Aboard Explora II with Explora Journeys
Cruise Overview
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention.
The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches.
A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city.
Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too.
Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
The capital of Menorca since 1721, Mahon has a impressive natural deep water harbour, which is one of the largest in the world.
This, coupled with its strategic location, has made it a stronghold for many nations throughout history.
Mahon has an abundance of historical buildings, the oldest being the Arch of Saint Roc which is all that remains of the wall that once encircled the whole town.
The island was occupied by the British during the 18th century and Lord Nelson is thought to have stayed there.
Indeed, San Antoni Mansion, located on the north side of the harbour, houses a collection of Nelson memorabilia.
The legacy of colonial rule can be seen in the muted Georgian style of some of the buildings, but Mahon still boasts attractive examples of neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque architecture.
With narrow streets to explore, pleasant shaded squares and welcoming pavement cafés, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Please be aware that most shops in town close for a siesta between 1330 and 1730.
At first glance, it really doesn't look all that impressive.
There's a pretty port with cafés charging €5 for a coffee and a picturesque old town in sugared-almond hues, but there are many prettier in the hills nearby.
There are sandy beaches, rare enough on the Riviera, and old-fashioned squares with plane trees and pétanque players, but these are a dime a dozen throughout Provence.
So what made St-Tropez an internationally known locale?
Two words: Brigitte Bardot.
When this pulpeuse (voluptuous) teenager showed up in St-Tropez on the arm of Roger Vadim in 1956 to film And God Created Woman, the heads of the world snapped around.
Neither the gentle descriptions of writer Guy de Maupassant (1850–93), nor the watercolor tones of Impressionist Paul Signac (1863–1935), nor the stream of painters who followed (including Matisse and Bonnard) could focus the world's attention on this seaside hamlet as did this one sensual woman in a scarf, Ray-Bans, and capris.
Vanity Fair ran a big article, "Saint Tropez Babylon," detailing the over-the-top petrodollar parties, megayachts, and Beyoncé–d paparazzi.
But don't be turned off: the next year, Stewart, Tabori & Chang released an elegant coffee-table book, Houses of St-Tropez, packed with photos of supremely tasteful and pretty residences, many occupied by fashion designers, artists, and writers.
Once a hangout for Colette, Anaïs Nin, and Françoise Sagan, the town still earns its old moniker, the "Montparnasse of the Mediterranean." Yet you might be surprised to find that this byword for billionaires is so small and insulated.
The lack of train service, casinos, and chain hotels keeps it that way.
Yet fame, in a sense, came too fast for St-Trop.
Unlike the chic resorts farther east, it didn't have the decades-old reputation of the sort that would attract visitors all year around.
For a good reason: its location on the south side of the gulf puts it at the mercy of the terrible mistral winter winds.
So, in summer the crowds descend and the prices rise into the stratosphere.
In July and August, you must be carefree about the sordid matter of cash.
After all, at the most Dionysian nightclub in town, a glass of tap water goes for $37 and when the mojo really gets going, billionaires think nothing of "champagne-spraying" the partying crowds—think World Series celebrations but with $1,000 bottles of Roederer Cristal instead of Gatorade.
Complaining about summer crowds, overpricing, and lack of customer service has become a tourist sport and yet this is what makes St-Tropez—described by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro as the place you can see "the greatest number of faces per square meter"—as intriguing as it is seductive.
The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches.
A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city.
Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too.
Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
The capital of Menorca since 1721, Mahon has a impressive natural deep water harbour, which is one of the largest in the world.
This, coupled with its strategic location, has made it a stronghold for many nations throughout history.
Mahon has an abundance of historical buildings, the oldest being the Arch of Saint Roc which is all that remains of the wall that once encircled the whole town.
The island was occupied by the British during the 18th century and Lord Nelson is thought to have stayed there.
Indeed, San Antoni Mansion, located on the north side of the harbour, houses a collection of Nelson memorabilia.
The legacy of colonial rule can be seen in the muted Georgian style of some of the buildings, but Mahon still boasts attractive examples of neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque architecture.
With narrow streets to explore, pleasant shaded squares and welcoming pavement cafés, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Please be aware that most shops in town close for a siesta between 1330 and 1730.
At first glance, it really doesn't look all that impressive.
There's a pretty port with cafés charging €5 for a coffee and a picturesque old town in sugared-almond hues, but there are many prettier in the hills nearby.
There are sandy beaches, rare enough on the Riviera, and old-fashioned squares with plane trees and pétanque players, but these are a dime a dozen throughout Provence.
So what made St-Tropez an internationally known locale?
Two words: Brigitte Bardot.
When this pulpeuse (voluptuous) teenager showed up in St-Tropez on the arm of Roger Vadim in 1956 to film And God Created Woman, the heads of the world snapped around.
Neither the gentle descriptions of writer Guy de Maupassant (1850–93), nor the watercolor tones of Impressionist Paul Signac (1863–1935), nor the stream of painters who followed (including Matisse and Bonnard) could focus the world's attention on this seaside hamlet as did this one sensual woman in a scarf, Ray-Bans, and capris.
Vanity Fair ran a big article, "Saint Tropez Babylon," detailing the over-the-top petrodollar parties, megayachts, and Beyoncé–d paparazzi.
But don't be turned off: the next year, Stewart, Tabori & Chang released an elegant coffee-table book, Houses of St-Tropez, packed with photos of supremely tasteful and pretty residences, many occupied by fashion designers, artists, and writers.
Once a hangout for Colette, Anaïs Nin, and Françoise Sagan, the town still earns its old moniker, the "Montparnasse of the Mediterranean." Yet you might be surprised to find that this byword for billionaires is so small and insulated.
The lack of train service, casinos, and chain hotels keeps it that way.
Yet fame, in a sense, came too fast for St-Trop.
Unlike the chic resorts farther east, it didn't have the decades-old reputation of the sort that would attract visitors all year around.
For a good reason: its location on the south side of the gulf puts it at the mercy of the terrible mistral winter winds.
So, in summer the crowds descend and the prices rise into the stratosphere.
In July and August, you must be carefree about the sordid matter of cash.
After all, at the most Dionysian nightclub in town, a glass of tap water goes for $37 and when the mojo really gets going, billionaires think nothing of "champagne-spraying" the partying crowds—think World Series celebrations but with $1,000 bottles of Roederer Cristal instead of Gatorade.
Complaining about summer crowds, overpricing, and lack of customer service has become a tourist sport and yet this is what makes St-Tropez—described by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro as the place you can see "the greatest number of faces per square meter"—as intriguing as it is seductive.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Explora II
Launch Year: 2023 Length: 248 Width: Currency: EUR Capacity: Crew Count: Deck Count: 11 Cabin Count: 461
EXPLORA II, the second of six luxury best-in-class ships, will set sail in 2023, with the remaining ships ready to set sail in 2024, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Immerse yourself in all of the detail behind the Explora Journeys ships, from design and architecture, to safety and technology features.
Exquisitely designed with the guest and relaxed, home-like comfort in mind - and in partnership with the world’s foremost superyacht and luxury hospitality designers - the innovative ship will seamlessly blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship and vibrant design.
Water as a focal point
Fourteen decks will provide ample indoor public space, maximising guest choice and create areas of quiet seclusion and privacy. Generous outdoor decks will boast more than 2,500 sqm (26,909 sq ft) delivering stunning views of the sea, with 64 private cabanas across 3 outdoor pools.
A fourth pool, with a retractable glass roof, will allow swimming and poolside relaxation in any weather.
Combined with various indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths on the ship’s promenade deck, the ship has been designed with water as a real focal point of the onboard experience - helping our guests discover their ocean state of mind.
Homes at sea
With 461 oceanfront suites and residences, guests will enjoy feeling closer to the sea and in port thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and personal private terrace. Suites will start at 35 sqm (377 sq ft) which makes them among the most spacious for the luxury cruise category.
Explora II Facilities
Explora II Includes
Cabin Details
Each of our 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences - all designed with a refined, European elegance - are created to get you closer to the ocean itself, with floor-to-ceiling windows and private sun terraces.
With unrivalled space and privacy, and service that means everything is taken care of, our guests can relax into their comfortable homes at sea with their luggage delivered and a chilled bottle of champagne waiting as they undertake their Ocean Journey. Our suites start at 35 sqm (377 sq ft), among the most spacious for the category.
HOMES AT SEA
Luxurious, serene, and spacious, each of our 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences have been created with refined European elegance, comfort and simplicity as the focus to offer a real ‘Home at Sea’ to our guests.
Exquisitely designed to stimulate the senses and enhance the connection with the ocean, each of our suites comes with its own spacious terrace with daybeds and an alfresco dining area, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise natural light and the infinite ocean views.
Our suites range from 35 sqm (377 sq ft), in the Ocean Terrace Suites category, up to 280 sqm (3,014 sq ft) for the Owner's Residence, with an average size of 42 sqm (453 sq ft), making them among the most spacious in the industry.
With unrivalled space and privacy – and 24-hour service that means everything is taken care of – our guests can relax into their comfortable ‘Homes at Sea’ with their luggage delivered and a chilled bottle of champagne waiting as they undertake their Ocean Journey.
IN-SUITE TECHNOLOGY
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Infotainment system with Smart TV and easy connectivity to personal devices
- Smartphone app for access to all services
- Telephones with voicemail
- On-demand TV options
- Wireless charging base on bedside tables
- Individual climate control in each suite
SERVICES
- 24-hour butler service*
- 24-hour concierge service
- 24-hour in-suite dining
- 24-hour laundry, dry-cleaning and ironing services**
- Twice-daily housekeeping services, including evening turndown service
- Shoeshine service
BUTLERS SERVICES*
- Packing and unpacking to personal preference
- Laundering and pressing assistance
- Private in-suite dining
- Personal communication through our app and on messenger platforms
- Itinerary and transport planning
- Celebrations planning
- Onboard and ashore reservations assistance
* Available for Ocean Residences
** Additional charges may apply
