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A unique, fun and educational option for families with older kids who want to experience nature with a touch of Disney magic, these expedition cruises are the stuff of lifelong memories. Small, purpose-built ships are designed to access the remote landscapes of the Polar Regions and the Galápagos Islands—and to appeal to both kids and adults. Despite the ship's small size -- or perhaps because of it -- we found Explora I to be a very social environment.
Princess Cruises Ship Photos
Despite a rocky couple of years due to the pandemic, cruising is back, and it’s stronger than ever. In fact, travel insurance comparison site SquareMouth.com reported a 41% increase in the number of travelers taking cruises in 2022 compared with 2019. Cruising has come a long way, and now, rather than cookie-cutter ships and itineraries, the best cruise lines are offering options that appeal to a wide variety of travelers. There are mega ships that can hold almost 7,000 guests, and small ships geared toward a couple hundred guests or less. There are even expedition ships that allow you to get up close and personal with nature.
My 12-day cruise cost me about $109 a day. See inside my 160-square-foot cabin, the most economical option on the ship.
On this ship, interior rooms can range from 143 to 225 square feet. I definitely had value in mind when I booked my recent 12-day cruise on the Holland America Line Rotterdam from Ft. I selected an interior cabin, the most economical option on the ship.
Cunard Line Ship Photos
Luxury cruise ship sailing from the port at sunrise across the ocean. All of the restaurants onboard Explora I are on the smaller side; there is no main dining room. Menus for the restaurant have numerous options, although they do not change. Daily specials are also added for more variety, Garanger said.
Photos of Carnival Conquest (2024) - Cruise Critic
Photos of Carnival Conquest ( .
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But in Anthology, the servers were extremely conscientious. One waiter saw me taking photos of the kitchen and invited me back to take a look -- a move that would delight any guest. The Med Yacht Club Restaurant is one restaurant that does not require reservations; the French restaurant Fil Rouge is the other. The menu is tapas inspired, and there's also a bar where you can sit, if you'd like to have snacks and a drink before having your main meal somewhere else.
Virgin Voyages’s fleet of “Lady Ships” (a playful nod to “your ladyship” and the line’s British heritage) is filled with surprises including terrace hammocks, the first tattoo shop at sea and an onboard record store. Suffice to say, it’s all a little different than the usual hidden features on cruise ships. Carefully shot scene making sure that no copyrighted ship design is depicted.Sunset on a cruise ship with tables and chairs.
The whirlpools are also designed with bench seating facing outward, so you can enjoy the view and talk to your friends, as opposed to the more traditional round seating. Luckily, Explora I has the Conservatory Pool, a lovely space with a retractable glass top so people were able to have pool time despite the chilly weather. The infinity edge Astern pool perhaps drew the most oohs and aahs. The loungers throughout Explora I are more posh and plush than I've seen on any other luxury ship -- you melt right into them. I could only imagine the selfies that you'd take from the pool as the ship sailed into Positano or St. Barths (one hardy couple stuck it out for chilly San Francisco). We had wondered before boarding if Explora I would resemble MSC's Yacht Club, the luxury ship-within-a-ship experience on the mainstream lines.
The line no longer serves Moet as the house Champagne, and we were somewhat surprised to see Korbel sparkling wine make an appearance. Similarly, the steakhouse could expand beyond Knotty Vines. Fil Rouge is the ship's French restaurant and the largest dining area onboard. Franck Garanger, the French chef who led Oceania to the best dining at sea, has been overseeing Explora Journeys through its culinary launch. He stacked the ship with many former Oceania veterans -- 80% of the culinary team onboard came that line, he said.
Enjoy Explora I's Included Thermal Suite -- and Outstanding Fitness Options
Daily for tea, while the Astern Lounge was ground central for rousing trivia games. DJs played dance music every night, and there was even a silent disco one evening. Instead, the line goes for more of a cabaret vibe, using guest artists that it calls Luminaries. We loved the approach that the line took to a traditional Broadway show, opting to fill the stage with faux candles and a singer with an excellent voice. Bikes, rowers, weights and mats make up this outdoor space.
A great concept that proved very popular in the evenings. Beyond its public rooms, outdoor areas and suites, where Explora truly shines is with the dining. Bathrooms on Explora I have a large walk-in shower with a rainfall head and a shaving bench. While the bathrooms overall are a tad smaller than some others within the luxury cruise sphere, they have heated marble floors and plush large towels. The seating area in many suites pulls out for accommodate a third passenger. In-room dining is available around the clock, and there's a complimentary minibar.
This line hosts LGBTQ+ welcome parties, social hours and other events on almost every cruise, from the Bahamas to the Mediterranean to Australia. You’ll want to book now for the fifth annual Pride Party at Sea, which will held next June. Each ship in the fleet will participate in this vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community—and that, in itself, is worth celebrating. Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, tech, cleaning, humor and fun facts all week long.
Guests receive a bottle of Champagne and can also choose a bottle of spirits or wine for their room. Filled with art and books, the rooms welcome you with a posh king-sized bed, and all have outdoor terraces. Supplementing all the pools are a variety of sunning and lounging options. These are first-come, first-served -- there's no fee to reserve one. That makes Explora I one of the few places where you can go into the boutique in the morning and leave with a Rolex right away. (The ship limits sales to two per day to keep its inventory stocked).
With modern Italian furnishings and the sheer glamor of the illuminated two-story bar, the lobby feels like a place to see and be seen. Our Cruise Critic staff has been impressed by Explora Journeys from our very first peek of Explora I and the ship's first sailing in the Caribbean. I'm happy to report that streak has continued eight months into operation. Cruise ship moored off Mayreau Island, one of the Grenadines. The island in the background is Union Island, another island of the archipelago. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.
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