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vorite was a calamari and vegetable dish with lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path lo-
cooked to perfection in minutes and served cations. Some journeys feature non-con-
with a flourish by the chef. ventional arrival and departure times
Laura enjoyed lessons learned during a combined with overnight stays, so guests
three-hour Chef’s Kitchen on Deck 11 with have the opportunity to immerse them-
one of the chefs, a good showman and selves deeply in each port of call. Austin,
artist with all things culinary. They followed the president, said this approach aligns
the chef through steps to create dishes with the growing trend in luxury travel to-
from two Italian recipes and enjoyed it all ward more meaningful, immersive experi-
with ocean views. ences.
Cafes and Lounges Immersive Itineraries
The Crema Café on Deck 5 is open from Explora Journeys operates over 100
6:30 a.m. until late evening for coffee, tea, unique itineraries across its fleet, including
and pastry lovers. The European-style café multiple regions: Mediterranean (Italy,
is a great spot to relax with a cup of coffee Greece, Croatia); Caribbean (St. Barts, An-
or tea and snack, watch the flow of guests, tigua, Bahamas); Northern Europe (Norway,
and catch up on email. The Explora Lounge, Iceland, Greenland); South America (Brazilian
astern on Deck 11, is another informal, re- Amazon, Panama Canal); Middle East & In-
laxing venue with 270° ocean views. It of- dian Ocean (Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Mal-
fers light meals, snacks, and traditional dives); and Alaska (Glacier Bay, Inside
afternoon tea with a fine selection of pas- Passage).
tries, something we enjoyed daily. Also on Shore excursions, which Explora calls
Deck 11 is the Gelateria & Creperie at The "Destination Experiences," are not included in
Conservatory, where French and Italian in- the cruise fare. These experiences range
dulgences can be enjoyed in a relaxed, from around 85 to 200 Euros per person and
weather-protected area near the pool. must be purchased separately.
For those who appreciate fine spirits, Their literature pitches the opportunity to
the Malt Whiskey Bar on Deck 11 offers rare explore ancient ruins with expert guides,
whiskies, a walk-in humidor, and a cigar ex- sample local delicacies in hidden trattorias,
pert for guidance. The Astern Lounge on 5 hike through breathtaking landscapes, or re-
serves as the casual social hub of the jour- lax and soak in the atmosphere. Onboard
ney, hosting live music, DJ sessions, and destination experts provide insider knowl-
enrichment programs. The Lobby Bar on edge, while thoughtfully curated shore excur-
Deck 4 is a central gathering spot with sions invite travelers to engage with local
comfortable seats, a stairway to Deck 5, cultures, cuisines, and traditions.
and aceiling open up to Deck 6. It has We applaud their mission and the initial
nightly entertainment from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 successes with Explora I and II. Explora Jour-
p.m. and 9 to 11:15 p.m. neys will appeal to travelers seeking a new
We chatted with several hosts about level of casual luxury at sea, combining the
destinations. They said Explora Journeys comfort of a high-end resort with the adven-
also tries to set itself apart in its approach ture of global exploration and the level of
to destinations. The smaller ships let the service found at Five-Star hotels. We enjoyed
Explora experts plan itineraries that take the experience and plan to try one of their
the ships into pristine areas beyond the ca- more immersive itineraries, cruising among
pabilities of vessels with 1,000 rooms and smaller ports, sometime soon.
more. They work to blend the most popular
140 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SPRING 2025
