PaulMCO

Continuing same today...

11 minutes ago, Dean said:

I would appreciate hearing from others before we sign up for the 3/24/25 cruise out of Miami.  It is difficult to separate the pros and cons of any new ship. we are looking for a luxury experience on the Explora 1.  Will we be disappointed? 

 

Dean

Have you travelled on other Luxury lines before??  If so which ones...

A lot of the opinion is from those, including myself, who have been on Regent, Crystal etc...and are comparing our likes and dislikes.

15 hours ago, BWIVince said:

 

It might take more patience than that...  🙂  It took old Crystal 30+ years to get a handful of intermediaries.  The synergy with A&K's sales network might expedite this, but it's is such a conditional process that I wouldn't hold my breath on what partnerships they sign next/soon/later/ever.  Crossing my fingers for you though.  🙂 

 

Vince

Yes -- but they were Old Crystal's local representatives and probably owed money.  Would presume that is the case with many of the old partners.  It makes it difficult to reset a network when insolvency occurs (been through that) and general some sort of accommodation is reached for past issues, even though nothing is technically owed.

@drpclarkeThat is because Explora Journeys is lacking in many areas in support for both TA and clients with the worst IT system in the industry.

If you book clients be aware of many issue you will have to help your clients with

1) Missing details on their bookings, including incorrect DOB and name details.  Including accessing their booking

2) Trouble booking excursions

3) Trouble booking specialty dining

4) Trouble checking in and/or using the Phone APP

Yes your clients will can call Explora directly to solve some of these issue, but many will lean on you.

On 6/1/2024 at 12:24 PM, glawless said:

Has anyone heard anything about progress on the construction of explora 2?  We are booked on its second or third voyage and just want to make sure things are progressing on schedule. 
 

thank you

If I had to bet --  would be a late handover/delivery. 

She has yet to leave the port even though the AIS system is programmed for sea trials.

I think the goal was to have this done by 1 August, then some publicity sailings and first cruise on 11 August.

Not much time for trials, corrections/fixes and and final acceptance and clean up.

If you want to see where Explora II is check cruisemapper.com

She is still in Genoa, the AIS system is turned on and has Sea Trials programmed.   But she has yet to leave dock.  Still 2 months til first official cruise on 11 Aug in Barcelona.

Explora 3 has had its first steel cut late last year.

I am betting on 4 ships (5 and 6 are options)

3 hours ago, TRIPACIAN said:

One more comment about the two new ships now under construction. I was told that they would operate under the A & K flag not Crystal.  Also, they have been in the planning for A & K for a long time and are needed to fit into their business model.

 

 

Correct..

They are just following the trend to control the product.  A&K currently leases space on river boats on both market segments.  Uniworld built their own as did Viking.  The issue was the condition of the product.  In Egypt, boats were old and poorly maintained, most sat tied up rotting from the Arab Spring.    In the case of Egypt, the boat (it is a boat) as well as its furnishing must come from Egypt manufacturer.  Importation from abroad exceedingly difficult.

The food is definitely better than anything SS can do and no surcharges.

Port days -- one of the two restaurants  (Sakura or Med Yacht).

Sea Days -- two of the specialties were open. 

I do not think that Marble was ever open for Lunch.

I do not know if the passenger count influences the number either we were close to 600.

I think you all miss the point as to what caused Genting to go belly up taking of course Crystal.

It was buying a pig of a shipyard MV Werften still mired in the days of the Soviet Union.  A shipyard that had never built a large Cruise ship.  GHK had to invest 100's of million into the shipyard then of course its only one Ocean ship was ever completed that being Endeavor.  Global Dream of course was a 1billion white elephant.  The reason Endeavor was a 350M Euro ship was not its beauty, hi-tech features, or high end fixtures but the inefficiency of building it.  GHK was so over leveraged when COVID hit, the house of cards had to fall.  Crystal was just a pimple on that house of cards,

Way different programs and ways to get points.  We have done 6 SS cruises with 90 night 10 short of the magic 100.   We have done ONE long ago Celebrity expedition cruise and have 60 points = SELECT.  So we get to the magic 100 benefits with one 7 day cruise versus 6 SS cruises. 

Something is wrong here.

I really think people are making more into what the changes mean.  They are just trying to compete.

Contract air fare rates are not going to disappear.  Regent air can be a bargain and sometimes not.

Regent used to have an economy fare, unless you were in a higher suite.  Then they switched to biz only (with an air credit possible), then they started a "quiet" downgrade option to PE.

So they are giving more flexibility, which is good, plus added blacklane transfers -- giving a total turnkey type of experience. 

Playing Silversea games.  Just like Silversea did when they added excursions.  Nothing more than D to D.  Blacklane if you do not want the home transfers gets you the $250pp less on the fare.  They already created last year the separate cruise fare (without air and transfers) - without the fine print for air credit

Just show some pity to  @Mike Moore and his team who to have to implement this change. 🙂

48 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@PaulMCO long time since we visited last.  This trip is for my sister and me.  I looked at Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Explora Journey.  I personally wanted to do Crystal again but the itinerary led to bad flights.  I also wanted to try something new. Oceania was also an option and the best value however it was a 10 day cruise.  I love my sister but being with her for 7 days is a stretch.  I am also on an Oceania cruise (Vista) for ten days in the Mediterranean Oct 2025 so I figure, try something new. 

 

I read your entire list and appreciate the time you took to list them.  It is clear you remember all the many questions I asked prior to cruising on Crystal.  You nailed every question.  Thank you.

 

Paul, as you know, I usually do a deep dive into details.  My approach is a bit different here.  I think it has to do with my getting a bit older and not needing the Mega Ships anymore.  The other consideration that we all make is the person that is joining us.  My (Older) sister who has never ever cruised requested quiet places, could care less about the food, may not consider getting off the ship, does not drink a lot and thought having a balcony was PERFECT.  Now once she is on the ship, some of that may change because she knows not what she will receive. In my minds eye I said, "OK, let's give Explora Journey a try".  Like chicken soup, it can't hurt. 

 

Again, your list is point on, very helpful and appreciated.  Thanks for the effort. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

Based on that Explora would be a great choice.  Ship is beautiful and cabins are large.  Friendly crew, decent coffees.. Perfect.

On 5/15/2024 at 1:28 PM, English Tim said:

What none of us know is what it’ll be like when the ship is full.

Except when they are full of TA's and you tube bloggers...

Hello Gary - nice to see you trying another cruise line....

It depends on what you are comparing the cruise line to.

1) No real special perks (that matter) for better cabins.  Yes you get a butler for a Residence.  But you do not get any more bookings in the specialties or can book reservations or excursions. earlier like on Oceania or Regent.  There is no real status for a better suite.  You do get a priority embarkation.

2) Bar list for stateroom is rather poor. Champagne has gone from premium to less than. Included Wine is $10 variety on Explora and $15 on O and Regent.

3) Entertainment better on Oceania (and Oceania is not known for good shows).

4) Gratuities are included, no need to have status or special OBC from your TA like on O

5) No loyalty program yet on Explora

6) Excursions were very well organized.  Destination Experience desk was very good and even arranged a special tour (horseback riding along the beach in Cartagena) at a reasonable price.

7) Everything is priced in Euro's

8.  Chairhogs at pools.  We saw a few on our cruise.  But Oceania seems to be the king or queen of lounge hogs.

9) Service is very attentive, I thought better than O

10) Coffee Explora uses Illy.  Oceania has discontinued their use of the brand.

11) WEB site on Explora is horrible, you will likely need to book things in advance via phone.

12) Food again subjective.  Some venues better and some worse than O.  No MDR/GDR on Explora. We prefer the food on Regent and Crystal, because we like a rotating menu.  The menus on Explora are fixed so on a long cruise we found them too repetitive.

Good to try new lines.  We have another booked in January on Explora II.

2 hours ago, lido1 said:

Do you know what size for the plastic envelope ?  Haven't got the tags via email yet

and need to order them soon.  Thanks

This is what the Luggage forward tag looks like.  Once stuck on your bag through the loop, it is VERY difficult to remove.  They provide a copy of the AWB to be inserted in your luggage just in case.

If you go to your booking and click Show My Itinerary -- it defaults to a List View -- then chose a Calendar View -- you will see all your booked excursions as well as your specialty dining reservations in a Calendar format.  I don't think it shows wait list.

Alternatively you can go to your bookings and scroll down to Shore Excursions -- and click Customize.   Then scroll to to bottom and there is a list by port of everything reserved.

57 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Yikes, Houston there is a problem with sales.  E1 for a couple of trips we're looking at for B2B to in essence create a Miami back to Miami 17N voyage has almost totally open and available OT1, OT2,  OT3, OT4 and the GTs blinking in red!  They'll have to push a real promotion to fill this ship.

 

 

You can call one of those TA's and they will structure a B2B and probably give you some On Board Credit, something Explora does not do directly.

It was that way last year too, now they have 2 ships to fill and and last year on Black Friday they had a 50% off sale on the OTs.

We just returned in April from a 14 day Tokyo to Tokyo cruise on Explorer.  I have left a detailed review on cruise critic for Explorer.

The only weakness are the shore excursions and the descriptions.  Also the fact that they do sell out.  This is no different than Oceania, which uses the same department in Miami managing the excursions.  Same tour companies except Oceania may have more people per bus to accommodate the 1200 guests (Riviera was designated Tokyo to Tokyo ship).

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=713983

And wait until you book and your reservation disappears, later reappears and then disappears again.   No rhyme or reason.

If I want to look at a cruise on Explora to see availability and cabins, I will use one of the larger internet TA's that has a booking engine.  Apparently that connects to Explora seamlessly.

We have been looking at this cruise or the similar one on Voyager.

Book your included excursions as soon as you can.  Regent tend to sell out of the more desirable one early. Pay attention to the activity level of the tours, especially if high physical activity is an issue.

Same for the specialty Restaurants.  We tend to book these on the sea days.  Book early as you can.

Regent has no mandatory formal nights. Dress nicely at night.  Laundry is included.  You do not need 4 suitcases of clothes (although some may disagree 🙂 

Make sure passports have enough blank pages.

Think about a post cruise land excursion that Regent is offering.  Great place to do a 3 or 4 day safari, while you have flown all that distance.

Enjoy -- Regent is one of our favorite cruise lines.

There is no product that comes close???   What about Regent and Silversea.  Just as many food venues and space.  Large suites comparatively priced (except for their 40% off sale).  Both are continuing to introduce new builds that will refine their products.

Going to small off the beaten path ports, is a Seabourn specialty.

Good to see them compete, more cabins available will keep the others honest.

We have done Safaris 3 times with cruises out of Capetown.  Shamwari (near Port Elizabeth) and 2 at Kruger.

You did not mention the lodges that Regent is providing.  This makes all of the difference as most of the lodges are located on private reserves, some better than others.  Some of the better lodges have permission to go into the reserves of adjacent lodges.

Shamwari was our least liked, mainly because the area was smaller.  It was a good experience and our first safari.

Kruger.  Do Kruger and stay at two lodges.  Suggest one in the North (drier) and one in the South (wetter). Fauna is different and we had different animal sightings.

North suggest -- Motswari, as some stated earlier.  Fantastic lodge, close to an airport that has flights from Jo-burg and Capetown.

South -- one of the Sabi Sands lodges (we stayed at Lion Sands).

Travel agent...  If go private use a local  SA Travel Agent, they can arrange everything from internal flights to land transfers.

20 hours ago, saminina said:

The heavy negative on Explora posters have based their opinion mostly from the first three months of operation.  Their opinions are mostly valid, but the need to repeat over and over is a bit puzzling.    All two of them still keep at it.

Since you asked same here.  This is cruise critic and I see the same persons espousing the virtues (and there is nothing wrong with that) -- just don't complain about those who do not think everything is rosy and that there are better lines than Explora Journeys.  

I would expect to see more issues later in the year when they bring Explora 2 on line and move significant Explora 1 crew there.  I hope they do not do the same TA/Influencer nonsense on Explora II.  That is really a downside as many were obnoxious.

Still we will cruise again on Explora II in January.

Hotel 1898 reasonably priced.

Le Meridien (if you want a Marriott)

Mandarin Oriental for Luxury.

27 minutes ago, vistaman said:

had same experience on the Dawn !!! 

We had the same experience on Shadow this past November.  Just off RSSC Explorer, food far superior.  Only plus on SS is the Caviar, as much as you wish.