JTor

Could you post the included wines please? these prices are quite normal here in Canada but it is beyond me why anyone would pay for a “drinks included” cruise and then reject the included wine in favour of paying full price for fairly boring expensive European wine that they could get at home. I’m sorry you didn’t have a nice time. I’m perplexed though by the comments in this thread suggesting that there have been ever so many reviews of this ship when it has been sailing for less than a month…. how many “real people” have even been on the ship yet? Yes we are likely hearing a lot from people who are biased because they were “comped” but we may similarly be hearing from people who are biased because they got on board a ship before it had even been taken out of its packaging….. perhaps we need a few more months or even a year before we can really judge “who will like it” or if anyone will? I am going to try to keep an open mind and judge for myself when I get on board. (also making a lot of assumptions about what people in their 30-50’s will or won’t want or tolerate if you are yourself a lot older is a bit offensive. I don’t assume I know what you want, and you probably don’t really know what I want either. How about you report your experience and I will report mine? Then we can learn from each other)

Hello- we are booked in January and I am enjoying your comments. However, apart from the OP and Stickman, who have clearly stated that they are onboard, it’s hard for me to be clear who is speaking from experience cruising on this ship, vs. not. Correctly or not, we are regarding Explora as a new line and not judging them based on whatever the economy line of MSC did or didn’t do in the past. Sure, we can all chip in and debate about what might be, just for fun, but the only informed opinions are from people who have experienced the ship. Can anyone post part of the “included” wine list? My DH and I are both very serious about wine. We do not judge by price but rather by quality and enjoyment. Our greatest thrill is discovering underpriced wines from lesser-known producers, small farms and “unfamous” wine regions. Frankly I would rather drink an excellent grower producer wine from Portugal or Chile that cost $15 than a $1500 champagne produced by a factory and priced according to the strength of its marketing. If the wine on board is tasty, diverse enough to match appropriately with the food they are serving, and included in the price, I will be happy. The worst thing for me is if they stock all the overpriced, overly alcoholic California things that those with more money than taste insist on ordering to “impress” their equally pompous business associates - you can probably guess some of the wines of which I am thinking. I noticed on their website that there seem to be a lot of smoking areas scattered around the ship…. starboard and port, fore and aft…. have you been bothered by smoking everywhere? This is a big worry for me and my family as we are health conscious and never around smokers in our home life so really don’t want to turn what should be a getaway from unhealthy stress into an even more unhealthy environment. Thanks

Agree! Price per person per night is way up and the US dollar exchange is very painful for Canadians right now. We need a Canadian dollars at par promotion

From webinar today, each sailing will have 2-4 “luminaries” expert on topics relevant to the location who will do lectures but also offer interactive small group contacts- no more details than that. There will be cooking classes but generally not ballroom dance classes

I need help too, there is an announcement that Explora now has roll calls but when I search January, nothing is found; it says you can add by clicking “new post” but there is no such button

Of course lots of unknowns until they launch, but I just attended a webinar with a lot of details. Multiple pools, all heated; one is covered; one is adults only; spa is open to all guests and has a large indoor jacuzzi. all restaurants are table service so you should not have trouble finding breakfast and lunch on port days. they have an exclusive partnership with Steinway which involves not only having the pianos on board, but guaranteeing classical artists on every sailing. No Broadway shows. Variety of entertainment in 4 different lounges every night and it sounds like a classical option every night