Our Explora Journeys cruise started in Reykjavik, where my partner and I stayed for 1 night before boarding the next day. We had a lovely afternoon walking around the Icelandic capital, sampling the local cuisine and general feel, before visiting the world-famous Blue Lagoon at night – an incredible experience that I recommend every guest to do if they ever find themselves starting or ending their cruise in Reykjavik!

The next day we boarded the incredible new cruise ship Explora I. The whole check-in process was very smooth; after a quick security check the crew were there to meet us with a glass of Champagne and a friendly welcome on board. I have to note here that the service we received throughout our cruise with Explora Journeys was immaculate, potentially the best I’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship. This went for every single member of staff we interacted with, from our Suite Host, to the bartenders, waiters, Guest Services attendants, everyone. Every crew member that simply walked past us would greet us in a very friendly manner, asking how our day has been, and so on to the point where we felt like we’d developed some lovely connections with particular crew members we encountered multiple times.

We were shown to our beautiful Ocean Terrace Suite and it was absolutely perfect for us. Despite this being the ‘entry-grade’ of accommodation on the ship, it certainly didn’t feel basic or small in the slightest. The suite included a huge 377sqft of space, still boasting bespoke king-size bed, spacious terrace with dining area and daybed, walk-in wardrobe, refrigerated minibar replenished daily according to our preferences, Dyson hairdryer, lounge area with coffee/dining table, and much more. My personal favourite feature of the suite was the Smart TV - I was able to keep up with sports highlights but also wind down at the end of each night with on-demand movies.

Once we began sailing, our first port was Isafjord, a quiet and beautifully quaint small town in the northwest region of Iceland. The mountain views were a sight to be seen alone. We enjoyed a relaxed stroll through the small town centre and enjoyed visits to some coffee bars and also the local museum – all within walking distance back to the ship with no shuttles or taxis required.

Back onboard, we made sure to make the most of the incredible food and drink options on the ship. Honestly, the food was some of the best I’ve eaten, not just on a cruise ship but anywhere! Explora Journeys proudly boasts that they have no ‘main dining’ venues, and that every restaurant for evening meals is a specialty restaurant. All but one restaurant (Anthology) was complimentary as well, with only two (Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill) requiring reservations – all others were available with open seating every night.

I know, I know, everyone wants to know about the food...

Our first evening meal was in Sakura, an immersive restaurant with an Pan-Asian cuisine. This one surprised me the most as I’ve never been a fan of sushi, but we gave this a go with a sushi sharer platter and it was my favourite dish of the night! Following that it was a visit to Med Yacht Club, a restaurant offering a variety of Mediterranean dishes and flavours. It is here that me and my partner were also hosted by Priti Mehta, Head of Sales UK & Ireland for Explora, along with 4 other guests and we had a wonderful evening. I tried the grilled octopus signature dish which was unbelievably tasty.

Next, we tried Marble & Co. Grill, a European steakhouse-style venue. I again tried the signature dish here which was the grilled prime rib, beautifully cooked rare just how I like it! Finally after that, we experienced Fil Rouge – a French-orientated international cuisine. Big highlight on the menu here for me was the crabcake starter…so good that we came back another evening just to have it again!

The final dining option is Emporium Marketplace – all-day dining, perfect for those wanting a quick bite on their way to a show, the pool, heading ashore, anything. Whilst this may seem like the ‘buffet option’, I certainly wouldn’t describe it as that – guests do have the option to wander around and see the many different options available but a lot of them are cooked to order, with staff on hand still happy to provide table service. 

My favourites were Fil Rouge & Med Yacht Club, dining in each venue twice across the week, which came as a surprise to me as I’m typically a huge fan of a good steakhouse but this just exemplifies the high quality of these two venues.

Oh and perhaps the best part of the food and drink (of which there was an amazing range of options in the many onboard bars!) – not a single penny was charged to our account after the whole week, it was all completely complimentary. I'm so impressed that despite being a brand-new cruise line, Explora Journeys have gone straight to the top when it comes to ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruising.

Anyway, back to the voyage...

Our next port of call as Akueryi, another town in northern Iceland but a little with more going on than Isafjord again on the doorstep of the ship. Once again beautiful views of the mountains and the waters, with some amazing whale-watching opportunities at hand for guests interested in doing so by booking a destination experience.

Back on the ship, guests were continually entertained by the fantastic team onboard. The main venue for shows in the evenings is Journeys Lounge, where we were treated to a variation of musical performances. The band would play each evening but always with a theme; these included Billy Joel, Celine Dion, and more. They were absolutely fantastic, and often had guests up on the dancefloor dancing away. Once these shows ended, any guests up who were still interested in some late night drinks and music headed to Astern Lounge where the DJ would provide an electric atmosphere, where again guests could dance into the night. 

Relaxed daytime activities included quizzes, lectures on the cruise line and/or destinations, or relaxing in the lounges whilst being treated again by the musicians. More active guests are able to attend the gym during the day, which I did a few times myself and very much enjoyed. The fitness centre offers a selection of both modern technology cardio machines & muscle-building stations. Guests can also book themselves in for a class onboard, including pilates & yoga led by expert instructors/trainers – all while enjoying the beautiful unprecedented ocean views! The onboard Sports Court is great too for guests looking to enjoy a game of basketball, football and pickleball tennis.

Without doubt the highlight of Explora I’s facilities for daytime relaxation is The Spa – unsurprising as Explora are all about ‘wellness at sea’ and the ‘sensory journey to the Ocean State of Mind’. Spa access was available for all guests either at set times during a sea day, or all day during a port day. Complimentary access included use of the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, salt cave, Finnish sauna, experience showers and heated marble loungers. The spa includes 11 treatment rooms also for guests wanting an extra-special wellness experience.

Our last port of call before disembarkation was Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost town. The cruise terminal is quite a walk away from the town centre, so Explora happily escorted guests to/from by complimentary shuttle throughout the day. From there, we were right in the thick of this vibrant market town. We enjoyed strolling through, exploring the local markets, sampling the local cuisine. After this we took a trip to a fascinating WWII Bunker which was only about a 10-minute taxi away, costing the equivalent of around £13.

Our cruise ended in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, somewhere me and my partner had been to once already and loved so we were excited to go back. Although we did fly home that day, we still had opportunity to spend a few hours in the city again before heading to the airport. It was seamless first getting a taxi to the city centre and keeping our cases in a secure luggage storage facility for only around £5, before heading out into the city to explore before flying home.

If you fancy checking out Explora Journeys, take a look at the sailings on our website and give me a call on 01932 963700 and I'd love to help you find your next luxury cruise.

Plus, for more amazing (and exclusive!) photos of Explora I, check out my colleague Adam's blog here. He took the time to photograph every inch of the gorgeous ship and the results are fantastic.