This $500-a-day stateroom is the smallest on the ship but it was more luxurious than any hotel I've stayed in

Brittany ChangJan 13, 2024, 20:16 IST

nullBrittany Chang/Insider

I spent one night in Explora Journeys' new Explora I cruise ship while it was docked in New York.
My Ocean Terrace suite was the smallest guest cabin on the ship starting at $500 a night in 2024.

If you had $3,000 to spare, would you immediately book a luxury cruise? If you said yes, Explora Journeys' first ship, the new $560 million Explora I, may be a great 2024 vacation option for you.

Amid the chaos of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, MSC Group's new high-end cruise brand invited me to spend one night in the smallest guest cabin of its new vessel as it was docked overnight for its naming ceremony on October 12.

"Smallest" is no indicator of price — this floating accommodation starts at $500 a night in 2024. But after less than 24 hours aboard the vessel and my first time on a true luxury cruise ship, I now understand how wealthy travelers could justify spending this kind of cash on the ship's cheapest and smallest suite.

In this upper echelon of cruising, the smaller the guest capacity, the better.

Brittany Chang/Insider

On paper, this floating hotel room has all the same baseline facilities as any cruise ship stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in my opinion, it’s the additional comforts that make this suite worthy of its lofty price.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I’ve yet to see any other starter cabin bathroom with heated floors and a long rainfall walk-in shower.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But size aside, the little details in this room — specifically the dark marbled countertop and towel hangers inside the shower — inched ahead of Oceania.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And my Oceania accommodation did not have a walk-in closet like this Ocean Terrace suite.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, this expansive storage space had two sections of hangers (some padded) and a short wardrobe topped with a glass-paneled drawer to easily peek at the organizer underneath.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, this expansive storage space had two sections of hangers (some padded) and a short wardrobe topped with a glass-paneled drawer to easily peek at the organizer underneath.

Around the corner, I was met with decor-lined shelves and my nest for the night.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Small bedside tables with wall-mounted outlets and USB chargers provided convenient phone charging.

Brittany Chang/Insider

From my bed, I had a view of a large mirror and a thin long counter.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There’s no physical divider between the living “room” and bed in most run-of-the-mill staterooms.

Brittany Chang/Insider

For us non-Italian speakers, my bookshelf also had “The New York Times 36 Hours. World. 150 Cities from Abu Dhabi to Zurich.”

Brittany Chang/Insider

Next to this tall shelf, a deep couch faced the television.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The adjoining coffee table displayed my suite’s complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a large MSC-branded cookie.

Brittany Chang/Insider

My room also came with carafes of water and refillable water bottles.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Past this living room, the glass sliding door opened onto a 75-square-foot terrace with a daybed, table, and two chairs.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Joking complaints aside, I have no true criticisms for this suite.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Looking at fares in 2024, this is the most expensive hotel room at sea I’ve ever stayed in. At its price, there’s no surprise it’s also the most luxurious.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Looking at fares in 2024, this is the most expensive hotel room at sea I’ve ever stayed in. At its price, there’s no surprise it’s also the most luxurious.

Let’s not forget this fare also includes access to Explora I’s upscale restaurants, the spa, beverages, and WiFi, among other all-inclusive cruise amenities.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Let’s not forget this fare also includes access to Explora I’s upscale restaurants, the spa, beverages, and WiFi, among other all-inclusive cruise amenities.

Don’t look at me — I don’t fit in Explora’s target tax bracket.

Brittany Chang/Insider

After all, if you’re a high-earning couple looking for a quiet, relaxing, and upscale vacation, traveling on the Explora I could be more economical than staying in some luxury hotels.

Brittany Chang/Insider

After all, if you’re a high-earning couple looking for a quiet, relaxing, and upscale vacation, traveling on the Explora I could be more economical than staying in some luxury hotels.

I flew on Frontier's new A321neo across the US and its revamped cabin didn't make it any more comfortable but I'd still fly on the jet again

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

This $500-a-day stateroom is the smallest on the ship but it was more luxurious than any hotel I've stayed in

In this upper echelon of cruising, the smaller the guest capacity, the better.

On paper, this floating hotel room has all the same baseline facilities as any cruise ship stateroom.

But in my opinion, it’s the additional comforts that make this suite worthy of its lofty price.

I’ve yet to see any other starter cabin bathroom with heated floors and a long rainfall walk-in shower.

But size aside, the little details in this room — specifically the dark marbled countertop and towel hangers inside the shower — inched ahead of Oceania.

And my Oceania accommodation did not have a walk-in closet like this Ocean Terrace suite.

Here, this expansive storage space had two sections of hangers (some padded) and a short wardrobe topped with a glass-paneled drawer to easily peek at the organizer underneath.

Around the corner, I was met with decor-lined shelves and my nest for the night.

Small bedside tables with wall-mounted outlets and USB chargers provided convenient phone charging.

From my bed, I had a view of a large mirror and a thin long counter.

There’s no physical divider between the living “room” and bed in most run-of-the-mill staterooms.

For us non-Italian speakers, my bookshelf also had “The New York Times 36 Hours. World. 150 Cities from Abu Dhabi to Zurich.”

Next to this tall shelf, a deep couch faced the television.

The adjoining coffee table displayed my suite’s complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a large MSC-branded cookie.

My room also came with carafes of water and refillable water bottles.

Past this living room, the glass sliding door opened onto a 75-square-foot terrace with a daybed, table, and two chairs.

Joking complaints aside, I have no true criticisms for this suite.

Looking at fares in 2024, this is the most expensive hotel room at sea I’ve ever stayed in. At its price, there’s no surprise it’s also the most luxurious.

Let’s not forget this fare also includes access to Explora I’s upscale restaurants, the spa, beverages, and WiFi, among other all-inclusive cruise amenities.

Don’t look at me — I don’t fit in Explora’s target tax bracket.

After all, if you’re a high-earning couple looking for a quiet, relaxing, and upscale vacation, traveling on the Explora I could be more economical than staying in some luxury hotels.