Yacht Club vs Explora Journeys

[morpheusofthesea]

New Years is less than an hour away and the Journey Lounge is packed. Everyone is dressed to the nines. No shorts, ball caps, or flip flops. Tuxedos, dinner jackets, jacket and ties. Very high class group. Non stop music and action since 8 pm. Dance floor packed. Every disturbing report that scared us about coming on this trip is no where to exist. Will post videos to prove it.

[no1talks]

10 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"This ship needs more guests like @no1talks to give this cruise line more class."

Thank you, kind sir, for the endorsement.

In recent years, as the nature of Explora Journeys was being hinted at and contemplated, I expected it would be a cruise line for which I would have keen interest. Now that reviews, pictures, and video are circulating, I am disinclined to have a go.

The color scheme appears to be so muted, the most rested part of my post-cruise body would likely be the cone cells of my retinas. Of course, the Aponte family can't go down the Swarovski path again, but would some vivacity in the color palette have been so bad? Some people cruise Virgin Voyages for a wee bit of "50 Shades of Gray" during their cruise. It would seem Explora Journeys is offering an esthetic experience akin to 50 shades of beige.

I'm more than willing to stipulate the food is magnificent. Many have said so with conviction. As it happens, we live a hop, skip, and jump from a metropolitan area of 9.5 million people. There are a lifetime's worth of excellent restaurants serving cuisine of all stripes. Getting such food on a cruise really doesn't add to the value proposition for us. Accordingly, the Yacht Club's fare does very nicely for our vacation.

I'm also willing to accept Explora does port calls, especially tendered ports, better than what one experiences while sailing YC. However, any smaller ship can get to the closer and prettier docking spaces and we really avoid tendered ports anyway. So, nothing on this topic screams, "Book Explora."

And what of Ocean Cay? Has there been any demonstration that an Explora day at OC is worthy of the cost when compared to a YC day?

Ultimately, there may be enough cruisers who pick up the less-is-more-so-I'll-pay-more vibe, which I think Explora is laying down. For the foreseeable future, I won't be one of them. Besides, if I want to ditch YC for a bit, Cunard is putting a year-round ship in the US in '25 or '26. I can jump to a Princess or Queens Grill booking for way less than Explora charges. Cunard serves scones with afternoon tea, too, which are lacking on Explora, so I'm told.

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, no1talks said:

For the foreseeable future, I won't be one of them.

I cannot disagree with your astute assessments. It will be their loss. We, on the other hand have not the luxury of time and hope we have the stamina to do all the booked cruises this 2024, eight of them MSC Yacht Club. You all are young enough to take advantage of flying to exotic destinations and picking up other cruise lines offerings. We have limited ourselves to our nearby ports and closed loop cruises so we will continue as long as we can to compare all 'luxury' 4, 5, or 6 star * even if we do not avail ourselves of all the amenities each offers. Cruise lines must realize our segment of the cruising public by building and housing more ships at more home ports around the world than ever before. Our focus now is cabin size, balcony size, dedicated restaurant, reserved shaded pergola, butler service like MSC YC and entertainment.

 

Edited January 1 by morpheusofthesea
entyertainment

[morpheusofthesea]

" I didn't know I needed it until I had it on MSC " @morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

It is very unfortunate that those who are now taking or recently taken cruises in MSC Yacht Clubs are not getting the full butler treatment. Over a year ago chatting with one of MSC best head butlers, he admitted and lamented that the crop of butlers he was getting was dismal. They knew nothing about their task. And on the other hand those that are assigned veteran good butlers are not getting the same great service they have given us. The former is self explanatory, but the latter may be due to too many cabins allotted to these good butlers. These butlers must pick and choose which of their charges to 'deal' with. One quick determination common on cruise ships are those that remove their gratuity/ hotel charges from their bill. These passengers are immediately identified by staff as pikers, skinflints, and cheapskates. I am sure there are several more indications as to which guests will be more 'profitable' to deal with. And profitability is the name of the cruising 'game'.

   Our present butler is not needed on Explora as one is needed on MSC YC. One only 'needs' a butler on Explora to make additional restaurant reservations. Something we do not avail ourselves. On MSC one 'needs' a butler to get on and off the ship with 5500 passengers. One needs an elevator over ride On MSC, one does not on Explora. One needs a reserved pergola on MSC (with adjustable backs), one can find one on Explora although the lounges of these pergolas are not adjustable and one cannot sit up comfortably.

[morpheusofthesea]

In a prior posting here I surmised that a possible reason things on board Explora are 180 degree from all the complaints I was reading of preceding cruises on social media forums. Was that there must be a 'secret shopper' or 'undercover boss' on board this Christmas/New Years cruise. DW in her daily walkabout the ship noticed a very serious gentleman not dressed like any staff, with no distinctive waist belt holding up his pants ( one will eventually notice every pair of pants being held up by the same belts), and no name tag, taking photos and not addressing any passengers. Every employee passing a guest gets a smile and a hello, etc. This morning walking through the Emporium MarketPlace before opening time DW pointed out this gentleman with a beard. Very serious asking questions of staff. I approached a chef and asked who this gentleman with his arms crossed examining everything was. "That's our big boss" as he demonstrated raising his hand to the ceiling above his own head. I asked what is his job title ? " He is vice president." I proceed to look him up on line and saw his picture....Mr. Alban Gjoka vice president of Food & Beverage for Explora.  That  must be why we are having such a great time on Explora contrary to past reports. Just his presence has had a reciprocal affect on entertainment. Still.... we are happy to have had this chance to try Explora and are taking advantage of on board booking bonuses for a future cruise, but going back to MSC Seascape for the greater part of 2024.

[awatt]

@morpheusofthesea Enjoying your posts very much.

 

Now that you've experienced Explora , can  you give some insight for fans of the YC re what type of those fans would also enjoy Explora?

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, awatt said:

@morpheusofthesea Enjoying your posts very much.

 

Now that you've experienced Explora , can  you give some insight for fans of the YC re what type of those fans would also enjoy Explora?

Just those who never want to venture out of the Yacht Club.

[Dr. Cocktail]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 That  must be why we are having such a great time on Explora contrary to past reports. Just his presence has had a reciprocal affect on entertainment. 

Nope .... it was just as good in November!  VERY pleased that you're having a good time. 

 

Entertainment was hit and miss and Explora was aware of it and you're the beneficiary of the changes.

 

I strongly feel that the negative reports stemmed from people who simply wanted Seabourn, Regent or Silversea in a different colour and then were shocked when Explora (for the most part) delivered an extremely different luxury experience.

[morpheusofthesea]

5 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Explora (for the most part) delivered an extremely different luxury experience.

We cannot speak about Seabourn nor Silverseas as they rarely do a closed loop from Miami and we have always cruised in steerage on all mass market cruise lines until recently.. Booked on Regent Grandeur for Spring Break to compare with both Yacht Club and Explora. Do not avail ourselves of air, tours, caviar,  shell fish or alcohol much of what "people" want included in all inclusive. Perhaps that is why we appreciate Yacht Club. We do not need to pay for things we do not want, which these luxury lines provide included. Discovering that many of these types looking for all inclusive bargains are simply moochers, cadgers, and schnorrers like Pinnacles, Zeniths, and Diamond members of the other mass market lines we ran into while in steerage.

[Dr. Cocktail]

30 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We cannot speak about Seabourn nor Silverseas as they rarely do a closed loop from Miami and we have always cruised in steerage on all mass market cruise lines until recently.. Booked on Regent Grandeur for Spring Break to compare with both Yacht Club and Explora. Do not avail ourselves of air, tours, caviar,  shell fish or alcohol much of what "people" want included in all inclusive. Perhaps that is why we appreciate Yacht Club. We do not need to pay for things we do not want, which these luxury lines provide included. Discovering that many of these types looking for all inclusive bargains are simply moochers, cadgers, and schnorrers like Pinnacles, Zeniths, and Diamond members of the other mass market lines we ran into while in steerage.

Small world!  I've always used Moocher, Cadger and Schnorrer for my complicated legal transactions!

[morpheusofthesea]

37 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Small world!  I've always used Moocher, Cadger and Schnorrer for my complicated legal transactions!

Thanks.You brought to my attention a mistake I made by capitalizing common nouns "pinnacles, zeniths, and diamonds". They are truly 'common' and not 'proper' (nouns).

[no1talks]

51 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

"I've always used Moocher, Cadger and Schnorrer for my complicated legal transactions!"

 

As for myself, I have Hungadunga, Hungadunga, Hungadunda, Hungadunga, & McCormick on retainer.

 

 

Edited January 1 by no1talks

[Dr. Cocktail]

2 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

As for myself, I have Hungadunga, Hungadunga, Hungadunda, Hungadunga, & McCormick on retainer.

 

 

Fancy!  And as of today, Animal Crackers is now in the public domain!

[morpheusofthesea]

Had a very memorable New Years Eve. People drink here but don't get drunk like on MSC. We left the festivities in the Journey Lounge at 11:45 and caught another count down to New Years quite unexpected. The Captain came on the PA system moments before to announce that off the starboard side of the ship (which just happened to be our cabin side).  She described Explora's sister ship, the Seaside, all lit up in the distance (will post a video).  She continued, that in a few moments she will count down to midnight and blast the Explora's horn to her sister ship at the exact moment of the New Year.  It must have been a coordinated blast of horns happening at the same time because our horn drowned out any other sounds coming back from the Seaside. Anyone on the Seaside can confirm same?

[Essiesmom]

She’s sailing from the eastern Caribbean islands, Guadeloupe yesterday.  Doubt anyone on this board is on her.  EM

[morpheusofthesea]

New Years Eve there was a novel idea which turned out to be a bust of sorts. The Masquerade Ball. Ninety-nine percent of guests knew nothing about it. Masks on a stick were handed out at the doors entering the Journey Lounge. All the band wore them but the novelty wore off in a few minutes. Sounded like more fun than it turned out to be. It did not affect the great evening. After a few selfies the masks were discarded.

   Bottled water on previous cruises was nowhere to be found on the ship. Acqua Panna glass liters can now be found in the Emporium Market Place just by as asking for it.

[Fissues]

Welcome to St. Thomas. 
Can I bring you a case of Acqua Panna ?

Need a ride anywhere?

[morpheusofthesea]

9 minutes ago, Fissues said:

Welcome to St. Thomas. 
Can I bring you a case of Acqua Panna ?

Need a ride anywhere?

Thanks, but we rarely get off the ships anymore. Each ship is its own destination. Have found that there is a drastic difference in port calls between mega ships and these smaller vessels on port days. Only on port days the mega ships are like a bowling alley, one can roll a ball down any corridor and not hit another passenger. On smaller ships, like Explora, the bowling alley analogy is most of the time.

[morpheusofthesea]

Noticed after more than a week on Explora I have not broken out with a rash using the Mandala Blue lotions, body washes, shampoo and conditioners as I do with MSC's Med products.

[Fissues]

Looking good!

 

[morpheusofthesea]

 Random points. A few of the 'hosts' (wait and bar staff) have never been to these Caribbean ports and their first question is "Have you been out?". Discovered that one host has been on board ships for 10 contracts and is not allowed of the ship in US ports. It depends on the type of visa. I know very little so please enlighten us. Two types of visa ? Workers and tourist visas. Many on board have both and no problem getting off ship. Getting off just to walk around and search for a bottle of aloe vera $9.99 for sun burn at Havensight Mall the security officer scanning my cruise card asked me for my "I95" (he was talking to a host getting off behind me). My guess is" I95" is referring to the interstate "Freeway" I95 running up the east coast. Perhaps "I95" is a permission slip to get off the ship ? 

  Took a similar picture only a few feet away from @Fissues, guessing our paths crossed , though we never exited the black iron gate surrounding this port mall.

  Finding the aloe vera we made a beeline back to the ship, told cashier to keep the change. No lines to get back on board and only one gangway. Noticed those getting back on board had priority from those leaving. On MSC Yacht Clubbers have to have a separate gangway. Though years ago on the Divina we had a combined gangway. We were escorted off the ship by our YC butler pushing his way through the crowd, us in tow , butting ahead of everyone. Once off the ship we walked a very short while and decided to return to the ship. There was no way to get back on board with 3500 guests still getting off from 2 ? decks up.  A butler was stationed on the pier and quickly recognized us as being YC and just having left the ship. He phoned the security at the top of the gangway and the flow of exiting passengers was halted so we could board. Now that is service !  The service is still here on the Explora, but it is less 'dramatic' and less worthy of writing home about.

  

Edited January 2 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Asked the bar hosts about the malt whiskey bar and the walk-in cigar humidor room. The 'regular' brands are all complimentary, but for the more exotic brands there is a charge. The cigars all range in different prices.

  Just one application of aloe vera has had a beneficial effect an hour later. Learn from my error. I thought I was protected from the Caribbean sun by lying on a recliner in the shade, but the reflection off the ocean must be the culprit and throw a bottle of aloe vera in your bags just in case and won't have to wait to look at the next port. I am pretty sure MSC has sundries in their liquor duty free shops, None to be found on Explora. MSC wins again.

P.S. I just made an important discovery ! Presently sitting on my lounger on my balcony over looking the parking lot of Havensight Mall (not as idyllic as anchoring a mile away in the harbor) and looked up to the ceiling over hanging this balcony. It has a white woven fabric of some sort, the same that is covering the pergolas out on deck where I was reclining in what I thought was shade. The difference is that on my balcony I noticed I can see the electrical pipes for the lighting through the material. This material is obviously allowing the burning rays through. MSC pergolas have vinyl ceilings. I never burned under any MSC YC pergola. Another win for MSC.

Edited January 2 by morpheusofthesea
p.s.

[Av8tor]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 Getting off just to walk around and search for a bottle of aloe vera $9.99 for sun burn at Havensight Mall the security officer scanning my cruise card asked me for my "I95" (he was talking to a host getting off behind me). My guess is" I95" is referring to the interstate "Freeway" I95 running up the east coast. Perhaps "I95" is a permission slip to get off the ship ? 

 

  

The I95 is US CBP Crewman's Landing Permit

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2022-Mar/CBP Form I-95.pdf

 

Enjoying your review of Explora, just as I have all your other Poop Deck reviews

[Waltershipman]

On 1/1/2024 at 7:33 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

In a prior posting here I surmised that a possible reason things on board Explora are 180 degree from all the complaints I was reading of preceding cruises on social media forums. Was that there must be a 'secret shopper' or 'undercover boss' on board this Christmas/New Years cruise. DW in her daily walkabout the ship noticed a very serious gentleman not dressed like any staff, with no distinctive waist belt holding up his pants ( one will eventually notice every pair of pants being held up by the same belts), and no name tag, taking photos and not addressing any passengers. Every employee passing a guest gets a smile and a hello, etc. This morning walking through the Emporium MarketPlace before opening time DW pointed out this gentleman with a beard. Very serious asking questions of staff. I approached a chef and asked who this gentleman with his arms crossed examining everything was. "That's our big boss" as he demonstrated raising his hand to the ceiling above his own head. I asked what is his job title ? " He is vice president." I proceed to look him up on line and saw his picture....Mr. Alban Gjoka vice president of Food & Beverage for Explora.  That  must be why we are having such a great time on Explora contrary to past reports. Just his presence has had a reciprocal affect on entertainment. Still.... we are happy to have had this chance to try Explora and are taking advantage of on board booking bonuses for a future cruise, but going back to MSC Seascape for the greater part of 2024.

When you described the beard i 1st thought Santa Clause was on board

 

Glad yo hear your reports