Explora Journeys was my first cruise and I was not sure what to expect and I have to say from the moment I first stepped on board, I was completely blown away. Explora Journeys say they are a cruise for non-cruisers and I can see why this is. It actually felt more like a private yacht experience, or a 5* floating boutique Hotel. The whole ship was beautifully decorated and had so many private areas to relax, a great choice of restaurants with Michelin Star cuisine on offer.
The food on Explora is absolutely the best I have ever tasted, from the variety, standard and presentation of every meal. You have the choice of 6 stunning restaurants to choose from, 3 of them require reservations in advance and this can be done either before travel or on board, however I do recommend pre booking as they do get busy. Explora is very different to other cruise lines where there is no traditional dining but the modern way of eating just like you would in a Restaurant at home, simply walk in and you will be given a table of whatever size you require.
Every restaurant had a beautiful menu to choose from with a choice for all tastes, most were 5 courses if you could manage this. Along with a great selection of wines all included in the price or champagne if that's your tipple. The Emporium Marketplace has the most amazing array of food I have ever seen, with 16 fresh cooking stations it was difficult to know where to start, from fresh lobster, oysters to fillet steak or freshly made pasta and pizza and the most amazing desserts to finish off, this definitely can't be described as buffet as chefs serve you at each station and waiters on hand to help you back to your table.
This is open for all meals with breakfast being my star favourite, from freshly cooked eggs and omelettes to smoked Salmon and the most amazing choice of pastries and fresh fruits. Lunchtime they also have an amazing burger corner which is open for an extra hour in the afternoon.
My favourite was the Sakura which was a pan Asian offering an assortment of far east delights including Sushi or freshly cooked noodles, the setting was stunning with inside and outdoor eating.
If Steak is your thing, then head to Marble and Co where you can choose from around 5 different Steaks with all the different sauces to match. If not, you have French and Mediterranean options in the Med Yacht Club and Fil Rouge Restaurants, all offering an array of dishes to suit everyone.
Anthology Restaurant is where Michelin star chefs are brought onboard to offer their Cuisine for a cover charge, along with wine pairing this would be amazing to celebrate a special occasion.
On top of all these dining choices, you can relax in the Explora Lounge and enjoy a beautiful afternoon Tea between 4-5 every day or chill out in the Crema Cafe with every coffee variety available, my favourite was their Cappuccino or freshly made Lemon and Ginger Tea, and not forgetting the fresh cookies or finger sandwiches always available.
If by any chance you are still hungry or would like to dine in your cabin or on your beautiful balcony then simply order room service, we had this twice and the food was just as lovely, arrived quickly and was very fresh and hot.
All in all, this ship is a must for foodies, you will be astounded by the choice and variation on offer. I would definitely recommend this to someone new to cruising looking for a luxurious holiday but without the formalities of other cruise lines.
