Explora Journeys | Explora 1 | Ocean Terrace Suite Review
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During our 6-night sailing on Explora Journeys from Turkey to Greece—calling at Bodrum, Patmos, Paros, Syros and Rhodes—we stayed in an Ocean Terrace Suite, cabin 6049. We’d seen photos of Explora’s “residential-style” accommodation before boarding, but experiencing it for a week gave us a much clearer picture of what this cabin category does well, and where it may not live up to expectations.
This review focuses entirely on the Ocean Terrace Suite experience, with real-world impressions, photos, and two videos: a full cabin tour and a balcony walk-through. If you’re deciding whether this suite is worth the premium—or simply trying to choose the best cabin for your first Explora sailing—this guide should help.
What Is an Ocean Terrace Suite?
Explora Journeys positions the Ocean Terrace Suite as its signature cabin category, larger than a standard cruise balcony room but below the Grand Terrace and Penthouse tiers.
Most Ocean Terrace Suites offer:
- 35 m² (approx. 377 sq ft) of interior space
- 7 m² (75 sq ft) furnished terrace
- A modern, understated residential design
- A large spa-style bathroom and a proper walk-in wardrobe
While it isn’t the largest suite available, it is the one most travellers will book—and the one most first-time guests want to compare against mainstream premium lines like Celebrity or MSC Yacht Club.
For us, Ocean Terrace Suite cabin 6049 offered a quiet midship position, close to lifts but without foot traffic noise. Motion was minimal, even on breezy sailing days.
Layout & First Impressions
Explora’s suites are designed to feel more like a boutique hotel room than a cruise cabin. When you walk in, the space feels open, bright, and deliberately uncluttered.
A few things immediately stood out:
- Neutral, calming colour palette
- Soft, indirect lighting that makes the space feel warm in the evenings
- A real sense of width, thanks to the large terrace-facing window
- Thoughtful storage that keeps the cabin tidy without effort
The Ocean Terrace Suite is divided into three functional zones—living, sleeping, and bathroom/wardrobe—and while there are no physical partitions, or half of one, the layout makes it feel more like a mini-apartment than a single room.
It’s a cabin designed for quiet luxury and comfort, rather than bold design statements or tech-heavy features.
Living Area & Bedroom
The living and sleeping areas are technically part of one open space, but Explora has designed them in a way that feels subtly divided. On one side, you have a comfortable sitting area with a sofa, armchair, small table, and a large flat-screen TV. It’s a relaxed space—perfect for room-service breakfasts, late-night snacks, or a quiet glass of wine before bed.
What we appreciated most was the sense of calm. There’s no visual clutter, no awkward furniture placement, and no feeling that you’re squeezing past things. Even with luggage out, the room remains easy to move around in.
The bedroom side features a soft, high-quality king bed with deep pillows and plush bedding. It’s angled toward the terrace so you can wake up with natural light flooding in—one of those small touches that makes the suite feel genuinely luxurious. USB and USB-C charging were available on both sides of the bed, along with wifi charging and thoughtful night-lighting that doesn’t blind you if you get up at night.
Sound insulation is excellent; we never heard neighbours or hallway noise, and sleeping quality was consistently high.
Bathroom & Walk-In Wardrobe
This is the part of the Ocean Terrace Suite that consistently surprises guests—because it feels more like a proper hotel bathroom than a cruise ship design compromise.
The bathroom features:
- A full-sized walk-in shower with excellent water pressure
- A large double-sink vanity
- Generous shelving and drawers
- Heated flooring
- Soft robes and high-end toiletries
There’s a sense of space you simply don’t get on most cruise lines, even in some premium suites. The large shower is especially welcome after a hot day exploring ports like Bodrum or Paros.
Directly connected to the bathroom is the walk-in wardrobe, which is genuinely useful. With multiple hanging spaces, drawers, shelves, shoe storage and a full-length mirror, it eliminates the usual cruise ship clutter of jackets, backpacks, and shoes spilling into the bedroom. For a week-long cruise—and especially for destinations with varying weather—it makes settling in effortless.
The Terrace (Balcony)
Our cabin’s terrace (6049) measured around 75 sq ft, which is generous compared to many mainstream cruise lines. It included:
- Two extremely comfortable padded loungers
- A small table
- Enough depth that you can stretch out without feeling cramped
What makes the terrace particularly enjoyable is the privacy. Dividers are solid and high enough that you don’t feel exposed to neighbours. We filmed a separate balcony video during sunset departing Patmos, and the open wake views combined with the quietness made it one of our favourite parts of the suite.
We have a video on why cabin 6049 and Cabin 6048 are likely the best Ocean Terrace Suite and balconies in this category!
Because the cabin sits midship, motion is minimal, and wind is rarely an issue—ideal for reading, relaxing, or enjoying coffee in the morning before heading to Emporium Marketplace.
It’s not the largest terrace on the ship (Grand Terrace Suites double it), but for most travellers, the size and comfort strike an excellent balance between value and luxury.
Included Amenities
One of the standout features of an Ocean Terrace Suite is that it actually feels all-inclusive once you step inside. The room is stocked and refreshed in a way that reinforces Explora’s focus on relaxed luxury rather than nickel-and-diming.
Here’s what’s included in your suite at no extra charge:
- A fully stocked minibar, restocked daily with soft drinks, juices, still and sparkling water, and your preferred alcohol selections (they ask during check-in).
- A welcome bottle of Champagne waiting on embarkation day.
- High-quality Illy espresso machine with pods and teas replenished throughout the cruise.
- Plush robes and slippers, plus a beach tote you can take home.
- Premium toiletries in full-sized bottles (not the little travel ones that run out after one shower). though thats pretty much your lot!
- Daily fresh fruit, snacks, and sparkling water.
- 24-hour included room service, which is a huge perk—especially for breakfast on the terrace or late-night snacks.
The level of generosity varies between luxury lines, but in our experience (and comparison with our recent MSC Bellissima sailing), the inclusions here felt genuinely premium. Nothing required signature slips, upcharges, or awkward conversations.
Noise, Motion & Sleep Quality
Explora I is a modern ship with excellent stabilisers, and the Ocean Terrace Suites sit in a sweet spot for comfort. Because these suites run along the midship section, they experience significantly less motion than the bow or stern.
During our sailing from Turkey through Bodrum, Paros, Rhodes, and Syros, seas were generally calm—but even during overnight stretches, motion was minimal. If you’re prone to seasickness, this cabin category is a reassuring choice.
In terms of noise:
- We never heard hallway traffic.
- Balcony doors are thick and weather-sealed.
- No mechanical vibrations or hums from engines.
- No noise bleed from rooms beside or above.
Many cruise cabins—especially older ships—have doors that slam or plumbing noises that echo. Not here. Sleep quality was excellent, helped by blackout curtains and genuinely comfortable bedding.
Ocean Terrace Suite vs Other Explora Suite Types
Here’s a helpful at-a-glance comparison of where the Ocean Terrace Suite sits within the wider Explora Journeys suite lineup:
| Suite Type | Size (Approx.) | Terrace Size | Who It’s Best For | Upgrade Value? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Terrace Suite | 377 sq ft | 75 sq ft | Couples, solo travellers, anyone wanting luxury without big-suite pricing | ★ Excellent value |
| Ocean Grand Terrace Suite | 420 sq ft | 100+ sq ft | Guests who want more outdoor space or extra room to move | ★★ Nice if you use the balcony often |
| Penthouse Suite | 500–700 sq ft | Larger terrace | Those wanting true “suite separation” with a larger living area | ★★ Premium feel comes at a premium price |
| Residence Suites | 1,000+ sq ft | Very large terrace | Travellers seeking the top-tier experience; best for longer voyages | ★★★ For those who want the absolute best |
| Owner’s Residence | 3,000+ sq ft | Massive outdoor space | The ultra-luxury crowd | ★★★★ If budget isn’t a concern |
For most travellers—especially on 6–10 night journeys—the Ocean Terrace Suite offers the best balance of comfort, space, and price.
Who The Ocean Terrace Suite Is For — and Who It’s Not For
Every cruise cabin has an ideal guest, and the Ocean Terrace Suite is no exception. After six nights onboard, here’s who we think will get the most value from this category—and who might prefer to upgrade (or even downgrade).
⭐ Who This Suite Is Perfect For
✔ Couples who want luxury without going overboard
The suite feels spacious, modern, and calming—exactly what most couples look for in a premium but not ultra-extravagant cruise experience.
✔ First-time Explora guests
If you’re trying Explora Journeys for the first time, this suite gives you a full sense of the brand: the design, the comfort, the amenities, and the refined atmosphere.
✔ Travellers who value a quiet, comfortable retreat
The combination of a true walk-in wardrobe, excellent bathroom, generous balcony, and comfortable bed makes this ideal for people who spend time relaxing in their suite.
✔ Those who want a luxury room without the Residence price tag
You get many of the same perks (Champagne, minibar, spa access on port days) without needing to book a top-tier suite.
❗ Who Might Not Love This Suite
✘ Guests who want a bathtub
The bathroom is excellent, but there is no tub—something to note if you love long soaks.
✘ Families needing more space
While the suite is generous for two, a family (even with one child) may find the space tight, and some higher categories offer better separation.
✘ Travellers who highly value outdoor space
The terrace is lovely but not enormous. If you love sunbathing, private dining outdoors, or spending hours on the balcony, a Grand Terrace or Penthouse Suite may be worth the upgrade.
✘ Those only using the suite to sleep
If you don’t spend much time in your cabin, a lower room category might be more cost-effective—you won’t need the extra space or amenities.
Final Verdict — Is the Ocean Terrace Suite Worth It?
After a full week onboard Explora I, we genuinely enjoyed our Ocean Terrace Suite. It struck a thoughtful balance between comfort, luxury, and practicality, and the layout encouraged relaxation in a way that many cruise cabins simply don’t.
The bathroom and wardrobe alone make a noticeable difference to how “settled” you feel, and the terrace—while not oversized – but with that lovely alcove —became one of our favourite spaces to unwind before dinner or after a long port day.
Is it worth the price?
For most travellers, yes.
You experience Explora’s signature design language, suite-level inclusions, quiet midship positioning, and a much more hotel-like environment than mainstream cruise lines offer. It’s luxury at a level that feels elevated but not excessive.
If you value space, comfort, and a relaxing suite you can spend real time in, the Ocean Terrace Suite is an excellent choice.
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