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Explora II
Explora Journeys
EXPLORA II was our introduction to Explora Journeys — and it became far more than simply another cruise.
In March 2025 we boarded EXPLORA II in Miami for our first-ever Explora Journeys experience and our first transatlantic crossing. Over 14 nights and 15 days, we travelled from Miami through the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic to Madeira, Porto and finally Lisbon.
It was also our longest cruise at that point and gave us enough time to experience EXPLORA II properly: the restaurants, bars, pools, wellness facilities, entertainment, sea days and the slower rhythm of life onboard.
We paid for the journey ourselves and originally travelled simply because we wanted to understand what the Explora Journeys concept was really like. By the time we reached Lisbon, it had become one of our most memorable cruise experiences and the beginning of a much deeper interest in the brand.
This guide is based on our own journey, photographs, videos and experiences onboard EXPLORA II.
Our Experience / Suite Category
Ocean Terrace Suite
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Short summary
Our EXPLORA II Review and Complete Ship Guide
Some cruises are memorable because of the destinations.
Others become memorable because of the ship itself.
Our March 2025 journey aboard EXPLORA II became both.
We flew from Sweden to Miami and arrived several days before embarkation. From our hotel overlooking PortMiami we were able to watch EXPLORA II arrive, after having waited almost a year for this journey.
It was our first Explora Journeys cruise, our first transatlantic crossing and the longest period we had ever spent onboard one ship.
That combination made EXPLORA II a particularly important journey for us.
Embarkation in Miami
Our official embarkation time was around 1 p.m., but we arrived at the terminal at approximately 11 a.m.
We were welcomed without any problem and waited around 45 minutes before boarding.
We used that time to connect to the Explora Wi-Fi and organise restaurant reservations through the My Explora app.
Once onboard, the atmosphere immediately felt different from many of the larger cruise ships we had experienced previously.
There was champagne, calm music, welcoming hosts and very little sense of rushing.
The Lobby Bar provided our first real impression of the ship and quickly became one of the places we returned to throughout the journey.
Our Miami to Lisbon Transatlantic Itinerary
Our journey started in Miami before visiting San Juan in Puerto Rico and St. John's in Antigua.
From there we began the long Atlantic crossing.
After several consecutive sea days, reaching Funchal in Madeira felt surprisingly special. We continued to the Porto area before eventually sailing into Lisbon, passing beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge at the end of the journey.
A transatlantic crossing creates a completely different relationship with a ship.
Without a new port every morning, you stop treating the ship simply as transportation between destinations.
Instead, the ship becomes the destination.
That was when EXPLORA II really started to make sense to us.
What Does EXPLORA II Feel Like?
EXPLORA II does not feel like a conventional large cruise ship.
The interiors, amount of space, smaller lounges and extensive outdoor areas create something closer to a luxury resort or modern residential yacht.
During our transatlantic voyage there were only around 400 guests onboard.
With 461 suites and a maximum guest capacity of approximately 922, that meant our particular sailing was operating at well below full capacity.
The result was extraordinary amounts of space.
During 14 nights we rarely struggled to find a lounger, seat, restaurant table or quiet place to spend time.
There were occasions when entire pool or wellness areas felt almost private.
Our experience will naturally not represent how the ship feels at full capacity, but the physical design itself gives guests a large number of different spaces rather than concentrating everyone around one central pool or lounge.
Life During a Transatlantic Crossing
Sea days became some of our favourite days of the entire journey.
There was no pressure to get off the ship early in the morning.
Instead, a day could begin with a walk on the outdoor track, followed by coffee at Crema Café, breakfast at Emporium Marketplace or breakfast delivered directly to our suite.
From there we might spend several hours at one of the pools, have lunch, visit the spa, enjoy afternoon tea, meet friends for drinks and eventually choose a restaurant for dinner.
Some days we did very little.
That was part of what made the journey work.
The longer we stayed onboard, the less we felt the need to constantly search for activities.
One Unexpected Challenge: The Time Changes
One part of an eastbound transatlantic journey that we had underestimated was the repeated time changes.
During several days of the crossing we lost an hour as the clocks moved progressively toward European time.
Losing an hour once is easy.
Doing it repeatedly can gradually affect your sleep and daily rhythm.
It became one of those small lessons we took away from our first Atlantic crossing — and one reason travelling westbound sounds appealing next time.
The Service Onboard
The people onboard became one of the most important parts of our EXPLORA II experience.
Explora Journeys refers to its crew as hosts, and during a longer journey you naturally begin recognising many of them.
Bartenders remembered our preferences.
Restaurant staff became familiar faces.
The team serving our suite and in-suite dining delivered remarkably consistent service throughout the voyage.
We also met other travellers from around the world and formed friendships that became part of the journey itself.
After two weeks onboard, the ship no longer felt unfamiliar.
That human element was one of the biggest reasons leaving EXPLORA II in Lisbon was genuinely difficult.
Food Became a Major Part of the Journey
We expected the food to be good.
We did not expect dining to become such a large part of our Explora Journeys experience.
During the 15 days onboard we returned repeatedly to Sakura, Med Yacht Club, Marble & Co. Grill, Fil Rouge and Emporium Marketplace.
We used in-suite dining approximately 15 times, including breakfast.
We had afternoon tea, visited Crema Café almost daily, experienced the Sakura Sushi Bar, tried a wine pairing at Anthology and spent an unreasonable amount of time exploring everything available at Emporium Marketplace.
Food became one of the defining characteristics of EXPLORA II for us.
The Ship Became Our Resort
One of the biggest lessons from our first Explora journey was how easy it is to simply stay onboard.
There are several pool areas, multiple outdoor decks, lounges, bars, wellness facilities and restaurants.
Because those spaces are distributed around the ship, they also have different personalities.
The Astern Pool feels completely different from Helios.
The Conservatory Pool feels completely different from Atoll.
The Malt Whisky Bar creates an entirely different evening from the Lobby Bar.
That variety helped make seven consecutive days at sea feel surprisingly natural.
More videos in this series
Dining
EXPLORA II Restaurants and Dining Experience
Dining became one of the defining features of our first Explora Journeys cruise.
EXPLORA II offered several very different ways to eat, from full-service restaurants to the much more flexible Emporium Marketplace, casual food in Explora Lounge, Crema Café and 24-hour in-suite dining.
During 14 nights we had enough time to return to restaurants several times rather than judging them from a single meal.
That made a significant difference.
Sakura
Sakura was our top restaurant during this first EXPLORA II journey.
The menu combines Japanese and wider Pan-Asian influences, including sushi, sashimi, meat, fish, noodles and other dishes.
We ate here several times and eventually tried a large proportion of the menu.
Some of our highlights included dishes such as lobster Pad Thai, miso black cod, teriyaki steak and lamb.
The Sakura Sushi Bar deserves separate attention.
Unlike a traditional restaurant booking, the sushi bar could be visited as a drop-in experience subject to availability.
We allowed the sushi master to choose several of the dishes for us.
For someone who was relatively new to sushi and sashimi at the time, this became one of the most memorable food experiences of the journey.
Watching the food being prepared directly in front of us made it both social and entertaining.
Fil Rouge
Fil Rouge became one of the surprises of the journey.
Before sailing, the menu was not the restaurant that interested us most.
By the end of the cruise, it had become one of our favourites.
The French-inspired menu included dishes such as slow-braised Black Angus beef short rib, rotisserie chicken and Dover sole prepared tableside.
The Dover sole was particularly memorable.
Even as someone who normally does not choose fish very often, we thought it was excellent.
Dessert service added another layer to the experience, including freshly baked soufflés, tarts and the dessert trolley.
Fil Rouge is also open for breakfast, providing a much slower and more traditional alternative to Emporium Marketplace or Crema Café.
Med Yacht Club
Med Yacht Club became one of the restaurants we returned to repeatedly.
The Mediterranean menu covers influences from countries including Italy, France, Spain and Greece.
We had excellent beef carpaccio, octopus, gnocchi, pasta, meat and desserts here.
The bread service is also worth mentioning, particularly during dinner when roasted garlic can be mixed with olive oil.
One of the advantages of Med Yacht Club was the relaxed environment.
The restaurant felt comfortable rather than formal, making it easy to return several times during a longer voyage.
Marble & Co. Grill
Marble & Co. is EXPLORA II's steakhouse-style restaurant.
A display of dry-aged meat near the entrance immediately establishes what the venue is about.
We ate here three times during the journey and, interestingly, felt that each visit was better than the previous one.
The signature crushed fingerling potatoes became one of the dishes we repeatedly ordered.
Other highlights included premium meat, salads, sides and some excellent fries that were not always obvious from the main menu.
Not every dish was perfect.
There were occasions where we wanted more depth or seasoning, but overall Marble & Co. grew on us throughout the voyage.
Emporium Marketplace
Emporium Marketplace became one of the most important venues of the entire journey.
Calling it simply a buffet does not really describe our experience.
It operates much more like an international food hall with individual stations, chefs and dishes prepared or finished to order.
For breakfast there were egg dishes, pastries, fruit, smoothies, bacon, sausages, sandwiches and many other options.
Lunch and dinner expanded considerably.
There was fresh pasta made onboard, risotto, wok dishes, sushi, salads, burgers, grilled meats, seafood, cheese, charcuterie and desserts.
The burger station cooked Black Angus burgers from scratch and allowed us to choose the cooking temperature.
We thought these were the best burgers on the ship.
The pasta station became another favourite.
We ate freshly prepared pasta almost every day and still talked about it after returning home.
At dinner the selection expanded further, with items such as oysters and grilled lobster tails appearing.
The outdoor seating at the aft of Deck 11 was another major reason we enjoyed Emporium.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner while looking directly over the wake became one of the simple pleasures of the journey.
Sunday Brunch at Emporium Marketplace
One of the most extravagant food experiences we had aboard EXPLORA II was the Sunday brunch.
Our sailing featured an expanded Emporium Marketplace brunch with a huge selection of seafood, charcuterie, cheeses, salads, pasta, breakfast dishes, made-to-order items and desserts.
It ran for several hours, making it possible to treat brunch almost like an event rather than a single meal.
We were told onboard that this expanded version was not necessarily offered every Sunday, so it should be considered a special experience rather than something guaranteed on every itinerary.
For us, however, it became one of the culinary highlights of the cruise.
Crema Café
Crema Café quickly became our morning coffee location.
The baristas prepared excellent espresso, cappuccino and other speciality coffees, with different beans available.
There were pastries, chocolates, cookies, fruit and grilled panini-style sandwiches.
It also became a natural place to meet other guests.
One criticism after two weeks was that the food selection could become repetitive.
The quality was good, but a little more variation would have made Crema Café even stronger on a long voyage.
Explora Lounge
Explora Lounge has a food offering that is easy to overlook.
The casual menu included sandwiches, wraps, mezze and other lighter dishes and could be useful when we wanted something between the main restaurant opening times.
The lounge also hosts afternoon tea.
At approximately 4 p.m., a trolley arrives with sandwiches, pastries and other sweets accompanied by a choice of tea.
We returned several times during our crossing.
Combined with ocean views and live piano music, it became one of the calmest rituals onboard.
In-Suite Dining
In-suite dining was one of the biggest surprises of the entire cruise.
We used it approximately 15 times during the journey.
Average delivery time during our sailing was around 20–21 minutes, and the food generally arrived hot.
The menu was large enough to order everything from light snacks and salads to pizza, burgers and more substantial meals.
Breakfast could also be delivered to the suite at a chosen time.
Our breakfast orders arrived on time, including hot dishes, fresh juice, coffee, pastries and items such as omelettes, banana pancakes and avocado sandwiches.
Drinks could also be ordered with the food.
For us, this was the best room-service experience we had experienced at sea at that point.
Anthology and Wine Pairing
Anthology was the main additional-cost restaurant experience aboard EXPLORA II during our sailing.
We did not book the complete Anthology dinner during this first journey.
Instead, we participated in a food and wine pairing.
It became one of our favourite speciality experiences onboard.
Several sommeliers and the ship's cellar master presented wines alongside small food courses.
On our March 2025 sailing the experience cost approximately USD 95 per person.
For someone interested in Anthology but unwilling to commit to the full dinner, we thought this was a particularly interesting alternative.
Gelateria & Creperie
The Gelateria & Creperie beside the Conservatory Pool provided another casual food option.
Gelato, sorbets and freshly prepared crepes made it very easy to stop for something sweet while spending time around the indoor pool.
Its location makes it almost dangerously convenient.
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 EXPLORA II Ocean Terrace Suite
We stayed in Ocean Terrace Suite 7068.
We deliberately chose a relatively central position and lower deck because we wanted to reduce the amount of motion we might feel during our first transatlantic crossing.
For us, the location worked very well.
The suite quickly became our home during the 15 days onboard.
There was a spacious wardrobe area with shelves, drawers and plenty of storage.
The bathroom felt modern and included heated flooring and quality toiletries.
The bed was extremely comfortable, with conveniently positioned lighting and power outlets.
A coffee station and fully stocked minibar were included in the suite.
A bottle of champagne and small treats were waiting for us when we arrived.
The terrace became one of our favourite places on the entire ship.
There was a proper table, comfortable seating and a large lounger.
During the Atlantic crossing we spent hours outside: having coffee in the morning, drinking wine around sunset and simply watching the ocean.
In-suite dining made the terrace even more useful because breakfast, lunch or dinner could be enjoyed privately outside.
The suite was also remarkably quiet during our journey.
Even during rougher Atlantic conditions, we generally heard very little from neighbouring suites or the ship itself.
After two weeks, it genuinely felt more like a temporary apartment at sea than a conventional cruise cabin.
Entertainment
Entertainment and Evenings on EXPLORA II
Entertainment aboard EXPLORA II became one of the most debated subjects we encountered before our journey.
After 14 nights onboard, we never personally felt that we had run out of options.
That said, the style is very different from large mainstream cruise ships.
There are no enormous production shows dominating every evening.
Instead, entertainment is spread between smaller venues.
Journeys Lounge hosts some of the larger performances, enrichment sessions and shows.
We saw events including a magic show during the journey.
The Lobby regularly featured live piano and other musicians.
Astern Lounge offered live music and daytime trivia.
Explora Lounge became another location for quieter acoustic performances.
Trivia was offered with several different themes and became a surprisingly good way to meet other passengers.
We also experienced a laser and music event at Sky Bar, which created a completely different atmosphere outdoors at night.
Sail Away Parties
The sail-away events became some of our favourite social occasions onboard.
Music and a DJ created atmosphere around Sky Bar while guests gathered for drinks.
The events were lively without turning into enormous deck parties.
We met several people during these gatherings who later became friends throughout the journey.
For us, that balance worked extremely well.
Silent Cinema
The Conservatory Pool transforms for Silent Cinema on selected evenings.
Guests borrow headphones and watch the film around the pool while ordering drinks, popcorn or snacks from the nearby bar.
The combination of the illuminated indoor pool, evening lighting and individual headphones made this surprisingly memorable.
There is no need to reserve, based on our experience, but the best seating positions could disappear quickly.
Arriving early is worthwhile.
Live Music
Live music became much more important to our evenings than we had expected.
Because performances happen in lounges rather than only on a theatre stage, music naturally becomes part of drinks, conversation and dinner.
Several performers became familiar faces over the course of the journey.
That intimacy is one of the main differences between EXPLORA II and much larger resort ships.
Is EXPLORA II a Party Ship?
No.
There are social evenings, music, sail-away parties and events, but EXPLORA II is not designed around a high-energy party atmosphere.
Evenings generally feel warm, calm and social.
For us, that was a strength.
For someone looking for nightclubs and large parties every night, it could be a weakness.
Pools and Outdoor Spaces
Astern Pool
The Astern Pool became one of our favourite outdoor areas.
Located at the back of the ship, it looks directly over the wake through an infinity-style glass wall.
The pool itself is relatively shallow, around 0.75 metres during our sailing.
It is not really designed for swimming laps.
Instead, it is somewhere to sit in the water, cool down and enjoy the view.
The nearby Astern Bar made it easy to spend several hours here.
Atoll Pool
Atoll became another favourite.
The pool is surrounded by comfortable loungers, and waiters regularly circulate taking drink orders.
The nearby Atoll Bar was one of our favourite bars onboard, partly because of the skill and personality of the bartenders we met.
Conservatory Pool
The Conservatory is EXPLORA II's indoor pool environment beneath a retractable glass roof.
This became especially useful during the Atlantic crossing.
There were extremely comfortable loungers, whirlpools, towels, a bar and the Gelateria & Creperie only steps away.
The area could be used even when conditions outside were less inviting.
At night, lighting transformed the space and it was also used for Silent Cinema.
Helios Pool and Bar
Helios is the adults-only pool area toward the front of the ship.
During our particular transatlantic sailing there were no guests under 18 onboard and relatively few passengers overall, so Helios could feel almost private.
There are loungers, cabanas, a pool and bar service.
It became a particularly peaceful place on sunny sea days.
Sky Bar and Whirlpools
Sky Bar on Deck 14 provided wide views across the ship and ocean.
It was one of the main locations for sail-away events and also hosted entertainment at night.
Nearby whirlpools offered another reason to spend time high on the ship.
Additional large whirlpools were located one deck below.
With so few guests aboard our journey, it was often possible to use them without waiting.
Wellness and Fitness
Ocean Wellness
The Ocean Wellness thermal area became another part of the ship we appreciated during our longer voyage.
Facilities included a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, salt room, steam room, heated loungers and experience showers.
The experience showers became an unexpected favourite because each combined different water temperatures, lighting and scents.
Some were extremely cold.
Others were wonderfully warm.
Access to the thermal facilities was included during our sailing, although specific access periods and procedures can vary.
Because our sailing carried only around 400 guests, we were often able to enter without difficulty and sometimes had large parts of the area almost to ourselves.
Fitness Centre
The indoor fitness centre offered modern Technogym equipment, treadmills, exercise bikes, weights and other training equipment.
The treadmills face large windows overlooking the ocean.
There was also a separate studio used for organised wellness activities.
We used the gym on some days, although during the crossing we often preferred exercising outside.
Running and Walking Track
The outdoor track on Deck 12 became part of our morning routine.
There are dedicated lanes for walking and running without loungers blocking the route.
It provided a fantastic way to start a sea day with ocean views and fresh air.
Our own measurements during the journey put one lap at roughly 250–300 metres depending on how we measured the route.
Frequently Asked Questions About EXPLORA II
What was your EXPLORA II itinerary?
We sailed from Miami to Lisbon in March 2025.
The journey included calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. John's, Antigua; Funchal in Madeira; and the Porto area before finishing in Lisbon.
The itinerary also included an extended Atlantic crossing with several consecutive sea days.
How long were you on EXPLORA II?
Our journey was 14 nights, giving us 15 days onboard from embarkation in Miami until disembarkation in Lisbon.
It was our longest cruise at that point.
Was this your first Explora Journeys cruise?
Yes.
EXPLORA II was our first experience with Explora Journeys and also our first transatlantic cruise.
We later returned to the brand on EXPLORA I and EXPLORA III.
Is EXPLORA II good for a transatlantic cruise?
We think it is particularly well suited to this type of itinerary.
A transatlantic voyage creates many sea days, so the quality of the ship becomes extremely important.
EXPLORA II offered enough restaurants, pools, bars, lounges and wellness facilities that we never felt trapped or bored during the crossing.
Does EXPLORA II feel crowded?
It did not during our particular sailing.
There were around 400 guests onboard compared with a maximum capacity of approximately 922.
That made the ship exceptionally spacious.
A full-capacity sailing will naturally feel different, so our experience should not be taken as a guarantee that every EXPLORA II voyage will feel as quiet.
How many suites are on EXPLORA II?
EXPLORA II has 461 suites.
All guest accommodation is ocean-front, and the ship carries a maximum of approximately 922 guests.
Is EXPLORA II all-inclusive?
The experience is highly inclusive.
On our March 2025 sailing, the main restaurants, Emporium Marketplace, Crema Café, most beverages, 24-hour in-suite dining and many onboard activities were included.
Anthology, certain premium wines and spirits, specialist tastings, spa treatments and some other experiences carried an additional charge.
What was your favourite restaurant on EXPLORA II?
During this first journey, Sakura was our overall favourite.
Fil Rouge became one of our biggest surprises and eventually another favourite.
We also returned several times to Med Yacht Club and Marble & Co.
Is Emporium Marketplace a buffet?
It performs some of the same functions as a buffet, but we think "international food hall" or "marketplace" better describes the experience.
Many dishes are cooked or finished to order at individual stations.
During our cruise this included fresh pasta, risotto, burgers, grilled meats, seafood, sushi, salads and many other options.
Does EXPLORA II have room service?
Yes.
Explora Journeys calls it in-suite dining.
It was available 24 hours during our sailing and became one of our favourite services.
We used it around 15 times, including breakfast, and delivery averaged around 20 minutes during our voyage.
What is breakfast like on EXPLORA II?
There are several options.
Emporium Marketplace provides the largest selection.
Fil Rouge offers a slower table-service breakfast.
Crema Café works well for coffee and lighter items.
Breakfast can also be delivered directly to the suite.
Is the thermal spa included?
Access to the Ocean Wellness thermal facilities was included during our March 2025 journey.
Access arrangements and available times can vary, so we recommend confirming the current policy for your sailing.
Is EXPLORA II adults only?
No.
Explora Journeys accepts younger guests and EXPLORA II has a dedicated Nautilus Club.
However, our particular transatlantic sailing happened to have no passengers under 18.
Helios Pool is an adults-only area.
Is EXPLORA II good for families?
It can be, particularly for families who prefer a quieter luxury environment.
However, it is very different from ships built around water parks, large children's attractions and constant family entertainment.
What is entertainment like on EXPLORA II?
Entertainment is intimate rather than spectacular.
Expect live music, trivia, smaller performances, enrichment, sail-away events and experiences such as Silent Cinema.
Guests looking for huge production shows may prefer a larger mainstream ship.
Is there nightlife on EXPLORA II?
Yes, but it is relatively calm.
Bars, live music and social events continue into the evening, but the overall atmosphere is more relaxed than party-focused.
What was your favourite bar?
The Malt Whisky Bar became one of our favourite evening venues, particularly for cocktails such as the Smoked Old Fashioned.
During the daytime, Atoll Bar was another favourite.
Is 14 nights too long on EXPLORA II?
For us, no.
In fact, the length of the journey allowed us to understand the ship much better than we could have during a short cruise.
We had time to revisit restaurants, get to know the crew and guests, experience several sea days and still have days where we did almost nothing.
By the time we arrived in Lisbon, leaving felt surprisingly difficult.
Would you sail with Explora Journeys again?
Yes.
Our EXPLORA II transatlantic journey was our first experience with the brand, but it certainly was not our last.
The combination of food, space, service and relaxed days onboard was strong enough that we later returned to experience other Explora Journeys ships.
What We Liked
Food was the standout feature of our EXPLORA II journey.
We had arrived expecting luxury dining, but the variety and consistency across the ship exceeded our expectations.
Sakura became our favourite overall restaurant during this first journey, while Fil Rouge surprised us by eventually becoming another favourite despite the menu initially not attracting us as much.
Med Yacht Club delivered some outstanding pasta, meat and Mediterranean dishes, while every visit to Marble & Co. seemed to get better.
Then there was Emporium Marketplace.
Fresh pasta made onboard became something we ate almost every day. The burgers were among the best we had experienced at sea, the grill could prepare food to order, sushi was made fresh and dinner could include seafood such as oysters and grilled lobster tails.
In-suite dining was another major highlight.
We used it around 15 times during the journey and averaged roughly 20 minutes for delivery. Food generally arrived hot, presentation was good and the menu was extensive enough that it became a genuine dining option rather than simply emergency room service.
The amount of space onboard was another huge positive.
With around 400 guests on our sailing, we rarely struggled to find seating or loungers anywhere on the ship.
We loved having several completely different pool areas rather than one central pool deck.
The bars were equally strong.
Atoll Bar became one of our favourite daytime locations, while the Malt Whisky Bar became one of our favourite evening spaces.
The Smoked Old Fashioned and Smoked Manhattan became memorable drinks from the journey, but what made the bars special was often the knowledge and personality of the bartenders rather than the drinks alone.
We also enjoyed the quieter moments: afternoon tea at 4 p.m., coffee at Crema Café, sunsets from the balcony, morning walks around Deck 12 and evenings sitting with friends.
Most importantly, EXPLORA II gave us enough space and time to slow down.
What Could Be Better
Our EXPLORA II experience was extremely positive, but there were still areas that could be improved.
Entertainment is much more understated than on large resort-style cruise ships.
We never personally felt that we had nothing to do, but guests expecting large production shows, major theatre performances or a strong party atmosphere may find evenings quiet.
The lounges can also feel relatively empty.
Because EXPLORA II has many different venues and relatively few passengers compared with its physical size, guests are naturally distributed across the ship.
We enjoyed the calm atmosphere, but someone looking for busy nightlife may interpret the same thing very differently.
The included spirits were very good for us, although we felt that MSC Yacht Club offered slightly more premium options in certain categories.
This was not a major problem, and the cocktails aboard EXPLORA II were consistently well made, but it was something we noticed.
Crema Café became one of our favourite places for coffee, although the food selection was relatively similar from day to day. More rotation would have made it even easier to use Crema as a regular light breakfast or snack venue during a longer journey.
The whirlpools were another small point.
They were heated and very comfortable, but personally we would have liked some of the outdoor whirlpools to be a few degrees warmer.
There were also occasional individual food inconsistencies. A dish that was excellent on one visit could be less impressive the next, although across two weeks the overall food standard remained extremely high.
The Silent Cinema in the Conservatory was a memorable experience, but the number of really good viewing positions was limited. Arriving early was useful.
And finally, Anthology and some specialist tastings cost extra despite the already premium price of an Explora Journeys cruise.
We had no problem with this, particularly because the included restaurants were so good, but it is worth understanding before sailing.
Who Is This Cruise For?
EXPLORA II is particularly well suited to travellers who enjoy the idea of a luxury resort at sea.
Food-focused travellers are probably one of the strongest audiences for this ship.
You can easily make dining one of the main experiences of each day without eating in the same environment repeatedly.
Couples who enjoy slower days, cocktails, spa time, long lunches and evenings built around dinner and live music should also feel very comfortable here.
EXPLORA II works particularly well for sea days.
For that reason, we think the ship is an especially interesting choice for longer itineraries and repositioning cruises such as a transatlantic crossing.
Luxury hotel travellers trying cruising for the first time may also appreciate the lack of constant announcements and the more residential atmosphere.
Experienced cruisers wanting something calmer than a large resort ship should find plenty to enjoy.
EXPLORA II is probably less suitable for travellers whose priorities are water parks, huge theatre productions, packed nightlife, constant organised activities or a busy casino atmosphere.
For guests who value food, space, service, ocean views and the freedom to structure each day themselves, EXPLORA II is a particularly strong choice.
