Aboard Explora II with Explora Journeys
Cruise Overview
If you associate Puerto Rico's capital with the colonial streets of Old San Juan, then you know only part of the picture.
San Juan is a major metropolis, radiating out from the bay on the Atlantic Ocean that was discovered by Juan Ponce de León.
More than a third of the island's nearly 4 million citizens proudly call themselves sanjuaneros.
The city may be rooted in the past, but it has its eye on the future.
Locals go about their business surrounded by colonial architecture and towering modern structures.By 1508 the explorer Juan Ponce de León had established a colony in an area now known as Caparra, southeast of present-day San Juan.
He later moved the settlement north to a more hospitable peninsular location.
In 1521, after he became the first colonial governor, Ponce de León switched the name of the island—which was then called San Juan Bautista in honor of St.
John the Baptist—with that of the settlement of Puerto Rico ("rich port").Defended by the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico's administrative and population center remained firmly in Spain's hands until 1898, when it came under U.S.
Control after the Spanish-American War.
Centuries of Spanish rule left an indelible imprint on the city, particularly in the walled area now known as Old San Juan.
The area is filled with cobblestone streets and brightly painted, colonial-era structures, and its fortifications have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Old San Juan is a monument to the past, but most of the rest of the city is planted firmly in the 21st century and draws migrants island-wide and from farther afield to jobs in its businesses and industries.
The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its balmy beaches, pulsing nightclubs, globe-spanning restaurants, and world-class museums.
Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave.
Aruba's capital is easily explored on foot.
Its palm-lined central thoroughfare runs between old and new pastel-painted buildings of typical Dutch design (Spanish influence is also evident in some of the architecture).
There are a lot of malls with boutiques and shops—the Renaissance mall carries high-end luxury items and designer fashions.
A massive renovation in downtown has given Main Street (a.k.a.
Caya G.
F.
Betico Croes) behind the Renaissance Resort a whole new lease on life: boutique malls, shops, and restaurants have opened next to well-loved family-run businesses.
The pedestrian-only walkway and resting areas have unclogged the street, and the new eco-trolley is free and a great way to get around.
At this writing, Linear Park was well and will showcase local merchants and artists.
There will be activities along a boardwalk that will eventually run all the way to the end of Palm Beach, making it the longest of its kind in the Caribbean.
Dutch settlers came here in the 1630s, about the same time they sailed through the Verazzano Narrows to Manhattan, bringing with them original red-tile roofs, first used on the trade ships as ballast and later incorporated into the architecture of Willemstad.
Much of the original colonial structures remain, but this historic city is constantly reinventing itself and the government monument foundation is always busy restoring buildings in one urban neighborhood or another.
The salty air causes what is called "wall cancer" which causes the ancient abodes to continually crumble over time.
The city is cut in two by Santa Anna Bay.
On one side is Punda (the point)—crammed with shops, restaurants, monuments, and markets and a new museum retracing its colorful history.
And on the other side is Otrobanda (literally meaning the "other side"), with lots of narrow, winding streets and alleyways (called "steekjes" in Dutch), full of private homes notable for their picturesque gables and Dutch-influenced designs.
In recent years the ongoing regeneration of Otrobanda has been apparent, marked by a surge in development of new hotels, restaurants, and shops; the rebirth, concentrated near the waterfront, was spearheaded by the creation of the elaborate Kura Hulanda complex.There are three ways to cross the bay: by car over the Juliana Bridge; by foot over the Queen Emma pontoon bridge (locally called "The Swinging Old Lady"); or by free ferry, which runs when the pontoon bridge is swung open for passing ships.
All the major hotels outside town offer free shuttle service to town once or twice daily.
Shuttles coming from the Otrobanda side leave you at Riffort.
From here it's a short walk north to the foot of the pontoon bridge.
Shuttles coming from the Punda side leave you near the main entrance to Ft.
Amsterdam.
San Juan is a major metropolis, radiating out from the bay on the Atlantic Ocean that was discovered by Juan Ponce de León.
More than a third of the island's nearly 4 million citizens proudly call themselves sanjuaneros.
The city may be rooted in the past, but it has its eye on the future.
Locals go about their business surrounded by colonial architecture and towering modern structures.By 1508 the explorer Juan Ponce de León had established a colony in an area now known as Caparra, southeast of present-day San Juan.
He later moved the settlement north to a more hospitable peninsular location.
In 1521, after he became the first colonial governor, Ponce de León switched the name of the island—which was then called San Juan Bautista in honor of St.
John the Baptist—with that of the settlement of Puerto Rico ("rich port").Defended by the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico's administrative and population center remained firmly in Spain's hands until 1898, when it came under U.S.
Control after the Spanish-American War.
Centuries of Spanish rule left an indelible imprint on the city, particularly in the walled area now known as Old San Juan.
The area is filled with cobblestone streets and brightly painted, colonial-era structures, and its fortifications have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Old San Juan is a monument to the past, but most of the rest of the city is planted firmly in the 21st century and draws migrants island-wide and from farther afield to jobs in its businesses and industries.
The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its balmy beaches, pulsing nightclubs, globe-spanning restaurants, and world-class museums.
Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave.
Aruba's capital is easily explored on foot.
Its palm-lined central thoroughfare runs between old and new pastel-painted buildings of typical Dutch design (Spanish influence is also evident in some of the architecture).
There are a lot of malls with boutiques and shops—the Renaissance mall carries high-end luxury items and designer fashions.
A massive renovation in downtown has given Main Street (a.k.a.
Caya G.
F.
Betico Croes) behind the Renaissance Resort a whole new lease on life: boutique malls, shops, and restaurants have opened next to well-loved family-run businesses.
The pedestrian-only walkway and resting areas have unclogged the street, and the new eco-trolley is free and a great way to get around.
At this writing, Linear Park was well and will showcase local merchants and artists.
There will be activities along a boardwalk that will eventually run all the way to the end of Palm Beach, making it the longest of its kind in the Caribbean.
Dutch settlers came here in the 1630s, about the same time they sailed through the Verazzano Narrows to Manhattan, bringing with them original red-tile roofs, first used on the trade ships as ballast and later incorporated into the architecture of Willemstad.
Much of the original colonial structures remain, but this historic city is constantly reinventing itself and the government monument foundation is always busy restoring buildings in one urban neighborhood or another.
The salty air causes what is called "wall cancer" which causes the ancient abodes to continually crumble over time.
The city is cut in two by Santa Anna Bay.
On one side is Punda (the point)—crammed with shops, restaurants, monuments, and markets and a new museum retracing its colorful history.
And on the other side is Otrobanda (literally meaning the "other side"), with lots of narrow, winding streets and alleyways (called "steekjes" in Dutch), full of private homes notable for their picturesque gables and Dutch-influenced designs.
In recent years the ongoing regeneration of Otrobanda has been apparent, marked by a surge in development of new hotels, restaurants, and shops; the rebirth, concentrated near the waterfront, was spearheaded by the creation of the elaborate Kura Hulanda complex.There are three ways to cross the bay: by car over the Juliana Bridge; by foot over the Queen Emma pontoon bridge (locally called "The Swinging Old Lady"); or by free ferry, which runs when the pontoon bridge is swung open for passing ships.
All the major hotels outside town offer free shuttle service to town once or twice daily.
Shuttles coming from the Otrobanda side leave you at Riffort.
From here it's a short walk north to the foot of the pontoon bridge.
Shuttles coming from the Punda side leave you near the main entrance to Ft.
Amsterdam.
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
