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I almost always pack a suit when I take a cruise, whether I’m boarding a pool-packed mega-ship
with parties late into the night, or a more sedate vessel. Many cruise lines still have formal nights, and I don’t want to be caught underdressed.But while packing for a recent luxury sailing, I was pleasantly surprised to learn I could leave the jacket and tie – not to mention my heavy derby shoes – at home. I boarded Explora III in early October, the newest ship from Explora Journeys, which offers a more laid-back experience than frequent luxury cruisers may be used to.
“At Explora Journeys,
we embrace a relaxed spirit by day and a refined elegance by night,” the cruise line said on its website. “As we have no formal evenings onboard, there is no dress hire capability.” Certain items like baseball caps and casual beach footwear are discouraged in restaurants and bars after 6 p.m., however.
The lack of strict dress code – which more cruise lines have embraced in recent years – isn’t the only way Explora provides an understated, upscale atmosphere. Here’s what it was like onboard during my eight-night cruise through New England and Canada.
What does laid-back luxury look like on a cruise ship?
Chris Austin, President of North America for Explora Journeys, said the company “recognized that today's modern traveler values choice and flexibility.”
“That means creating an atmosphere that feels elegant and sophisticated without feeling rigid, inviting guests to relax, be themselves and enjoy the experience in a way that feels natural to them,” he told USA TODAY in an email.
Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel, said he would put Explora – which launched in 2023 – “in the luxury conversation” alongside more established lines like Silversea Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“But the personality of Explora, from my perspective, is that it's more contemporary and it's more resort-oriented,” he said. “So it's really, I'd say, an alternative interpretation of luxury rather than a stepping stone to the brands.”
Explora had many of the trappings I’d expect from a luxury cruise ship, from Champagne offered during embarkation to the plush bed in my suite.
Even at quick-service venues, like the food hall-style Emporium Marketplace, there was table service. I picked up my own food from various stations, but servers approached my table to take drink orders or clear my dishes.
At the onboard Crema Café, I never waited more than a few minutes before a crew member placed a napkin on my table and asked if I’d like a beverage. At the same time, I was able to relax in ways I haven’t always felt comfortable doing in similarly sumptuous environments.
“Our goal is to provide highly personalized, intuitive hospitality that anticipates guests' needs without ever feeling intrusive or overly structured,” Austin said.
I rarely saw any formal attire, and even wore a T-shirt to dinner one night after a particularly tiring day of exploring in port. Thanks to the 922-guest ship’s generous space ratio, I easily snagged spots around the vessel to read or write without feeling like eyes were on me at all times (which I have experienced on occasion in other luxury lodging).
“Laid-back luxury, from my perspective, means you know their standards remain high, but the guest doesn't have to work as hard to participate,” Feldman said. “So you can have a nice dinner and attentive service without really feeling that you need to pack for a black-tie event.”
Even my suite, which was large – sizes range from 377 to 3,014 square feet – with a walk-in closet and bathtub, was decorated in a subtle black-and-gray color scheme. Highlights included a fully stocked bookshelf, a daybed on the terrace and an espresso machine. While some major brands have cut back on stateroom service in recent years, my Suite Host tidied up in the morning and offered turndown service at night.
The heated bathroom floors, Dyson hair dryer and carafes of both still and sparkling water – which my Suite Host refilled throughout my stay – were other small touches that made me feel pampered.
What’s included in Explora Journeys fares?
Most of the programming and amenities were included. One morning I took an Ocean Bootcamp class at the Open Air Fitness area facing the ocean on Deck 14. I paid for the 30-minute session in jump squats and laps around the outdoor running track, but there was no monetary charge.
I indulged in complimentary room service every morning of the cruise, with a crew member offering to set the table for me, and snagged Diet Cokes from the minibar in my suite in the afternoons at no extra cost.
All seven restaurants – except for fine dining venue Anthology, which costs around $185 per person for the tasting menu – were covered by the fare, as well. Unlike many other mainstream and luxury brands, there was no main dining room.
Not everything is included, though.
Shore excursions cost extra on Explora (a guided coastal walk I took during our visit to the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, for example, was priced at $135). By contrast, other brands such as Viking and Regent Seven Seas include excursions, though Feldman noted that even upscale brands “go back and forth in terms of what they consider all-inclusive.”
Explora also offers self-serve washing machines and dryers at no extra cost, or guests can pay to have their laundry picked up and dropped at their suite (though the latter is complimentary for passengers in certain loyalty tiers).
Available voyages on Explora III currently start at $3,965 per person, according to Explora Journeys' website.
Generally speaking, Feldman said the “core features of a cruise are all included, but the differentiation is really how that's all packaged and presented to the guests.” He believes Explora is likely to appeal to luxury hotel loyalists who may not identify with traditional cruise culture, or even experienced cruisers craving an upscale experience with less ceremony.
“For us, luxury is less about formality and more about space, privacy, personalized service and the freedom to travel on your own terms," Austin added. "We believe that approach resonates strongly with today's traveler."
The reporter on this story received access to this event from Explora Journeys. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I packed for a luxury cruise. One thing I didn't need surprised me
