Explora Journeys Anthology Review – Is the €165 Dinner Worth It?

Anthology's New Menu on all ships since september 2026

Anthology is Explora Journeys’ only restaurant with an additional charge. At €165 per person for the seven-course tasting menu, it is also one of the most talked-about dining experiences onboard. Add the optional wine pairing at €70 per person, and a couple pays €470 in total.

Having experienced Anthology aboard EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III, we think the answer depends on what you want from dinner. Anthology is not necessary to eat very well on Explora Journeys.

It is, however, a slower, more theatrical and detailed fine-dining experience for guests who want to make dinner the main event of the evening.

https://youtu.be/7mWZXaZ7nj8

https://youtu.be/7mWZXaZ7nj8

Chef Franck Garanger with Rexhell Cruise & Travel

What Is Anthology on Explora Journeys?

Anthology is Explora Journeys’ signature specialty restaurant and the only dining venue in the fleet with an additional charge. It presents a multi-course tasting menu built around contemporary Italian cuisine, combining familiar references with premium ingredients, detailed presentation and a more formal style of service.

Anthology is not intended to replace the included restaurants. Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, Med Yacht Club, Fil Rouge and Emporium Marketplace already offer plenty of variety, and it is entirely possible to eat very well throughout a sailing without paying extra.

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How Much Does Anthology Cost?

The seven-course Anthology tasting menu costs €165 per person. The optional wine pairing costs €70 per person. Two guests choosing both pay €470 in total.

At €165, Anthology is expensive. The question is whether the additional time, service, ingredients and presentation justify the price for you.

A New Anthology Menu Debuting on EXPLORA III

The latest Anthology menu debuted aboard EXPLORA III. It was created by Franck Garanger, Head of Culinary at Explora Journeys, who was present in the restaurant during our dinner aboard EXPLORA III.

The menu feels like a confident continuation of the concept, rather than a complete departure from it.

How Does the Seven-Course Anthology Dinner Work?

The official menu consists of seven courses: First Course; Second Course; Pasta & Risotto; Palate Cleanser; Main Course; Pre-Dessert; and Dessert.

Most courses offer a choice. Amuse-bouches arrive before the official menu, and Piccole Delizie, a selection of Italian mignardises, concludes the meal. The pacing is deliberately slow.

DOWNLOAD THE NEW ANTHOLOGY MENU HERE

Anthology_ExploraIII.pdf

Download PDF • 43.83MB

The Full New Anthology Menu

Course — Choices

First Course —

Ricordo del Mare: Oscietra Royal caviar, lobster, green apple and sweet & sour vinaigrette; Gambero Rosso di Mazara del Vallo: Sicilian red prawns, burrata foam, green peas and white peach;

Panzanella: tomato tartare, cucumber, bell pepper, olives and rustic Tuscan bread.

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Second Course —

Vitello Tonnato: veal loin, Albacore tuna espuma, caperberries, gremolata and Lessatini olives;

Astice al Burro e Acqua Pazza: butter-poached lobster, Datterino tomato nage, braised fennel and Taggiasca olives;

La Mia Primavera: cauliflower and Sicilian Avola almond panna cotta with morel ragout.

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Pasta & Risotto —

Caramelle Ripiene di Granchio Reale: king crab caramelle, zucchini, lemon caviar and a tomato, lobster and sea urchin broth;

Risotto delle Colline Venete: Acquerello Carnaroli rice, Treviso radicchio, goat cheese and 25-year-aged traditional balsamic vinegar “Extravecchio”; Calamarata di Sogliola: Pietro Massi calamarata pasta, Dover sole, saffron broth, Amalfi lemon butter and confit Datterino tomatoes.

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Palate Cleanser —

Granita alla Grappa di Bolgheri Sassicaia, based around Bolgheri Sassicaia grappa.

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Main Course —

La Montagna: A5 Japanese Wagyu beef, Amarone sauce, potato-truffle millefoglie and vegetable bouquetière;

Il Mare: Mediterranean sea bass in potato scales with DOP Contratto vermouth and Sicilian blood orange sauce, plus baby zucchini;

La Campagna: plant-based braised celeriac prepared “osso buco” style with thyme flower, almond foam and tonka bean.

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  Anthology La Campagna

Pre-Dessert —

Fior di Latte Gelato: milk ice cream, rosé Champagne granita and Ligurian pesto.

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Dessert —

Millefoglie: caramelised crispy puff pastry, vanilla cream and fresh raspberries;

Arancia & Espresso: mascarpone cream, orange and smoked Chantilly;

Euforia di Cioccolato: 85% dark chocolate and silken tofu with amaretto and toasted almond.

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After Dinner —

Piccole Delizie: a selection of Italian mignardises.

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Before the Seven Courses Even Begin

Before the official menu started, we were served sea urchin and langoustine tartare, fried pizza prepared à la minute with Parmesan cream, arugula pesto and Taggiasca olive, a foie gras bite infused with Marsala, and rustic tomato bread. The fried pizza was particularly memorable: refined, but relaxed and recognisably Italian.

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The Food – What Is the New Menu Actually Like?

The menu is built around recognisable Italian references such as Panzanella, Vitello Tonnato, risotto, pasta, sea bass and Millefoglie, but they are reconstructed through a fine-dining format.

Gambero Rosso di Mazara del Vallo was delicate and fresh, while La Mia Primavera brought cauliflower, Sicilian Avola almond and morel ragout together in an earthy, creamy course.

Caramelle Ripiene di Granchio Reale combined king crab pasta with zucchini, lemon caviar and tomato, lobster and sea urchin broth. Calamarata di Sogliola paired Pietro Massi pasta with Dover sole, saffron, Amalfi lemon butter and confit Datterino tomatoes.

The risotto used Acquerello Carnaroli rice, Treviso radicchio, goat cheese and 25-year-aged balsamic vinegar, creating a dish with plenty of contrast.

The Most Playful Course Might Be the Palate Cleanser

The granita combined crushed ice, lime, sugar and popping candy around Bolgheri Sassicaia grappa. In the formal setting of Anthology, it brought a welcome sense of fun and gave the meal a playful side.

La Montagna – A5 Wagyu as the Centrepiece

La Montagna features A5 Japanese Wagyu beef, Amarone sauce, potato-truffle millefoglie and vegetable bouquetière.

It is visually impressive and naturally works as the hero image or central dish in a review. Il Mare offers Mediterranean sea bass, potato scales, DOP Contratto vermouth, Sicilian blood orange and baby zucchini.

La Campagna is a plant-based option featuring braised celeriac prepared in an osso buco style with thyme flower, almond foam and tonka bean.

Do Not Underestimate the Pre-Dessert

Fior di Latte Gelato combines milk ice cream, rosé Champagne granita and Ligurian pesto. It sounds unusual on paper, but works as a good example of Anthology’s creative style.

Desserts include Millefoglie, Arancia & Espresso and Euforia di Cioccolato, followed by Piccole Delizie.

The €70 Anthology Wine Pairing

The wine pairing is an important part of the complete experience, but it is not essential.

During our dinner, the wines included Contratto Millesimato Alta Langa DOCG Pas Dosé 2022; Allucià Grillo Sicilia DOC 2025 from Tenute Navarra; Pennisi Etneide Etna Bianco; Fior di Rovere Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG from I Moncalvi; Ronchedone 2023 from Ca’ dei Frati; and La Morandina Moscato d’Asti.

The pairing moves through different Italian regions, grape varieties and styles. The pours during our dinner were generous. Personally, we might choose a bottle next time instead of the full pairing.

Wine selections can change, so this list applies specifically to the dinner reviewed.

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Is Anthology Worth €165?

No, you do not need Anthology in order to eat very well on Explora Journeys. The included restaurants Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, Med Yacht Club, Fil Rouge and Emporium Marketplace provide plenty of choice.

First-time guests with only a few evenings onboard may want to prioritise these restaurants first.

Yes, Anthology can be worth the money if you want a complete tasting-menu evening with a slower pace, more presentation, storytelling, service and wine.

It offers a more complete fine-dining experience, rather than simply better food than everything included onboard.

Who Should Book Anthology?

Anthology is likely to appeal to food-focused travellers, guests who enjoy long tasting menus, couples celebrating an anniversary or birthday, returning Explora guests who have already experienced the included restaurants, and guests who want dinner itself to become the main event of the evening.

It may not suit guests on a short first journey who have not yet experienced the included restaurants, people who dislike long dinners or detailed presentations, guests uninterested in wine pairings, or travellers who mainly prefer relaxed and quick dining.

Our Verdict After Anthology on EXPLORA I, II and III

Anthology does not need to rescue Explora Journeys’ dining offering. The included food is already very good. Anthology instead offers a separate and more advanced evening, and the new menu feels like a confident continuation of the concept.

The luxurious ingredients matter, but details such as the fried pizza, granita, presentations, wine and pacing also make the experience memorable.

We recommend Anthology for the right type of guest, but would not describe it as essential. It can be very good value for guests who appreciate tasting menus, wine, service and presentation.

Watch Our Complete Anthology Dinner

Watch: Explora Journeys’ NEW Anthology Menu – Now on All Three Ships: Is It Worth €165? This video, filmed aboard EXPLORA III, shows the complete Anthology experience course by course, including the wine pairing.

Earlier footage from EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II is used where necessary to show every dish on the current menu.

https://youtu.be/7mWZXaZ7nj8

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anthology included on Explora Journeys?

No. It is an additional fine-dining experience. The price is €165 per person.

How much is the Anthology wine pairing?

€70 per person.

How many courses are served at Anthology?

The official menu consists of seven courses, but amuse-bouches and mignardises make the experience feel more extensive.

Who created the Anthology menu?

Franck Garanger, Head of Culinary at Explora Journeys.

Is Anthology available on EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III?

Anthology is available across Explora Journeys’ current fleet. The latest menu debuted aboard EXPLORA III and is being progressively introduced across the fleet.

Do you need to book Anthology in advance?

Reservations in beforehand are recommended, particularly if dining at Anthology is an important part of your journey.

Do you need the €70 wine pairing?

No. It adds another dimension, but a bottle may be a better choice for some guests.

Is Anthology worth it?

Yes, for guests looking for a special fine-dining evening who appreciate tasting menus, service, presentation and wine. No, if the main goal is simply to find better food than what is already included onboard.

More Explora Dining

Emporium Marketplace Dining Guide Here

The Utimate Dining Guide - All Explora Restaurants

More Explora Reviews

Explora III Review

Explora II Review

Explora I Review

More Explora Videos

https://youtu.be/DcaV2nSew8s

https://youtu.be/Y7ay5oOEQ0c

Explora Journeys River Ships Are Coming – What We Know So Far

Explora Journeys Is Heading Inland

On 24 September 2026, the luxury ocean travel brand announced that it had signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships.

It marks the planned entry of Explora Journeys into European river cruising — and, for us, it may be one of the most interesting developments in luxury cruising right now.

Explora says its intention is to take the philosophy behind its ocean ships and bring it to some of Europe's most iconic rivers. Sales for the new Explora Journeys river ships are currently planned to open in 2027.  

But there is an important distinction here: this is still a Letter of Intent. Explora has not yet revealed the ship designs, capacity, itineraries, delivery dates or detailed onboard experience.

So, while the announcement is significant, there is still a lot we don't know.

And that's also what makes it so interesting.

Important: The image accompanying this article is an unofficial concept created by Rexhell Cruise & Travel. It does not represent an announced or approved Explora Journeys river ship design. Explora Journeys has not yet revealed what its river ships will look like.

Important: The image accompanying this article is an unofficial concept created by Rexhell Cruise & Travel. It does not show an announced or approved Explora Journeys river ship design. Explora Journeys has not yet revealed what its river ships will look like.

For our concept, we imagined how some of the qualities we associate with Explora Journeys — understated European styling, large areas of glass, generous outdoor spaces and a strong connection with the water — might translate to a river vessel. The design itself is entirely fictional.

Explora Journeys is officially planning river ships

The announcement confirms that Explora Journeys has selected Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands for the planned construction of its first luxury river vessels.

Explora describes the move as an extension of what it calls its ‘Ocean State of Mind’ philosophy, bringing its approach to travel, discovery and European hospitality to river cruising.

That gives us a clue about the ambition.

Our reading of the announcement is that this is intended as an extension of the existing Explora Journeys luxury positioning, rather than a separate mass-market river brand.

Everything in Explora's announcement points towards extending the identity it has already established at sea.

Exactly how much of the ocean product can be transferred to a river ship is another question.

What do we know about the Explora Journeys river ships?

At the moment, surprisingly little.

Confirmed so far:

• Explora Journeys has signed a Letter of Intent with Den Breejen Shipyard.

• The plan is for a fleet, rather than a single river ship.

• The ships are intended for European river cruising.

• Explora plans to reveal ship design, onboard experiences, delivery dates and itineraries later.

• Sales are planned to begin in 2027.

  
  

Explora has not yet announced the number of ships involved, their passenger capacity, which rivers they will sail or when the first ship will enter service.

That means any images — including ours below — showing what an Explora river ship might look like are purely conceptual.

What could an Explora river ship actually look like?

This is where things become particularly interesting.

We recently travelled on VIVA ENJOY, giving us a much better understanding of just how different river ships are from ocean-going cruise ships.

River vessels have to operate within very different physical limitations.

They need to pass underneath bridges, fit through locks and navigate waterways where overall height, width and draft matter enormously.

That means we shouldn't expect someone simply to shrink EXPLORA III.

But Explora's design language could translate surprisingly well.

Large windows, warm interiors, understated colours, outdoor spaces and a strong connection with the water already form an important part of the Explora experience.

And on a river, that connection becomes even more immediate.

Instead of watching a coastline several kilometres away, the scenery can be just metres from your window.

Concept image

Important: The image accompanying this article is an unofficial concept created by Rexhell Cruise & Travel. It does not show an announced or approved Explora Journeys river ship design. Explora Journeys has not yet revealed what its river ships will look like.

For our concept, we imagined a low-profile river vessel using some of the visual cues associated with Explora's ocean fleet: a dark hull, clean European styling, large areas of glass and generous outdoor spaces.

That is our interpretation of how Explora’s design language might translate to a river vessel

The big question: can the Explora experience work on a river?

We think this is the most interesting part of the announcement.

Having sailed on EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III, there are certain things that now define Explora Journeys for us.

It isn't simply the suites.

It is the combination of space, dining, service, calm public areas and the feeling that you can largely create your own day.

Explora itself describes its ocean fleet around spacious accommodation, multiple dining experiences, wellness and understated European luxury.

River cruising is naturally more constrained.

A river ship simply does not have the physical space available aboard something like EXPLORA III.

So Explora will have to decide which parts of its DNA matter most.

And that could ultimately be much more interesting than trying to reproduce the ocean ships on a smaller scale.

Dining could be one of the biggest opportunities

Dining is one area we will be watching particularly closely.

Explora's ocean ships have made food a major part of the onboard experience, with very different restaurants rather than one main dining room being the centre of everything.

Most river ships cannot realistically offer that many completely separate venues.

But they don't necessarily need to.

A smaller number of restaurants with genuinely different identities could work extremely well.

Perhaps one main restaurant, a smaller speciality concept, a café and a more casual all-day option.

It would also be interesting to see Explora use the destinations more directly.

Regional menus could change as the ship travels through Austria, Germany, Hungary, France or the Netherlands.

On a river ship, the destinations are never far away.

Suites will be another major challenge

Explora's ocean ships place enormous emphasis on accommodation.

Even its entry-level Ocean Terrace Suites are designed around generous interior space, private terraces and a residential rather than traditional cruise-cabin feeling.

River ships present a very different challenge.

Width is restricted.

Balconies consume valuable space.

And every centimetre matters.

We would therefore expect the river product to interpret the Explora suite concept rather than copy it.

Large panoramic windows, clever indoor/outdoor spaces and perhaps fewer but larger suites would make sense.

Whether Explora goes even further and creates a genuinely low-density river vessel is something we will be very interested to discover.

River cruising could suit Explora extremely well

There is another reason this move feels logical.

Explora isn't built around constant activity.

There are no waterslides, race tracks or giant entertainment complexes.

The ocean experience is already centred around food, service, conversation, relaxation and the destinations outside the ship.

Those characteristics translate naturally to river cruising.

In fact, some elements could become even stronger.

Imagine sitting in an Explora-style lounge while sailing slowly through the Wachau Valley, or having breakfast while central Budapest passes directly outside the window.

River cruising makes the destination part of the ship almost continuously.

That feels very compatible with Explora.

What we would personally like to see

There are a few things we particularly hope Explora keeps from its ocean ships.

Firstly: space.

River ships can sometimes feel like every available square metre has been allocated to something. Explora's ocean ships feel different because there is often room simply to exist.

Maintaining some of that feeling would immediately differentiate the product.

Secondly: flexible dining.

One thing we would not want to see is the traditional feeling that everyone needs to eat dinner at approximately the same time every evening.

Explora's freedom around dining is part of what makes the ocean experience work.

Thirdly: the coffee culture.

Yes, Crema Café — or something inspired by it — belongs on a river.

Absolutely.

And finally: outdoor spaces that actually feel special.

A river ship's upper deck can provide some of the best views anywhere in cruising. We'd love to see Explora treat that space as much more than rows of sun loungers.

Explora Journeys vs traditional river cruising

This could also bring a slightly different audience into river cruising.

River cruising has traditionally appealed strongly to travellers for whom the itinerary and organised shore programme are the main attraction.

Explora has approached ocean cruising somewhat differently.

The ships themselves are an important part of the journey, while guests retain considerable freedom over how structured or unstructured they want their days to be.

If Explora carries that philosophy onto the rivers, it could produce something somewhere between a luxury boutique hotel and a traditional European river cruise.

That is potentially where this becomes really interesting.

Which rivers will Explora Journeys sail?

We don't know yet.

Explora has only said that it intends to bring its approach to Europe's most iconic rivers.

The obvious possibilities would include waterways such as the Rhine and Danube, but Explora has not confirmed any destinations or itineraries.

Until the first routes are announced, anything more specific would be speculation.

When will Explora Journeys river cruises go on sale?

Explora says that sales for its river programme are planned to open in 2027.

There is currently no announced date.

Delivery schedules and inaugural itineraries will also be revealed later.

We will update this article as those details become available.

Our first thoughts

This is one announcement we will be following extremely closely.

After experiencing all three current Explora ships, we have a good idea of what works particularly well about the brand.

And after recently spending time on a modern European river ship, we also have a much clearer understanding of just how different the two types of cruising really are.

That is why we don't want Explora simply to build a smaller version of its ocean ships.

The exciting possibility is something new.

A river ship designed around the same values — space, food, service, understated design and freedom — but specifically created around the advantages of river travel.

If Explora gets that balance right, the Explora Journeys river ships could become a very interesting new category within the brand.

For now, though, we have an announcement, a shipyard and a plan.

The actual ships are still waiting to be revealed.

FAQ

Is Explora Journeys launching river cruises?

Yes. Explora Journeys announced on 24 September 2026 that it had signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships.

When will Explora Journeys river ships launch?

Explora has not yet announced when the first river ship will enter service. Delivery schedules will be revealed later.

When can I book an Explora Journeys river cruise?

Sales are currently planned to open in 2027, although an exact date has not been announced.

What rivers will Explora Journeys sail?

No itineraries have been announced yet. Explora has said that it intends to bring its luxury travel concept to some of Europe's most iconic rivers.

What will the Explora Journeys river ships look like?

Explora has not released the ship designs yet. Any current visualisation, including the concept image used in this article, should not be interpreted as an official design.

Is the river ship image in this article official?

No. It is an unofficial Rexhell Cruise & Travel concept image created to illustrate how we imagine an Explora-inspired river vessel could potentially look. It is not supplied, approved or released by Explora Journeys.

Source: Explora Journeys press announcement, 24 September 2026. Rexhell Cruise & Travel is an independent cruise media website. This article and its concept imagery are not produced or approved by Explora Journeys.

https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/press-and-media/press/Fleet-of-luxury-river-ships

https://youtu.be/DcaV2nSew8s

Explora III Ocean Terrace Suite Review

Balcony OT3 Suites 8040 & 8099

We have now stayed in Ocean Terrace Suites several times across Explora Journeys, and on EXPLORA III we had an unusually good opportunity to look a little closer.

During our journey, we stayed in two Ocean Terrace 3 (OT3) Suites: 8040 and 8099.

At first glance, they were essentially the same suite. The same layout, the same living space, the same terrace and the same overall design.

But there was one important difference.

Suite 8040 had a bathtub with shower. Suite 8099 had a walk-in shower.

Having lived in both during the same journey gave us a chance to compare the two configurations properly — and it also reinforced something we have felt for quite some time.

Ocean Terrace may not be the most spectacular accommodation Explora offers.

But for the way we travel, it may still be the one that makes the most sense. Wanna read our full Explora III review - Click Here!

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Latest Explora News

Explora Journeys is planning a new fleet of luxury river ships.

Read what we know so far →

Is an Ocean Terrace Really a Suite?

Explora Journeys calls all of its accommodation suites, including Ocean Terrace.

If you are expecting a traditional hotel-style suite with a separate bedroom and living room, though, Ocean Terrace might initially feel a little different.

It is essentially one large, beautifully designed space with a sleeping area, sitting area, dressing room, bathroom and private terrace.

We don't necessarily walk into an Ocean Terrace and think:

“Wow, what an enormous suite.”

But several days later, we usually walk out thinking:

“That was incredibly easy to live in.”

And that is probably the best way we can describe it.

The storage works. The lighting works. The dressing area works. The bed is comfortable. The minibar is properly integrated. The terrace is useful.

Nothing feels particularly complicated.

https://youtu.be/fikXHNAiBhA

Suites 8040 and 8099 – Almost Identical, But Not Quite

Both of our suites were Ocean Terrace 3 suites and had the same basic interior configuration.

They were also both marked T on the deck plan.

That is worth understanding when choosing a suite.

The T does not refer to the bathroom and it does not mean that the sofa converts into a bed.

It refers to the bed configuration.

In both 8040 and 8099, the bed was made up of:

2 × 90 × 200 cm beds

During our stay they were positioned together as one large sleeping surface.

Neither 8040 nor 8099 was marked with a sofa-bed symbol on the deck plan.

The important difference between our two suites was instead in the bathroom:

8040 – bathtub with shower

8099 – walk-in shower

And after using both, we definitely had a preference.

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8099 – The Walk-In Shower

Suite 8099 had the bathroom configuration we preferred.

The walk-in shower included both a large overhead rainfall shower and a hand shower.

Temperature could be adjusted separately, and we could also control the water flow.

Most importantly, the shower pressure was very good.

It was simple, spacious enough for everyday use and very easy to step into.

There is nothing particularly dramatic about that, but this is exactly the type of detail that becomes important after several days onboard.

For us, 8099's walk-in shower was easily the better configuration.

8040 – Bathtub With Shower

Suite 8040 was different.

Instead of the walk-in shower, it had a bathtub with a shower above it.

There are separate controls for the bath spout, hand shower and overhead shower, together with temperature control.

If you enjoy taking baths, this may actually be the configuration you prefer.

For us, however, it was less practical.

When showering, you need to stand inside the bathtub and step over the side to get in and out.

We also found the shower pressure noticeably weaker than in 8099, and we couldn't adjust the flow in quite the same way.

The bathtub edge is also worth considering for guests who have difficulty stepping in and out of a bath.

It isn't necessarily a major issue — but if you shower every day and rarely take a bath, the walk-in configuration is simply easier.

Which Would We Choose?

8099, without hesitation.

Not because there was anything fundamentally wrong with 8040, but because the walk-in shower was more practical for us every single day.

It also highlights something worth checking when choosing an Ocean Terrace Suite.

Two suites in the same category can look almost identical on paper yet still have details that affect how you experience them.

If bathtub versus walk-in shower matters to you, it is worth checking your specific suite before travelling.

The Bathroom – Small Details That Matter

Aside from the bathtub versus shower difference, the bathrooms were very similar.

One feature we continue to appreciate is the heated bathroom floor.

There is a separate control for the heating, and particularly in the morning it is one of those small luxuries that quickly becomes normal.

There is also plenty of space around the basin for toiletries, good lighting and integrated low-level night lighting.

But there is still one thing we would like Explora to improve.

The mirror fogs up very quickly after a shower.

It is a small complaint, but considering how well thought out so much of the suite is, an effective anti-fog section in the mirror would make sense.

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The Dressing Room Is Better Than It Looks in Photos

Close to the entrance is a dedicated wardrobe and dressing area.

This is one of the parts of Ocean Terrace that doesn't necessarily photograph particularly dramatically, but becomes increasingly useful once you actually live in the suite.

There are two hanging areas, drawers, a very well-lit vanity area, an illuminated magnifying mirror and additional electrical outlets.

We travel with normal luggage plus quite a lot of camera equipment, and we have never felt that storage was a serious problem in an Ocean Terrace.

If you need additional hangers, you can also ask your Suite Host.

EXPLORA III also adds something we appreciated immediately:

a garment steamer.

We tested it and it worked extremely well.

For clothes that have been packed into a suitcase — particularly evening wear — it is a genuinely useful addition.

A Dyson hair dryer is also provided.

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The Bed – Comfortable, But Know What You're Booking

As mentioned earlier, both 8040 and 8099 were T-designated suites.

The sleeping setup therefore consisted of:

2 × 90 × 200 cm beds

joined together during our stay.

We found the bed itself very comfortable.

During filming we actually removed the bedding to look more closely at the mattress system, which was from Italian manufacturer Dorelan and consisted of a main mattress together with a separate topper.

Explora also offers a pillow menu.

The standard pillows were a little too large and firm for Christopher, so he asked for a feather pillow instead.

That made a surprisingly big difference.

It is a simple tip, but worth remembering:

If the standard pillow isn't right for you, ask your Suite Host for another one.

You don't need to spend a week trying to convince yourself that you'll eventually get used to it.

One of Our Favourite Features Happens at Night

There are small motion-sensitive lights beneath the bedside area.

When you get out of bed during the night, they automatically illuminate the floor.

It means you can walk towards the bathroom without switching on the main cabin lights.

We loved this feature on the earlier Explora ships and still love it here.

EXPLORA III also has improved low-level lighting inside the bathroom itself, integrated more neatly than the solution we remember from Explora I and II.

Again, these are tiny details.

But good cabins are often defined by tiny details.

Bedside Power and Ship's Time

The two sides of the bed don't have exactly the same connections.

Across the bedside areas we found USB-A, USB-C, wireless charging and conventional power outlets, although the exact socket arrangement differs between the two sides.

There is also a bedside clock showing ship's time.

This may sound completely insignificant.

It isn't.

We have previously looked at our phones, forgotten that the ship and phone were showing different times and nearly missed onboard activities.

When onboard:

Trust the ship clock.

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Living Area

An open shelving unit creates a visual separation between the sleeping and living areas without actually dividing the room.

That helps Ocean Terrace feel more spacious than it might if a solid wall or partition were used.

The shelves contain books, artwork and decorative objects, while the sofa sits opposite the television.

The sofa in our suites comfortably seated two people.

Neither 8040 nor 8099 was designated as having a sofa bed.

Above the sofa, there is also one of those little Explora design details that is easy to miss.

The artwork depicts book spines, and if you actually stop and read the titles, there is a small story hidden within them.

It is completely unnecessary.

Which is probably why we like it.

Television, HDMI and Connections

The television can swivel, allowing you to position it towards either the bed or the sitting area.

More importantly for people travelling with laptops, cameras or other equipment, Explora hasn't hidden all of the connections somewhere impossible to reach.

Behind the television we found:

• 2 × USB-A

• LAN/Ethernet

• 3 × HDMI

There are also two European power outlets beneath the television area.

Again, not glamorous.

But very useful.

Storage and Safe

Storage continues beneath the main console, with several concealed drawers.

One contains the safe.

The overall storage design is one of the reasons Ocean Terrace works so well in practice.

There is storage almost everywhere, but the room never feels as though it is dominated by cupboards.

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Coffee, Tea and Minibar

The refreshment area contains a coffee machine, kettle, proper cups and glassware, tea and a fully stocked minibar.

During our journey we had Palais des Thés tea available.

The minibar included water, soft drinks and beer, and preferences can be adjusted through your Suite Host.

Welcome drinks and small treats were also waiting for us when we arrived.

The exact brands and selections can change, so we would treat these as part of our experience rather than a guarantee of what will be onboard every sailing.

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Your Suite Host

Your Suite Host is one of those elements that gradually becomes part of the experience rather than something you necessarily notice immediately.

Information about your host is waiting inside the suite, and our experience with requests has been consistently good.

Need another pillow?

More hangers?

A minibar preference changed?

It has generally been very easy to arrange.

There is also a telephone with direct access to services such as Guest Services and in-suite dining.

Binoculars in the Suite

Explora provides binoculars for use during the journey.

They are there to use onboard and while looking out from the terrace — not as a complimentary item to take home afterwards.

They are another good example of Explora putting something in the suite that makes sense once you are actually travelling.

The Ocean Terrace

And then there is the terrace itself.

The regular Ocean Terrace isn't enormous.

But for us, it is enough.

There is a table with two chairs plus a separate lounging/daybed-style seat.

We use the terrace for morning coffee, breakfast, reading, watching the ship arrive or depart and simply sitting outside looking at the ocean.

For us, the terrace complements the room.

It doesn't need to become the main destination.

And that distinction is important when deciding whether to pay more for a larger terrace.

Ocean Terrace vs Ocean Grand Terrace

We previously stayed in an Ocean Grand Terrace on Explora I.

Inside, the experience was very similar for our purposes.

The major difference was outside.

The Grand Terrace gave us significantly more private outdoor space.

Was it nice?

Absolutely.

Would we personally pay extra for it again?

Probably not.

We simply didn't use the additional terrace space enough to justify it for the way we travel.

There was also something about our particular Grand Terrace location that we liked less: parts of the terrace could be overlooked from above.

That will depend on the specific suite and location, so we wouldn't suggest every Grand Terrace has exactly the same issue.

But for us, it reinforced the feeling that the regular Ocean Terrace already gives us what we need.

If you spend a large amount of time on your private terrace, you could reach a completely different conclusion.

Why Don't We Normally Upgrade to a Penthouse?

This is perhaps the more interesting question.

We have seen several of Explora's Penthouses and Residences.

Some are spectacular.

There is no question that moving up through the categories gives you more space, more separation and, at the very top, something closer to a private apartment at sea.

We would obviously be very happy to stay in one.

But when we are spending our own money, we struggle to justify the additional cost for the way we travel.

And the reason is actually quite simple.

We don't travel to recreate home.

At home, we already appreciate having space, large windows and private amenities.

When we travel, we want something different.

We want the ocean.

The destinations.

The restaurants.

The pools.

The ship.

The people.

The atmosphere.

The experience of being somewhere else.

So if the choice is between spending significantly more on a larger suite or putting that money towards another journey, something ashore or simply travelling more often, we usually choose the journey.

That doesn't mean a Penthouse or Residence isn't worth it.

Someone who spends much more time in their suite, values maximum privacy, entertains other guests or simply loves having a private-residence experience onboard may find the upgrade completely worthwhile.

It simply isn't how we normally travel.

What's New in the Suite on EXPLORA III?

Much of Ocean Terrace feels immediately familiar if you have sailed on Explora I or II, but there are a few small changes.

One is incredibly simple:

there is now a doorbell.

On Explora I and II, someone outside would knock.

That sounds perfectly adequate until you realise how surprisingly easy it can be to miss a knock from inside the suite.

The doorbell is a tiny improvement, but a sensible one.

The garment steamer is another addition we really liked, and the bathroom night lighting feels more neatly integrated than on the earlier ships.

None of these changes transform the suite.

They simply make something that was already very functional a little better.

Room Temperature

During our Mediterranean sailing, when outside temperatures were extremely high, we generally managed to get the suite down to around 19–20°C.

Christopher still found it slightly warm during some nights.

We wouldn't take that as proof that every Ocean Terrace on EXPLORA III has the same temperature range — this was simply our experience during an exceptionally hot journey.

But if you are someone who likes sleeping in a very cold room, it is something worth being aware of.

What We Liked

After living in both 8040 and 8099, the things that stood out most were not necessarily the most spectacular features.

They were the things that made the room easy to use.

Excellent storage.

A very practical dressing area.

Comfortable beds.

Pillow alternatives.

Good lighting.

Motion-sensitive night lights.

A genuinely useful private terrace.

A well-stocked refreshment area.

Accessible HDMI and power connections.

Heated bathroom floors.

The garment steamer.

And, in 8099, a very good walk-in shower.

What Could Be Better

There aren't many major complaints.

But we would still like to see a better anti-fog solution for the bathroom mirror.

We much preferred the shower configuration to the bathtub configuration.

Shower pressure in 8040 also felt weaker than in 8099.

And because the bathroom configuration made a meaningful difference to us, we would appreciate it being particularly easy for guests to identify exactly which configuration they are booking.

Our Verdict

Ocean Terrace isn't necessarily the suite that creates the biggest first impression on EXPLORA III.

There are bigger suites.

More dramatic suites.

And some genuinely spectacular Residences.

But Ocean Terrace remains extremely well thought out.

After staying in both bathroom configurations, previously trying the larger Ocean Grand Terrace and seeing many of Explora's higher categories, we still come back to the same conclusion.

If we were booking another Explora journey tomorrow, we would most likely choose a regular Ocean Terrace again.

Our priorities would be:

a good location and our preferred bathroom configuration.

And given the choice, we would take the walk-in shower.

Then we would put the difference in price towards the journey itself.

For the way we travel, that gives us more value than simply having more square metres behind our suite door.

FAQ

What is an Ocean Terrace Suite on EXPLORA III?

Ocean Terrace is Explora Journeys' core suite category, combining a sleeping area, sitting area, dressing space, bathroom and private ocean terrace in one open-plan layout.

What was the difference between suites 8040 and 8099?

Both were OT3 Ocean Terrace Suites with essentially the same interior layout. The key difference during our stay was the bathroom: 8040 had a bathtub with shower, while 8099 had a walk-in shower.

What does T mean on an Explora deck plan?

For our suites, the T designation referred to the twin-bed configuration. Our bed was made up of two 90 × 200 cm beds, positioned together during our stay.

Did 8040 or 8099 have a sofa bed?

Neither suite was marked with a sofa-bed designation on the deck plan.

Which did we prefer: bathtub or walk-in shower?

Definitely the walk-in shower in 8099. We found it more practical and also experienced better water pressure.

Does an Ocean Terrace Suite have a Dyson hair dryer?

A Dyson hair dryer was provided in both of our OT3 suites during our EXPLORA III journey.

Does EXPLORA III have heated bathroom floors?

Yes. Both of the Ocean Terrace Suites we stayed in had adjustable heated bathroom floors.

Is there enough storage in an Ocean Terrace Suite?

For us, yes. Even travelling with normal luggage plus significant camera equipment, we found the combination of wardrobe space, drawers and concealed storage very practical.

Is Ocean Grand Terrace worth the upgrade?

For us, probably not. We appreciated the extra outside space when we stayed in an Ocean Grand Terrace on Explora I, but we didn't use it enough to justify prioritising it again.

For someone who spends a lot of time on their private terrace, the answer may be very different.

Is an Explora Penthouse worth upgrading to?

That depends heavily on how you travel. Explora's Penthouses offer more space and separation, but for our travel style we would normally rather allocate the price difference to other parts of the journey — or another journey entirely.

More Explora assets for planning

Explora bars and drink finder - interactive search!

Explora III daily planners - Plan your day onboard

https://youtu.be/DcaV2nSew8s