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By Sara Waxman
“Let me escort you,” says Angelo Melendez, stepping away from the smartly uniformed welcoming committee. He has seen me hesitate at the long gangway from dock to ship. And with the attention one might reserve for one’s own mom, he keeps me company on the 15-minute walk to the entrance of the Explora 1. The two-story lobby is magnificent, and as the elevator takes me smoothly to my floor, I feel I have entered a different world.
Waiting at starboard, the 7th floor host smiles, “Welcome.” Oh, my goodness! I am overwhelmed. I have had smaller hotel rooms than this spacious 35m state-room. A sliding glass door leads to a full terrace and lounge. A luxurious full-size bathroom and shower is tucked behind a glass door, and there is a walk-in closet with dressing table, chair, mirror and magnifying mirror. Thank you, Explora 1.
August 2024 will mark the first birthday of the Explora 1. In ship years this is still very new. If it was totally booked, there would be 922 guests and 640 crew, which is a very generous ratio of 1.44 crew per guest.
The apprehension of traveling alone melts away. Thrilled and happy, I am ready to experience a tour of the ship (don’t call it a boat) and perhaps make some new friends at lunch in the Emporium Marketplace.
Walking into the Emporium Marketplace is like entering the ante room to buffet-heaven. White marble counters beckon, offering sparkling wares. Oysters from Denmark, Iberico ham, USDA Prime Beef. A market garden of fruits and vegetables. Cuisines of the world are presented. The flavours of Thailand, Japan, China and traditional Mexican dishes. I plan to taste each pasta dish during my journey. They all look as luscious as those made in Nona’s kitchen, and I’ll be back later for an afternoon snack of a slice of pizza margarita.
But here is the test: can they make perfectly poached eggs? The bakery has produced gorgeous sourdough, milk bread, rye bread, croissants, cinnamon buns and muffins. Decisions, decisions. “One of each please,” and along with some butter and cheeses, my plate is graciously brought to my table. And here are my eggs. Need I say that they are as perfect as an alabaster sculpture?
Our ship’s tour guide charms us with personal anecdotes and encourages us to enjoy our welcome cocktail at the Sky Bar on the 14th floor. The countless amenities on board include a pickup game of pickleball, an afternoon dance lesson, an advanced photography workshop and, of course, a luxurious facial and massage at the spa.
All these activities that I never seem to have time for at home are right here awaiting my attendance. And everywhere there is a veritable menu of music to enhance our mood: Beats and Vibes with DJ Petrus, Sips and Strings with Lisette, Cocktails and Keys with Natalia.
Back at my quarters, I head to my terrace lounge and gaze at the sea. No “must-do” lists; no “responsibilities.” I feel my hectic work habits being washed away by the gentle waves. The print out of today’s activities reads like a schedule of all things that interest me. Yes, a good start is the “Pre-Dinner Solo Traveler” get together. Fascinating that so many men and women are solo travelers from Europe, Asia, South America, the U.S. and Canada, all open to friendly conversations in several languages. This will be an interesting voyage indeed, from Miami to Antigua.
Dinner tonight is at Sakura. Branches of cherry blossoms that hang from the ceiling. Black sculptured plates and black chopsticks with gold tips showcase the jewel like sushi and sashimi and the array of pretty rice rolls. The sommelier is well versed in pairing wines with these delicate morsels, and though our backgrounds differ, we all share a resounding “Kampai.”
The After Dinner Theater is unusual in that the decor is nightclub modern, with comfy easy-chairs and sofas arranged in groups with small tables around a dance floor. The super-talented performers take us on a journey through Broadway show tunes of the past, and the dance floor fills up pretty fast. Clearly some couples have been taking pre-cruise dance lessons and enjoy our applause.
What are my impressions of my first day? Am I having a good time? There is a spirit of generosity on board and an ambience of trust and friendship from staff to guests that is contagious. Casting cynicism aside, I can’t remember when I’ve seen such a happy group of people. The ship is like a chameleon. Those who want it to be a party ship make it so. For those who prefer quiet and relaxation, it is here to absorb. For some, it’s boot camp, workout and wellness. I fall asleep gazing at the reflection of the moon on the glistening blackness of the sea, and look forward to tomorrow with contentment.
Good morning sunshine. It’s a beautiful day, perfect for pre-breakfast Outdoor Yoga. The gym is not totally sequestered and it is actually thrilling to pedal an exercise bike while gazing at the sea instead of a TV screen. There are also pilates reformers and gear by Technogym. Refreshed and brimming with resolve to work out every day, I’m ready to meet my new-found friends at FIL Rouge for a breakfast of American classics filtered through French techniques.
Many guests, while choosing a cruise, look for the ship’s policy on sustainability. Explora 1 is equipped with catalytic reduction technology that reduces nitrogen-oxide emissions from its fuel by 90 per cent, and it is being refit to enable cleaner liquefied natural gas and hydrogen power. Keeping the well-being of marine life in mind, there are stabilizers and exterior illumination designed to reduce noise and light pollution.
Decor relies on neutral colours of a beige, cream and gray palette. And by design, there is nothing to jar our sensibilities. The sea is showcased by floor-to-ceiling windows that enhance our visual experience. Kicking off my sandals, I lounge with my bare-feet resting on the window ledge. “Oh, my dear,” says a passing staff member, “Your feet look cold, let me bring you a blanket.”
We are laughing ourselves silly playing Name That Tune, remembering the music of our life and matching wits with the entertainment host and DJ. In the Advanced Photography workshop, I learn so many tips that had eluded me while taking those great photos I always hope for. Chefs Kitchen hosts an Enrichment Culinary Journey offering a daily new-learning experience. I am delighted to confirm that I’ve been making risotto correctly all along.
The variety of the day’s diversions continues to amaze and delight all the passengers. Ocean Wellness is a unique experience exclusive to Explora. Using the mystical power of the sea, we are guided in a series of experiences on a holistic, personal journey of inner discovery and rejuvenation. Defying detailed explanation, it touches on energy, sleep, relaxation, mindfulness and immunity that enhances the ocean’s calming and revitalizing influence.
Late evening, I watch as two friends play an intense game of billiards on a stabilized table, but I have other plans. I’ve been invited by pool-mates to drop into Prism to join LGBTQIA+ guests and allies for cocktails and a pleasant nightcap. It’s near midnight and, to quote Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day.”
It’s Saturday night and dinner is at Marble & Co. Grill, the kind of American steakhouse we all know and love. The rib eye cut is one of my favourites and it’s prepared perfectly. Medium rare, naked on the plate, sauce on the side, and a big baked potato.
Steak dinner without dessert is like love without a kiss. Clearly, this pastry chef dreams in bright colours. I am torn between beignets with amaretto-pistachio, rum-Swiss chocolate and bourbon-caramel sauce, or the signature chocolate brownies with caramel, fleur de sel and Madagascan vanilla sauce. The tiny voice in my ear whispers, “Order both,” so I do! Hey, it’s the weekend, and I am having a fling.
Try to stump a bartender with a request for an obscure cocktail you once tried in some corner of the world, and he will say, “Coming right up, Madam.” The many bars and lounges each have their own personality, but what they all share is sleek comfort, inviting spaciousness, and cozy conversation groupings.
In the Malt Whiskey Bar, the bartender shows off the latest bar toys for creating magical whisky cocktails that, of course, we must all taste. The Pool Bar is padded lounges, fluffy towels, and a server with your cocktail in hand. We pass by the cigar humidor, where both men and women seem to be enjoying a few puffs of some fine brands that are familiar to me.
Sunday afternoon is special. And we have been invited for tea with Captain Diego Michelozzi. Over cups of Earl Grey, he tells us that he spent the last 2 ½ years as master for a luxury line, and has worked for more than 20 years for major cruise companies, following a period with the Italian Navy.
The captain asks us how we feel on board the Explora and is genuinely interested in our comments. While we enjoy our tea cakes, he shares his thoughts: “It is an honor for me to join Explora Journeys and to play a part to bring to life the foresight and vision of the family. I was born on the Tuscan coastline in Italy, I come from four generations of seafarers, and I naturally value the company’s commitment to preserve the mesmerizing beauty of our oceans and marine life.”
While the ship stops at Gustavia, Saint Barts, known for its fashion bargains from France, I choose to relax on board. In a conversation with the Food and Beverage Manager, I ask if they have an intricate computer program in place to keep track of what items are used up and should be replenished. “Yes,” he laughs, “and it’s called Senior Executive Chef.”
He explains further that the barometer for whether they are on the right track is the feedback from guests, guest ratings and statistics in order to deliver the freshest, most luxurious and delectable edibles.
Some families have brought their children. Lucky kids. Dawn to dusk, they have their own play-world filled with the newest generation of electronic games and gadgets. The kids have their own swimming pool, pickleball and basketball facilities, and are supervised by eagle-eyed, enthusiastic professionals. I know a few exhausted single parents for whom Explora 1 would be akin to Nirvana.
I have saved my ultimate luxuries for the last day. The in-suite breakfast menu from the kitchen of FIL Rouge compares favourably to a top hotel. It arrives promptly at 6 a.m. and is set on my terrace dining table. Watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying my avocado toast, smoked salmon omelette, croissants, fresh berries, a few European cheeses, and really good Americano coffee, is the stuff travel-dreams are made of.
There is something to be said for doing nothing. And yet, is it really nothing to lounge and catnap beside one of the swimming pools, dangle my toes in the water and gaze at the ocean ripples rather than chrome-to-chrome traffic back home? An afternoon at the spa and hair salon is a feather in the cap of my well-being. Now, refreshed and feeling mighty fine, I arrive just in time for today’s exercise class, a lively course in salsa dancing.
And so, decadent days pass in languorous relaxation, self-serving cultural enrichment, personal wellness routines, and exchanging ideas and e-mail addresses with new friends from foreign lands. To cruise alone is an experience that provides the luxury of following the dictates of my own whims. It is the ultimate “Me Time.” I highly recommend it.
For more info go to: explorajourneys.com/ca/en
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