If an undulating tropical sea with a side of classical piano warms your cockles, then hold onto your pearls - you’ll find sailing Explora II akin to finding a Gucci bag at a thrift store. The second in what will be a fleet of six ships, she’s an objectively beautiful barge. Classy, where a lot of her peers lean towards flashy. With luxe inclusions like Russian caviar, gin martinis and light opera, her personality matches her pedigree. Add to that the dangling carrot that is the Caribbean islands and you’ve got yourself a holiday.  

First impressions

Cruise embarkation is habitually hectic. On Explora II, it’s more like visiting a spa. Lemon water, velvet chairs and not a single lanyard in sight. Room isn’t ready? Just head upstairs for oysters and lobster rolls until it is. My champagne flute was refilled at least three times before I even got to my suite.

Cabins

You’ll find a bottle of French champagne in every room, as well as books, binoculars and a bathroom big enough to stretch out in. Of the 461 suites, all have a balcony. My Ocean Suite - the smallest of the cabins on board - was still a sizeable 35 sqm (the industry average is closer to 15 sqm). And they only get bigger and better from there. Think penthouses with full-size dining tables, outdoor whirlpools and private butlers.

Amenities

She has all the niceties you’d expect: five heated pools, nightly theatrical shows and high-end shopping (Cartier, anyone?). But also a few surprises, like private Pilates training, a daily high-tea service and 24-hour-a-day crème brûlée. There’s a full service spa but it was the no-appointment-necessary sauna/steam room/salt cave trio that kept me busy for hours. Also worth noting is the guest-to-host ratio - an impressive 1.25:1, about as high as it gets. But my most esoteric highlight: the guest laundries. Being able to clean your own smalls in a pristine washroom just metres from your cabin is a surprisingly underrated treat on a ship.

Entertainment

You won’t find the breadth of options you would on a super ship - think comedy shows, pool parties or duelling pianos. What you will find are world class vocalists and classically-trained musicians. There are several Steinway pianos on board - just check the Explora app to see who’s playing when - and a swathe of singers plucked straight off Broadway. If Shostakovich is your jam, you’ll be just fine. Photo: Emma Markezic

Drinking and dining

Of all the on-board delights, it’s the food and beverage that wears the crown. There are six restaurants in all, such as a sushi restaurant, steak house, Mediterranean bistro and of course, cafeteria-style eatery. While the sushi was flawless and the marbled steaks flown in from France, I feel compelled to emphasise the nosh at Emporium Marketplace, the omnipresent buffet. It’s unlike any I’ve experienced before and I sampled as many morsels as I could during my week on board. I’d run a highlighter over the well-stocked fromagerie, made-to-order fresh pasta, raw bar complete with oysters and crab claws, and champagne that never ends.

There are also 12 bars and lounges, but none are themed in the traditional cruise ship sense. Rather, they’re sophisticated spaces with slightly different vibes. You might want to take your pinot by the pool at the Astern Bar, or perhaps you’d prefer to enjoy it while doing a puzzle in the Explora Lounge. All are similarly outfitted and the bar staff mostly rotate between. The only exception is Malt: the whiskey bar with cigar room and humidor, along with a specialist bartender who knows his sips and smokes.

Clientele

My cruise presented a mix of millennials, older couples and a smattering of milestone birthday groups. There is a Kids Club on board, but Explora ships aren’t geared towards children per se. Americans, Europeans and more all mix together in roughly equal numbers.  

Destinations

While Explora II travels everywhere from Western Europe to New England, I sailed the Caribbean - starting in Barbados and travelling through Martinique, St Lucia, Antigua and Puerto Rico before disembarking in Miami. The on-shore excursions and sail-away entertainment were all locally-based which added a rustic charm.

What's hot

Even though there are extra-fee offerings like top shelf spirits, whiskey tastings and the degustation restaurant, Anthology, you can easily glide by without spending an extra cent and not once did anyone attempt to upsell me.  

What's not

There were times the on-board program felt a little sparse and on a few occasions staff couldn’t make the cocktail I requested or answer a particular query.

The verdict: 9/10

Explora is to cruising as caviar is to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Focus on the bigger fish and you might well miss it, but stumble across it and be utterly delighted.

‘A Journey to Rum-Soaked Isles & Castaway Bliss' is priced from AUD$5,395.

The writer travelled as a guest of Explora Journeys.