MSC Cruises is known for its low prices and budget-friendly products, but it is being changed by the new luxury brand, Explora Journeys.
As a fan of MSC Cruises, especially as an area exclusive to its incredible yacht club suites, I was thrilled to try out a derivative of this new brand.
Great reviews and engaging itinerary made this decision a simple one and I booked my first Explora Journeys cruise sailing to Eastern Caribbean.
Was this new adventure in cruising worth a sudden price? Here’s my thoughts after spending a week on the first ship of Explora Journeys:
Explora Journeys is making waves as MSC’s new luxury brand
As a frequent MSC cruiser, I have been paying attention to the Explora Journey since the launch of the first ship in 2023. The new brand quickly gained favour from critics. An unparalleled promise of service.
One thing that caught my attention right away is how affordable the Explora Journeys are, and comparable suite experiences on other cruise lines cost thousands more Ta. When I went shopping, I was surprised to see a slightly cheaper itinerary than the 7 night cruise at the Yacht Club’s MSC Seashore.
This decision was simple and I booked the Explora I, the smallest ship I have ever made with 900 passengers. To provide some context, Explora I is about one third of the size of an MSC Seascape. This is one of my favourite ships with a capacity of 5,800 passengers. However, I thought the ship was too small and worth the price tag.
Our Ocean Terrace Suite was comfortable with lots of great perks
For our trip we chose the Ocean Terrace Suite, an entry-level option. The ship is equipped with 461 suites, all sea levels, and no interior or ocean view cabins. Some suites, known as homes, run up to 3,000 square feet, with more space than many people’s homes. I enjoy spending time on the balcony, but didn’t need to exceed 300 square feet!
Looking at the suite layout, it looks very similar to MSC Yacht Club Staterooms in both size and design. My first impression after stepping into my Explora cabin was that it felt a little small for the walk-in closet, but this is a great addition to the cabin design with so much storage. It has been revealed.
Unlike MSC’s Yacht Club, Ocean Terrace Suites do not have butlers assigned. Honestly, there’s no need for it anyway. Our cabin steward was great, so we needed something for guest services to answer the phone immediately. My toothbrush had never been on a boat. When I asked for help, I had something new in 15 minutes. That’s the service now!
Beyond the spacious cabin, our suite had plenty of nice perks
Even before boarding, we were sent a survey asking about our drinks and pillow preferences, setting the stage for our week with luxury.
We also chose wine and spirit for the cabin. This was waiting with a chilled bottle of champagne that I had been waiting for when it arrived. A fully-complete minibar, binoculars, water bottles, beach bags, robes and slippers were also available in the suite.
Our balcony’s daily bed was a welcome addition and an ideal place to relax in one of the two days we had. Something unexpected was a great choice of books in our cabin, our own personal library.
The walk-in closet had a comfortable vanity with ample storage and light. What leads to this is a decent sized bathroom (huge as standard on MSC) with spacious showers, luxurious bath products, rainfall showerheads and a very flashy Dyson hair dryer.
Some of the suites also included premium Wi-Fi, the fastest cruise ship ever. This was another great advantage, especially since I had to check in at work occasionally.
The suite perks go far beyond the cabin itself
The suite itself has lots of great things, but there are several other benefits, including premium unlimited drink packages, access to almost all dining venues, premium Wi-Fi for three devices, and satisfaction.
For regular cruises at MSC, the premium drink package is over $1,200 for two people. This adds to $20 per person per day ($280 per week) and $140 for Wi-Fi on one device. The value of Explora Journeys inclusion will quickly increase!
High-end food is another great advantage of voyages on your Explorer journey. There is a beautifully decorated buffet with indoor and outdoor seating, full bar service and a wide range of dishes.
Beyond that, it includes four restaurants with a large menu filled with delicious options. As someone who loves food and tries out new things, the addition of so many high-end dining venues was a huge plus.
Among the most popular are Sakura (Asian cuisine) and Marble & Co Steakhouse. These options are in great demand, so you can eat only once a week and need to book in advance. We really enjoyed our private dining experience at MSC Yacht Club, but there were a variety of options without any restrictions.
Explora Journeys truly offers a “sweet” life and is worth splurge
Between well-equipped suites with snacks, drinks and world-class meals, the price of the cabin deserves all the comprehensive experience you can get with MSC’s latest venture.
Many cruise lines talk about comprehensive experiences, but almost everything is included in the Explora Journeys: food, drinks, Wi-Fi, grat, minibar, snacks to gelato, spa access, entertainment , great merchandise for your stateroom. This is the first cruise that didn’t spend any extra money, except for additional tips for cabin attendants.
This inclusive experience added to the relaxed atmosphere of the cruise and the size of the ship was not an issue. In fact, that was an advantage as we were able to visit an incredible small port where a large ship could not be made. Overall, the cruise deserves a premium price tag and can’t wait to sail again with the Explorer Journey.
