Recent Explora 1 Experience

[commodoredave]

What about cruise lines like Cunard that offer a premium experience in the Grills, but do not have an exclusive area of the ship like The Haven or Yacht Club that is separate. I’ve done the former but not the latter. Is there a significant difference?

[Sthrngary]

5 hours ago, commodoredave said:

What about cruise lines like Cunard that offer a premium experience in the Grills, but do not have an exclusive area of the ship like The Haven or Yacht Club that is separate. I’ve done the former but not the latter. Is there a significant difference?

@commodoredave Allow me to do a different take on this.  Initially, Cruises have created a class system.  Whether a special dinning room or a walled off area, decks for those that could afford it.  Then most of that was transitioned out. This brought first the notion everyone was treated the same when they left their state rooms.  

 

Ships got bigger which is an understatement and with that comes very strict policy and procedures that did not lead to any personalized service.  More like a cookie cutter approach.  The cruise line was looking for a way to increase profit and in doing so attract a different demographic that has more spendable funds.  The Notion of a Ship-within-a-Ship was created.  If my source, a retired captain of NCL is correct, it was originally created by NCL in the form of the Haven. This VIP section with butlers, private upscale dinning, sundecks, pools and hot tubs was created. It cost upwards of 3X the normal fare. It provided all the amenities the huge ship had plus a much more luxurious private area.

 

Other brands came on board. WHY, Profits were huge for this area so why not.  This area was the first to sell out indicating it was a wise business decision.  Reality, we went back to the old days. 

 

Now many brands do some or all of the strategy.  You named one in Cunard. Any time you have something that is something that you pay extra for like all your dining on a cruise, this concept has a part of. Some other lines now offer early boarding for a price.  Early exit for a price.  Specialty Restaurants for a price. Thermal Spas for a price.  The list goes on.  All say, you can have this stuff if you have the cash.  Cash and budget equals class in the context of this description. 

 

When you see someone move past you and get on the ship early, only for an example, it creates a resentment. Add all the other items where someone paid more, and got more to this list. Now, I don't feel this way, but many do. 

 

When you consider some brands, once you leave your stateroom, everyone is treated the same. So drink packages, internet packages, specialty restaurants included, thermal spa included and the list goes on.  Now brands like Oceana are hybrids.  Want the thermal spa, you have to be in the Concierge category or higher or it cost you.  If you are in one of the three upper end suites, you can get 8 guaranteed specialty restaurant reservations instead of 4 (just an example). So, the more you pay, the more you get.  

 

However, the percentage of amenities are far less then on the Mainstream Cruise brand.  The entire ship is like a Haven On Steroid when you get to this point.  Don't worry, it is not free, there is a premium.  Especially for Luxury and Ultra-Luxury.  The difference is it is closer to everyone being treated the same.  Key word closer. That is the point, always there but closer to everyone in the same so called class. The motivation in all cases for the cruise brand, Increased Profits. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[commodoredave]

38 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@commodoredave Allow me to do a different take on this.  Initially, Cruises have created a class system.  Whether a special dinning room or a walled off area, decks for those that could afford it.  Then most of that was transitioned out. This brought first the notion everyone was treated the same when they left their state rooms.  

 

Ships got bigger which is an understatement and with that comes very strict policy and procedures that did not lead to any personalized service.  More like a cookie cutter approach.  The cruise line was looking for a way to increase profit and in doing so attract a different demographic that has more spendable funds.  The Notion of a Ship-within-a-Ship was created.  If my source, a retired captain of NCL is correct, it was originally created by NCL in the form of the Haven. This VIP section with butlers, private upscale dinning, sundecks, pools and hot tubs was created. It cost upwards of 3X the normal fare. It provided all the amenities the huge ship had plus a much more luxurious private area.

 

Other brands came on board. WHY, Profits were huge for this area so why not.  This area was the first to sell out indicating it was a wise business decision.  Reality, we went back to the old days. 

 

Now many brands do some or all of the strategy.  You named one in Cunard. Any time you have something that is something that you pay extra for like all your dining on a cruise, this concept has a part of. Some other lines now offer early boarding for a price.  Early exit for a price.  Specialty Restaurants for a price. Thermal Spas for a price.  The list goes on.  All say, you can have this stuff if you have the cash.  Cash and budget equals class in the context of this description. 

 

When you see someone move past you and get on the ship early, only for an example, it creates a resentment. Add all the other items where someone paid more, and got more to this list. Now, I don't feel this way, but many do. 

 

When you consider some brands, once you leave your stateroom, everyone is treated the same. So drink packages, internet packages, specialty restaurants included, thermal spa included and the list goes on.  Now brands like Oceana are hybrids.  Want the thermal spa, you have to be in the Concierge category or higher or it cost you.  If you are in one of the three upper end suites, you can get 8 guaranteed specialty restaurant reservations instead of 4 (just an example). So, the more you pay, the more you get.  

 

However, the percentage of amenities are far less then on the Mainstream Cruise brand.  The entire ship is like a Haven On Steroid when you get to this point.  Don't worry, it is not free, there is a premium.  Especially for Luxury and Ultra-Luxury.  The difference is it is closer to everyone being treated the same.  Key word closer. That is the point, always there but closer to everyone in the same so called class. The motivation in all cases for the cruise brand, Increased Profits. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for this great description and analysis. Like you, it doesn’t bother me that some have more or less on the ship, anymore than it does on an airplane. One funny story about resentment: when we boarded our Silversea cruise in Manhattan in June, we were whisked to our ship while the people in the line next to us waiting to board Carnival were in a line that stretched to NJ. We got very resentful looks from them!

[jmdlv1]

On 9/9/2024 at 4:08 PM, Cody-wody said:

Many time cruiser on MSC Yacht Club, NCL Suites, Celebrity, Carnival, HAL....

 

Bottom line is we enjoyed Explora 1 but have no desire to sail Explora again. We sailed them in mid-August Europe and the ship was literally LESS than half full! Judging by some of the fellow cruisers onboard, I tend to think they are heavily discounting in Europe. There was also, probably, a half dozen very senior MSC executives onboard taking notes, including, we were told, the assistant to the owner/CEO of MSC. I really think changes are coming...  

 

Good, for us:

1. Food was best ever experienced on a ship. Coldwater lobster available every evening. Simple, high quality ingredients. Really delicious. Wine is decent but very cheap. Lots of $5 bottles being served. 

2. Staff (for the most part) pretty good. Well-meaning but not super empowered.  

3. Ship is very pretty with EXCELLENT stabilization (apparently a new kind of propeller and other innovations). That said, it's a hotel-design in the sense that the sea isn't the focus. There are fewer unobstructed vistas of the ocean and lots of high glass walls outdoors. If you love the sea this might not be your ship. 

 

Ok, for us:

1. Entertainment was pretty typical mid-sized ship fare. We honestly didn't love the Cruise Director (ahem - Entertainment  Manager). He has a pretty fake and somewhat snooty/condescending style that definitely won't charm everyone. Ex Holland America guy. Entertainment events were VERY badly attended. Like embarrassingly so. We're talking less than five people in the huge show lounge for TED-style talks. Featured singers at the evening show (who were very good) would get a few dozen people. 

 

Bad:

1. Five glorious pools - including the spa. What's wrong? NO SHADE. If you like baking in the sun then you'll be fine. If you prefer to layout in the shade your going to have problems. Consequently the pool areas are often empty. We asked why they do this and were told the billionaire owners of MSC are extremely superstitious and believe umbrellas bring bad luck to ships. I KID YOU NOT. For this reason, no umbrellas! Multiple staff told us this and honestly it's enough for us to never sail them again as that's just ridiculous. This completely ruined the pool scene for us.

 

2. Embarkation was a disorganized mess. Great way to start things off! Security officers far less friendly than other lines. Saw them vaping in full view of customers, etc. My first thought was "these guys belong in front of a nightclub, not a supposedly five star luxury ship."

 

Bottom line in my humble opinion is Explora is definitely in a state of flux. I'd expect major changes. Sailing half full during the peak of the peak season tells you everything you need to know (a year post launch). I wouldn't be surprised if they folded the line into MSC or did something else dramatic... and the one REALLY good thing, the food, is likely to get cut if they need to cut costs. 

 

 

 

I have been researching Explora.

Regularly sail in Celebrity Retreat but looking for  a change.

Was ready to book until I saw no umbrellas or shaded areas by the pools.

The Retreat sundeck offers umbrellas and quite a few shaded areas.

We both have skin conditions so this is a deal breaker for us.

I am disappointed as the ships look gorgeous.

 

[Khareef]

1 hour ago, jmdlv1 said:

I have been researching Explora.

Regularly sail in Celebrity Retreat but looking for  a change.

Was ready to book until I saw no umbrellas or shaded areas by the pools.

The Retreat sundeck offers umbrellas and quite a few shaded areas.

We both have skin conditions so this is a deal breaker for us.

I am disappointed as the ships look gorgeous.

 

 

The pool with retractable roof on deck 11 has plenty of shaded areas.

Not sure where you got this information, a lot of people like to complain for the sake of it on this forum.

[Bongomeme]

44 minutes ago, Khareef said:

 

The pool with retractable roof on deck 11 has plenty of shaded areas.

Not sure where you got this information, a lot of people like to complain for the sake of it on this forum.

I agree…was just up there and plenty of room.  The smaller pools have less shade, but the are places , you might have to move to other side when te sun changes position. 

[jmdlv1]

1 hour ago, Khareef said:

 

The pool with retractable roof on deck 11 has plenty of shaded areas.

Not sure where you got this information, a lot of people like to complain for the sake of it on this forum.

Thanks that makes a difference for us

[kelleherdl]

4 hours ago, Bongomeme said:

I agree…was just up there and plenty of room.  The smaller pools have less shade, but the are places , you might have to move to other side when te sun changes position. 

Explora II has added ‘bespoke’ shade for several of the loungers at the aft pools.  They are set up in the morning and taken down in the afternoon. This is in addition to the permanent cabanas. The Helios Pool on Deck 12 forward is still the wide open sunning area, thus my favorite.  If you don’t mind moving with sun, the side loungers along both sides of deck 12 are still an option.

[wmfabian]

Hi All,  New to the forum. We are a multigenerational family with grandma, 3 millennials and one 6 yr old. We are looking forward to our sailing on Explora II November 22.
I want to know if they have any kids menus?  The granddaughter likes to eat with us but wants everything plain. 

[CruiseCrew123]

How plain ? They do a burger abd pizza in the Emporium Marketplace which was delicious which I’m sure they can do without toppings . Can’t comment on the other restaurants as we only saw 2 kids on board the whole 2 weeks 

Edited October 3 by CruiseCrew123

[Khareef]

5 hours ago, wmfabian said:

Hi All,  New to the forum. We are a multigenerational family with grandma, 3 millennials and one 6 yr old. We are looking forward to our sailing on Explora II November 22.
I want to know if they have any kids menus?  The granddaughter likes to eat with us but wants everything plain. 

They do not but I am sure you just need to ask them and they'll make sure they prepare the dishes the way the kid likes them. 

[PaulMCO]

On 10/3/2024 at 4:36 AM, Khareef said:

They do not but I am sure you just need to ask them and they'll make sure they prepare the dishes the way the kid likes them. 

I am sure the kids will love the menu at Fil Rouge (fois gras, escargot) and Sakura (suschi) etc.

Marble and the Emporium are the more likely venues for kids. 

 

Asking for something special on Explora -- good luck -- could not get a custom pizza in January,

[Waltershipman]

46 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

I am sure the kids will love the menu at Fil Rouge (fois gras, escargot) and Sakura (suschi) etc.

Marble and the Emporium are the more likely venues for kids. 

 

Asking for something special on Explora -- good luck -- could not get a custom pizza in January,

However my 6 and 8 year old grandchildren would want Sakura for every meal since they love sushi and wagu beef. Who knew???

[southt00]

On 10/2/2024 at 9:17 AM, jmdlv1 said:

I have been researching Explora.

Regularly sail in Celebrity Retreat but looking for  a change.

Was ready to book until I saw no umbrellas or shaded areas by the pools.

The Retreat sundeck offers umbrellas and quite a few shaded areas.

We both have skin conditions so this is a deal breaker for us.

I am disappointed as the ships look gorgeous.

 

 

Hi @jmdlv1, not sure if these images help but I pulled them from a few reputable cruise sites.  There is also a few youtube videos of Explora II with the shades installed. 

 

 

[Khareef]

5 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

I am sure the kids will love the menu at Fil Rouge (fois gras, escargot) and Sakura (suschi) etc.

Marble and the Emporium are the more likely venues for kids. 

 

Asking for something special on Explora -- good luck -- could not get a custom pizza in January,

Maybe they don't like you, I got everything I asked for, including pizza with the toppings I wanted in the evening 🙂

Edited October 7 by Khareef

[jmdlv1]

5 minutes ago, southt00 said:

 

Hi @jmdlv1, not sure if these images help but I pulled them from a few reputable cruise sites.  There is also a few youtube videos of Explora II with the shades installed. 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting those. I became interested in Explora after seeing some YouTube videos but did not see any pics showing the loungers with covers.

Trying to figure out the dates and itinerary that will work for us.

[Stickman1990]

7 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

I am sure the kids will love the menu at Fil Rouge (fois gras, escargot) and Sakura (suschi) etc.

Marble and the Emporium are the more likely venues for kids. 

Theres lots more options on the menus at Fil Rouge, Sakura and Med Yacht Club that those items that would work for children - but in todays modern world plenty of children eat sushi anyway 

[wmfabian]

Thanks everyone for all the advice on meals for my 6 year old granddaughter. She will eat chicken, fish, shrimp, steak and, of course, lobster. I am sure we can get the sauce on the side as Ben did in his video.

I appreciate all the responses!  We have been cruising Star class on RCL but have gotten tired of the crowds and definitely food fatigue. It is just awful when you get off a ship at Nassau with up to 30,000 of your new friends - depending on the number of ships in port. 
I cruise Silversea solo, but am amused and amazed by the reactions whenever a child shows up. I don’t want to subject my Granddaughter to the fear and anxiety.
I wanted to try Explora with the family because of their push for multigenerational families. 
i think because we are in a Thanksgiving cruise there may be a few more children. We will see. 
I probably should have opened a separate topic for this. Sorry to have tagged on. 

[Stickman1990]

39 minutes ago, wmfabian said:

I think because we are in a Thanksgiving cruise there may be a few more children. We will see. 

Just wanted to add if your research hasn’t already found it but they have a great room for children with a ton of games and other material to keep kids mused 

 

Sure there’s no water slides or rock walls but it’s simply not that sort of line - but I think between the pools and the facilities for kids as well as great dining options you and she will have a ball - enjoy

[PaulMCO]

5 hours ago, Khareef said:

Maybe they don't like you, I got everything I asked for, including pizza with the toppings I wanted in the evening 🙂

or maybe they changed the policy because of all of the complaints.  Or they refused to make a Hawaiian Pizza...  🙂

[Stickman1990]

28 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

Or they refused to make a Hawaiian Pizza...  🙂

Good call not to make it! That combination is a crime against humanity 😂😉

[CruiseCrew123]

You will still get surprised looks when people see children on board ( think of The Witches Film ). The multigenerational spread was definitely grand parents , parents and over 18 grown up children in September . Think I only saw a couple of kids on board and no one ever on the kids club - it did look good though 

[Khareef]

7 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

or maybe they changed the policy because of all of the complaints.  Or they refused to make a Hawaiian Pizza...  🙂

Hawaiian Pizza on an Italian ship should be illegal, you are lucky the (Italian) captain didn't kick you out 🙂

[Khareef]

9 hours ago, wmfabian said:

Thanks everyone for all the advice on meals for my 6 year old granddaughter. She will eat chicken, fish, shrimp, steak and, of course, lobster. I am sure we can get the sauce on the side as Ben did in his video.

I appreciate all the responses!  We have been cruising Star class on RCL but have gotten tired of the crowds and definitely food fatigue. It is just awful when you get off a ship at Nassau with up to 30,000 of your new friends - depending on the number of ships in port. 
I cruise Silversea solo, but am amused and amazed by the reactions whenever a child shows up. I don’t want to subject my Granddaughter to the fear and anxiety.
I wanted to try Explora with the family because of their push for multigenerational families. 
i think because we are in a Thanksgiving cruise there may be a few more children. We will see. 
I probably should have opened a separate topic for this. Sorry to have tagged on. 

The lady in charge of the kids room told me that in peak summer time they had something like 80 kids on board and they had to split them in several groups for the playtime 🙂 there were some 10-12 in September when I was on board.

 

Silversea reaction in what sense? People were all over them because they are cute or they looked at you like you broke some sort of non spoken code? 

[wmfabian]

12 hours ago, Khareef said:

The lady in charge of the kids room told me that in peak summer time they had something like 80 kids on board and they had to split them in several groups for the playtime 🙂 there were some 10-12 in September when I was on board.

 

Silversea reaction in what sense? People were all over them because they are cute or they looked at you like you broke some sort of non spoken code? 

A dozen younger kids would be nice so she can make friends. 
 

As far as Silversea goes, definitely the latter. It was like a baby on an airplane. Nobody wanted to sit next to them or hear them. It was kind of like spotting a whale. “Oh my gosh, is that a child!”