happy cruzin

5 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I am amazed at the lack of transparency at such a late date.  There are likely some passengers already enroute to Southampton (we often fly to Europe many days or even weeks before a cruise).  Not a particularly good start to what is supposed to be a high quality luxury line.

 

Hank

Agreed....it is pretty late in the game to have a snafu like this!

25 minutes ago, uktog said:

That wording tells me to get my less hopeful hat off the peg 

Yeah...I feel like that wording was VERY carefully selected!

2 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Apart from people on that cruise who may have been informed of any changes 

Seems that those booked on the inaugural were noticed the same time the announcement was released. No prior knowledge of the general announcement. 
 

It was already delayed from May 31, so general consensus is that a delay announced this late in the game - so close to handoff is due to some sort of inspection not going well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

39 minutes ago, uktog said:

Very encouraging to read this focus on training and very much setting out how they wish guests to experience Explora

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/ehl-hospitality-business-school-provide-training-exploras-shipboard-employees

 

Interesting......

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Checking the shoppes and do not see any premium European confectioner on board. Would rather not have to stock up on comfort food.

I have not seen anything regarding shops on board - except the 3 watch shops! 

32 minutes ago, uktog said:

We are similar paid for three before doing one - in three weeks time all will be revealed to us, really looking forward to seeing how it is.  I was getting a little tired of the more traditional dining and entertainment models but was still only wanting a sub 1000 guests experience. I will post back how it is, being on the inaugural we will be the real sharp end guinea pigs. Buckle up for the ride!

Looking forward to hearing what you think!  We sail in November. 

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is also some interesting news found on a FB Explora page. The TA that runs the site was told by Explora Journeys that when the ship docks at Ocean Cay it will be the only ship to visit and only the Residences will be allowed to use Ocean House and its beach. A different lunch menu will be provided. So there will be a pecking order after all ?

As I said before - we have been to OC many times, but have never not been YC with access to Ocean House. 

But, honestly, I am not concerned about it at all. With only about 1000 guests on the Explora, the island is going to feel empty. Space at the beaches, seats at the bars, etc will be readily available because there are so few guests on the Explora compared to other ships that stop there.

The answer Explora Journeys provided to that TA about the lunch options - with their own menus -  that they intend to offer outside of the Ocean House at various locations around the island does not sound to me to be the typical hamburger/hot dog buffet items that are common on many of the cruise line private island stops.

But....time will tell!

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is also some interesting news found on a FB Explora page. The TA that runs the site was told by Explora Journeys that when the ship docks at Ocean Cay it will be the only ship to visit and only the Residences will be allowed to use Ocean House and its beach. A different lunch menu will be provided. So there will be a pecking order after all ?

We’ve been to Ocean Cay and been to Ocean House - many times. There is no way that Ocean House could handle all the Explora guests. 
 

37 minutes ago, uktog said:

Latest news about their plans. An email just received indicating there will be a Rolex shop onboard 

I saw that too! 

14 minutes ago, Ljames23 said:

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/travel-agents/msc-cruises-and-explora-journeys-brought-under-same-uk-ireland-umbrella
 

Well this is interesting. Weren’t they seperate? I hope they do not mess around with the guest experience on the phone 

Not sure much changed. The article states that they are still operating separately - "MSC Cruises UK & Ireland managing director Paradiso will assume in-market responsibility for Explora Journeys, which will continue to have dedicated teams for sales, marketing, contact centres and public relations."   But they are still under the same corporate umbrella - so to speak, like Royal and Silversea.

1 hour ago, uktog said:

I was told there are No pre cruise reservations offered. We go on 17/7 so will report back 

We do not sail until November, but have been told the same.  That reservations prior to boarding “won’t be necessary”. Guess we will see! 

1 hour ago, frankhi said:

In late January through February, EJ was offering a 2 Category upgrade (not including residences) plus 500 OBC to MSC Diamonds. This was at the same time MSC was offering a Diamond status match with other elite status loyalty programs (and not just cruise programs). 

Which is frustrating since we booked our Explora cruise in November 2021, when bookings first opened - with nothing offered to MSC Diamond members!  🥺

58 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

I'm trying to book a Pacific coastal cruise in May 2024; a full year away. They are asking for full payment today??? Your thoughts, please?

 

One observation. The cheapest OT1 suites are oddly in the middle of the ship. Isn't it usual for the smallest suites to be located in the bow?

 

Is Explorer offering some kind of insurance/cancellation plan? Has anyone done status matching? I'm Diamond with MSC.

Last I heard - there was not to be any status match with MSC - or other lines. We too are Diamond with MSC. 

31 minutes ago, theotherKennyB said:

I was able to check in last week for my August 1st cruise, but since then I can't access anything on my booking page, the special requests are no longer clickable and the Destination Journeys (Shore Excursions) are also unable to click.  It's a process, but a little communication from the company might be nice to let people know what's happening.  

 

Does anyone know about dining reservations yet???

I’ve been told that dining reservations prior to boarding will not be offered. That they “will not be necessary”. 🙄

3 hours ago, dolphin1313 said:

Thanks for the information, I'll wait a few weeks for the IT department to get the bugs worked out.

Sadly - MSC is famous for “buggy” IT issues. 🥺

11 minutes ago, bitob said:

Does anyone know?

 

will there be free laundry with any of the cabin categories?

 

is there a card room? Will there be duplicate bridge on cruises with sea days?

 

I’ve searched. Can’t find the info

That kind of info should become available after they have the first revenue sailing. That is mid-July…I think? 

5 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Sorry .... what did I miss?  Paramedics just left after reviving me after seeing the Anthology prices .....

😂🤣😂

39 minutes ago, daleandrews said:

Did everyone note that Explora has added their first resident chef (Chef Mauro Uliassi) for the sailings through September 25?  

 

https://porthole.com/explora-journeys-partners-with-chef-mauro-uliassi-aboard-explora-i/

 

Per the press release the price of dining from his menu in Anthology will now be $210 USD per person for the "tasting menu" and $82 USD per person for wine pairing.  I don't know how this works, i.e., for the tasting menu with wine is the price $292 ($210 plus $82) per person?  In any event it's a pretty steep increase from the $100 per person Anthology price previously listed on Explora's website. I wonder if they will secure enough dining patrons at that rate -- seems to be a pretty steep add-on.  

hmm….will be watching to see how this goes!

21 minutes ago, happy cruzin said:

 

Interesting!

 

Where are you seeing the updated invoice?  I only have I info provided by my TA. 

Now - after I made an account -  I can see ours for November on the website too....could not last time I tried.

49 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

Not sure which thread to include this.   I checked my September booking for Explora I and my invoice has decreased by $1000 and likewise my balance due is 1K lower.  I haven't the faintest idea why this has happened, but I am certainly not complaining.  The listed fare for each passenger is now $500 lower.  A total WAG, but maybe the 1K difference has to with an extended journey credit just now being applied.  

Interesting!

Where are you seeing the updated invoice?  I only have I info provided by my TA. 

1 hour ago, Cruiseswithfamilyornot said:

I received this floor plan for the casino from my TA for the casino I thought it would share.   Pretty small casino, but better than nothing.  One table for Roulette, one for black jack, one for Poker/Baccarat and 19 slot machines:

 

Picture will not load

14 minutes ago, CJANDH said:

Does anyone know if Explora has set up a department to handle air and hotel reservations? While not always competitive on pricing, most cruise lines offer this service, along with transfers, so everything is handled in one place.

Not to my knowledge.  Have you tried the chat feature on the website - to ask them?

https://explorajourneys.com/int/en

On 2/27/2023 at 3:09 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

Spoke with 23 year veteran butler in the Yacht Club last week about Explora Journeys. MSC is treating hiring process as if entirely different cruise line. He would have to apply and start at the bottom and work his way up, no lateral employment opportunity.

Yes - MSC had worked very hard to make sure this is a completely separate "new" cruise line.

7 minutes ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Nothing on the website . I chased our TA - the email from explorer had gone to the wrong place . Not sure what they are offering will cover the cost of a new cruise next September looking at current prices 

Were the Alaska sailings that they have canceled ever open for booking?

On 2/6/2023 at 8:20 PM, Hlitner said:

Very interesting question.  I will admit to not caring since we enjoy being on a very international ship.  I have no doubt that most of the crew, who regularly deal with the passengers, will have varied language skills.  We have always enjoyed the Yacht Club because we would meet folks from all over the world and crew with a lot of different backgrounds.  

 

I do suspect that Explora will have a very strong base of European passengers, because that is where MSC has their major base.  While Americans might be cautious about booking a new cruise line, the Europeans familiar with the MSC organization will not hesitate.

 

Hank

 

 

Agreed!