EXPLORA III Solar Eclipse Cruise: A First Taste of Ocean Life

As Destinology’s Destination Manager for Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, Georgina is used to knowing exactly where to find the good stuff – from standout hotels to the restaurants, beaches and experiences that make a destination worth travelling for. But until this solar eclipse cruise, luxury cruising was uncharted territory. So she brought her husband along for the maiden voyage, with the brand new EXPLORA III providing their introduction to life at sea. 

Their route took them from Lisbon through Porto, Galicia, the Basque Country, Bordeaux and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with plenty to discover both onboard and ashore. There was exceptional food, plenty of space to properly switch off, birthday celebrations and, rather spectacularly, a solar eclipse viewed from the Bay of Biscay. We caught up with her after the sailing to find out what she made of her first experience of Explora Journeys – and why she’s come back converted. 

This was your first luxury cruise, despite having travelled extensively around the world. What was your immediate reaction when you stepped onboard EXPLORA III? 

Honestly, we were completely blown away. On arrival, we were handed a glass of champagne and led to the impressive main lobby which is spectacular. We were like excited children and couldn’t wait to explore the rest of the ship. 

Having experienced so many of the world’s best hotels, what did this Explora Journeys cruise get right from a luxury perspective? Did it feel familiar in any ways, or completely different from a hotel stay? 

Absolutely everything was included, from premium branded spirits to champagne, restaurants with no hidden supplements, incredibly attentive staff and most of all space! Although the ship was completely full, it really felt like an intimate experience – almost like a private yacht. With the range of pools, bars and restaurants, the experience as a first-time cruiser didn’t feel dissimilar to a luxury hotel. 

You travelled with your husband, so you experienced EXPLORA III as a proper holiday rather than purely as a work trip. What did you enjoy most about having that time together onboard? 

My husband and I love to explore, so part of the appeal of EXPLORA III was waking up in a different place every day whilst having the luxury of our consistent space to come back to each evening. We actually un-packed which is a rarity when we travel on tailor-made holidays, moving around so often.  

Your suite is such an important part of the experience, and Explora Journeys suites are some of the largest lead-in suites at sea! What did you make of yours, and did you find yourself using the space differently to how you would a hotel room? 

Our suite felt like a home from home, the minute we walked into the room I commented on how relaxed I immediately felt. It’s rare for us to settle into a room as we usually hop around hotels on tailor-made trips, but on EXPLORA III we fully unpacked and used the dressing room. The king-sized bed was very comfortable, and it was exciting each morning to pull back the curtains and sit on the terrace enjoying a morning coffee looking out to a new view. We also enjoyed the stocked mini-bar and complimentary champagne on arrival.  

Explora Journeys cruises have a very different approach to dining, with multiple restaurants with their own kitchens, and plenty of choice without feeling overly formal. How did you find the balance between exceptional food and being able to dine at your own pace? 

We visited every dining outlet whilst on the ship and we were able to experience a la carte dining at 4 exceptional restaurants and buffet dining at leisure – although you can hardly call it a buffet. It was the most exquisite buffet we have ever seen with most cuisines you could imagine and so much more, like lobster tail, oysters, steaks. Each dish was freshly prepared for you by the chefs. We also enjoyed a regular trip to Crema for coffee and a panini or a sweet treat, and Shore Club on 11 which was perfect for a late lunch that could be delivered to your sun lounger after a long morning exploring.  

You’re a bit of a foodie, so naturally we have to ask: which dining experiences on EXPLORA III stood out most? Was there a particular restaurant, dish or meal that you’re still thinking about? 

Sakura was our favourite restaurant onboard, we dined twice, once for lunch at the chef’s table and again on our last night. The fact that you could order unlimited freshly prepared sushi was music to our ears. It was also great to experience the atmosphere from day to night. 

Your husband celebrated his birthday onboard – how did the crew make the occasion feel special? Would you recommend it for a milestone celebration? 

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a milestone celebration than on an Explora Journeys ship. We had breakfast delivered to our suite so we could dine on our terrace, and when we returned later in the day, our host had set out a birthday banner and towels in the shape of a birthday cake. We ate at the French Restaurant Fil Rouge that night, and my husband was presented with champagne and a delicious chocolate cake - which we later had delivered to the suite to devour the rest. 

You’ve travelled to Sri Lanka this year and spent some time in Barbados too. After experiencing such varied destinations and hotels, what did this Explora Journeys cruise give you that a traditional land-based holiday couldn’t? 

A different experience each day - which is what we love about holidays - but with the comfort of one suite for 7-nights! Although we do enjoy some downtime, the excitement of exploring a new destination every day with the luxury of top-quality facilities to experience on return is unbeatable. We also visited some places that ordinally wouldn’t have been on our radar and interestingly a couple of these were our favourites! 

The itinerary took you through some brilliant food and wine destinations – from Porto and Galicia to Bilbao, Bordeaux and the Basque coast. Which stop surprised you most, and did being able to visit several destinations in one trip change the way you experienced them? 

Porto and Bilbao had been on our bucket list for a while, so were happy to see these destinations on the itinerary – and they did not disappoint. We chose our key points of interest and stuck to a plan to see as much as possible, knowing that we would plan to return someday. However, the port that surprised us the most was Saint Jean De Luz in France. This was our only tender port so the experience of travelling by water from the ship to the port was a novelty in itself, but when we arrived, we fell in love. It was very pretty with narrow shopping streets, a vibrant square, an abundance of restaurants and a fantastic beach.  We even watched a local swimming race across the bay.  

Then there was the solar eclipse in the Bay of Biscay which, we can imagine, was quite an extraordinary thing to see from the middle of the ocean. Tell us about that moment. How did Explora Journeys set the experience up, and what made it so memorable? 

For us it was a once in lifetime – we were so lucky to experience this whilst onboard EXPLORA III. The location was unbeatable and the eclipse was so clear. The crew provided us with special eclipse glasses, which we were so thankful for as we hadn’t thought of this before travelling. The DJ on the Sky Bar set the scene perfectly with music that complimented the eclipse magnificently. It really was quite emotional and an unreal moment that I will never forget. 

You and your husband are both active travellers, so how did you find the fitness facilities onboard? Did they feel comparable to what you’d expect from a high-end hotel or resort? Did you find the promised ‘Ocean State of Mind’? 

The ship had an indoor state-of-the-art gym and yoga studio, but our favourite area for keeping fit onboard was the running track on the 11th deck – and yes, we did run around the 250m running track 20 times to reach a 5km distance! You can also find a padel court, bikes and rowing machines on the top deck looking out across the ocean.  

Was there a particular space onboard that became your favourite? Somewhere you found yourselves returning to for a drink, a quiet moment or just to watch the world go by? 

For sail away you’d find us either at the Sky Bar or in one of the whirlpools with a glass of champagne taking in the views as we sailed out of port. It was surprising how quiet it felt even though the ship was full. The Explora Lounge was also one of our favourites for a pre-dinner cocktail with comfy seats looking out towards the ocean.  

What surprised you most about this Explora Journeys cruise? Was there anything you weren’t expecting to enjoy quite so much? 

We found Explora Journeys much more laidback and relaxed than we expected as a first-time cruiser. You could do everything at your own leisure; there was lots of space with peaceful corners to relax and unwind. There really was something for everyone! 

Having spent your career travelling and experiencing different hotels and destinations, what do you think Explora Journeys does particularly well for the luxury traveller? 

Explora Journeys provides the perfect transition from luxury hotel to cruise. The inclusions are elevated to such a high standard, you have enough space and variation of experience, activity, restaurants and bars, and entertainment to keep any member of the family happy. To top all this the service and suite standard makes the whole experience even more luxurious.  

And finally, the big question: has your first cruise converted you? Would you choose an Explora Journeys cruise again for your own holiday — and if so, where would you like to sail next? 

Absolutely – we were looking at itineraries before we’d even returned! We’d love to do an itinerary sailing around Italy and Croatia in the Med. EXPLORA IV is the top of our list when it launches in summer 2027! 

One sailing was apparently all it took. Having boarded EXPLORA III as a first-time luxury cruiser, Georgina – unsurprisingly – came home with a rather serious case of the Explora Journeys bug. It’s a testament to just how different the experience can feel when cruising is approached with the same attention to design, dining, space and service as a great luxury hotel.  

Add in a birthday at sea and the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of a solar eclipse over the Bay of Biscay, and this was hardly a gentle introduction to luxury cruises. For someone who has spent years travelling the world in search of exceptional places to stay, it seems EXPLORA III has managed to become a destination in its own right.