The Definition of Luxury Worldwide vs Reality - The big disappointment

Item: Explora I
Rating: 3.1
Author: AlsterHamburg

Explora I Cruise Review to Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

AlsterHamburg

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 2

Overall rating:

3.1 out of 5

14 Night An Extended Journey To Sybaritic Beaches (Athens Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 13, 2024

Ship: Explora I

Cabin number: 7034

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 15 days ago

Review summary

This was not a Luxury Ship and not a Luxury Cruise. Nobody will guide you to your Cabin. The Ship was too cold because of the AC. The " Drill" was finished within Seconds! We only needed to show our Cabin Pass that was the Drill. No informations what you need to do in an Emergency! You need to switch on the TV to get informed. You need to read the daily Bulletin. The Cabin has no Bell. Opposite to the times of the Tender (boat) displayed in the Ship and written in the daily Bulletin it can be changed as well as of the Restaurants, Bars and Cafés. The Cruise Director wanted to meet me and invited us for a Dinner with him. But it hasn't taken place. Get informed with help of Google and Internet.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

We got our Cabin Pass with keycard - no more help or informations

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The ship is offering 5 different Restaurants. The ambiance and atmosphere is very different. Everywhere we were freezing because of the AC. Our favourite Restaurants were Marble & Co. Here the Service was excellent opposite to Restaurant Fil Rouge and Emporium Marketplace. The offers of wines and spirits are excellent. Fish offers: "Catch of the day" was written in the Menu of the French Restaurant " Fil Rouge", but it was not available. The Chief Cook has informed me that they only buy food one time a week. But he has a budget and cannot pay all...Fresh mussels were offered in the Menu but also not available. " Petit Four " was offered in the Menu: Instead of it we got 3 thin slices of crispy bread. In the Restaurant " Market Place" they have given us 2 (!!) BLUE BERRIES. When asking for more you will get another 2 (!) berries. The so named " Gelateria" has a tiny small space and was only offering 6 different sorts of Ice-cream!

Sakura

3 out of 5

Cold because of AC. Preparation very often with Mayo and Sauce.

Marble & Co. Grill

4 out of 5

Good Service. Well prepared. Well designed!

Gelateria & Creperie

1 out of 5

Poor ambiance. Poor choice. Only 6 different sorts of ICE-cream.

Fil Rouge

2 out of 5

The Menu looks good and sounds good. No " Catch of the Day"= fish caught within 24 hrs. No fresh mussels which was also written in the Menu. No "Petit Four" although it way listed in the Menu. The Chief cook has informed me that in his interpretation " Catch of the day" can be 3 days old although he has told me that they only buy goods one time a week..And not always because of prices and his Budget. The time to get served took double time comparing to the Restaurant " Marble & Co"!

Explora Lounge

3 out of 5

Cold due to the AC. It is looking more like in a waiting hall.

Emporium Marketplace

2 out of 5

We have chosen this Restaurant for BREAKFAST. It is open from 7.00-10:00 a.m. You need to queue to make your orders. The offers don't match Luxury. Sometimes there are problems with understanding. They are greedy due to their budget. You want to get Blue Berries and will get 2 pieces. Orange Marmelade: 2 teaspoon full. Soft boiled egg is hard.

Crema Café

3 out of 5

It was cold because of the AC. One day the Café was CLOSED at 10 p.m. although in the daily Bulletin it was written that they are open till "late ". Guest Services say- open till midnight. The Choice is limited.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The Swimming Pool is quite small and surrounded by the Plastic(!!) Decoration of plants and trees!

Entertainment

3 out of 5

The shows were quite good. The majority of the Musicians are good. But some single Singers and Artists are nothing more than average. Do you like to listen and watch a female violin musician sitting at a Piano without a Pianist because the Piano is only playing automatically!!

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Some are well trained some are badly trained. Try to imagine you will get served "Foie Gras" offered as roasted/grilled and you will get it served cold full of fat. After complaining the Server said " It is a new recipe "..Or at Breakfast you order cream cheese. Although it was available in the Restaurant " Market Place" they don't know it. When leaving the French Restaurant " Fil Rouge " after 30 minutes they run after you to tell you that they have found it. Next example: The Server has asked me: " Shall I serve the fish together with the Lobster?"

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The cleanliness is perfect. The Design is good. But it is not "Luxury " when everywhere only Plastic Trees, Plants and Flowers can be seen. Some chosen materials are cheap and not luxury.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The Suite only has had a Shower in the Bathroom. The Shower room hasn't had a sliding door. Only 50% was covered with a glass door. The bathroom has heated tiles at the floor. Nobody has told us about and how to use it. After 10 days we have found it out. To reach one side of the bed I needed to walk sideways! The Suite was quite small and very cold due to AC. It was impossible to adjust the fan and temperature in a correct way. The Cabin was always cleaned very well.