Explora I Pictures

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 minute ago, steamboats said:

So did you ever read the rating of the MSC ships??? Looking on those Douglas Ward has never left the Yacht Club and was pampered there...

 

steamboats

As was I.  We did leave the Yacht Club, but our Butler always escorted us and cut through any lines.  Our key cards turned the elevator into an express.  Reserved seats at the shows.  Nothing at all like the reviews of non-YC MSC cruisers.  So if you could make that the standard for the entire ship (not the cutting lines part – there should be no lines), I would consider it true luxury.  [Douglas Ward's reviews are hard to interpret with class-system ships, because it's usually not clear which class he is reviewing.]

[steamboats]

@Host Jazzbeau I was more referring to the Europa/Europa 2 rankings ;-). Compare the MSC rankings to those and you come up with "MSC must be a pretty luxurious cruise company". I´m pretty sure that the rankings of Explora I won´t be bad either...

 

steamboats

[Henk123]

The subject is pictures and it is more become discussion about......

But if I go with this discussion: Ï hope that Explora is the same as Regent which I like. The only different is the cabin size (with or without cabin steward). Outside the cabin everyone is the same. 

[vistaman]

19 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That's an incredibly high bar: the Berlitz Guide has always given those two ships its highest rating of 5+ stars (which no other ship has ever gotten).  I was just hoping that Explora would be like the MSC Yacht Club but for the entire ship – that's still a standard they may be able to reach once they hit their stride.

the question is : will there be another Berlitz Guide??? Douglas Ward his age is 90 now  

[PaulMCO]

Have not seen any photos yet posted here on the Cigar Room..  From social media...

 

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by PaulMCO

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 hours ago, vistaman said:

the question is : will there be another Berlitz Guide??? Douglas Ward his age is 90 now  

Yes, on Nov. 14:

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Cruising-Cruise-Ships/dp/1839053445/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EHZCUMK79QRT&keywords=insight+cruising+2024&qid=1691345541&s=digital-text&sprefix=insight+cruising+2024%2Cdigital-text%2C102&sr=1-1-catcorr

[Catlover54]

On 8/5/2023 at 10:25 AM, uktog said:

Are they a paying passenger or a travel agent/influencer?  And what size of rooms? I’m reading all these glowing reports and stories of wonderful relaxation but they are from travel agents in big suites 

 

Id like to think that it is pretty easy to get reservations (they’re not sailing at capacity) and that the first day was just “teething issues” but need confirmation from “ordinary punters” 

 

1. Yes! It is indeed important to know if positive reviews and glowing comments about a cruise line are made by TAs and influencers, and/or people getting special attention (as happens for various reasons on other luxury lines)  or by "ordinary punters" paying luxury prices out of their own after-tax pockets, i.e., people who are not in the luxury food and beverage/hospitality sales  industry and who also make their status known to ship staff so they get more attention.

This is true not just for reviews and comments made on the more famous social media, but also comments made on CC. Ethically, I think people full of praises should disclose if they are in the TA or similar business.  I have been on the same cruises as such people when the glowing experiences they have reported defy my own objective experiences and observations (especially when they choose to omit glaring negative facts). It leads me to be skeptical of anything else they post, when I already know everything they say about a ship will be described as wonderful, e.g., where you could pre-write the review.

 

2. I have held back on booking Explora until it has a solid track record because I have had too many other wonderful options at sea and on land  (I mix and match).    I had hoped to book a cruise with Explora for 2024, but I dislike crowded and loud buffets and close quarters, which some are describing.  So if it turns out, after the initial break-ins, that   mere mortals won't be able to regularly get seated for relaxing meals without stress and schemes and strategies like people have to use on some lines to fully enjoy their cruises, Explora will not get my business.

 

So far, my  Hapag Lloyd cruises, despite some minor esoteric issues (like how to get staff to properly coordinate delivery of my selected wines with my food pairings) , remain my gold standard for comparison of luxury at sea experiences,  with SS running second overall for me and first for an English language line. The "ship within a ship" or similar  concept also has a lot of appeal to me  (i.e., pay more, and expect to get better service). 

 

3. Some other  things I don't like on the Explora layout I see is that you have to get a higher level cabin to get a bathtub (the modern trend is anti-tub) , and just like many other modern lines, they have an abundance of chairs that are low semi-circles, i.e., go half way up your back (so they press), and have no arm rests.  I know that is stylish, (the new Crystal also has it), but I don't like it.  As for food and beverages -- well, it will depend on how everything offered tastes, and what wines will be available for extra charges (and some high end soft cheese offerings wouldn't hurt either :). 

 

 

Edited August 7, 2023 by Catlover54
Typo

[Host Jazzbeau]

15 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

Some other  things I don't like on the Explora layout I see is that you have to get a higher level cabin to get a bathtub (the modern trend is anti-tub) 

Fine by me – I find tubs on cruise ships dangerous and much prefer a shower.

 

16 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

and just like many other modern lines, they have an abundance of chairs that are low semi-circles, i.e., go half way up your back (so they press), and have no arm rests.

This I also hate.

[vistaman]

On 8/6/2023 at 7:35 AM, Host Jazzbeau said:

As was I.  We did leave the Yacht Club, but our Butler always escorted us and cut through any lines.  Our key cards turned the elevator into an express.  Reserved seats at the shows.  Nothing at all like the reviews of non-YC MSC cruisers.  So if you could make that the standard for the entire ship (not the cutting lines part – there should be no lines), I would consider it true luxury.  [Douglas Ward's reviews are hard to interpret with class-system ships, because it's usually not clear which class he is reviewing.]

I met mr Ward several times  as from 1997  , he is always in a top degree even to owners and gets what he wants 

 

[vistaman]

57 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

 

1. Yes! It is indeed important to know if positive reviews and glowing comments about a cruise line are made by TAs and influencers, and/or people getting special attention (as happens for various reasons on other luxury lines)  or by "ordinary punters" paying luxury prices out of their own after-tax pockets, i.e., people who are not in the luxury food and beverage/hospitality sales  industry and who also make their status known to ship staff so they get more attention.

This is true not just for reviews and comments made on the more famous social media, but also comments made on CC. Ethically, I think people full of praises should disclose if they are in the TA or similar business.  I have been on the same cruises as such people when the glowing experiences they have reported defy my own objective experiences and observations (especially when they choose to omit glaring negative facts). It leads me to be skeptical of anything else they post, when I already know everything they say about a ship will be described as wonderful, e.g., where you could pre-write the review.

 

2. I have held back on booking Explora until it has a solid track record because I have had too many other wonderful options at sea and on land  (I mix and match).    I had hoped to book a cruise with Explora for 2024, but I dislike crowded and loud buffets and close quarters, which some are describing.  So if it turns out, after the initial break-ins, that   mere mortals won't be able to regularly get seated for relaxing meals without stress and schemes and strategies like people have to use on some lines to fully enjoy their cruises, Explora will not get my business.

 

So far, my  Hapag Lloyd cruises, despite some minor esoteric issues (like how to get staff to properly coordinate delivery of my selected wines with my food pairings) , remain my gold standard for comparison of luxury at sea experiences,  with SS running second overall for me and first for an English language line. The "ship within a ship" or similar  concept also has a lot of appeal to me  (i.e., pay more, and expect to get better service). 

 

3. Some other  things I don't like on the Explora layout I see is that you have to get a higher level cabin to get a bathtub (the modern trend is anti-tub) , and just like many other modern lines, they have an abundance of chairs that are low semi-circles, i.e., go half way up your back (so they press), and have no arm rests.  I know that is stylish, (the new Crystal also has it), but I don't like it.  As for food and beverages -- well, it will depend on how everything offered tastes, and what wines will be available for extra charges (and some high end soft cheese offerings wouldn't hurt either :). 

 

 

You are aware that I love Hapag however not  the corp executive chef at all ... mistakes in French and heavy mistakes in Italian ( like that minestrone with rice involved ??? and served out of a carafe)

and dishes suitable for winter under 31° C  in the Yacht Club for lunches... obviously he cannot do elaborate cold dishes . maybe too old fashionned ? 

just back from SS  what I really find very good providing I can find a cabin with a low single sup. 

I secretely did receive the wine list of Explora , extremely rough prices   and those of Champagne are more appropriate for a night club . I will publish after my cruise.  I was intending to bring 3 special bottles  - i think i will buy some addtional in Hamburg as well. 

[steamboats]

15 hours ago, vistaman said:

the question is : will there be another Berlitz Guide??? Douglas Ward his age is 90 now  

 

He and his wife were on the MSC Euribia christening cruise. I saw them in the Yacht Club and when they came into the theater for the christening ceremony. And of course he has a team of people contributing to his book.

 

steamboats

[Catlover54]

1 hour ago, vistaman said:

You are aware that I love Hapag however not  the corp executive chef at all ... mistakes in French and heavy mistakes in Italian ( like that minestrone with rice involved ??? and served out of a carafe)

and dishes suitable for winter under 31° C  in the Yacht Club for lunches... obviously he cannot do elaborate cold dishes . maybe too old fashionned ? 

just back from SS  what I really find very good providing I can find a cabin with a low single sup. 

I secretely did receive the wine list of Explora , extremely rough prices   and those of Champagne are more appropriate for a night club . I will publish after my cruise.  I was intending to bring 3 special bottles  - i think i will buy some addtional in Hamburg as well. 

I am glad you are finding SS very good (though the newer ships are better).  

I avoid minestrone wherever I cruise as there are so many other wonderful dishes on HL, so I cannot relate to your minestrone disdain (reminds me too much of a certain American canned soup, though I realize some minestrones are better than others -- but the cream of cauliflower or mushroom  is delightful) 🙂

There are certainly some things on HL which could be more luxurious, but especially on Europa, I stick with simpler well-prepared  dishes (in the main restaurant and not the Yacht Club except for the Bavarian fest) or maybe a European meats and cheese breakfast outside.  My tastes are probably more old-fashioned than the more elaborate ones you prefer (e.g., I usually avoid lobster and crabs and instead focus on a large serving of that lovely Prunier or Aki caviar they have, with key trimmings, and fish dishes in sauce. Hot soups and mains are always hot, cold dishes are always cold (unlike on SB), the service is well-organized, and I love to  just sink into the soft seats in the calm dining room and let my mind wander as I gaze out the window as we quietly sail, enjoying such  luxuries that most people on board who are my age never imagined they would ever experience when they were children.  There is also no loud and obnoxious pumped in music playing everywhere you go (like on way too many lines), which helps raise my appetite 🙂 , and the base rooms have easy tubs so I can soak my sore muscles after an excursion.  Reception also answers the phone in less than 10 seconds if not 5. On my cruise last month, I also noticed many of the Tunisians (who were decently trained) are gone and some German and east European waiters are back, as before (equally decently trained), which makes light conversation easier.. 

 

As for the "extremely rough wine prices" you saw on Explora, am I imagining it or have the wine prices on HL also gone up quite a bit the last two years on the premium wines, out of proportion to the increase in cruise prices? I think 2x is reasonable (though many wines on HL were just 1.5x before) for a cruise, but 2.5-3x or higher markups irritate me a bit so I may then stick with one of the  open wines for 250cc only, which are decent enough when paired well. 

[Dr. Cocktail]

5 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

 

 

3. Some other  things I don't like on the Explora layout I see is that you have to get a higher level cabin to get a bathtub (the modern trend is anti-tub) , and just like many other modern lines, they have an abundance of chairs that are low semi-circles, i.e., go half way up your back (so they press), and have no arm rests.  I know that is stylish, (the new Crystal also has it), but I don't like it.  As for food and beverages -- well, it will depend on how everything offered tastes, and what wines will be available for extra charges (and some high end soft cheese offerings wouldn't hurt either :). 

 

 

The adjoining entry-level OT's all have a bathtub. Of course, you have to get an adjoining suite which is something that I avoid like the plague .....

[vistaman]

2 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

I am glad you are finding SS very good (though the newer ships are better).  

I avoid minestrone wherever I cruise as there are so many other wonderful dishes on HL, so I cannot relate to your minestrone disdain (reminds me too much of a certain American canned soup, though I realize some minestrones are better than others -- but the cream of cauliflower or mushroom  is delightful) 🙂

There are certainly some things on HL which could be more luxurious, but especially on Europa, I stick with simpler well-prepared  dishes (in the main restaurant and not the Yacht Club except for the Bavarian fest) or maybe a European meats and cheese breakfast outside.  My tastes are probably more old-fashioned than the more elaborate ones you prefer (e.g., I usually avoid lobster and crabs and instead focus on a large serving of that lovely Prunier or Aki caviar they have, with key trimmings, and fish dishes in sauce. Hot soups and mains are always hot, cold dishes are always cold (unlike on SB), the service is well-organized, and I love to  just sink into the soft seats in the calm dining room and let my mind wander as I gaze out the window as we quietly sail, enjoying such  luxuries that most people on board who are my age never imagined they would ever experience when they were children.  There is also no loud and obnoxious pumped in music playing everywhere you go (like on way too many lines), which helps raise my appetite 🙂 , and the base rooms have easy tubs so I can soak my sore muscles after an excursion.  Reception also answers the phone in less than 10 seconds if not 5. On my cruise last month, I also noticed many of the Tunisians (who were decently trained) are gone and some German and east European waiters are back, as before (equally decently trained), which makes light conversation easier.. 

 

As for the "extremely rough wine prices" you saw on Explora, am I imagining it or have the wine prices on HL also gone up quite a bit the last two years on the premium wines, out of proportion to the increase in cruise prices? I think 2x is reasonable (though many wines on HL were just 1.5x before) for a cruise, but 2.5-3x or higher markups irritate me a bit so I may then stick with one of the  open wines for 250cc only, which are decent enough when paired well. 

I agree with almost everything  you said 

When those fusion cooking started and then the molecular items i did refrain of going to starred restaurants  without a "classical "base  - I am approaching  70 and  was in nice places as from very young age.  In those days there were Michelin starred restaurants even with 2 stars for grilled sweetbreads béarnaise  and sorbet with alcohol  and chilled tropical fruit teller  with vanilla ice as dessert - now everything must be as complicated as possible 

Concerning wine prices  :  it is true Champagnes prices went up some by 40 % on the source

great Bordeaux are onerous so people go to bubbles in restaurants.

I do not like crab 😄

 

[PaulMCO]

Do not know who designed the bathrooms..  Even in the Cove Residence there is no inside tub.  Yes there is one on the veranda, but still it is visible from above OT1's and shore.  No double sinks anywhere.  Maybe they figured we will just make them small so no room for two people and that is just what they did.

[Dr. Cocktail]

28 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

Do not know who designed the bathrooms..  Even in the Cove Residence there is no inside tub.  Yes there is one on the veranda, but still it is visible from above OT1's and shore.  No double sinks anywhere.  Maybe they figured we will just make them small so no room for two people and that is just what they did.

I think that the bathrooms, while nice, are way too small for a newly built luxury ship.

 

I see that tubs are generally being phased out of newbuilds on Oceania and Regent so I guess this is what people want.  I think that dual sinks are an expectation these days so this is a also bit of a miss.

 

[Waltershipman]

10 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I think that the bathrooms, while nice, are way too small for a newly built luxury ship.

 

I see that tubs are generally being phased out of newbuilds on Oceania and Regent so I guess this is what people want.  I think that dual sinks are an expectation these days so this is a also bit of a miss.

 

Hows the food onboard thank you

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I see that tubs are generally being phased out of newbuilds on Oceania and Regent so I guess this is what people want.

When Azamara added its third ship they needed to create suites on the top deck and decided to go with 50% tubs and 50% showers.  The tubs don't sell.  So on their fourth ship the percentage of tubs is way down.  There are a few vocal tub-lovers, but the vast majority either don't care or just as strongly prefer showers.

[machotspur]

4 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Do not know who designed the bathrooms..  Even in the Cove Residence there is no inside tub.  Yes there is one on the veranda, but still it is visible from above OT1's and shore.  No double sinks anywhere.  Maybe they figured we will just make them small so no room for two people and that is just what they did.

 

Absolutely agree with the points you make. 

 

We are on Explora 1 at the end of next week for a 'quickie trial cruise' of just 3 nights. We've gone with one of the Penthouse suites. We would have tried one of the Residence suites, but for two reasons :- 

- the small bathrooms are as you say - a poor size, but particularly for a high end suite.

- that a jacuzzi takes up a lot of the veranda space. If 'bubbly outdoor baths' are not your thing (us !) then this is such a waste. 

 

Our benchmark suite is a Silver Suite on the most recent Silversea ships (Moon/Dawn). Remains to be seen how the Explora suites compare for us.

 

 

[Waltershipman]

Would appreciate if you are able to give some feedback on food and overall ambiance of rhe ship Many thanks

 

Will be on board in October 

[InsGuy3]

56 minutes ago, Waltershipman said:

Would appreciate if you are able to give some feedback on food and overall ambiance of rhe ship Many thanks

 

Will be on board in October 

Same here. We are on in November and would appreciate your feedback.

[Waltershipman]

1 hour ago, InsGuy3 said:

Same here. We are on in November and would appreciate your feedback.

Will definitely do that. I suspect that earlier passengers such as you and us will have had a fair amount of cruising  experience so for better or not there will be a tendency to compare. I do look forward to others sharing their real experiences and impressions. I woll do that while on the cruise

 

I suspect it will be excellent 

 

Thanks 

[InsGuy3]

On 8/4/2023 at 1:11 AM, vistaman said:

Any chance to post a wine list - the non complimentary -  wines ? 

 

I am curious fot the choice and the prices  -  it is clear Explora does have an agreement with LVMH - non listing the  cognas like Courvoisier etc.

I would be very interested in seeing the list of complimentary wines and spirits also.

[PaulMCO]

2 hours ago, InsGuy3 said:

I would be very interested in seeing the list of complimentary wines and spirits also.

Spirits -- see post #107 for the main lobby bar

 

Wines -- yet to see a shipwide list.  They tend to spread them out among the various food venues.

[InsGuy3]

2 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Spirits -- see post #107 for the main lobby bar

 

Wines -- yet to see a shipwide list.  They tend to spread them out among the various food venues.

Thank you, PaulMCO.