For over a hundred years, shipbuilders have competed to build the biggest cruise and passenger ship on the ocean. But the reasons for building these massive ships have completely changed. Back in the early 1900s, it was all about national pride. Countries like Britain and Germany competed to build the fastest, sleekest ships to cross…
If you are trying to figure out where to stay for a cruise from Tokyo, booking the wrong location is an incredibly easy – and highly stressful – mistake to make. Tokyo is massive, and dragging large suitcases through chaotic multi-level mega-stations like Shinjuku on embarkation morning is every Cruisers nightmare. If your ship departs…
As we navigate the 2026 cruise season, the headlines are dominated by a single word: Mega. With the arrival of 250,000-ton giants like the Icon and World classes, it can feel like the intimate, destination-focused cruising we once loved has been entirely erased. However, for the savvy DIY cruiser, the data tells a different story….
For decades, the cruise industry was built on a very comfortable, very predictable middle ground. If you booked a cruise in 2001, there was a better-than-even chance you’d be stepping onto a ship carrying between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers. This was the “Standard.” These ships were the workhorses of the sea – large enough to…
This page serves as your gateway to the “Big Four” of North Asia: China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. In 2026, this region has become the world’s most digitally advanced cruise theater. The 2026 East Asia Landscape East Asia is no longer a “difficult” region to navigate; it is simply a technical one. While 2026…
Fleet Overview: Original Duo vs. The Evolution Class In just three years, Explora Journeys has expanded from a single-ship debut to soon to be three-ship fleet. (with two more due in 2027 as well Explora IV and Explora V) While the design language remains consistent across the brand, 2026 marks a significant shift in the…
No — cruise ships do not dock at Capri. There is no cruise pier and no deep-water berth. Any cruise ship visit to the island is tender-only, and even then it is limited, weather-dependent, and restricted to smaller ships. This catches a lot of people out because Capri appears on itineraries and excursion lists, but…
Some cruise lines do include shore excursions in the cruise fare — but this is far less common than many people expect. In reality, included excursions are mostly limited to luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines. On these ships, shore tours are bundled into the upfront price rather than sold separately. This can make comparing cruise…
Explora Journeys does not generally include shore excursions in the cruise fare.For a luxury cruise line, that surprises many first-time bookers. Some ultra-luxury lines bundle excursions into the price, so it’s reasonable to expect the same from Explora. Instead, Explora takes a different approach — offering optional, paid shore activities while focusing on longer port…
