The ship that just might convince you you’re a cruiser
How to rebrand cruising: call it a floating luxury hotel
I’m Wing, a travel writer and editor/lifestyle journalist. Most of my stories run in publications like the Toronto Star, Canada’s biggest daily newspaper. But I have more tales and tips to share outside of those features. This is my own little space for that. Thanks for reading!
IN THIS EDITION
Early check-in: I was one of the first guests aboard Explora III
When in Rome: a few favourites from my short but sweet stay
EARLY CHECK-IN
The Cruise Ship Courting Hotel Enthusiasts
“I never thought I would be OK with having a honeymoon on a cruise, but this place can get all my money,” a friend messaged upon seeing the Instagram stories I’d posted from my latest press trip. There’s something about Explora III that makes people who’ve never sailed before suddenly cruise-curious.
I was invited, as part of a small media contingent1, to join the all-new ship’s five-night “prelude” journey on the Italian and French rivieras, before its official maiden voyage, so I was among the first guests. The very first guest: Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one tennis player, fresh off his Wimbledon win. (Many travellers, I heard, booked this sailing specifically to see him.)
At the shipyard on a sweltering day in Genoa, Italy, I watched the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and Champagne-smashing alongside executives and dignitaries, then boarded the next afternoon. My full story on the cruise will run in Saturday’s edition of the Toronto Star, but in the meantime, here’s a mini review.
The cruise line: Explora, who? That was the reaction I got a few times when I mentioned my press trip to others. Sailing only since 2023, the Explora Journeys brand is newish, but you may know its mainstream, less fancy sister, MSC Cruises. They’re part of the Geneva-based, family-owned MSC Group, which is (I was surprised to learn) the world’s largest shipping company. Explora is positioned at the luxury level. The boutiques on board include a Rolex shop, to give you a sense of the guests’ tax bracket.
The ship: Explora III is mid-sized, so it’s in a sweet spot: large enough to offer tons of features, without feeling like a floating city. It never seemed crowded — except in the popular indoor gym — even though the guest capacity is 922. The overall vision is an all-inclusive “boutique hotel” at sea, and the ship pulls that off. The vibe is elegant but not overly fussy or formal.
The suites: No dreaded windowless “inside cabins” here. There are 461 suites, all ocean-facing, and even the smallest is 377 square feet. Every one has a private balcony with a daybed and a little table (room service is available at any hour). One evening I had a meditative plate of pasta all by myself while taking in the golden-hour sea views. My suite also had a plushly furnished living room separated from the bedroom, a bathroom with heated floors, and a walk-in closet so I could fully, properly unpack (essential for feeling at home).
The features: Seven restaurants, plus a few more culinary concepts (like the chef’s table experience). More than a dozen bars and lounges, including a malt whisky bar and a wine cellar stocking more than 350 labels. Five heated pools. A Technogym-equipped indoor gym, and an open-air workout area with bikes and rowers. A spa with a thermal circuit. A 250-metre running track. A padel court. You won’t be bored. I didn’t have time to try everything, but I had a sublime massage and a surprisingly serene sound bath; both almost put me to sleep.
The dining: If the food somewhere isn’t good, I’m not going. Fortunately, I found the restaurants pretty solid overall. The one letdown: Fil Rouge, where my lobster was mushy, but other diners at my table loved their Dover sole meunière. I had casual breakfasts and lunches at Emporium Marketplace, an upscale food hall with a wood-fired pizza oven, a fresh pasta station, a sushi counter, desserts galore and too many other choices to list off. Germophobes will appreciate that it’s not a self-service buffet — it’s crew-served. For dinner, Sakura was the clear favourite in our group, and I’d happily have more of that miso black cod and sushi.
The service: Everyone I met was faultlessly polite and well trained to anticipate guest whims. At dinners, I never had to request that my glass be topped up with Champagne, which was ever free-flowing. If I approached a table, a host would magically materialize behind me to pull out my chair before I could reach for it.
The itineraries: My journey, the “prelude,” was a one-off, but Explora III and its two sister ships cruise around the world. Fares vary by cabin, destination and itinerary, but as an example, a seven-night sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong in March 2028 starts from $6,650 CAD per adult. (This is a random example at the lower end of the price range and includes a discount being offered now. Needless to say, fares fluctuate.) Rates are inclusive of food and beverages (including almost all restaurants, in-suite dining, unlimited wines and Champagne), group wellness and fitness classes, access to the spa’s thermal circuit and more. Shore excursions are extra.
The final impression: Upon returning home, I pitched the idea of booking an Explora sailing to my husband for a future special-occasion vacation. Enough said.
TRAVEL TIPS
When in Rome…
After my Explora III cruise, I spent a few nights in Rome as a mini-vacation before heading home. I planned very little for this leg, which is out of character for me! Here, a few favourites and suggestions.
Visit Galleria Borghese for a museum that isn’t mobbed by people. Tickets are issued sparingly in two-hour slots and sell out well in advance on the official site. If you’re a procrastinator like me, check the booking platform GetYourGuide, where tour companies resell “group tickets” individually. I did pay a marked-up price (about $45 CAD instead of $29) but scored a same-day ticket.
Go to Da Enzo al 29 for a true trattoria experience. They don’t do reservations, so expect a lineup. I first heard about the restaurant through The New Roman Times, the Substack by Rome-based travel journalist Laura Itzkowitz. It’s well worth subscribing for her best-of lists if you’re planning a trip (or doing last-minute research, ahem).
Browse the chic wares at Chez Dédé. I paid a silly sum for an artisanal hand fan (a collaboration with the Parisian maison Duvelleroy), but let’s just call it a practical souvenir.
BE MY GUEST
I have five Maple Leaf Lounge guest passes (one-time use) expiring within the next month. If you’re travelling on an Air Canada flight within Canada or the U.S. in this time frame, hit reply and send me an email. I’ll transfer a complimentary guest pass to you (no strings attached).
AND DID YOU HEAR ABOUT…?
The PR for Amanvari, the $6,000-per-night resort in Mexico, is having a nightmare launch week.
If you’re afraid of flying, maybe don’t read the mysterious case of JetBlue 1230.
This newsletter is currently free to read. You can show your support (thank you!) by forwarding it to your friends, sharing it on social media, leaving a comment or tapping the heart ♡ below.
Sometimes when I read comments under stories, I realize press trips can be opaque to people outside the industry. So here’s how I work (on the traditional media side): A press trip means my travel is hosted, but I’m not a content creator or influencer, and what I write is not “sponsored” or advertorial or advertising. I’m not paid by anyone except the media outlet publishing my editorial coverage, and I never promise I’ll cover a trip in a certain way.
I’m sorry but they’re awful blots on many beautiful landscapes. That’s before we get into the environmental impact on the sea.