Explora Journeys Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 17: December 28, 2025

Day 17 on Explora Journeys’ Explora I and we’re spending it at sea, pointing the bow back toward Miami and officially sticking a fork in this adventure. We’re done. After almost two full weeks bouncing around the Caribbean, this cruise was about as port-heavy as they come. Outside of the first two full sea days and these last two, we were in a different port just about every single day. It kept things interesting, that’s for sure. We hit a mix of familiar favorites and some ports that bigger ships simply can’t get into, which is one of the things Explora actually does really well.

If you’re just jumping in now, I’ve been posting daily reports throughout the entire cruise, and you can start back at Day 1 and work your way forward. As always, my final day report is a quick recap of the day itself, followed by my overall take on the cruise from embarkation to debarkation and everything in between. So let’s knock out today first.

The first highlight, or attempted highlight, was one last beverage tasting. Over the course of this cruise I’ve done more tastings than I probably should admit to: whisky and chocolate, cognac and cigars, gin and tonic, and premium whisky. Today was supposed to be tequila and mezcal paired with tacos. Supposed to be is the key phrase in that sentence.

I showed up to the Malt Whisky Bar at noon where Emmanuel, who has hosted every single tasting so far, greeted me with bad news. Two other guests had originally signed up but canceled, leaving just me. He managed to grab two replacements at the last minute, and they showed up… but the kitchen thought the whole thing was canceled and never made the tacos.

So it was going to be tequila and mezcal with no tacos.

The other two guests weren’t thrilled that there was no discount being offered and decided to bail. Emmanuel and I looked at each other, both agreed it would be ridiculous to run the event for one person, tacos or not, and that was that. No tequila, no mezcal, no tacos. Sometimes the cruise gods, or the liver gods, just say, “not today.”  But he was all set up and ready to go!

When I got back to my suite, reality really set in. My suite host, which is Explora’s fancy name for a stateroom steward, had my suitcases laid out on the bed and popped in to ask if I needed help packing. That moment always hits harder than it should. I didn’t take him up on the offer, but I did spend the next hour pulling everything together and getting packed up. I’ll get into debarkation options a bit later, so hang tight for that.

Dinner at Marble and Company Grill on Explora Journeys

With bags mostly handled, it was time for the final dinner onboard and, shocker, I ended up back at Marble & Company Grill. This was always going to be my last-night spot, and I saved one menu item specifically for this meal. After being shown to my table, the almost-but-not-quite final gin and tonic of the trip appeared and we were off and running.

I started with the slow-cooked pork belly with baby carrots, orange glaze, and aged apple vinegar reduction. I’d had it earlier in the cruise and it was excellent then, and tonight it was just as solid. A great way to kick things off.

For the main course, the one I intentionally saved for the end, I went with the Marble & Co Signature Burger. Jersey beef patty, Viennese bun, Tête de Moine cheese, grilled pancetta, roasted beefsteak tomato, red onion pickles, olive jam, truffle dip, and Parmigiano Reggiano fries. I asked for it medium and it came out cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful, and honestly didn’t even need the truffle dip because there was already so much going on. It was exactly the kind of comfort food you want for a “last supper” at sea.

For dessert, I kept it light and familiar with the Eton Mess. Meringue, Chantilly, mascarpone, and fresh berries. Sweet without being heavy and a nice way to close things out.

As I was finishing up, the team at Marble & Company came over to say goodbye. I spent a lot of nights in that restaurant on this cruise, and they were consistently accommodating, friendly, and fun to interact with. I joked that they were probably throwing a party tonight now that they wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. Laughs were had, handshakes all around, and that was that.

And with that… the daily play-by-play is officially done for this adventure.

Up next is the overall review of this 17-day sailing on Explora Journeys. What worked, what didn’t, what surprised me, what annoyed me, and where Explora fits in the cruise world after spending more than two straight weeks onboard.

Let’s get into it.

Explora Journeys and Explora I

Explora I is the ship that launched the entire Explora Journeys brand, and you can feel that the moment you step onboard. This is the lead vessel in the fleet, the proof-of-concept ship, and for the most part, it delivers exactly what they set out to build. She was delivered by Fincantieri in mid-2023 and, like many brand-new ships these days, did not have a perfectly smooth debut. Early sailings were delayed due to issues with fire protection panels that needed to be replaced because of a manufacturer recall. Not exactly the headline you want for a luxury brand launch, but credit where it’s due, MSC addressed it head-on, fixed the issue properly, and moved forward rather than pushing a ship into service before it was truly ready, or safe.

Explora I is not a small investment by any stretch of the imagination. While MSC does not publish an exact per-ship price tag, the contract with Fincantieri for the Explora fleet was valued at roughly €2.3 billion, which gives you a pretty good idea of the level of investment here. And you see where that money went. The ship feels expensive. Not flashy-Vegas expensive, but polished and very much designed to feel like a high-end floating hotel rather than a traditional cruise ship.

Capacity is another big part of the story. Explora I carries just under 1,000 guests when full, with roughly 640 crew members. That ratio matters. It means no fighting for space, no shoulder-to-shoulder venues, no feeling like you’re constantly in someone else’s way. Everything is built around breathing room, from the suites to the public spaces to the outdoor decks. And yes, every accommodation onboard is a suite. No inside cabins, no oceanview closets, no “technically a balcony if you lean sideways.” All suites, all ocean-facing, all designed to feel residential rather than cruise-ship generic.

The overall goal of Explora I is pretty clear once you live onboard for more than a few days.  It is selling an experience where nothing feels rushed, loud, or chaotic. There are no belly flop contests, no cruise director screaming into a microphone, no poolside games. Instead, you get quiet corners, attentive service, and a ship that encourages you to slow down whether you planned to or not.

A lot of people ask where Explora Journeys fits in with other cruise lines, especially since it comes from the MSC Group. The easiest way to explain it is this: if you’ve sailed MSC Yacht Club and thought, “I love this, but I wish the entire ship felt like this,” Explora is the answer. It is not a ship-within-a-ship concept. The entire vessel is built around that elevated, more private experience from the ground up.

Compared to other luxury lines, Explora has its own little niche. Regent leans heavily into traditional, all-inclusive luxury with a very classic cruise feel. Seabourn and Silversea focus on smaller ships, destination-driven itineraries, and a more old-school upscale cruising style. Oceania is often considered premium-plus rather than true luxury, with a huge emphasis on food and longer itineraries.

Explora feels more modern than most of them. Less formal, less scripted, and far more hotel-like in both design and atmosphere. You can dress up if you want, but you never feel pressured to, like I talked about the other day. You can spend an entire day doing nothing and feel like that was exactly the point. It is luxury without the stiffness and without the need to constantly remind you that you’re on a “luxury cruise.”

If you are someone who must have lots of productions shows, packed decks, and nonstop activity, Explora is going to be too quiet for you. But if you want a ship where the luxury comes from space, service, and the lack of chaos, Explora is a fit. And after spending 17 days onboard, it’s very clear who this ship is built for – and who it isn’t.

Embarkation at MSC’s Terminal at Port Miami

Embarkation day for this sailing on Explora Journeys’ Explora I started out in PortMiami, which is always a bit of a wildcard depending on the terminal and how organized things are that day. Explora uses the same brand-new terminal as MSC, and that alone sets the tone right away. It’s modern, clean, and actually feels like it was designed by people who understand how cruise embarkation should work instead of something slapped together as an afterthought.

I arrived, handed my luggage off to the porters curbside, and walked into the terminal with zero confusion about where I needed to be. Signage was clear, staff were friendly, and unlike some embarkation days where you feel herded like cattle, this felt calm and controlled – in fact, there were very few of us here. One thing worth noting is that Explora doesn’t send luggage tags ahead of time. They print them for you at the terminal, which honestly I think it fantastic.

Check-in itself was quick. Passport, quick verification, key card issued, and I was moving again. Security was just as painless. No long lines, no backups, no standing around wondering what’s taking so long. I walked straight through and was on my way toward the ship in what felt like minutes. For a holiday sailing that alone deserves credit.

Now, the walk from the terminal entrance to the ship is not short. This is a big terminal, and if you’re not used to it, it can feel like a bit of a hike. Thankfully there are moving walkways, which help a lot, and it never felt like a chore. It’s just something to be aware of if mobility is a concern.

Once onboard, staterooms weren’t immediately ready, which is pretty standard. I used that time the way I usually do: wandered the ship, grabbed a drink, and got a feel for the layout. Wi-Fi was already up and running, and I was able to hop online without any issues, which turned out to be a sign of how reliable the included internet would be for the entire cruise.

Overall, embarkation was exactly what you want it to be: organized, efficient, low stress, and drama-free. No chaos, no long waits, no first-day frustration. If first impressions matter to you, Explora gets this part right.

Grand Ocean Terrace Suite 6067

If there’s one area where Explora I absolutely gets it right, it’s the staterooms. And that became very clear about five minutes after I walked in on Day 1 and realized I wasn’t immediately tripping over my own suitcase.

Explora loves to say that every room onboard is a “suite,” and for once that’s not marketing nonsense. This was legitimately spacious. I never once felt cramped, boxed in, or like I had to play Tetris with my luggage. There was room to move around, room to actually live, and enough storage that I didn’t have to shove things wherever they fit and hope for the best. Closets made sense, drawers were usable, and nothing felt like it was designed by someone who’s never actually stayed in a cruise cabin.

The bathroom is where Explora really flexes. A proper walk-in shower with great water pressure, actual counter space, and a heated floor you didn’t know you needed until now. This is the kind of bathroom you get used to very quickly and then immediately miss the second you sail on something else.

The bed was extremely comfortable, and that matters more than people like to admit, especially on a long sailing like this. I slept well the entire cruise. Good mattress, good linens, good pillows. No complaints there. The seating area was another big win. Having a real couch and table makes a massive difference on sea days or nights when you just want to chill in your room with a drink and decompress.

And then there’s the balcony. Plenty of space, comfortable chaise lounge, and a nice table and chairs for working or eating. I spent a lot of quiet afternoons and late nights out there, and it actually felt like a place you’d want to sit, which is not always the case on cruise ships where balconies are small.  Keep in mind, this was a Grand Ocean Terrace Suite, so the balcony was a bit larger than the stanrd Ocean Terrace Suites.

Service-wise, the suite host was excellent. Always on top of things, never intrusive, remembered preferences quickly, and kept the room immaculate. Toward the end of the cruise, walking in and seeing my suitcases laid out on the bed was the harsh reminder that this whole thing was coming to an end.

Bottom line: after 17 days onboard, I never once felt like I needed a break from my room. And that might be the biggest compliment I can give it. If you care about space, comfort, and not feeling like you’re living out of a drawer, Explora absolutely nails the stateroom experience.

Dining on Explora Journeys, Explora I

I already did a deep dive into dining in yesterday’s Day 16 report, so if you want all the details –  menus, how the buffet works, where reservations are needed, and how the food actually tastes – you can read that full write-up right here.

But for this final report, here is a quick straightforward, honest summary and star rating of each restaurant onboard Explora I based on 17 days of eating at sea.

• Emporium Marketplace (Buffet / Market-Style Dining) – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ – This is Explora’s version of a buffet, but not anything like you’re used to at a mainstream line. It’s multiple stations – seafood, sushi, pizza, pasta, carving, salads, burgers, etc. – and everything is plated and served to you rather than self-serve. The quality and variety are solid, and the stations are refreshed often enough that it never feels stale. Only reason it doesn’t get five stars is because hours are limited and there were times I wanted something to eat but it was closed.
• Fil Rouge (French-Themed Restaurant) – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ – Fil Rouge ended up being my favorite of the no-reservations required restaurants. Classic flavors done well is a good way to describe it.  Not innovative fine dining – but consistently good dishes with real flavor. One of the stronger “main dining room equivalent” experiences I’ve had on any ship.
• Med Yacht Club (Mediterranean-Themed Restaurant) – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ – A tale of two visits. First meal was fine, second was a miss, and because the menu doesn’t rotate nightly (only the featured items do), that second meal soured the whole experience for me. If you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll probably find things you like here – but compared to Fil Rouge it felt less consistent and less exciting.
• Marble & Company Grill (Steakhouse) – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ – This ended up being my home base for dinner. Traditional steakhouse fare done well, with a good steak list, solid sides, and a few surprise hits. Couple of rare flops (like that tougher pork rack last night), but for the most part I found the steaks cooked exactly how I ordered them and the flavor was on point. Reservation quirks are annoying, but the food itself is strong.
• Sakura (Asian Restaurant / Sushi) – ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ – This is the one most cruisers talk about before sailing, but it ended up being my most disappointing onboard restaurant. The sushi here is literally the same sushi served at Emporium Marketplace – same rolls, same fish, same presentation – so the value proposition isn’t there unless you need the sushi bar experience. The cooked menu was unremarkable at best. Not terrible, but not worth prioritizing unless you really want the setting or a specific item.
• Anthology (Fine Dining — Special Seating / Cover Charge) – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ – Anthology is its own category, and honestly, if you’re considering this cruise you should try it once. This is not included dining –  it comes with an expensive cover charge and optional wine pairing –  and it feels like an event. The food quality, presentation, and service here are what Explora Journeys wants you to think of when you hear the word “luxury.” Not every dish is going to turn your world upside down, and if you’re not into structured multi-course meals with a pace dictated by the kitchen you might not love it. But the overall experience  absolutely delivered. One of the highlights of the cruise.

Explora I doesn’t have 12 restaurants to choose from, and I’m honestly glad it doesn’t,  because what they do have is consistent, well-executed, and satisfying. The theme here isn’t “more is better” – it’s “thoughtfully curated options done well.” That philosophy shows in both the food and the pacing.

If your cruise dining priority is variety and change every night, Explora won’t deliver the same way a big mainstream ship will. But if you want quality, consistency, and places you’re happy to return to multiple times, Explora’s dining lineup absolutely works.

For anyone thinking about sailing Explora, you won’t starve, the food is mostly quite good, and there’s enough variety to keep things interesting across a week or more.

Explora I’s Fellow Passengers

One thing that became very clear on this sailing is that who you’re sailing with on Explora depends heavily on when you sail.

During the first segment of the cruise, the passenger mix was pretty much what I expected. Mostly couples, skewing older, with a solid number of people in their 30s and 40s mixed in. Very few kids, under a dozen total, and a quieter, more adult vibe overall. Nationality-wise it felt very international, with a good mix of North Americans and Europeans.

Then we hit Christmas week, and the ship definitely changed.

The second segment brought in a lot more families, and a very noticeable increase in UK and European guests. The kid count jumped to around 100, which is a massive shift on a ship that had felt almost kid-free just days earlier. The pool areas got busier, dinners got louder, and the overall energy leaned more family-vacation than quiet luxury retreat.

None of this is good or bad, it’s just something to be aware of.  Timing matters. Sail outside of holidays and you’ll get a mostly adult, couple-focused experience. Sail over Christmas and expect more families and a lot more kids.

Entertainment on Explora Journeys

When it comes to entertainment on Explora, you need to set expectations right out of the gate. If you’re looking for big Broadway-style production shows, flashy costumes, dance numbers, and sets flying in and out… that’s not happening here.

What Explora does have is a very strong core team of singers backed by a legitimately good live band. They perform a few nights throughout the cruise and focus almost entirely on vocals and musicianship. No dancing, no gimmicks, just really solid performances. And they are very good. The kind of shows where you actually sit and listen instead of watching the clock and wondering when it’s over so you can run out the nearest exit.

There’s also a DJ onboard who handles the late-night stuff as well as sailaway events. Again, nothing over-the-top.

What really stood out on this sailing were the guest performers. These weren’t your typical fly-on, one-night-only cruise acts. The performers brought onboard had real pedigrees and serious talent, and it showed. Explora clearly isn’t afraid to spend money on quality entertainment, and it pays off. These were shows that felt more like you stumbled into a good concert than something thrown together to fill a schedule.

During the day, entertainment leans heavily toward enrichment. Lectures, presentations, tastings, and smaller events designed to engage rather than overwhelm.

That said… if you’re traveling with kids, this is where things fall apart a bit. There’s no nonstop programming, no splashy kids shows, and nothing that’s going to keep younger guests entertained for hours. Kids will absolutely find themselves bored unless they’re happy living at the pool.

Bottom line: Explora’s entertainment is quality over quantity. It’s music-focused and adult-oriented. If that sounds appealing, you’ll enjoy it. If you need constant activities and big production shows, this probably isn’t your ship.

Explora I Service and Ship Upkeep

From a service standpoint, Explora I really does operate with the mindset that the guest comes first. And I don’t say that lightly. Yes, I absolutely ran into some frustration early on, mainly with the ridiculous reservation system for Marble & Company and Sakura. At times it honestly felt like my name was “No.” No, you can’t book it again. No, you can’t have dinner tonight. No, no, no. And that’s just not how a ship at this level should operate.

That said, once I raised the issue, the switch flipped completely. On Explora, “no” really shouldn’t be part of anyone’s vocabulary, and outside of the dining reservation nonsense, I didn’t encounter that kind of pushback anywhere else on the ship. Once the staff understood the concern, they bent over backwards to make sure it didn’t happen again. And that’s where Explora shines. Problems aren’t brushed off. They’re fixed.

The crew across the board is genuinely friendly, approachable, and willing to go out of their way to make things right. A perfect example: if a particular spirit wasn’t available at one bar, the answer was never “sorry, we don’t have that here.” Instead, someone would literally run to another bar to grab it for you.  That level of service is consistent throughout the ship.

As for the ship itself, Explora I is in very good shape overall, especially considering she’s a few years into service now. Everything feels solid, clean, and well cared for. That said, there is one design choice that hasn’t aged well at all: the carpet in the main public areas. The solid gray carpet was just a bad call from day one. No pattern means every stain, spill, and scuff shows, and you can clearly see where it’s been cleaned over and over again. It’s worn, it’s tired, and in some areas it’s overdue for replacement. This isn’t a cleanliness issue, it’s a design issue.

Maintenance-wise, things are handled proactively, even if it means inconveniencing guests for a short time. During this sailing, the Astern pool and bar were closed for a full day for maintenance, and the main pool under the retractable dome was also shut down for a day. That’s never ideal on a cruise, especially a holiday one, but I’d much rather see things properly maintained as needed than being taken out of service for longer periods because maintenance was way overdue.

Overall, service on Explora I is a major strength. The crew clearly takes pride in what they do, and once minor operational hiccups are addressed, the experience is exactly what you’d expect from a ship in the luxury space.

Debarkation at PortMiami

When it comes to debarkation, Explora follows the same playbook as every other cruise line. You have two options. You either leave your bags outside your suite the night before and collect them in the terminal once you’re off the ship, or you carry your own bags off and get out early.

For this sailing, bags had to be placed outside by midnight, and all guests were required to be out of their suites by 8am. A few days before debarkation, a letter is delivered to your room where you select your preferred method of getting off the ship and your requested time. You can also arrange transfers to the airport or book a private car service at that point. That form gets turned in to Guest Services by the date listed.

Two nights before debarkation, luggage tags are delivered to your room based on the option you selected. In my case, I had an 8:45am Brightline train booked out of Miami Central, so I opted for self-assist and carried my bags off. Explora had indicated that debarkation wouldn’t begin until 7:30am, and I didn’t feel like cutting it close.

At around 7:15am, an announcement came over the PA that the ship had been cleared and anyone doing self-debarkation could begin leaving immediately. I headed down right away, and this is where things got a little less polished.

The self-debarkation route is not very luggage-friendly. You’re routed through a narrow, behind-the-scenes passageway with door thresholds that don’t have ramps, making it awkward and frustrating to roll bags through. While I was wrestling with my largest suitcase, one of the ship’s officers casually said, “We don’t make it easy, but we do our best.” Okay???

After one final keycard scan, I was off the ship and walking into the massive MSC terminal at PortMiami. And massive is not an exaggeration. The terminal is absolutely cavernous, and there is a lot of walking involved. I logged just under a mile from the time I left my stateroom to the moment I exited the building.

Explora is not yet using facial recognition with U.S. Customs, so you still need to meet face-to-face with a customs officer, present your passport, and answer a few standard questions. That said, there were no lines at all, and everything moved very quickly once inside the terminal.

Overall, debarkation was smooth and efficient, but the route they use for self-debarking guests could definitely be improved, especially for anyone traveling with larger or heavier luggage. Once you hit the terminal itself, though, it was painless and fast, and I was on my way without any real delays.

Final Thoughts and Would I Sail on Explora Journeys Again?

After 17 days onboard Explora I, I feel like I have a very clear picture of what Explora Journeys is, what it wants to be, and who it’s really for. And the short version is this: Explora absolutely gets a lot right, but it’s not a perfect fit for everyone, and it’s still figuring some things out.

This was a very port-intensive sailing, and that worked both for and against the experience. Visiting smaller ports that big ships can’t reach was one of the strongest parts of this itinerary. Les Trois-Îlets alone justified the routing. But with that many port days back-to-back, you really start to appreciate how important sea days are on a ship like this. Explora I shines when you slow down and actually enjoy the ship. When you’re constantly getting on and off, you don’t always get the full value out of what you’re paying for.

So would I cruise Explora again?

Yes. Absolutely. But I’d be very intentional about how and when.

I would choose an itinerary with a better balance of sea days. I would avoid peak family holiday weeks. And I would board knowing that this is not a “do everything” cruise, it’s a “do less, better” cruise.

Explora Journeys is carving out its own lane somewhere between traditional luxury lines and modern premium cruising. It’s not trying to be Seabourn, it’s not trying to be MSC Yacht Club, and it’s definitely not trying to be a mainstream cruise line with a luxury price tag. When it works, it really works. When it doesn’t, it’s usually because expectations weren’t aligned with what Explora is actually offering.

If you understand that going in, there’s a lot here to love.

And yes… I’d sail her again.

Thanks for following along on my maiden voyage on Explora Journeys and I hope that over the course of the past 17 days, you were able to get some insight into whether Explora is right for you.  If you have questions, feel free to ask them in the form at the bottom of the page and I’ll be more than happy to answer them!

Daily Schedule

Personal Day-By-Day Explora I Cruise Review: