EXPLORA I is the Best New Ship of 2023

EXPLORA I, the flagship of Explora Journeys, has been named the Best New Cruise Ship of 2023. Travel + Leisure magazine placed her at the top of its list.

The list of the best new cruise ships appeared in this magazine for the first time ever. In its words, the editors are responding to a shift in cruise travel that in recent years has become more and more like floating luxury resorts - including visiting celebrity chefs, crystal chandeliers and Rolex boutiques.

Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure magazine's news director and cruise expert, wrote of this year's winner:

"It's not every day that a new cruise line comes along. The debut of the remarkable EXPLORA I was a moment several years in the making for Explora Journeys, a start-up luxury cruise operator that aims to bring a European sensibility to the world of holidays at sea. The project has been a stunning success so far, thanks to the ship's tranquil atmosphere, excellent food and beverage and exciting itineraries that visit desirable ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

My own voyage on the EXPLORA I in August 2023 from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany, included worthwhile visits to places like Oslo and the Norwegian city of Stavanger, a gateway to adventure tourism with a postcard-perfect old town. The ship itself was a destination, with plenty of outdoor space - including an open-air fitness center - and pools seemingly at every turn. The 461 suites, each with its own balcony, feature luxuries such as Frette linens and robes, heated marble floors and Dyson hairdryers.

But where EXPLORA I really shines is in food: I didn't encounter a bad meal during my week on board - and I was often surprised by the quality of the pasta served at the Emporium marketplace in particular, and the sushi on offer at Sakura, two of the nine restaurants on board. The most ambitious of these is Anthology, a concept with a rotating chef, first settled by seafood master Mario Ulaissi, known for his Michelin-starred restaurant on Italy's Adriatic coast. Then he recently welcomed Emma Bengtsson from New York's Aquavit restaurant.

There's a lot of talk about the Rolex boutique on Explora I - the first on a cruise ship - but I thought the other shops on board were more interesting. That's because the company has used collaborations with family-owned businesses from around the world to create collections of resort wear, handbags, fragrances, sunglasses and beautiful gifts you won't find elsewhere. Cruises start at $2,050 per person for a six-day cruise. An accessible ship."

Commenting on the award, Zuzana Krajčová, General Manager of the new Riviera Journeys, a travel agency focused on luxury travel at sea, said, "I am delighted that Riviera Tour, after its successful cooperation with MSC cruises, has this year continued its cooperation with the new Explora Journeys. The 'Best Ship of the Year 2023' award that Explora I received this week is a sign to us that it was a great decision to make this an exclusive and unique ship. We are delighted to be this year's ambassadors of Explora Journeys for the Czech and Slovak Republics, and to be able to offer our clients a whole new experience of travel and discovery, complemented by top-class service."

The new EXPLORA I is definitely worth it. Contact our certified experts at Riviera Journeys if you want to go on it. They will provide you with all the information you need to buy your dream vacation. Learn more on our new website.

You can find out more about the new ship on our social media channels, where you can find a series of posts about its interesting spaces, services on board and before embarkation, as well as types of accommodation. Follow our Facebook and Instagram to find out more!