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Explora I
Explora Journeys
EXPLORA I was our second Explora Journeys experience, following our first journey aboard EXPLORA II.
That made this cruise particularly interesting for us.
The first time we sailed with Explora Journeys, almost everything felt new: the food, the space, the service style and the freedom of life onboard. When we later boarded EXPLORA I in Lanzarote for a short four-night journey, we wanted to find out whether that first experience had simply been unusually good — or whether Explora Journeys could actually deliver the same standard on another ship.
The answer was remarkably clear.
EXPLORA I felt almost identical to EXPLORA II.
The same relaxed atmosphere, the same dining philosophy, the same spacious feeling and the same sense that you could structure the day almost entirely around what you wanted to do.
Our four nights were far too short to experience everything properly, but they confirmed something important for us: our first Explora journey had not been a one-off.
Our Experience / Suite Category
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
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Short summary
Our EXPLORA I Review — Did the Experience Hold Up?
When we boarded EXPLORA I in Lanzarote, we already knew what an Explora Journeys ship was supposed to feel like.
That changed the way we looked at the experience.
Instead of being impressed simply because everything was new, we could pay more attention to consistency.
Would the food be as good?
Would the service feel the same?
Would the atmosphere still work after the novelty had disappeared?
For us, the answer was yes.
In terms of the overall experience, EXPLORA I felt almost identical to EXPLORA II.
And we mean that as a compliment.
Joining an Already Established Journey
There was, however, one major difference — and it had nothing to do with the ship itself.
We joined EXPLORA I in Lanzarote during an ongoing transatlantic journey. The Port was Arrecife, a very efficent port, you can read more about Lanzarote Cruise Port Guide here
Everything you need to know about exploring Arrecife independently from your cruise ship.
That meant many guests onboard had already spent considerable time together before we arrived.
When we crossed the Atlantic aboard EXPLORA II, we had joined from the beginning in Miami.
Friendships developed naturally over the journey. People arrived together, discovered the ship together and gradually formed social groups.
On EXPLORA I, we were stepping into something that had already been established.
Everyone was welcoming and we still enjoyed meeting people, but the social feeling was noticeably different.
It was a useful reminder that the atmosphere of a cruise is influenced by far more than the ship itself.
Four Nights Is Not Enough
Our biggest challenge on EXPLORA I was time.
We had only four nights onboard.
That is enough to understand what Explora Journeys is about.
It is not enough to experience the ship properly.
There are simply too many restaurants, bars, pool areas and smaller experiences to fit into four nights without constantly thinking about what you need to do next.
And that goes against one of the things we like most about Explora Journeys.
The experience works best when you do not have to rush.
If you are simply curious about the brand, a four-night journey can be a very good introduction.
If you want to properly explore the restaurants and ship, we would consider seven nights a practical minimum.
For us, around ten nights is closer to ideal.
Crema Café Had Evolved
The biggest positive surprise of this journey was Crema Café.
Explora Journeys had introduced an evening antipasti selection.
It sounds like a relatively small change.
It was not.
For us, this significantly improved how Crema Café worked during the evening.
Instead of being primarily a coffee and light-bite venue, it became somewhere you could sit with a drink, enjoy antipasti and listen to the music from the Lobby.
That gave the area much more purpose later in the day.
It also demonstrated something we appreciate about Explora Journeys: the willingness to adjust the product based on guest feedback rather than waiting for an entirely new ship generation.
Dining Still Defines the Experience
Food remained one of the main reasons we enjoyed EXPLORA I.
The quality felt every bit as strong as what we had experienced aboard EXPLORA II.
Marble & Co. remained reliable.
Med Yacht Club had introduced several newer dishes.
Emporium Marketplace was still extraordinary.
And this time we also experienced Anthology properly.
That allowed us to explore another layer of the dining experience that we had not done in the same way during our first journey.
EXPLORA I vs EXPLORA II
If price and itinerary were identical, we would probably choose EXPLORA II.
But there is no strong rational reason for that choice.
The ships feel extremely similar.
Our preference is probably influenced by the simple fact that EXPLORA II was our first Explora Journeys experience.
That journey introduced us to the brand and gave us enough time to completely settle into the experience.
EXPLORA I confirmed that the concept worked just as well on another ship.
That consistency is arguably more important than finding small differences between the two.
The Classic Explora Experience
EXPLORA I represents what we would now describe as the classic Explora Journeys experience.
You get the relaxed atmosphere.
You get the excellent restaurants.
You get spacious suites and generous outdoor areas.
You get very little pressure to follow a programme.
And you get the freedom to make the journey as active or inactive as you want.
EXPLORA III has since introduced some new concepts that we prefer, particularly Shore Club and the redesigned Helios area.
But EXPLORA I still delivers the core experience exceptionally well.
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Dining
Dining
Dining on EXPLORA I
Food once again became one of the defining parts of our Explora journey.
After experiencing EXPLORA II extensively, our second journey gave us a useful opportunity to see whether the food standard remained consistent.
It did.
We did not experience any meaningful overall difference in quality between EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II.
What did change were some individual dishes and smaller additions around the ship.
Anthology
Anthology was one of the most important new experiences for us on this journey.
This time we experienced the full restaurant rather than simply looking at it as another dining option.
Our meal was elaborate, beautifully presented and supported by excellent service.
Several courses were particularly memorable, including pasta and dessert dishes.
But Anthology occupies an unusual position within Explora Journeys.
The included restaurants are already extremely good.
That means Anthology is not something we think you need to book in order to have the best food onboard.
Instead, it makes sense for someone who genuinely enjoys longer tasting-menu experiences, detailed presentation and wine.
If you have onboard credit available, we think Anthology can be a very good way to use it.
Our recommendation would be to experience the included restaurants first.
Then, if you want something more foodie-focused and more elaborate, add Anthology.
It is an experience rather than a necessity.
Crema Café and Evening Antipasti
Crema Café became one of the biggest surprises of our EXPLORA I journey.
An antipasti selection had been introduced during the evening.
For us, this was a significant improvement.
It changed how we used the entire area.
Instead of simply stopping for coffee or a smaller daytime bite, we could sit down in the evening with antipasti and drinks while listening to the music from the nearby Lobby.
It turned Crema into a genuine evening meeting place.
This is one of those changes that sounds small on paper but makes a meaningful difference once onboard.
Emporium Marketplace
Emporium Marketplace remains one of the strongest parts of the entire Explora Journeys concept for us.
Calling it a buffet really does not describe the experience.
Individual stations prepare a huge variety of food, much of it freshly cooked or finished to order.
Breakfast can be quick and easy.
Lunch can turn into several hours of trying different dishes.
Dinner can include everything from sushi and fresh pasta to grilled meats, seafood and desserts.
During this short journey, we deliberately spent significant time onboard simply because we wanted to continue exploring the ship and its food.
Emporium is one of the main reasons that works.
For a full breakdown of the individual stations, dishes and how Emporium Marketplace works, see our dedicated Explora Journeys Emporium Marketplace Guide.
Marble & Co. Grill
Marble & Co. remained just as strong for us as it had aboard EXPLORA II.
We returned knowing many of the dishes already, which gave us a useful benchmark.
The restaurant continued to deliver the warm steakhouse atmosphere, quality meat and sides that had impressed us previously.
The fingerling potatoes remained an obvious favourite.
Marble is also one of the livelier restaurants onboard, which can be either a positive or negative depending on the type of evening you want.
For us, it remains one of the reliable Explora Journeys dining experiences.
Med Yacht Club
Med Yacht Club remained familiar but had introduced several newer dishes since our previous journey.
We particularly noticed additions including a breaded schnitzel-style dish and cheese fritters.
The cheese fritters were especially good.
These smaller menu changes helped make the restaurant feel fresh even though we already knew the concept well.
The overall atmosphere remained relaxed and easy.
For us, Med Yacht Club is one of those restaurants that becomes particularly useful on a longer journey because it is easy to return without the experience feeling overly formal.
Sakura
Sakura was where our opinion began to change.
During our first Explora journey aboard EXPLORA II, Sakura had been one of our favourite restaurants.
By the time we sailed EXPLORA I, we had started wanting more intensity from some of the dishes.
The food quality remained high and the restaurant itself is beautiful.
But after experiencing the menu several times, we started feeling that some dishes could use a little more punch.
That does not make Sakura a bad restaurant.
It simply illustrates how your favourites can change once you have enough time to experience all of the Explora Journeys restaurants repeatedly.
Fil Rouge
Fil Rouge remained another strong included restaurant.
By this point we already knew how good the restaurant could be from our EXPLORA II journey.
The French-inspired menu and more traditional dining-room atmosphere provide a useful contrast to venues such as Sakura and Med Yacht Club.
It remains one of the restaurants we would happily return to on any Explora journey.
In-Suite Dining
In-suite dining remained excellent.
After using the service extensively aboard EXPLORA II, we already knew what to expect.
The quality and convenience remained consistent aboard EXPLORA I.
Explora Journeys still offers the best room service experience we have personally had at sea.
That is because it feels like a real dining option rather than simply a shortened room-service menu.
Breakfast, meals and drinks can turn the suite and terrace into another private restaurant whenever you feel like staying in.
Menus Here For Explora I and Explora II (Date 2026-05-01)
SAKURA
Med Yacht Club
Marble & CO
Fil Rouge
In-Suite menu / Roomservice
Explora Lounge
Cabins & Suites
Our Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
For this journey we tried an Ocean Grand Terrace Suite.
The experience itself was excellent.
The extra terrace space provides more room outside and continues the residential feeling that Explora Journeys does so well.
However, after trying it ourselves, we did not feel that we personally needed the additional category.
The standard Explora suite experience already gives us what we value most: good space, storage, a comfortable bed, excellent minibar setup and a private terrace.
For us, upgrading to the Ocean Grand Terrace did not change the experience enough that we would specifically pay more for it again.
That is useful information because bigger is not always automatically better value.
If the price difference is small or you particularly value outdoor space, the Grand Terrace can absolutely make sense.
For us personally, the standard terrace experience is sufficient.
Otherwise, the suite experience felt almost identical to what we had previously experienced aboard EXPLORA II.
And again, that consistency is a strength.
Entertainment
Entertainment on EXPLORA I
Four nights is too short for us to make sweeping conclusions about EXPLORA I's entire entertainment programme.
Overall, however, the style felt very similar to EXPLORA II.
Live music, smaller performances and lounge-based entertainment remain central to the Explora Journeys approach.
Our perception was probably influenced by our previous journey.
Charlie Pothecary had become one of the standout performers for us aboard EXPLORA II, and that created a difficult benchmark.
EXPLORA I consequently felt slightly more scaled back.
That does not mean the talent was weaker.
Gianpaolo was absolutely excellent and created some fantastic musical moments onboard.
The real difference was more about the personalities and performers who happened to be aboard our individual sailings.
That is another reason we are careful about judging entertainment from a short cruise.
One thing we do clearly prefer on EXPLORA I and II is the pool-table location around Astern Lounge.
There is enough room to actually play properly, and the game does not interfere with the atmosphere of another bar.
That arrangement works better for us than the tighter Malt Whisky Bar location aboard EXPLORA III.
Frequently Asked Questions About EXPLORA I
Is EXPLORA I different from EXPLORA II?
Very little, based on our experience.
We sailed EXPLORA II first and later boarded EXPLORA I.
The overall atmosphere, dining experience, suites, service and ship layout felt almost identical.
That consistency impressed us.
Which do you prefer, EXPLORA I or EXPLORA II?
If price and itinerary were identical, we would probably choose EXPLORA II.
But we cannot give you a particularly logical reason.
EXPLORA II was our first Explora Journeys experience, which probably gives it a slight emotional advantage.
From a practical perspective, the ships are extremely similar.
Is EXPLORA I better than EXPLORA III?
Overall, we currently prefer EXPLORA III.
EXPLORA III adds Shore Club, the redesigned Helios area and several layout improvements.
However, there are areas where EXPLORA I still does things better, including the wellness environment and, surprisingly, the location of the pool table.
Is four nights enough on EXPLORA I?
Four nights is enough to understand what Explora Journeys is about.
It is not enough to experience the ship properly.
There are too many restaurants, bars and other experiences to fit comfortably into such a short journey.
How long should an Explora Journeys cruise be?
For a first Explora journey, we would recommend at least seven nights if possible.
Around ten nights is closer to ideal for us.
That gives you enough time to experience the restaurants without feeling like every meal needs to be planned around what you have not tried yet.
What was the biggest surprise on EXPLORA I?
The new evening antipasti offering at Crema Café.
It sounds like a small addition, but it significantly changed how we used the venue and gave the Lobby and Crema area much more evening life.
Is Anthology worth paying extra for?
It can be.
We think Anthology makes most sense after you have already experienced the excellent included restaurants.
It is more foodie-focused and designed as a longer culinary experience.
If you have onboard credit available, it can be a very good way to use it.
We would describe Anthology as an experience rather than a must-do restaurant.
Is Emporium Marketplace really that good?
For us, yes.
Emporium Marketplace remains one of the strongest elements of the entire Explora Journeys experience.
The variety, quality and made-to-order stations make it much closer to an international food hall than a conventional cruise buffet.
We have created a separate detailed Emporium Marketplace guide because there is simply too much to cover properly inside a general ship review.
Was Sakura still your favourite restaurant?
No.
Sakura had been one of our favourites during our first EXPLORA II journey.
On EXPLORA I, we began feeling that some dishes could use more intensity and more punch.
The quality remained good, but our personal preferences had started to shift toward other restaurants.
Is the Ocean Grand Terrace Suite worth the upgrade?
For us personally, probably not.
It is a very good suite and the additional terrace space is attractive.
But the standard Explora suite experience already provides enough space and outdoor living for us.
We would not specifically pay a significant premium for the Grand Terrace again.
Is EXPLORA I good for a first Explora Journeys cruise?
Absolutely.
EXPLORA I delivers the classic Explora Journeys experience extremely well.
If you do not need the newest additions found on EXPLORA III, there is very little reason to hesitate about choosing EXPLORA I.
Who should choose EXPLORA I?
Travellers who prioritise excellent food, spacious accommodation, relaxed service, outdoor space and flexibility should feel very comfortable aboard EXPLORA I.
It is particularly suitable for guests who want the core Explora Journeys experience without necessarily needing the newest concepts introduced aboard EXPLORA III.
What did joining a transatlantic cruise midway through feel like?
It was noticeably different from beginning a longer journey with everyone else.
We embarked in Lanzarote while many guests had already spent significant time together.
Everyone was welcoming, but it felt like joining an already established social group.
When we previously boarded EXPLORA II in Miami from the beginning of a transatlantic journey, the social experience developed more naturally around everyone together.
What We Liked
What We Loved About EXPLORA I
The strongest thing about EXPLORA I was consistency.
After our first journey aboard EXPLORA II, we wondered whether some of what we had experienced was simply because everything was new.
EXPLORA I removed that doubt.
The food felt equally strong.
The service felt familiar.
The suites followed the same residential philosophy.
And the overall atmosphere was almost identical.
The biggest positive surprise was the new antipasti selection at Crema Café.
For us, this was a significant improvement rather than simply another snack option.
It gave Crema Café a completely different role in the evening.
You could sit down with drinks and antipasti while still hearing the music and activity from the Lobby.
It made the area somewhere we actively wanted to spend time rather than somewhere we simply passed through for coffee.
Anthology was another highlight.
We finally experienced the full restaurant concept and could understand much better where it fits within Explora Journeys.
And Emporium Marketplace continued to impress us.
After multiple Explora journeys, it remains one of the strongest food concepts at sea for us.
The other thing we still prefer on EXPLORA I and II compared with EXPLORA III is the location of the pool table.
Having it around Astern Lounge gives you considerably more space to actually play.
On EXPLORA III, the table is easier to discover near the Malt Whisky Bar, but the surrounding area is too tight and the noise also affects the atmosphere around the bar.
Sometimes the older solution is simply better.
What Could Be Better
What Could Be Better on EXPLORA I
There was very little about EXPLORA I itself that felt weaker than EXPLORA II.
The biggest limitation of our experience was the length of the journey.
Four nights encouraged us to think constantly about what we still wanted to experience.
That is almost the opposite of how we think an Explora journey should feel.
The brand works best when you have enough time to stop planning.
Our joining point also changed the social experience.
Because we embarked in Lanzarote during an ongoing transatlantic journey, many guests already knew one another.
We were effectively arriving halfway through an established social environment.
There was nothing wrong with that, but it felt different from beginning the journey together with everyone in Miami aboard EXPLORA II.
Sakura was another area where our opinion started to evolve.
It had been one of our favourites aboard EXPLORA II.
On EXPLORA I, we started feeling that some dishes could use more intensity and more punch.
The quality remained high, but after trying the restaurants repeatedly, Sakura no longer stood out to us quite as strongly.
Entertainment also felt somewhat more subdued than on our EXPLORA II journey.
Part of this is undoubtedly because four nights is too short to judge a complete entertainment programme fairly.
But we had also been particularly impressed by Charlie Pothecary aboard EXPLORA II, which made the comparison difficult.
Gianpaolo was excellent aboard EXPLORA I, but overall the entertainment felt slightly more scaled back to us.
These are relatively small criticisms.
The core Explora Journeys experience remained extremely strong.
Who Is This Cruise For?
Who Is EXPLORA I For?
EXPLORA I is ideal for someone who wants the classic Explora Journeys experience without needing the newest additions introduced aboard EXPLORA III.
The ship delivers the fundamentals extremely well.
Excellent food.
Spacious accommodation.
Beautiful outdoor areas.
Relaxed service.
And, perhaps most importantly, freedom.
This is not a cruise where we think you should wake up every morning and plan every hour.
The best Explora days are often the opposite.
Coffee when you feel like it.
Lunch whenever you become hungry.
A few hours by the pool.
A drink somewhere.
Maybe afternoon tea.
Dinner when it suits you.
And nothing in between unless you genuinely want to do something.
For first-time Explora guests, we would recommend at least seven nights if possible.
Four nights is enough to understand the concept, but you will have to accept that you will not experience everything.
Around ten nights gives the journey much more room to breathe.
If you specifically want the newest Explora developments such as Shore Club or the redesigned Helios area, we would choose EXPLORA III.
But if those additions are not important to you, EXPLORA I remains an excellent way to experience what made us fall in love with Explora Journeys in the first place.
