Considering Explora Journey But Would Appreciate Some Feedback as Comparted to other Brands

[Jim Avery]

"Creepy people". Can you explain a bit more?

[saminina]

Face to face, yes.   On this board, a poor choice to use that word.  Should not write after a bottle of wine is consumed.

[2SailingNomads]

20 hours ago, saminina said:

It seems Explora passengers are more familiar with Azamara, Oceania type ships rather than what you have mentioned.  At least when it comes to raves.  I agree that people normally sailing  the lines you listed would feel as you described.  Only natural they would have a more critical view.  Fourteen days on Explora works fine for me.  My last seven days (out of 19) could have been brutal with the influx of creepy people, but it was impressive how the crew protected a familiar face in the restaurants.  Thinking of doing a short try on Scenic during October for a new experience.

 

 

 

I know you have sailed on Seabourn quite a bit and railed against them over the last few years - our last few cruises have ranged from if the first would never come back to our last that was almost every thing Seabourn used to be.  We have been on Scenic 3 times and while the ship itself has design flaws, mostly around lack of outside spaces, the crew are 80% of some of the best ex Seabourn crew.  Every time we board we know so many of the crew, like it used to be on Seabourn.  And senior officers mingle with pax, love Captain Rado up there with David Bathgate.

Will be doing 2 Scenic river cruises later this year.

Edited June 26 by 2SailingNomads
No idea how double posts nor how to delete it

[saminina]

Well, your Scenic comments influenced the decision to give it a try.  Did a Scenic river from Amsterdam a few years ago that was worthwhile.  One of a kind story how that happened.

[Tom504]

We have cruised almost exclusively on Seabourn with one cruise on Silversea. Booked a January Miami - Miami on Explora II and will get to compare. Helpful in any of these discussions to compare apples to apples. 

[Misssmb]

FYI, the website now has working links to book dinner reservations and transfers. 

[2SailingNomads]

4 hours ago, Misssmb said:

FYI, the website now has working links to book dinner reservations and transfers. 

Finally 

[2SailingNomads]

20 hours ago, saminina said:

Well, your Scenic comments influenced the decision to give it a try.  Did a Scenic river from Amsterdam a few years ago that was worthwhile.  One of a kind story how that happened.

Just don't take the 2 or 3 lowest level suites on Scenic.  Last time we had a spa suite and it was very good.  First time took the 2nd lowest category and storage was limited.

[Bobpell54]

 EJ pictures show an aft infinity pool with loungers

Are the chairs open to first come?

Bob

[uktog]

19 minutes ago, Bobpell54 said:

 EJ pictures show an aft infinity pool with loungers

Are the chairs open to first come?

Bob

Yes 

[Bobpell54]

thanks uktog

Bob

[CJANDH]

3 hours ago, Bobpell54 said:

 EJ pictures show an aft infinity pool with loungers

Are the chairs open to first come?

Bob

Yes If the chair hogs don't get them before breakfast!

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, CJANDH said:

Yes If the chair hogs don't get them before breakfast!

@CJANDH Not an issue.  I am never opposed to taking stuff off, giving it to the attendant.  I am that kind of guy.  Notice the water.  I believe this might have had some bad weather and the folks bugged out.  Not sure, but a possibility.  Regardless, one must have a plan. 

 

Cruise well and know I will move your stuff it you are not at the lounge chair within 15 minute.  I will enjoy every moment. 

[KJB416]

3 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@CJANDH Not an issue.  I am never opposed to taking stuff off, giving it to the attendant.  I am that kind of guy.  Notice the water.  I believe this might have had some bad weather and the folks bugged out.  Not sure, but a possibility.  Regardless, one must have a plan. 

 

Cruise well and know I will move your stuff it you are not at the lounge chair within 15 minute.  I will enjoy every moment. 

I would absolutely do the same! 

[Bobpell54]

It is the same on HAL and the Grand Class of Princess. They are vacant more than 45 minutes!!

Bob

[CJANDH]

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@CJANDH Not an issue.  I am never opposed to taking stuff off, giving it to the attendant.  I am that kind of guy.  Notice the water.  I believe this might have had some bad weather and the folks bugged out.  Not sure, but a possibility.  Regardless, one must have a plan. 

 

Cruise well and know I will move your stuff it you are not at the lounge chair within 15 minute.  I will enjoy every moment. 

It was actually a perfectly calm day. What you are looking at is the wake from the ship.

[caviargal]

I've never understood the attraction of a "ship within a ship" personally. 

I sailed in Aqua class on Celebrity last July as it was the least offensive of the options when sailing with our extended family.  We were able to avoid the MDR and buffet but the public spaces were still crowded and pool ridiculously loud.  We stuck to our balcony and the library when on board. 

I know the Retreat has their own pool but the other issues still remain.

Unless we decide to do another family cruise, which is unlikely as an all inclusive would be a better option IMO, we will stick with the ships under 1000 pax. 

[Sthrngary]

4 hours ago, caviargal said:

I've never understood the attraction of a "ship within a ship" personally. 

I sailed in Aqua class on Celebrity last July as it was the least offensive of the options when sailing with our extended family.  We were able to avoid the MDR and buffet but the public spaces were still crowded and pool ridiculously loud.  We stuck to our balcony and the library when on board. 

I know the Retreat has their own pool but the other issues still remain.

Unless we decide to do another family cruise, which is unlikely as an all inclusive would be a better option IMO, we will stick with the ships under 1000 pax. 

@caviargal Allow me to provide some context.  If you are an old dog to cruising, you have seen over many decades things change.  Some things for the better, some for the worse.  You might of started cruising 44 years ago like I did in the cheapest stateroom on the largest ship.  I hate to say this and it confirms I am indeed a baby boomer, things were different back then. 

 

I miss something and don't miss others.  Change does that to people.  As time moved on, it became a race to provide the cheapest fare and fill the ship.  The more people, the lower the personalized serve went.  Where in the past, you had a relationship with your servers in the main dining room, because you had every evening meal with them at the same table of 10.  Those relationships are not long gone.  Pool Lounge Chair Hogs have gotten worse, gaining a drink at a bar takes way to much time, children take over pools/hot tubs with no supervision from their parents and personalized service is somewhat of a thing of the past. 

 

Bring in the NCL Haven, the Celebrity Retreat, and the MSC Yacht Club.  Same huge ship, with all the benefits that size can bring.  Now, you have an area with better food, pools that are less crowded, the ability to get a lounge chair, early on/off the ship, butlers, and most important personalized/relationships are back.  At a significant premium.  Not for everyone but kind of nice if it is in ones price point.  Hope that help your thoughts. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[caviargal]

1 minute ago, Sthrngary said:

@caviargal 

 

Bring in the NCL Haven, the Celebrity Retreat, and the MSC Yacht Club.  Same huge ship, with all the benefits that size can bring.  Now, you have an area with better food, pools that are less crowded, the ability to get a lounge chair, early on/off the ship, butlers, and most important personalized/relationships are back.  At a significant premium.  Not for everyone but kind of nice if it is in ones price point.  Hope that help your thoughts. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

My tastes and preferences for travel in general have certainly changed over the years. 

For the price of the Retreat on Celebrity I can book the least expensive stateroom on a small luxury ship and that will always be my preference. Even the parking experience was a pleasure (almost) at Port of Miami on Regent versus the cluster we experienced at Port Everglades with Celebrity.  I have no interest in MSC YC or otherwise (I sailed with them years ago before their mega monster shis) nor a return to Celebrity

We simply do not enjoy crowds or kids nor do we need shows and casinos.  Small ship cruising is our choice when not on a land trip (still my personal preference but my husband likes the convenience of a cruise).

We enjoy Seabourn, Regent and Silversea.   I am looking forward to Explora in January and trying a short 7 night cruise before I commit further.  I am sure the onboard experience is infinitely better than their awful technology. 

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, caviargal said:

My tastes and preferences for travel in general have certainly changed over the years. 

For the price of the Retreat on Celebrity I can book the least expensive stateroom on a small luxury ship and that will always be my preference. Even the parking experience was a pleasure (almost) at Port of Miami on Regent versus the cluster we experienced at Port Everglades with Celebrity.  I have no interest in MSC YC or otherwise (I sailed with them years ago before their mega monster shis) nor a return to Celebrity

We simply do not enjoy crowds or kids nor do we need shows and casinos.  Small ship cruising is our choice when not on a land trip (still my personal preference but my husband likes the convenience of a cruise).

We enjoy Seabourn, Regent and Silversea.   I am looking forward to Explora in January and trying a short 7 night cruise before I commit further.  I am sure the onboard experience is infinitely better than their awful technology. 

@caviargal You do understand I was simply providing information why other like the Ship-Within-A-Ship concept.  My next cruise is on Explora Journeys Cruises in February, 2025.  After that is is Oceania Cruises on the Vista for a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise in October 2025.  My reason for booking these ships is exactly why it seems you are booking the brand you outlined. 

 

I am envious you have cruised Regent, that one is a bucket list for me.  The good news is, whether the Haven, Retreat, Yacht Club, Explora, Oceania, Regents or any other brand; we have choices that match the needs we want.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[caviargal]

4 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@caviargal You do understand I was simply providing information why other like the Ship-Within-A-Ship concept.  My next cruise is on Explora Journeys Cruises in February, 2025.  After that is is Oceania Cruises on the Vista for a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise in October 2025.  My reason for booking these ships is exactly why it seems you are booking the brand you outlined. 

 

I am envious you have cruised Regent, that one is a bucket list for me.  The good news is, whether the Haven, Retreat, Yacht Club, Explora, Oceania, Regents or any other brand; we have choices that match the needs we want.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I do understand and appreciate the point you are making.  Aqua Class on Celebrity was a bit of that, as at least we could avoid the crowded MDR and buffet and have a quiet and good meal in Blu.

We are headed to Alaska on Silversea in two days and then Regent in August for two weeks in Northern Europe and Seabourn (our favorite) in October.  I am looking forward to all of them.

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, caviargal said:

I do understand and appreciate the point you are making.  Aqua Class on Celebrity was a bit of that, as at least we could avoid the crowded MDR and buffet and have a quiet and good meal in Blu.

We are headed to Alaska on Silversea in two days and then Regent in August for two weeks in Northern Europe and Seabourn (our favorite) in October.  I am looking forward to all of them.

@caviargal Enjoy your cruises, they sound lovely.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.