8 Reasons NOT to Book an Explora Journeys Cruise (Honest Review After Sailing Explora I)
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Why This Review Isn’t a “Bash” on Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys markets itself as a new kind of luxury ocean travel, not a traditional cruise line. And after sailing a six-night itinerary onboard Explora I through Türkiye and Greece, I can confidently say: the experience is excellent — but absolutely not for everyone.
The goal of this article isn’t to criticise the brand. It’s to help travellers avoid booking the wrong type of holiday. Luxury ships each have their own personality. For some guests, Explora’s quiet sophistication is perfection for others is a reason not to book
For others, it can feel underwhelming, slow-paced, or simply not aligned with what they imagine a cruise to be.
If you want to know whether you would love it — or feel disappointed — these eight reasons will give you a very clear picture.
Reason 1 — Limited Entertainment on Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys intentionally avoids the “big theatre” cruise ship model. So if you prefer nightly Broadway-style shows, elaborate productions, comedy headliners, or high-energy nightlife, you may find the entertainment offering too quiet.
You can check out a video of these reasons on the You tube Channel on the link above and here.
What Explora does offer:
- Live musicians and small performances in intimate lounges
- A more “hotel lobby bar” style musical atmosphere
- Occasional enrichment sessions and cultural programming
What Explora does not offer:
- Large-scale evening productions
- Comedy clubs
- Big theatre venues
- Lively late-night entertainment
The design philosophy is clear: Explora wants their ships to feel like luxury boutique hotels, not like floating entertainment resorts. That’s brilliant for some… but not for others.
Reason 2 — No Big-Ship Activities (Waterslides, VR, F1 Sims, Zip Lines, etc.)
If you’ve sailed on MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or Carnival, you already know the difference: Explora has none of the high-octane attractions mainstream cruises are famous for. No go-kart tracks, no surfing simulators, no zip lines, no climbing walls and no LED theatres.
This isn’t an oversight — it’s the brand identity. Explora is built for calm days, quiet decks, elegant pools and relaxation rather than adrenaline.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Activity Type | Explora Journeys | MSC / Royal Caribbean / NCL |
|---|---|---|
| Waterslides | ❌ None | ✔️ Multiple |
| F1 simulators / VR arenas | ❌ No | ✔️ Yes |
| Zip lines / climbing walls | ❌ No | ✔️ Yes |
| Wellness spaces & quiet lounges | ✔️ Absolutely | ✔️ Some, often crowded |
| Deck parties & loud music | ❌ Minimal | ✔️ Frequent |
If your ideal cruise day involves lots of activities, games and attractions, Explora will feel extremely low-key.
Reason 3 — Not Ideal for Families with Active Children
Explora is not a family cruise line. There is a children’s programme, but it’s very small and very calm — closer to a supervised lounge than an energetic kids’ club. There are no splash zones, water parks, themed character events or organised all-day activities.
Great for:
- Quiet teens who enjoy reading, swimming and relaxing
- Kids who like calm spaces and time with parents
Not great for:
- Children who need constant activities
- Families used to Disney, Royal Caribbean or MSC kids’ clubs
- Parents expecting built-in entertainment or babysitting
Explora Journeys is designed primarily for adults and couples. Families can have a good time — but active children will run out of things to do, fast.
Reason 4 — You Won’t Find a Lively Party Atmosphere
Explora Journeys is not the cruise line for late-night deck parties, DJ sets, theme nights, or crowded bars. The music is soft, the lounges close earlier than on mainstream ships, and most guests are in bed well before midnight.
This isn’t a flaw — it’s intentional. Explora wants to feel like a luxury resort in the Mediterranean, not a floating nightclub.
You might not enjoy Explora if you prefer:
- Sail-away parties with DJs and dancing
- Packed pool decks with high-energy music
- Late-night bars buzzing until 1–2am
- The “big ship holiday” vibe
But if you like sipping a quiet cocktail at a refined lounge with live jazz… you’ll love it.
Reason 5 — The Premium Price Isn’t for Everyone (Even with “Everything Included”)
Explora Journeys is one of the more expensive mainstream–accessible cruise lines on the market. For many people, the price is simply too high — even before excursions.
And while the inclusions are generous (all dining, most drinks, WiFi, spa access on port days, shuttles in many ports, crew gratuities), that doesn’t automatically mean Explora is good value for you.
Reasons the price may feel unjustified:
- You don’t drink alcohol or only drink occasionally
- You’re happy in a standard cabin and don’t care about suite-level space
- You prefer busy ships with lots of entertainment for a lower price
- You travel as a family (the cost multiplies quickly)
For comparison:
| Cruise Type | Typical Price (Per Night, 2 People) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Explora Journeys | $900–$1,600+ | Ultra-luxury suite experience |
| Mainstream Lines (MSC, Royal, NCL) | $200–$350 | Large ships with activities |
| Premium Lines (Celebrity, Princess) | $350–$600 | More refined, but still busy |
Explora is worth it for the right person — but it’s absolutely not for everyone.
Reason 6 — No Included Excursions (But Shuttles Often Are)
One of the biggest surprises for many new guests is that Explora Journeys does not include shore excursions, even though the cruise itself is marketed as “all-inclusive.”
Explora’s excursions are also priced at a luxury level — and some guests feel they’re too expensive for what’s offered.
However, Explora does typically include:
- Complimentary shuttle buses into town when the port terminal is far from city centres
- Port information and recommendations onboard
- A concierge-style Destination Experiences team
But if you’re someone who expects a luxury line to include curated small-group tours, wine tastings, and guided excursions, you may find yourself disappointed (or paying a lot extra).
This is one area where some travellers feel Explora falls short compared to other ultra-luxury lines.
Reason 7 — Daily Activities & Ship Events Are Very Minimal
If you love a cruise that gives you a packed daily programme, Explora might feel surprisingly quiet. Many mainstream cruise lines offer constant activities — trivia, game shows, workshops, poolside competitions, themed events, parties, karaoke, live game shows, quizzes and more.
Explora takes a very different approach. The daily schedule typically looks more like a wellness retreat:
- Sunrise stretching or yoga
- A cooking demonstration or enrichment talk
- Live music in the lounges
- A tasting session or cocktail class
- A wellness seminar or mindfulness session
The quality is high, but the quantity is limited. Some guests absolutely love the peaceful rhythm; others find themselves searching for “something to do.”
Explora simply isn’t designed for those who enjoy being entertained throughout the day. Rest, reflection and relaxation are the focus.
Reason 8 — You Don’t Need an Amazing Cabin (But You’re Paying for One)
One of Explora’s biggest selling points is that every accommodation is a suite — and they are genuinely beautiful. Spacious bathrooms, deep balconies, high-end materials and thoughtful layouts. It is one of the nicest standard cabins you’ll find at sea.
But here’s the catch:
If you’re the type of traveller who spends very little time in the room, this upgrade can feel wasted. Some travellers don’t value large suites because:
- They’re active all day
- They prefer being out on deck or exploring ports
- They only sleep in their cabin
- They don’t care about premium toiletries or marble bathrooms
If the suite experience isn’t a big part of what you enjoy on holiday, then a large portion of Explora’s pricing simply won’t benefit you.
By contrast, mainstream and premium lines offer smaller but perfectly comfortable cabins for a fraction of the price — which may be all many travellers truly need.
Final Verdict — Is Explora Journeys Right for You?
Explora Journeys is a genuinely beautiful cruise line — modern, spacious, elegant, quiet and incredibly relaxing. For the right type of traveller, it can feel like a floating five-star boutique hotel with everything taken care of.
But it’s not designed for everyone.
Explora may be perfect if you value serenity, luxury touches, exceptional dining, generous outdoor space, and a slower pace. It may also appeal to travellers who prefer peace over parties, slow mornings over high-energy activities and suites over small cabins.
On the other hand, Explora won’t be the ideal choice if you want a lively cruise, big production shows, constant entertainment, high-energy daily schedules, kid-friendly activities or excellent value for money per night.
If you’re still unsure, the best way to decide is this:
Do you want a quiet luxury holiday at sea, or an exciting cruise full of things to do?
Explora excels at the former — and doesn’t attempt the latter.
We have more Explora articles and further information below.
- Is Explora Journeys Worth the Price?
- https://bucketlistguides.com/what-is-actually-included-on-explora-journeys/
- https://bucketlistguides.com/what-is-actually-included-on-explora-journeys/
- https://bucketlistguides.com/msc-cruises-vs-explora-journeys-is-the-luxury-upgrade-really-worth-5-6x-the-price/
- https://bucketlistguides.com/explora-journeys-explora-1-ocean-terrace-suite-review/
- https://bucketlistguides.com/explora-journeys-pros-and-cons-honest-review-after-sailing-explora-i/
