The Floating Palace: all aboard the Explora I.
Text: Crystal Woo. Images: Explora Journeys, and Crystal Woo.
Explora I
The beauty of every journey is that it leaves room for more. The good ones grow over time, securing a space in your memory despite never quite revealing the full picture. Moreover, the adventure aboard Explora I is exactly this—one that makes you say, I can't believe that just happened.
Disembarking from Greece
After transiting through Dubai, my Emirates flight lands in Athens, Greece. Steeped in Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history, this ancient city needs little introduction. Furthermore, a visit to the Acropolis is non-negotiable. At the summit, the Acropolis Museum presents three levels of rare antiquities. The museum is built over an actual archaeological site. Additionally, glass floors allow visitors to glimpse the excavations beneath their feet.
Snapshots from Athens.
Resting on this slope is the mid-5th century Parthenon. It's a familiar icon with countless appearances in films and postcards. However, Explora I waits for no one, so onwards to the port of Piraeus.
Aboard the Explora I
After checking in at the spacious Journey Lounge, Explora I welcomes me into her Penthouse. In awe of her beauty and charmed by the comfort she offers, this relationship is off to a good start. A bottle of chilled Champagne awaits with a welcoming note.
Lobby
Located on Deck 8, the Penthouse is immense. It features a memorable private terrace, an elegant dressing area and a large bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Sometimes, I forget that I'm on a ship. Indeed, for the next eight days, 0865 Penthouse becomes more than a haven for sleep—it's a space for intimate bonding with the sea.
Penthouse interior
The Exploration Begins
The lift drops me off on the top floor. From here, stairs lead to the Sky Deck. Surrounded by open sea and sky, there's an outdoor workout area, whirlpools and the Sky Bar.
Helios bar
On Deck 11, the Emporium Marketplace offers breakfast and lunch. Expect Margherita pizza, grilled salmon, lobsters and prawns—a wide array of international cuisines.
Sakura restaurant
Beyond the Marketplace, there are five restaurants aboard. These include Marble & Co for steaks, Sakura for Japanese flavours, and fine dining in Fil Rouge (French) and Anthropology (Italian).
Fil Rouge restaurant
At sundown, the cosmopolitan Lobby Bar beckons. Here, strangers quickly become friends over drinks. Meanwhile, Rolex and Cartier boutiques tempt like sirens.
Rolex
Curved corridors display works by Andy Warhol. Additionally, there are quiet cigars at the Malt Whisky Bar and live concerts at the Journey Lounge. At the Astern Lounge, evenings feature trivia, karaoke or Silent Disco. Explora knows how to entertain and enchant.
First Destination: Monemvasia
Around 375 AD, an earthquake separated this singular rock from the mainland. With dramatic cliffs surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Monemvasia is steeped in archaic history. Beautiful to behold and layered with centuries of culture, its tall walls conjure medieval images. During the Byzantine era, Monemvasia became a major commercial hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Today, she is serene and grows gentle with time. In the Old Town, merchant shops and taverns line narrow cobblestone alleys. Consequently, travellers leave quiet thoughts at the ancient lighthouse, sipping coffee or going for a swim. As evening falls, Explora collects her passengers and sets sail.
Corfu, the Poet's Refuge
After a full day at sea, Corfu welcomes us into her bay. In classical mythology, this island is related to Poseidon, who fell in love with a nymph named Korkyra. Depicted in history as a refuge for poets and scholars, Corfu is strategically located at the Adriatic Sea's entrance.
The town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's an enclave of Venetian architecture with historical churches, art museums and chic cafés on wide pedestrian streets.
When it's time to leave, sun-kissed travellers hurry home to Explora I. Just in time for a pampering treatment at the Ocean Wellness Spa.
Montenegro: Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Montenegro shares borders with Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. One of six nations formerly known as Yugoslavia, Montenegro means "Black Mountain"—referring to dense forests hugging rugged mountains.
On the Bay of Kotor sits a coastal city brimming with activities. Established since the early Middle Ages, Montenegro in 2025 is laid-back yet full of zest for life. People relax by the beach, diving into crystal-clear turquoise waters. Seaside restaurants serve fresh catch of the day. Not surprisingly, Montenegro is listed in National Geographic Traveller's "50 Places of a Lifetime".
Onwards to Zadar
Explora I docks, and a shuttle bus takes us to town fifteen minutes away. Zadar is a city in Croatia with Romanesque buildings and monasteries burning the lamp of long memories. Travellers come to see Riva, the popular seafront promenade built in 1868. Stretching along the Adriatic Sea, Riva brings briny air and wind in your hair. With its vendors and gelatos, the streets welcome locals and tourists alike.
The historical town is a short walk away. Here, designer shops, playgrounds and eateries remain lively well into the evening. Named "Croatia's new capital of cool" by The Guardian, this city is steadily gaining international attention.
Postojna Cave Park, Slovenia
Two million years old and 24 kilometres long, Postojna Cave is the only karst cave with a railway. Inside this natural wonder resides a maze-like underground lair. The Pivka River carved through limestone over time, creating otherworldly shapes and spaces.
First on a train with open sides, then on foot, the tour takes roughly ninety minutes. Strange rock formations fire the imagination. Postojna Cave is home to Olms—pale, translucent salamanders that look like baby dragons. The cave's temperature drops between 8 to 10°C. A jacket and good walking shoes are recommended. Afterwards, lunch is served at a rustic Slovenian farmhouse restaurant.
The Journey Nears Its End
However lovely, this is coming to an end. As Fusina, Venice draws near, almost everyone feels bittersweet melancholy. At Crema Café, a guest speaks to his favourite barista: "Another espresso please, I'm going to miss this every morning."
Crema Café
Finally, Explora sails into Fusina. We disembark to go our separate ways—a long flight home for some, whilst others depart on water taxis to Venice.
Conservatory Pool & Bar
Love you Explora I, forgetting's long.
