Wheelhouse

Interesting, but consider the source of the article. https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2023/07/articles/fires/msc-cruises-and-clia-downplay-dangers-of-failed-certification-of-faulty-fire-resistant-panels-on-mscs-new-luxury-cruise-ship-explora-i/

This sounds a little promising. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/safety-security/explora-i-delayed-due-fire-safety-concerns

I have an extended journey booked for April and was considering booking another before that. Now I will be waiting. It is terrible that those on the inaugural have not been informed by Explora.

Doesn't the new "cruise only" fare differ from the old "cruise only" fare in that the Simply More excursion OBC, beer and wine with meals, and second wifi are now included?

I gave the wrong month for my cruise. It is April 2024, not September (different line, different cruise). Try hitting on "details". That's where mine shows the difference. Could be a glitch, but I can pay the "full balance" at the lower amount.

Not sure which thread to include this. I checked my September booking for Explora I and my invoice has decreased by $1000 and likewise my balance due is 1K lower. I haven't the faintest idea why this has happened, but I am certainly not complaining. The listed fare for each passenger is now $500 lower. A total WAG, but maybe the 1K difference has to with an extended journey credit just now being applied.

My account is now totally correct. My one future cruise appeared yesterday, with all the correct details. As far as I can tell, my limited point total has always been right. When I received the letter today I expected everyone else would be good. I guess I was wrong.

My booking that I made a month ago now appears on the Azamara website. The cruise is a long ways out so I have not been at all concerned. So maybe they are making some progress with the transition.

Right now I can see 42 pages of excursions with 414 separate ones listed. They are certainly not your cookie cutter excursions.

The Hawaii cruise obviously has lots of sea days - two 5 day stretches. There are overnights in both Hilo and Honolulu. There are stops in Lahaina (Maui) and Nawillwilli (Kauai) - It stops at Victoria on the return before Vancouver.

Chrome doesn't work for me to scroll down to look at the itinerary.

I just watched a very recently released 1/2 hour YouTube presentation sponsored by a travel agency, but 100% delivered by a spokesman for Explora. There was some interesting new information. The Explora representative said that the best selling journeys so far are 1. the TA through Iceland, Greenland, and Canada and 2. the roundtrip Hawaii from Vancouver. He also said there will never be any discounting of the fares. If the bookings are not what the the were hoping for then then will just carry less guests.

I would expect they might be bringing some crew over from MSC. Hopefully it will be some of their better people. If you are doing the Hawaii cruise R/T from Vancouver we will be on that one too.

The website now determines your precise location ( it didn't previously) and prices you accordingly. I am euro citizen, but living at a US address and can only pay in US dollars.

I noticed a bit of a currency discrepancy with the Explora Journeys booking engine. For example, looking at the 18 Apr 2024 RT Vancouver Hawaiian Islands cruise the fare in dollars is 14,800, but in euros its 12,800. These two currencies are currently at par. US passengers appear to be taking a hit.