An Ocean Voyage That Redefines Cruising and Reawakens the Soul
I’ve never been drawn to cruising – buffets, cabarets and endless queues have never been my idea of luxury. But my recent journey aboard Explora II changed everything. From the moment I stepped into my penthouse suite, I realised this was no ordinary voyage. This was a wellness cruise – a floating sanctuary designed to restore mind, body and soul as it carried me through Europe’s most beautiful coastlines and, unexpectedly, back to myself.
A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL
It’s hard to capture the serenity of waking to the soft hum of the sea. Days aboard Explora II began not with noise or schedules, but with light – sunlight slipping through sheer curtains, waves glinting just beyond my terrace. My Premier Penthouse was the perfect balance of design and discretion: natural timber, soft linen, and the horizon always in view.
My butler anticipated ease before I even realised I needed it – a green juice after morning yoga, pressed linen before dinner, a calming herbal tea on my return from shore. This wasn’t about excess or entertainment; it was about wellness travel in its purest form – the art of slowing down, reconnecting, and truly being present.
OCEAN WELLNESS – WHERE SEA AND SOUL ALIGN
Explora Journeys calls it Ocean Wellness, and it’s truly next-level – a philosophy that flows through every touchpoint of the experience. The spa was a haven of elemental calm – natural textures, soft light, and marine-inspired rituals that mirrored the rhythm of the waves.
Morning yoga on the sun deck became my anchor, each breath syncing with the ocean’s motion. Between ports, I joined guided breathwork and mindfulness sessions, or visited the Ocean Wellness Spa for a salt-room sound healing that left me lighter than I’d felt in years. For the more active, the Technogym-equipped fitness studio offered Pilates, mobility and movement classes that made it easy to find balance – between motion and stillness, energy and rest.
This luxury wellness cruise wasn’t just about spa treatments; it was about restoration as a way of life – a reminder that wellness is less about doing, and more about being.
EAT WELL, TRAVEL WELL
Food onboard was another revelation. There were no buffets, no lines, and no limits – just exquisite, made-to-order meals served with mindfulness and purpose.
Breakfasts were nourishing and vibrant: smashed avocado with lime, Greek yoghurt with honey, and coffee as smooth as the sea below. Lunches leaned Mediterranean — grilled fish, colourful salads, and olive oil that glistened like liquid gold. And dinners? A true celebration of global flavour.
The Japanese restaurant was a highlight – elegant, refined, unforgettable. I still remember the salmon sashimi I tasted in Ibiza – glistening, buttery slices that melted at the touch of soy. Even in-suite dining was elevated: miso soup under the stars, a warm tea as the sea whispered below. On this wellness cruise, nourishment wasn’t an indulgence – it was an act of self-care.
THE JOURNEY UNFOLDS
Each destination along the route brought a new energy, a new way to explore wellness through culture, cuisine, and connection.
Barcelona: Creative Pulse of the Mediterranean – Gaudí’s whimsical architecture and sun-drenched boulevards set the tone — creativity and calm coexisting beautifully.
Ibiza: White Isle of Calm and Light – Beyond the music lies a deeply spiritual island of olive groves, yoga studios and stillness.
Marseille: French Soul and Sea Air – France’s oldest port city, where history, sea breeze and café culture weave a tapestry of simple joy.
Villefranche-sur-Mer: Côte d’Azur Chic – Pastel houses, jasmine-scented air and a harbour that feels like a dreamscape.
Genoa: Italy’s Hidden Treasure – An unpolished gem of narrow alleys, old frescoes, and warm focaccia.
Portofino: La Dolce Vita Personified – Terracotta buildings and turquoise water — the postcard brought to life.
Porto Santo Stefano: Tuscany’s Secret Coast – Untamed headlands, sea salt in the air, and grilled sea bass savoured in the sun.
Rome: The Eternal Finale – Arriving in Civitavecchia as dawn gilded the horizon – an unforgettable end to a truly transformative voyage.
Between ports, the sea days became my favourite chapters – yoga at sunrise, reading by the pool, or simply gazing at the horizon in quiet reflection.
THE ESSENCE OF OCEAN WELLNESS
Explora Journeys has redefined the art of travel, creating a new blueprint for the wellness cruise experience – one that values space, serenity and self-care as much as service and sophistication.
This was not a cruise in the traditional sense. It was a journey of renewal – where wellness meets wanderlust, and the horizon becomes both destination and guide. For someone who never imagined cruising, I disembarked lighter, calmer, and quietly changed. Sometimes the best retreats don’t anchor you to a place – they let you drift, in the most beautiful way.
My Top 5 Ocean Wellness Moments
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Sunrise Yoga on Deck 14 – Saluting the sun as the horizon turns gold.
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Sound Healing in the Salt Room – Pure vibration and stillness.
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The Ocean Journey Ritual – A multi-sensory treatment that lulled me into bliss.
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Mindful Dining – Every meal prepared with purpose and precision.
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Ocean Gazing from My Terrace – Just me, the sea, and silence.
If You’re Considering a Wellness Cruise
A wellness cruise is more than a luxury holiday – it’s a journey that blends mindful travel, ocean therapy and holistic rejuvenation. For anyone seeking deep rest, inspiration, or simply time to breathe again – this is wellness at sea, reimagined.
Discover Explora Journeys HERE.
Reviewed by Kris Abbey – follow her wellness travel adventures HERE.
Discover more wellness travel articles HERE.
