Dr. Cocktail

52 minutes ago, mnocket said:

I wouldn't be so sure.  Sometimes successful businesses are successful because they cut loose business segments that fail to become profitable after a reasonable time.  Just saying. 

Absolutely .... but, um, it's been only 9 months!

I know that I'm a cheerleader for Explora - but - there are a LOT of industry interviews in print and video with statements from the Vago family. They  point blankly  state that they don't have to care about pleasing shareholders. As a wholly owned family business that has been around for over 50 years, they take the long view on most everything.

Again, they have stated (and people can scoff) that they plan on dominating the luxury segment.

 Back to your initial quote - I think that a "reasonable time" for a start-up cruise line would be 5 years to see where you stand.

Celebrity didn't make any money for their first 8 years until they were bought out by RCI.

11 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

 

To clarify, MSC profits are really due to  enormous freight business not cruises. Container ships are still coining money. 

Absolutely - but a huge advantage over, well, EVERYONE where the parent can “lend” the money to a subsidiary with hugely mutually advantageous terms. The rest all have to go hat in hand to their backers and hope for the best.

The Apontes are in it for the long haul - they’re not going anywhere.

11 hours ago, Whipsnade said:

Not surprised. Explora now picking the bottom of bund barrel with TAs so far down many have never sold a cruise. They are cannibalising the few paying guests. 
And now second ship “delayed”. No info about 3,4,5 and 6. When is Aponte going to pull the plug?

3 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Have you heard when it’s delayed too ?

Explora II had a delayed delivery announced months ago but I don't recall any new setbacks. If you could provide a recent source, that would be appreciated.

Fincantieri has had many late deliveries recently, the most  recent being that of Sun Princess which cancelled its inaugural sailing literally days before departure. Even after sailing, it left without all facilities and entertainment options complete.

As for sailing empty, I would be more concerned if I was A and K. The Crystal ships are also sailing with a less than ideal number of revenue generating passengers. My agent tells me that she is constantly inundated with offers from them.  She is part of a luxury conglomerate and she said that their failure has still left a bad taste in many of the agents who had to deal with the aftermath of their collapse.

MSC made a staggering 38 Billion USD in profits in 2022 (you can look this up - it's a fact). They're in it for the long haul.  They truly make RCI, Carnival Corp and NCLHI look like poor cousins.

34 minutes ago, English Tim said:

I wonder if anyone can help me with a solution for what this pictured socket is for, which can be found in the bathroom. None of my devices fit the socket, except possibly my iPhone or iPad. If I want to charge my shaver or toothbrush, I have to use a socket outside the bathroom, which I find unusual. 

 

The second image is of the control for the underfloor heating, which we love.

Loving your review!

My new shaver actually recharges on a usb port - 🤷‍♂️.

For our second sailing on E1, I brought a usb nightlight!

But …. an outlet would have been better!

41 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I agree – and also suspect your tense is correct.  Remember when the Solstice class was introduced, they went back and 'Solsticized' the Millennium class?  They are now 'Edgifying' the M and S classes, to make sure they ruin the entire fleet...

20 minutes ago, Waltershipman said:

In looking at the Edge class ships just seemed too big. Your comments bear that out plus the Retreat prices are very high IMHO for what you get

Sailed on Seabourn on a 14 night that was excellent 

Enjoy

Hey - we still talk about entering the Grand Dining room on Celebrity Century almost 30 years (!!!!) ago on the upper level and walking past the orchestra as you descended the grand staircase!!!

Our memories play tricks on us but it was remarkable how 900 people could be served a SUPERB dinner simultaneously with no need of specialty restaurants.

But .... I've hijacked this topic enough...

7 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

With the Edge class, you could change that to "a bit of rogue applied."  Still not appealing IMHO.

I am a cruising addict and my partner enjoys it but not to my level. He's much more rational but after about 5 days of hearing people say "Celebrity is my FAVOURITE line", he was "um, could you please tell me why?"

Pictures can NOT show how these ships ultimately don't work.  Not a single "enclosed" lounge to have a quiet drink or chat, practically no live music but pumped in aggressive prerecorded  music everywhere, dining areas far too small for the number of passengers and a constant din because of the numbers of people.

It's been 13 years so my memory may not be serving me well but the Solstice Class ships were far superior.

4 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

Great info Doc. Our last Celebrity Retreat was January 2023 last Oceania vista in January 2024 and last EJ October 2023. 

 

EJ is clearly and for many reasons our best choice for luxury cruising. While O Vista had excellent entertainment we found the ship too crowded and just not a peak experience.  While EJ is getting their back of house improvements the ship cree and food are stellar 

 

Enjoy

We have sailed on Celebrity 33 times with over 250 days onboard but had a civilized separation almost a decade ago. It was becoming apparent that the product had become Royal Caribbean with a bit of rouge applied.

We tried again 5 years ago and had a terrible experience but yet returned as their Norwegian Fjords itinerary was perfect for us. As I always tell friends, itinerary is always number #1 and you can usually suck it up for a week or two!  (ie get over yourself!)

But .... after having read soooooo much about the Edge Class ships (pro and con) I was unprepared for how it all just didn't work!  It really was like someone had floated a high-end mall to sea with a capacity of 2000 but loaded it up with 3000 instead for ... just because.

I know some people go between Carnival and Seabourn or the like but it just didn't work for us.

The noise!  The crowds! The lines!

I have yet to try Seabourn or Crystal (and will be on Seabourn later this year) but Explora is a good fit for me at this stage of my life.

Gary: I have really enjoyed your previous posts and your definitive Haven reviews.

As a long time and frequent Haven cruise - don't worry.  You're going to have a fabulous time!

I've been on two Explora sailings, have three more booked and am likely going to book a 4th in the next week!

As I found on my Celebrity sailing last week, there's no going back!

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Maybe, but it seems crowded to me because I have been sailing on much smaller vessels recently. What can I tell you? I am just being honest with my opinion.

Thanks so much for your review!

I feel your pain .... I  sailed on Explora in November and March and followed up on Apex 8 weeks later. I still have PCSD - Post Celebrity Stress Disorder.  I don't think that my eyelid will ever stop twitching!

14 hours ago, KJB416 said:

I’m so glad to hear it’s improving. Please continue to keep us updated.

 

On another note, I also can’t be in the sun for long periods of time, but husband loves it. In their marketing brochures they have covers on the beds on deck 5 around the pool like picture below. I’ve never asked about it bc both of my trips have been in cold weather and sun has not been too much of an issue.  Do you know if the shades in the picture below are available?  I’ve never seen them up while onboard and like I said never needed them to ask after them .  

14 hours ago, uktog said:

I believe these shades were found to be no use in any breeze - a case of a hotel designer not understanding that the aft of the ship has a breeze, so the idea was scrapped 

14 hours ago, Sidney68 said:

They are certainly not used on this trip but I will enquire if they are ever used or available. On level 5 shade is restricted and my partner sits on one of the sofa’s next to the bar with his book which suits him well. There are “four poster”

type cabana’s with curtains on deck 11 but not directly by a pool if that is an issue. Lots of shady areas in the conservatory pool, it’s just too humid in there for our liking, with or without roof on. 

Sidney68:  Thanks so much for your live posts!  Greatly enjoyed .... I'm faaaaaaaaar too lazy to do them myself.

I chatted with an officer on our last cruise and Explora II will have much more shade and Explora I will get improvements upon her return to Europe.  I am assuming umbrellas and such.

I loved my two cruises on Explora and am presently recovering from PCSD - Post Celebrity Stress Disorder!  I just got off Apex 8 weeks after Explora and I don't think that my eye will ever stop twitching!

1 hour ago, Waltershipman said:

Enjoy your posts a lot

Thanks!  Happy that you're booked again!

18 hours ago, saminina said:

  Guessing you have talked with more people that have considered Explora a move up versus the SB, Regent types.  What would you think the split to be?  My guess is 7 to 1.   Your last paragraph is spot on.

7 hours ago, 2SailingNomads said:

Not yet decided, have another 7 days on-board.  Problem is with 290 and now 325 pax hard to know how it works for 800.  As always needs to be the itinerary we are interested in, the timing etc.  Have 6 future cruises booked for end of this year and 2025 plus multiple land-based vacations and nothing I have seen yet for Explora excites me in the future.  But overall we really like the product.  

 

As to the move up ratio, probably equal to higher enders like us trying it out.  

 

Obviously you like it if coming back.  So much potential, maybe EJ III can rectify the shade issues and better bathroom design.   

We've sailed twice and did a few catamaran excursions where we chatted with a lot of people.

Basically everyone had been on Regent/Silversea/ and particularly Seabourn.  While there were many cruise first timers, there were extremely few people who had sailed on a premium or mass market line before.

On our second sailing we actually travelled with our friends who generally do Regent and Silversea.

I spoke to management on board and was told that Explora II will have a lot more shade and I would be getting more too on her return to Europe. We're also shade monsters and didn't find it a huge problem as we would just move once or twice a day. There's waaaaay more shade than the Regent Explorer Class Ships and it appears that there's basically no shade at all on Siver Nova and beyond.

We sailed with 400 on our first trip and between 600 and 700 for our second and the ship strangely felt much better with the additional passengers! Just a nicer vibe although it made second visits to Sakura and Marble next to impossible.

2 hours ago, RJ2002 said:

We have our first Explora 'journey' coming up soon, and have recently received an email from Explora regarding our onboard preferences.   One of the items was this:

 

WELCOME TOASTS AND BEVERAGES

Toasting the launch of a sea-faring journey is a long-held maritime tradition. So, to help you begin your journey in style, please let us know about your beverages of choice.

Share Your Preferences >

 

When I log on to the Explora website and access my booking, I am getting a message to contact my travel advisor or Explora to make selections.   I am guessing these are beverage preferences for our suite (we are in a Penthouse).   Does anyone know if this includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages?   Are we able to request full bottles of spirits, or is it just the mini bottles?  Can you request a bottle of wine for the suite?

 

Thanks for any guidance.

 

 

We have sailed twice in a Penthouse over the last few months and my advice is .... don't worry about it!  You cabin attendant will leave a form in the room for your alcoholic preferences and they will appear in due course. The sizes will range from 200 cc to 1 L and will be replenished if consumed.  Obviously, you can tell him or her what you want ... they really want to make you happy!

Of course, they will do the same for juices, mixers and pop.

As for wine - we ordered lunch one day from Room Service and asked if it was possible to get a glass of wine. The operator said "wouldn't you much rather have the bottle?".

I complimented her on reading my mind!

11 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

With your passenger count does the shop feel roomy and we're you able to dine freely at all venues

 

Thank you

Good morning!  We had between 600 and 700 on our sailing (I can't remember!) and the ship felt no more crowded than the 400 in November. Second reservations were a problem -we weren't successful but our friends who ate early got in a few times.

I have taken the liberty of reposting the article link in a more accessible fashion as many may not understand that the original title of this post is actually the link.

This way, people can read and interpret the article for themselves.

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/04/explora-journey-creating-a-unique-cruise-brand/

To clarify, NOWHERE in this article does it say that they have no plans to change.

As for "they think that they are doing great": This is the exact quote from their Chief Sales Officer:

“At the very beginning, we told a very bold story. Many of our travel partners didn’t believe us. Now, they do,” he said, noting that Explora Journeys has created a “category of one.”

Austin said that Explora never aimed to create a “copy of a classic, traditional cruise brand” but something “very special, different and unique” that incorporates the “vision and the dream” of MSC Cruises Group owners to create something entirely new.

11 minutes ago, CJANDH said:

But at home you have to pick up your towels and make your bed 🤪

Have you ever been to my sister-in-law's house?

8 hours ago, maggie.1008 said:

This will be my 70th birthday cruise. How did that happen?

My waist might get larger and my liver will be hanging by a tread but I will have a smashing time.

So sorry to say that I am not as clever as you with my writing skills and technical ability.

Happy to answer any questions along the way.

We will fly from San Francisco to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines brand new Dreamliner aircraft. Treating ourselves to first class.✈️

We have friends in Hawaii meeting us for two nights before we board the ship on thr 27th.

 I have high expectations for this cruise and have been following along since the early stages.

I have four friends who are disappointed in the new Regent Grandeur 

They are getting off the ship today in NYC.

I enjoyed your review and all the best to you and yours.

cheers, Heather 

We all know that I am a "cheerleader" on these boards but I still think that it's better than being a font of negativity like what we've  also seen!

Our RegentCertified (sm) friends who joined us thought that the food on Explora was miles above R.

I was 60 on our last sailing a few weeks ago and Explora defines what I think that luxury cruising should be. No excessive bling, no need for me to be babysat, fantastic fellow passengers, no need for bragging about "badge appeal" and one upmanship and just plain swell.

A quiet, elegant product on a ship whose outdoor decks and bars are unmatched by anyone else in the industry.

Oh ... and btw...

Happy Birthday!

7 minutes ago, maggie.1008 said:

We have moved to a Penthouse suite for our Hawaii cruise. Does the Penthouse come with any complimentary laundry? Also can you order cocktails and wine from room service? 
Many thanks 😊 

Yes!  While many references have been removed, I've attached this link that shows that you get a complimentary bag of laundry.

https://explorajourneys.com/ca/en/life-on-explora/onboard-services

When we had our room service lunch, I asked for two glasses of wine. The operator was "wouldn't you much rather have the entire bottle?".

Bottle arrived n/c but I didn't ask about cocktails!

22 minutes ago, Limonadier said:

Alright Thanks for this,  we are in PH as well

and would have appreciated the Dom which was included at time of booking but oh well...I will see if a sale happen on my sailing and splurge with my onboard credits 🙂

 

We loved Explora just as much the second time as the first. I'm loathe to comment as people tend to seize on the negativities but I just wish there was a larger, rotating selection of wines.

We were joined by friends who are total Regent devotees and commented on how Regent couldn't compare on food or entertainment!

Returning to the Champagne, we should be happy that it's not the Montaudon aka swill that is the house brand on Seabourn!

30 minutes ago, Limonadier said:

I now understand Mercier is the included Champagne onboard for all guest and has also replaced the Veuve Clicquot as welcome bottle in OT. What about the welcome bottle of Champagne in Penthouse ? and Residences ? Any recent DP ? Thanks.

On March 1st, we had the Mercier in our PH - same as throughout the ship. I found it drinkable if not my absolute fave.

Like us Canadians, it doesn't make waves!

56 minutes ago, Noggins said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So sorry to hear this! Losing an animal is THE worst.

The same thing happened to us after a cruise 16 years ago but unfortunately, she didn't last until our return.

Her "replacements" (personality so big that two required) are turning 16 but please don't tell them that they're geriatric! They would both strenuously object!

Again, so sorry that you had to go through this.

I'm glad that you got to enjoy Explora but disappointed that it wasn't the best fit for you. At my stage in life, the product works exceptionally well for me.

2 hours ago, Norwegian Cruiser 73 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

So funny .... we were there also there March 7 and your camera pans past us in the distance at about 2 o'clock!

 

 

 

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

Well, I get that, except the Residences are treated differently. They get to experience the YC area on OC which we have always enjoyed. So why should we not feel as second class citizens? 

 

A venue that we have had as YC guests is now for another higher “first class”.   
 

So how is this egalitarian? everyone treated as the same?
 

 

I have no problem when out of a maximum of 461 suites, only 5% of those that paid three times what I paid have access to the YC area. Especially when the island is basically empty.

But ... and with no disrespect intended, if this is unacceptable to you, don't book. Aside from Ocean Cay, you have universal access to everything on the ship.

4 hours ago, TrinaLC said:

Dr Cocktail, didn’t you find the OC experience devalued after having experienced the full “YC treatment”?  
 

and I guess we don’t know yet what the experience will be like with a normal docking …

I think that you have to get out of the entire "YC mindset".  The YC pampers you by making you feel special among a vast crowd. They emphasize this with the private decks, lounges and restaurants.

Explora, like most of the luxury lines is far more egalitarian - everyone is treated the same, that is - fabulously ! Better food, better restaurants, few announcements and a well-travelled crowd.

I wish that I could explain it better - It's an overall quieter, more refined and relaxed experience. No real lines, no noise. Definitely no bling!  My expectations of a private island were minimal.

It was just nice to pull up to the dock (no tendering), walk off and have a relaxed day with friends.

We were literally seated and chatting four minutes after stepping off the dock.  The true luxury is and was space and no fuss.