Can Explora Journeys work well for families? My honest review

Having spent time onboard Explora III, explored the facilities, experienced the service and sampled the food, my answer is yes.

In fact, I think for the right family, Explora Journeys could work exceptionally well.

It won't be the right choice for every family, but I think it's a cruise line that families should be considering more than they currently do.

What is Explora Journeys like?

Explora Journeys is a luxury cruise line designed around space, service, dining and a more relaxed style of cruising.

Explora III carries fewer than 1,000 guests and has just 463 suites. There are no traditional cruise cabins, and every suite has its own private terrace.

Some of the larger residences genuinely feel more like apartments at sea than a conventional cruise suite.

That makes a huge difference to the overall feel of the ship.

Explora III is spacious, calm and beautifully designed, without feeling formal or stuffy. There are gorgeous pools, cabana-style loungers and plenty of space to relax without feeling as though you're surrounded by hundreds of other passengers.

And then there's the food.

Is Explora Journeys family-friendly?

Yes, but what really surprised me is how well the concept can work for families.

Children are genuinely welcome on Explora Journeys, and there is a dedicated children's and teenagers' space called the Nautilus Club.

There is a cap of around 70 children on peak cruises, with generally far fewer on many term-time sailings.

At first, you might think having fewer children onboard would be a disadvantage.

I actually think it can be one of the biggest advantages for the right family.

The Nautilus Club can be much more personal because the team isn't trying to cater for hundreds of children at once. Activities can be tailored around the children who are actually onboard and their individual interests.

The team can even take children swimming and out and about around the ship if that's something their family would like.

So while Explora doesn't offer the huge children's facilities you might find on a mainstream family ship, the experience for the children who are onboard can be much more personal.

And that can make a big difference.

Why could Explora work particularly well for families?

For me, one of the biggest attractions is that the entire family gets to enjoy the luxury.

On some luxury holidays, parents might enjoy the beautiful hotel, restaurants and spa while children are simply accommodated around the experience.

Explora feels different.

The ship is designed to be enjoyed together, while still giving everyone plenty of space.

You can have breakfast together, spend time around the pool, explore a destination together and enjoy dinner as a family, but you aren't all crammed into the same small space.

Every suite has a private terrace, there are lots of places around the ship to relax and the overall atmosphere is incredibly spacious.

For families who value quality time together but don't want a traditional "family resort" experience, I think that could be a very compelling combination.

Which families could benefit most from Explora?

Families with older children and teenagers

I think this is where Explora could become particularly interesting.

As children get older, their holiday requirements change.

They may no longer need a huge kids' club or endless slides and activities, but they still want some independence and things to do.

The Nautilus Club gives them somewhere of their own, while the rest of the ship gives the whole family a much more grown-up holiday experience.

You can have the luxury and relaxation you want as a parent without your teenager feeling as though they've simply been dragged along on an adults' holiday.

Multi-generational families

I also think Explora could work exceptionally well for multi-generational cruising.

Grandparents, parents and children can travel together while still having their own space and interests.

The larger residences can be particularly interesting for families who would normally book multiple hotel rooms or separate accommodation.

And because there are opportunities for solo travellers too, there can be some flexibility in how a multi-generational trip is structured.

It means everyone can travel together without necessarily having to spend every minute together.

Families already used to travelling in suites

If you're already comfortable booking suites on mainstream or premium cruise lines, Explora is definitely worth a look.

The difference isn't simply that the accommodation is larger.

It's the combination of space, service, dining and inclusions throughout the experience.

What is included on Explora Journeys?

Another reason I think Explora can work well for families is the number of inclusions.

There are nine distinct culinary experiences onboard, with all but one included in the fare.

Drinks are included too, including Champagne, along with spa access and three Wi-Fi devices per person.

That means you need to compare the overall holiday cost rather than simply looking at the initial cruise price.

A cruise that appears more expensive at first can look very different once you take into account the drinks, dining, Wi-Fi and other extras that you might pay for elsewhere.

Would I take my own children on Explora?

This is where my answer gets slightly more complicated.

Having seen Explora III for myself, I think it is an exceptional ship and, for me, it is very close to the perfect ship.

But I wouldn't necessarily choose it for my own family right now.

My children are currently 10 and 11, and they absolutely love a large, lively cruise ship packed with other children.

At their age, I think much of what makes Explora Journeys special would probably be wasted on them.

They would have a wonderful time, but I don't think they'd appreciate the incredible dining, sophisticated design, spacious suites and relaxed atmosphere in the same way that older children might.

When they're older, though? Explora Journeys would be very high on my list.

And that's an important distinction.

I'm not saying Explora doesn't work for families with younger children.

I'm saying I think it could work particularly well once children are old enough to appreciate more of what the ship has to offer.

What about families of four?

Explora can work for families of four, but this is something I'd look at carefully.

Suites sleeping four are more limited than those for two or three guests, so the choice of itinerary, suite category and dates can make a significant difference.

For families of three, I think Explora can be particularly interesting.

For families of four, it's absolutely worth exploring, but I'd want to look at the available suites and pricing rather than assuming it will work in the same way as a conventional family cruise.

So, can Explora Journeys really work well for families?

Yes. And I think it could work better than many families realise.

This isn't a family cruise in the traditional sense.

If your children want waterslides, huge kids' clubs, arcades and a ship packed with hundreds of other children, then Explora probably isn't what you're looking for.

But if you're looking for something more luxurious, spacious and relaxed, where the whole family can enjoy exceptional accommodation, dining and service together, it could be a fantastic option.

I particularly think it's worth considering for families with older children and teenagers, multi-generational groups and families who already enjoy travelling in suites.

And because Explora Journeys is still a relatively new cruise line, I think many families simply haven't considered it.

They see "ultra-luxury" and assume it's for couples.

Having spent time onboard Explora III, I don't think that's necessarily the case at all.

Ultra-luxury cruising can work brilliantly for families.

The key is finding the right family, the right ages, the right suite and the right itinerary.

That's where having someone who has actually been onboard can make a difference.

I've experienced Explora III for myself, so I can give you an honest view of whether I think it would work well for your family, rather than simply telling you that children are allowed onboard.

If you'd like me to look at what Explora Journeys could look like for your family, get in touch.

Call or WhatsApp: 01403 473833
anna.murrell@travelcounsellors.com