A Week Finding My 'Ocean State of Mind' Aboard EXPLORA III

In July (during the week of the solar eclipse), I had the privilege of sailing on board the brand-new EXPLORA III, on only her second journey, on a seven-night journey from Lisbon to Southampton. As the newest ship to enter the luxury cruise market and having seen the imagery from her naming ceremony, I had high expectations, but as soon as I stepped on board it became clear that she isn’t just another ultra-luxury cruise ship.

If you are familiar with Explora Journeys, you might have heard that they say that ‘maybe the best hotel isn’t a hotel’ and this was almost the first thing I thought as I stepped on board for the first time. EXPLORA III has the elegance, style, space and service of an ultra-luxury hotel, but the bonus…you only have to unpack in your suite once and you get to wake up somewhere new every single day. 

Pre-Cruise Stay in Lisbon

Before I joined the ship, I spent one night in Lisbon, which set the scene perfectly for the week ahead. Flying in the day before removed any stress of travelling on embarkation day but also gave me time to explore the Portuguese capital, which was a first for me!

Lisbon is an ideal pre-cruise destination, with its colourful tiled buildings, historic streets and wonderful food and wine. Even with only one night, there was enough time for me to experience some of the city’s atmosphere, amazing shopping, enjoy dinner and, of course, sample a traditional pastel de nata (or two). I would always recommend a pre-cruise stay where possible, particularly in a city such as Lisbon, as it turns the journey into a more relaxed and complete holiday from the very beginning.

I highly recommend staying in the Aurea Museum hotel for your stay. It was only a twenty-minute journey from the airport and was a 5-minute walk to the main square and a 5-minute walk in the opposite direction to the port, which was more than manageable even in the summer heat and with 33kgs of luggage!

Our seven-night journey took us from Lisbon to Southampton travelled from Lisbon to Southampton, visiting Porto, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Saint Jean De Luz along the way. It was a fantastic itinerary combining historic cities, beautiful coastlines and excellent food, while also giving us time to properly enjoy the ship and everything she had to offer.

Our Ocean Terrace Suite

After a seamless embarkation process, where our luggage was taken even before we entered the port building and we were checked in and on board being greeted with a glass of champagne within fifteen minutes, we made our way down to the Lobby Bar before heading to our suite. 

Our Ocean Terrace Suite immediately felt like a genuine home at sea, and from the moment I walked in I was in awe. It was spacious, calming and beautifully designed, with a comfortable living area, a full walk-in wardrobe and dressing room (equipped with a Dyson hairdryer!) and a private terrace overlooking the ocean. The neutral colours, soft furnishings and carefully considered details created an atmosphere that felt luxurious but still welcoming and continued with the feel of a luxury hotel at sea.

Waking up to a new view each morning was one of the most memorable parts of the experience. Having our own private terrace, with two-seats, a table and the comfiest cushioned chaise longe allowed us to enjoy and connect the sea whenever we wanted, whether that was with a morning coffee or reading my book before getting ready for dinner.

Our amazing suite steward, Edy, made the experience even more special. He was friendly, attentive and seemed to anticipate what we needed before we had even asked. The suite was always immaculate, but his service went beyond simply looking after the suite. Edy helped to create the personal and thoughtful experience that distinguishes a truly exceptional luxury journey with Explora.

On our second to last evening, we also made use of the in-suite dining service, which allowed us to enjoy delicious food in the privacy of our suite, after an evening in the spa. There was something particularly special about having dinner while looking out across the ocean. It provided a relaxed alternative to visiting a restaurant and made our Ocean Terrace Suite feel even more like our own private hotel room at sea. I can also confirm that the lobster mac and cheese on the in-suite dining menu is to die for!

A Remarkable Sense of Space

One of the first things I felt both when I got on board and throughout the week was the noticeable amount of space on EXPLORA III. Although we were sailing at full capacity with ten different dining options and an impressive selection of pools, lounges, leisure facilities including the padel court, spa and fitness centre, the ship was never crowded and we certainly never queued or struggled to find a sun lounger. There were also always quiet areas where I could sit with a coffee and watch the world go by and take the experience in.

The outdoor decks were a particular highlight. There are numerous pools and whirlpools throughout the ship, including the Conservatory with the retractable roof, as well as adults only areas. 

My personal favourite of the week was the Atoll Pool on Deck 10. The double bed sun loungers were the perfect spot to soak up the sun, enjoy an afternoon Aperol Spritz and cool off in the pool, and it felt like a private sanctuary at sea. 

My two favourite public spaces were the Lobby Bar and the Sky Bar on Deck 14. The Sky Bar was the perfect alfresco spot for a post-padel drink or a sunset spot to recap the day with others whilst EXPLORA III’s resident DJ played in the background. The reimagined Lobby Bar was also an amazing place for a pre- or post-dinner drink, and with more seating and space on board compared to EXPLORA I or EXPLORA II, the elegant environment provided a relaxed setting for the evening.

Finding my Ocean State of Mind

Explora Journeys describes its philosophy as finding an “Ocean State of Mind,” and during the sailing I began to understand exactly what that meant for myself. I can only describe it the feeling of slowing down, disconnecting from everyday pressures and becoming more connected to the sea and the destinations around you.

For me, this came from the space and freedom onboard. There was no pressure to follow a strict schedule or be anywhere at any given time. I could start the day with breakfast in our suite, explore ashore, play padel, relax beside the pool or find a quiet corner with a sea view. By the end of the journey, I felt genuinely relaxed and completely settled into my own Ocean State of Mind.

One of the most important memories, which was almost the definition of my Ocean State of Mind, from the entire journey was experiencing the total solar eclipse as we sailed from La Coruña towards Bilbao. Although the eclipse was visible from home in the UK, it was only partial there; our position off northern Spain placed us within the path of totality, making the experience even more extraordinary. The Captain carefully positioned EXPLORA III to give us the best possible view, and every guest received their own specially branded Explora Journeys eclipse glasses, which was a very special touch. I made my way to the Sky Bar, where the DJ created an incredible atmosphere as we waited for the moment to arrive. Gradually, the light began to change, and the temperature seemed to drop before the sky became dramatically dark around us. Sharing that rare moment at sea, surrounded by fellow guests with uninterrupted views across the horizon, was something I will never forget, and I am so grateful to have experienced. It was more than simply watching an eclipse-it felt like a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience and demonstrated how the ship, its crew and the natural world could come together to create something truly remarkable.

Service That Feels Personal

The service onboard was another standout feature. The hosts were warm, attentive and professional, but the experience never felt stiff or overly formal, and I was always greeted with a warm smile, which was often followed by my preferred beverage of choice- depending on the time of day. 

Staff quickly remembered individual preferences and were always available when needed, while still allowing guests the space to relax. Treasure, our host at the Atoll Pool, was incredible and perhaps the reason I fell in love with this area of the ship so much. She knew every day that I loved a sparkling water with ice and lemon to start off- especially with the heat- and in the afternoon she would bring me my first Aperol spritz of the day and often a cold towel too, without even asking. It really is the small touches like this that set Explora and their hosts apart.

Dining Aboard EXPLORA III

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I was beyond excited for the food and dining experiences on board EXPLORA III and it was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my time onboard. EXPLORA III offers a wide variety of restaurants, with different menus and settings that make every evening feel different and all the dining experiences, other than the tasting menu in Anthology and the Chef's Table, are included within the cost.

Sakura serves beautifully presented Pan-Asian cuisine, while Marble & Co. Grill provides a sophisticated European steakhouse experience. Med Yacht Club celebrates relaxed Mediterranean cooking, Fil Rouge combines French influences with international flavours, and Emporium Marketplace offers flexible all-day dining with dishes freshly prepared at individual cooking stations.

The highlight of my dining experiences had to be Sakura. As a lover of Pan-Asian cuisine I knew this would be right up my street. The incredible décor, including kimono shaped napkins and cherry blossom ceilings created the perfect setting for our dinner. We sampled almost everything on the menu, and I could not fault anything. The sushi was so fresh and full of flavour, whilst the duck and watermelon salad was the most refreshing and wonderful pairings. My personal favourite and a must-try was the blackened miso cod. Having previously tried this in Nobu on a trip to Dubai, I knew that would be hard to beat, but it hit the mark and was simply incredible. Sakura is not one to miss!

One of my personal favourites for lunch was the new introduction to EXPLORA III, ShoreClub on 11 at The Conservatory, which was a relaxed beach-club-style restaurant. I found this to be the perfect relaxed dining option for lunch when either getting back on the ship after a morning of exploring or after a morning soaking up the sun by the pool. From the coconut shrimp to the fresh salads and fish burgers, there were endless options that I would never tire of. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the Explora service and quality were never compromised.

What impressed me most was the choice and flexibility. There are no large traditional cruise dining rooms or any need to eat at the same table at a fixed time each evening. Instead, the experience feels much closer to staying at a luxury resort, where you can select a restaurant to suit your mood.

Leisure Activities

One of my most memorable experiences was playing padel on EXPLORA III’s new outdoor court. Padel has become incredibly popular but playing it on the top deck of a ship while sailing along the Atlantic coast was something completely different to anything I had experienced previously. The padel court brings a fun and sociable element to the onboard experience. It was a brilliant way to be active, meet other guests and make the most of the fresh sea air-with one of the best sporting backdrops imaginable. I’m not sure my local padel courts will ever compare now!

The expanded Sports Court can also be used for pickleball and basketball, while the ship additionally features an extended running track, open-air exercise areas, Technogym equipment and Reform Pilates facilities, as well as a dedicated yoga space. Early morning yoga became my daily ritual, and the sessions were led by the onboard yoga master, and this became the perfect start to my day before breakfast! There really is something for everyone, even if you aren’t a gym goer.

My Overall Impression

EXPLORA III offers a compelling alternative for travellers who may not consider themselves traditional cruise guests but is also the perfect option for an ultra-luxury cruise guest too. She combines the convenience of visiting several destinations with the atmosphere, design and service of a luxury hotel- what’s not to love?

By the time we arrived in Southampton, I felt that I had experienced a fresh interpretation of ultra-luxury cruising. EXPLORA III is elegant without being intimidating, spacious without losing her atmosphere and luxurious without relying on formality and I had truly felt at home for a week.

From our beautiful Ocean Terrace Suite and Edy’s exceptional service to the outstanding dining, ocean-view padel and peaceful moments on deck, the experience showed me why the best hotel sometimes really isn’t a hotel. More importantly, I stepped ashore having truly found my Ocean State of Mind and looking to when I can book another experience on board Explora Journeys.

You can find out more about Explora Journeys here.