, is what Explora Journeys does best.
Launched in 2023 as the first ship in the luxury travel brand from the Aponte family – founders of MSC Group – Explora I was designed to challenge many of the assumptions surrounding modern cruising. The brand refers to its philosophy as an “Ocean state of mind” – a slower, more intentional approach to travel that prioritises wellbeing, connection, and discovery over ticking destinations off a list. It sounds like marketing speak until you’re actually on board. Then it makes perfect sense.
Sailing from Barcelona to Rome via Cannes, Portofino, Florence, Porto Cervo, and Ajaccio, this seven-night Mediterranean itinerary is the perfect balance between Riviera luxury, cultural immersion, and the kind of languid sea days that feel increasingly rare in modern travel. There’s enough time in each destination to feel connected to a place, while never feeling overscheduled.
\Designed with input from renowned yacht architect Martin Francis, Explora I bears a far closer resemblance to a sleek superyacht than a traditional cruise liner. Interiors are warm, chic, and contemporary, layered with natural stone, soft leather, brushed brass, and an ocean-inspired palette of creams, chocolate, dusty blue, and gold. The Lobby Bar sits at the heart of the ship and quickly becomes its social soul. Part Art Deco cocktail lounge, part New York members’ club, it’s where you’ll gather for morning coffees, afternoon aperitifs, and late-night martinis.
That same philosophy extends to the accommodation. Explora I is unusual in that every room is an ocean-front suite, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace. Even entry-level categories feel remarkably generous, with dressing areas, marble bathrooms, heated floors, and living spaces that invite you to spend time in them. The atmosphere is less hotel room, more (uber-luxury) private residence at sea.
For a ship carrying up to 922 guests, it never feels crowded or like you’re on top of anyone else. There are four pool areas, dozens of oversized daybeds, multiple outdoor loungers, and seemingly endless stretches of deck. Even on sea days, finding a prime position beside the water requires no get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn strategic planning. The mood is relaxed, sociable, and effortlessly cosmopolitan – something refreshing and invaluable in a world increasingly defined by crowds.
With eleven dining concepts on board, expectations are understandably high. Sakura, the ship’s Pan-Asian restaurant, quickly became a favourite, serving refined dishes that would feel equally at home in a leading city restaurant. The lobster pad thai alone is worth seeking out. Elsewhere, Med Yacht Club celebrates the flavours of the Mediterranean, while Marble & Co. Grill offers an elevated take on the classic European steakhouse.
Then there’s the Ocean Wellness Spa. Spanning more than 7,500 square feet, it includes 11 treatment rooms, a thermal area with a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall and heated marble loungers, plus an open-air relaxation deck with ocean views. There’s nothing quite like indulging in a full-body massage before stepping out into the restorative sea air, or practising your sun salutations to the sound of the waves during a morning yoga session.
Of course, the destinations remain a central part of the experience. Cannes delivers Riviera glamour in abundance, while Portofino’s pastel harbour remains as impossibly beautiful as ever. Florence offers a welcome immersion into Renaissance art and architecture before Porto Cervo introduces a different side of Mediterranean luxury entirely, where emerald waters meet superyachts and designer boutiques. Ajaccio, meanwhile, feels pleasantly understated; a place of markets, beaches, and Corsican charm before the journey comes to an end in Rome.
And by the time the Italian capital appears on the horizon, the greatest luxury onboard feels remarkably simple: the rare opportunity to slow down. Somewhere between the sea days, the long lunches, and the endless blue beyond the deck, you begin to understand why so many guests book their next voyage before this one is over.
