Cruising the Caribbean on Explora I: Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico

For my first visit to the Caribbean, I could not have asked for a better experience than the one I had aboard the ultra-chic Explora I.

Not only was the itinerary crafted to stop at idyllic tropical islands and charming towns, but the ship itself – from the staterooms with heated floors to the top-shelf service – made the 8-night journey from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico a masterclass in blissful Caribbean cruising.

The Ship: Explora I

Explora I is “Designed to feel like your own private yacht”, and it delivers on this promise.

The staterooms are all suites, each with a veranda facing the sparkling blue ocean. They come equipped with heated floors, rain showers, Dyson hairdryers, and spacious walk-in wardrobes. The public areas onboard made it feel like we were on a 5-star floating hotel. Gorgeously designed, we enjoyed relaxing and wandering through the luxurious and modern lounges, pools, and dining areas. The ship is the perfect size with only 461 suites – it never felt crowded. There are 5 pools onboard – including one each on the front and back of the ship – that always had plenty of space in them. One of my favorite details was the shape of the Jacuzzis: rectangular, so everyone could enjoy an infinity edge looking out at the sea.

Dining & Cuisine

We spoke to many guests during our sailing and came to realize everyone was saying the same thing: Explora’s food is AMAZING.

Seriously, it was some of the best cuisine I have ever had. Each dish was always exquisitely prepared, sometimes tableside. The restaurants onboard (nine in total, including Anthology (Italian), Sakura (Pan-Asian), and Marble & Co. Grill (European steakhouse)), were exceptional. Even their Marketplace – a reimagined buffet-style eatery – was a far cry from your typical buffet: Guests never touch a thing; all of the food is prepared and served fresh & piping hot by excellent and friendly staff.

The Spa & Entertainment

It will come as no surprise that Explora’s spa was heaven, plain and simple.

Guests always have access to relax and rejuvenate at the spa even without a treatment booked. I particularly enjoyed the steam room, dry heat Finnish sauna, heated marble loungers, and salt cave. Fun fact: Explora I received the World’s Best Cruise Spa award in 2024 by the World Spa Awards, as well as the Best Spa on Luxury Ship by Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the Best For Wellbeing Wave Award in 2024. So well deserved!

The entertainment onboard was wonderful and included a few surprises. While sailing we attended Port Talks with specialists (referred to as “Luminaries” on Explora ships) to learn about the destinations, special interests, and the natural world around us. At night we danced to Motown music, live DJs, and fabulous musicians. One day there was even a World Champion Yo-Yoer (Yo-Yoist?) spinning tricks and wowing the crowd – it was super unique and so fun to watch!

Destination Excursions

While I travel extensively and have been to places all over the world, until this trip I had never been to the Caribbean – I know, crazy right?!

So, I was very excited to visit for the first time and tour the islands on this itinerary. St. John and Saint Thomas were beautiful and became personal highlights of mine. I should note that Explora chooses ports that are a little more off-the-beaten-path than some other cruise lines, making for a great way to avoid crowded Caribbean spots. One such out of the way port we visited was Iles des Saintes, a small, very French-influenced island. I had a lot of fun here renting a tiny little car to go explore the island. Everywhere we went there was rich history to explore and the locals were so lovely.

It’s All in the Details

One of my favorite little details that further proves Explora’s above-and-beyond approach to service was their “towel on the rocks.”

The Caribbean is obviously quite a warm place to visit, so when we headed back to the ship after a day of adventuring, a lovely gentleman served us a towel covered with ice cubes and a slice of lime to cool off! It was so cute and such a fun touch.

My Personal Highlights

I have nothing but great things to say about this cruise aboard Explora I.

My biggest highlight was 100% the service. In fact, everyone we talked to aboard the ship commented on the level of service Explora provides; it really was outstanding. The cuisine is a close second on my list of Top Three Highlights, followed even more closely by the chic and elegant design found in every square inch of the ship.

I can’t wait to return for another Explora cruise and I am excited to hear everything my clients have to say after experiencing this luxurious cruise line for themselves!

–Mona Stephenson