Credit: Courtesy Explora Journeys
As a travel writer, I’ve been lucky to visit some incredible places, but there’s one mode of travel where I don’t have much experience–cruising. Until recently, I had only taken one cruise, a mega ship tricked out with everything from water slides to nightclubs. And while I found my first cruise to be a nonstop party at sea, I also found it a bit overwhelming.
Cruising is hotter than ever, with an estimated 37 million people taking a cruise in 2025. And the fastest growing market in the cruising world? Luxury cruises, where smaller ships and hotel-like amenities are luring reluctant or first time cruisers who want to give it a try.
“A luxury cruise can turn even the biggest skeptic into a believer. Once you match the traveler with the right ship and itinerary, it all clicks, and they’re often surprised by how much they love it – and by all the destinations a cruise can take them that they wouldn’t otherwise reach on land,” says cruising and luxury travel expert Jonathan Alder.
With this in mind, I decided to dip my toes back into cruising with a smaller, luxury-focused ship, by booking my first sailing on Explora Journeys, a newer line from MSC Cruises. The 922-passenger Explora II would be my home for eight days as we sailed the Caribbean. Several things surprised me about my first luxury cruise, all of which added up to an incredible experience, one that converted this skeptical sailor into a bona fide cruiser.
Lack Of Crowds
One of the biggest factors that made me hesitant to cruise again is the crowds. Sailing on a mega ship with thousands of people equals crowded pools, jockeying for lounge chairs and bustling buffets. The biggest surprise of my luxury cruise? The lack of crowds. My holiday week cruise was sold out, but you wouldn’t know it from the half empty loungers to the leisurely pace of the lobby bar. With five pools, 12 bars and lounges, and six restaurants to choose from, I could find a quiet space to relax at any time of day.
Personalized Service
On a luxury cruise line, the staff to guest ratio is extremely high, and this translates into deeply personal service. If we needed to adjust reservations or book experiences, it was never a problem. And prior to sailing, we could indicate in-room preferences for everything from the type of bedding we wanted, to the brand of spirits they should stock in our minibar. It’s a concept repeated on other luxury lines too. “With a nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and dedicated butler service, every detail is thoughtfully personalized,” says Bernie Leypold, SVP of Hotel Operations for Crystal Cruises. When your favorite pre-dinner cocktail is remembered by the second evening, it’s a reminder that you are never just a passenger, but a valued guest.”
Hotel At Sea
One reason I haven’t cruised much? I’m a hotel person. The idea of a cramped cruise cabin is enough to send my claustrophobia into overdrive. On Explora, my room felt more like a luxury hotel room and since there are no interior cabins, every suite, including entry level ones, have terraces. The communal areas felt like a hotel too, with neutral color schemes and sleek furnishings. No maritime theming or kitschy gimmicks, just serene, sophisticated spaces for gathering.
Exclusive Ports Of Call
A perk of smaller ships is the ability to access out of the way ports, or islands that don’t typically allow cruise ships. Portofino? St. Barths? These are just a few ports that smaller luxury ships call on. Our sailing included stops at both St. John USVI and Anguilla, where the ship anchored and took passengers ashore via tender boat, which was a seamless way to explore new destinations that I otherwise wouldn’t have visited.
All-Inclusive
While most cruises claim to be all-inclusive, you may be hit with additional charges for Wi-Fi, premium dining, or alcohol packages once on board. On a luxury cruise, it’s all included. On Explora, I was surprised to discover that almost all alcohol, from premium champagne to top-shelf spirits is included. And gratuities? That’s included too. Other luxury lines also have remarkable inclusions, like Regent Seven Seas who counts unlimited shore excursions as a part of its fare price, or Crystal Cruises, who includes all specialty dining, even celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant Umi Uma, in the basic fare.
Related: Should You Tip On A Cruise? A Guide To Gratuities Before You Sail
Gourmet Dining
Whether it’s a big or small ship, the food on a cruise is always a deciding factor. On my cruise, I could dine on made-to-order sushi, enjoy afternoon tea, order 24-hour room service, or eat a steakhouse dinner, all in one day. A coffee bar, gelato counter, bourbon bar and European style food emporium were also options. The food on Explora exceeded my expectations and was one of the best parts of my journey.
Credit: Courtesy Explora Journeys
Premium Amenities
It wasn’t just the high thread count sheets that made every night surprisingly indulgent. It was the thermal spa access even when I didn’t have a treatment booked, the Dyson hairdryer in my entry level suite, the daily pickleball clinics, and the minibar that was replenished daily. Other luxury lines have similarly lavish amenities like Silversea, where suites come with Bulgari toiletries, personal butlers, and caviar upon request.
Curated Entertainment
While a big ship may deliver round-the-clock activities and theaters that can seat hundreds, the entertainment on my cruise felt far more intimate. I didn’t find the grand Broadway-style shows I had experienced on a larger ship, but I did experience thoughtful programming that included music trivia, art lectures, and nightly music performances by a well known West End star. The smaller theater with table side drink service made every show feel like our own private concert.
Read the original article on Southern Living
