By Anne Dimon
Are you ready for a wellness cruise? In celebration of the New Year, I treated myself and my husband to an Ocean Wellness cruise with Explora Journeys. A luxury line division of the Switzerland-based MSC Group, Explora Journeys launched in 2023 and became the first cruise line to qualify to become a member of the Wellness Tourism Association.

This seven-day, all-inclusive Caribbean wellness cruise aboard EXPLORA 1 (with 13 decks and 461 ocean-front suites with private terraces) departed and returned to Miami, and included stops in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Mexico. Overall, I was very impressed.
For those interested in the whole Ocean Wellness concept, there is a booklet (handed out on board) offering the entire menu of amenities and activities that can, and usually do, help people maintain or launch a wellness lifestyles plus raise their sense of well-being. The booklet defines Ocean Wellness as “A wellness experience inspired by the oceans’ natural forces, embracing the mystical power of the sea to invigorate senses and lift spirits.” The booklet goes further to say that Ocean Wellness is also “a series of experiences where our guests can embark on personal journeys of inner discovery and regeneration.”
In his printed welcome message, handed out as passengers board EXPLORA 1, Captain Pietro Sinisi wrote: “For those seeking true rejuvenation, Ocean Wellness stands ready to embrace you, offering the profound gifts of physical and spiritual renewal.” What a treat to be on board to experience and discover more.
On this particular cruise there are just 662 passengers aboard with the vast majority being seniors. I’m told that since the launch of EXPLORA 1, the average age of passengers has been between 63 and 65 years. Based on my own experience with this particular cruise, it definitely skews to a more senior group rather than young families with children which is a bonus for those looking for a predominantly calm and quiet wellness cruise environment. The count for children on this cruise was just 11.
So, what are some of the Ocean Wellness offerings? First of all, there is The Spa. Located on Deck 5 with 11 treatment rooms plus a Wellness Area and Beauty Salon, the onboard spa offers a wide selection of treatments and services. In-suite treatments are also available.
The Wellness Area – accessible not just to those booking spa treatments, but to all passengers – includes a hydro therapy pool, a salt cave, a Finish sauna, steam room, heated marble lounge chairs, aroma-therapy showers and an ice fountain for cold plunges. Of course, the Ocean Wellness program aboard EXPLORA 1 offers so much more than the spa experience.
Gym and Fitness Activities
Scheduled fitness activities, for instance, are available every day of the journey beginning at 7:00 a.m. with a Sundial Salutations session (Morning yoga) in the gym, and ending with a late afternoon Sundial Salutations session (End of Day Yoga.) There are four to seven guided movement classes per day that guests have to sign-up for in advance. Yoga for better balance
I signed up for several classes and was impressed with the instructors – Yoga Master Natasha Zekovic and Personal Trainer Stefan Radović to name just two. The Ocean State of Mind Meditation and Sound Bath session and the Sundial Salutations yoga classes were so relaxing, and conflicted dramatically with the Move Your Body cardio class. Wow, what a workout that cardio class is. I almost didn’t make it through the entire class, and I consider myself to be physically fit.
Fitness instructor Jerry Tachiwona tells me that among the more unique gym items onboard this ship are the TechoGym benches for the onboard Bench Pilates classes that are offered. As an added bonus to anyone who visits the gym, Explora offers six months of free access to the TechnoGym app.
Passengers can also work out on their own in the ocean-view, fully-equipped gym that is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8p.m. Beyond the all-inclusive classes and working out on your own, for an hourly fee fitness coaches are available for personal assessments and customized workouts.
Each day passengers will find a list of all that day’s scheduled activities, events and rituals – divided into Morning, Afternoon and Evening offerings – delivered to their individual suites.
Culinary Offerings
Food is one of the things that passengers rave about.
Working with Explora Journeys on the launch preparation of EXPLORA 1 since May of 2023, Senior Executive Chef Travis Dasilva was previously with Oceana Cruises for 15 years. Here at Explora Journeys, “food is our passion,” he says. To create a memorable experience for guests he likes to play with different ingredients and colors. He points out that “we offer healthy living choices and generally rely on local and organic ingredients whenever they are available.” He adds, “with a culinary staff of 119, we believe in the open market style where you can choose your own ingredients and allow us to create dishes personalized to your own tastes and preferences. Think made-to-order.” He says, “we try to give a very personalized attention to our culinary service including catering to different food preferences – for instance, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Kosher and even Halal. We also cater to guests with allergies and when given advance notice can even remove the allergic ingredient from the dishes they select. “ I experienced this first hand – as someone who is allergy to black pepper – I was able to order a Fois Gras appetizer without that added ingredient.
Located on Deck 11 and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Emporium Marketplace (one of nine outlets with food service) is generally humming with activity. Working from numerous food stations – Grill, Sushi, Juicery, Patisserie, Harvest Green and Ocean Pearls to name just a few – the culinary staff offers an extensive choice of options prepared according to each passenger’s individual preference.
Like many of the food and beverage outlets on this luxury ship, the Emporium Marketplace offers a view of the ocean.
Beyond the the ship’s all-inclusive culinary experiences (including in-suite dining), passengers can sign up for daily cooking classes.
Staff and service
Beyond the food, another thing that passengers rave about is the staff and level of service. “The strength of our brand is our people,” says General Manager Lazar Brkic. “We had a great recruitment program, searching the world and literally hunting for the best staff based on attitude and personality.” EXPLORA 1 staff currently numbers 655 “and with a 1 to 1.25 guest to host ratio, we are a leader in the luxury category.”
When I asked Lazar, who has been with Explora Journeys since the company launched and on EXPLORA 1 since the ship launched in August 2023, what he would like future passengers to know in advance of an Explora Journeys cruise, he said, “they won’t feel as if they are on a ship because EXPLORA 1 is more like a luxury hotel – uniquely designed and with three heated outdoor pools and 11 distinct culinary experiences.” The mission and goal of the owners, he said, is “to be considered the best cruise line in the world in the same way that Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton are considered the best in the hotel industry.” Based on personal experience, I’d say that so far they are doing a pretty amazing job.
Entertainment
Understanding that music can decrease levels of anxiety and bring a sense of joy to people, Explora features live music throughout the journey included in the various lounge and bar area and each evening a musical stage show in the Journey Lounge. One evening they even had an Abba Dance Party. Entertainment Manager Ray Carr does a great job of coordinating the daily entertainment activities which go beyond just music events to fun activities such as group trivia competitions and educational lectures.
While I do not consider myself to be a “cruise expert” I cannot imagine a better level of service or a higher lever of culinary options aboard any other cruise lines. They also offer as much – and in some cases even more – than many hotel properties that promote themselves as Wellness Resorts. In fact, even though EXPLORA 1 just launched in Aug of 2023, the ship has already won many awards.
In the wake of this seven-day journey with this luxury cruise line and keeping in mind that the ocean is ever present, I can honestly say that for those who are open and receptive to its Ocean Wellness offerings designed to create an Ocean State of Mind, Explora Journeys should most certainly be on your bucket list. Check out Explora Journeys