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Explora Journeys’ newest ship delivers luxury cruising at its best

International Traveller
A luxury voyage from Southampton to Edinburgh gives us the chance to discover why Explora Journeys has been making a big splash since it launched.

I must admit a cruise along the east coast of the UK has never been high on my to-do list. The Mediterranean? Yes, please. The Caribbean? For sure. But cloudy skies and occasional rain across the North Sea are not ideal for kicking back or topping up your tan. Yet stepping aboard EXPLORA I, I became so immersed in its luxury and sophistication that I barely noticed what was going on outside the nearest porthole.

Subtle neutral tones and plush Italian furnishings in the central lobby immediately set the scene for a lavish experience. And a flute of Moët & Chandon on arrival was the perfect way to start an unforgettable journey.

Onboard, guests are invited to discover an ‘ocean state of mind’. That means visiting new destinations while enjoying fine food and wine, upscale shopping, or simply relaxing in the spa or by the pool.

The 248-metre EXPLORA I is the first of six ships to be launched by the MSC Group as part of its new upscale Explora Journeys portfolio. The number of guests is limited to 1000 and the ratio of staff to guest is one of the highest in the world.

the Explora I at sea
Explora I boasts 461 ocean-facing suites.

Built by Italian company Fincantieri, the vessel has been specially designed for the brand and nothing has been left to chance in outfitting the ship and its 461 suites. British designer Martin Francis, De Jorio Design International and other firms have given the vessel’s interior the feel of a superyacht. Rooms range from a 35-square-metre Ocean Terrace suite to the Owner’s Residence, which covers a vast 280 square metres. All boast a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows that gave me ample opportunity to gaze at the waves.

All the bathrooms have heated floors and are decorated in black and white marble. Italian furniture from Molteni&C and Manutti speak to the quality of design. Dyson hairdryers, espresso machines and binoculars are among the accessories in each room.

the Explora I Anthology restaurant with sea views
Anthology showcases a series of global chefs and cuisines.

French chef Franck Garanger heads the culinary team, which sources fine meats, fish, fruit and vegetables for the ship’s six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges. At Marble & Co I tasted the restaurant’s mouthwatering signature dish of crushed fingerling potatoes and caviar followed by a perfectly cooked French beef filet aged for 20 days. Complimentary wines include a French chenin blanc, a pinot grigio and an Australian shiraz, which was perfect for my filet.

The Fil Rouge restaurant features a delicate tuna tataki signature dish and a raspberry soufflé from executive pastry chef Christophe Sapy, which was another highlight. For a special occasion there is the Anthology restaurant. It hosts world-class chefs such as Mauro Uliassi, who has a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Italy, and Emma Bengtsson, a two-Michelin-star chef and executive chef at the acclaimed Aquavit restaurant in New York.

the elegant dining at Fil Rouge restaurant, Explora I
Fil Rouge restaurant has a French-inspired menu.

For rest and recreation, the ship’s three heated outdoor pools offer spectacular views of the sea and the indoor pool has a retractable glass roof as well as indoor and outdoor whirlpools. Anxious to get rid of those unwanted kilojoules, I enjoyed early yoga and Pilates at the fitness centre, which also has the latest Technogym machines and attentive personal trainers.

Shoppers will find boutiques including Rolex and Piaget onboard but EXPLORA I also showcases artisanal designers from Italy, France and elsewhere, and sell their clothing, handbags, sunglasses and fragrances at aptly named The Journey.

A massage at the wellness spa was the perfect way to recharge before the ship docked in Edinburgh for a spectacular performance of the Military Tattoo and fireworks above the city’s legendary castle.

the Astern Pool onboard Explora I
The Astern Pool is one of four pools onboard.

The details

EXPLORA I will conduct a number of voyages in North America, the Caribbean and Hawai‘i until May 2024. It will then travel along the Pacific Coast to Vancouver before returning to Europe in summer 2024.

The IT Verdict

Promising an ‘ocean state of mind’, EEXPLORA I certainly delivers. It offers fine food and wine in a plush setting and plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation onboard.

We loved

A select number of guests on a large ship means there is plenty of space to get away from the crowd and enjoy a soothing and tranquil onboard experience.

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We’d change

The garish video screen overlooking the indoor pool promoting onshore experiences felt out of step with the sophisticated setting.

Green credentials

The vessel has installed energy saving heating and ventilation systems, advanced waste water treatment and reduced underwater noise systems, while Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology enables a 90 per cent reduction in the ship’s nitrogen emissions.

Accessibility

Explora Journeys offers Accessible Suites onboard and certain Destination Experiences are wheelchair-accessible.

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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

    Explora I Review: New Explora Journeys Luxury Ship Overdelivers