Wealthy travelers are flocking to a new luxury cruise ship with a Rolex store, crystal-infused water, and a $190 tasting menu. See inside.

Brittany ChangJan 13, 2024, 18:53 IST

Itineraries on the Explora I range from $3,000 to $90,050 per person in 2024.Brittany Chang/Insider

MSC Group's new Explora Journeys has seen "one record week after the other" for 2024 bookings, its CEO said.
The new luxury brand says its most expensive 2024 itinerary will sail at $90,050 per person for the largest cabin.

If you've only sailed with the likes of Carnival or Margaritaville, you might not think of cruise vacations as the pinnacle of luxury travel.

But for high-earning globetrotters who know where to look, cruise vacations can feel like a step below traveling on a superyacht (albeit shared) or in a floating luxury hotel.

One of the newest luxury cruise lines to hit the market, Explora Journeys, is trying to offer just that. Just be ready to shell out at least $500 per night per person in 2024 for its only vessel, the Explora I.

Michael Ungerer, the CEO of Explora Journeys, called the Explora I a “boutique-style resort on the water.”

Explora I began revenue sailings in August 2023.Brittany Chang/Insider

However, there’s one considerable differentiator between Explora and these legacy hotel giants: “We come from the maritime side,” the company’s CEO said.

The Explora I has four pools.Brittany Chang/Insider

However, there’s one considerable differentiator between Explora and these legacy hotel giants: “We come from the maritime side,” the company’s CEO said.

Since the ship began revenue sailings two months ago, “word of mouth” has pushed the cruise line to have “one record week [of 2024 cruise bookings] after the other," Ungerer said.

MSC's emblem can be spotted throughout the ship.Brittany Chang/Insider

Since the ship began revenue sailings two months ago, “word of mouth” has pushed the cruise line to have “one record week [of 2024 cruise bookings] after the other," Ungerer said.

Unlike the giant cruise ships that have been flooding the market, the Explora I is smaller and more intimate.

The new ship is 813 feet-long and 107 feet-wide.Brittany Chang/Insider

These ships, luxury or not, generally have the same baseline amenities: a pool, a buffet, restaurants, bars, lounges, and entertainment.

There are 12 bars aboard the Explora I. Brittany Chang/Insider

If you interpret “quiet luxury” literally, Explora I offers just that.

Even the least expensive cabins have balconies.Brittany Chang/Insider

For guests who need a relaxing getaway, access to the spa — but not its services — is included in the fare.

Access to the spa is included in the fare.Brittany Chang/Insider

If you prefer indoor swimming holes, the Explora I has one under a retractable glass roof as well.

The pool with a retractable glass roof resembles a typical cruise ship "solarium." Brittany Chang/Insider

Besides the spa services, one of the only other amenities that’s not included in the base fare is dinner at Anthology.

Anthology has indoor and outdoor seating.Brittany Chang/Insider

Having only one restaurant with an additional fee isn’t the norm for the non-luxury cruise industry anymore.

Explora I's buffet has seafood items like grilled lobster tails.Brittany Chang/Insider

But that’s not Explora’s business model.

There are several lounge chairs in and around the ship's four pools.Brittany Chang/Insider

This doesn’t mean Explora I’s other dining rooms aren’t high-end either.

Sakura serves up sushi and "pan-Asian" food.Brittany Chang/Insider

Even the buffet is more upscale than the average cruise.

The buffet has a sushi bar.Brittany Chang/Insider

While most cruise ships are centered with a liminal space-like atrium, the Explora I has a “Lobby Bar” designed to look like a high-end hotel bar.

The Lobby Bar is surrounded by onboard shopping.Brittany Chang/Insider

On high-end vessels like this one, onboard shopping no longer means buying a bottle of booze or some cruise line merch.

This Rolex store at sea carries some inventory.Brittany Chang/Insider

This list of flashy partnerships continues on: Explora Journeys is also partnered with Technogym.

There's a sports court next to this small outdoor gym.Brittany Chang/Insider

Almost all cruise staterooms have a bed, storage, bathroom, and additional seating.

Suites start at $500 per person per day in 2024.Brittany Chang/Insider

But with Explora, the least expensive cabin is still a suite. A sizable one at that.

Lterature on the shelving unit separates the bed from the living "room."Brittany Chang/Insider

This “small” floating hotel room is decked out with a balcony with lounge seating, a walk-in closet with a seated vanity, and binoculars.

This walk-in closet has hangers, organizers, and a vanity.Brittany Chang/Insider

Similar to luxury cruise lines like the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, travelers are greeted with a “complimentary” bottle of Veuve Clicquot in their cabin.

It wouldn't be a luxury cruise without some expensive champagne. Brittany Chang/Insider

I visited the Sphere, Vegas' wild new entertainment venue, and thought the multi-sensory show was incredible

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Wealthy travelers are flocking to a new luxury cruise ship with a Rolex store, crystal-infused water, and a $190 tasting menu. See inside.

Michael Ungerer, the CEO of Explora Journeys, called the Explora I a “boutique-style resort on the water.”

However, there’s one considerable differentiator between Explora and these legacy hotel giants: “We come from the maritime side,” the company’s CEO said.

Since the ship began revenue sailings two months ago, “word of mouth” has pushed the cruise line to have “one record week [of 2024 cruise bookings] after the other," Ungerer said.

Unlike the giant cruise ships that have been flooding the market, the Explora I is smaller and more intimate.

These ships, luxury or not, generally have the same baseline amenities: a pool, a buffet, restaurants, bars, lounges, and entertainment.

If you interpret “quiet luxury” literally, Explora I offers just that.

For guests who need a relaxing getaway, access to the spa — but not its services — is included in the fare.

If you prefer indoor swimming holes, the Explora I has one under a retractable glass roof as well.

Besides the spa services, one of the only other amenities that’s not included in the base fare is dinner at Anthology.

Having only one restaurant with an additional fee isn’t the norm for the non-luxury cruise industry anymore.

But that’s not Explora’s business model.

This doesn’t mean Explora I’s other dining rooms aren’t high-end either.

Even the buffet is more upscale than the average cruise.

While most cruise ships are centered with a liminal space-like atrium, the Explora I has a “Lobby Bar” designed to look like a high-end hotel bar.

On high-end vessels like this one, onboard shopping no longer means buying a bottle of booze or some cruise line merch.

This list of flashy partnerships continues on: Explora Journeys is also partnered with Technogym.

Almost all cruise staterooms have a bed, storage, bathroom, and additional seating.

But with Explora, the least expensive cabin is still a suite. A sizable one at that.

This “small” floating hotel room is decked out with a balcony with lounge seating, a walk-in closet with a seated vanity, and binoculars.

Similar to luxury cruise lines like the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, travelers are greeted with a “complimentary” bottle of Veuve Clicquot in their cabin.