Nunagoras

But most of their cruises are on the 4-11 nights range. One would rarely to need laundry services on those cruises. I see it as a little bonus for the ones whom need it, more than a specific need. I hope they adjust Penthouses and above included laundry level to at least the Oceania/Viking/Azamara top suite level though, if that is far different. You can't run against your competitors on the worse, only on the equal to better.

While at Oceania/Viking/Azamara level included shore excursions are not to be expected on your base fare, or they're really that basic on Viking's case, Explora had here a way forward to be innovative if they so wanted. If capturing a quite younger crowd for the luxury side of the force was really their goal, like it seems to have been, they should at least to have partnered with the "official" HOHO companies on most of the main cities they're visiting and offer an including ticket for the day at said companies alongside a shuttle from ship to the nearest HOHO stop when applicable. It's worth to mention that a quite younger crowd wants flexibility on the way they plan their time. They're not your typical "shore ex group" like minded individuals like the previous generations were. I know several top affluent individuals on their 35-55 whom still have that distinctive factor. They value independence. They enjoy the top services for the higher part of their holiday, so they may to book Explora level cruises... But same individuals are pretty "cheap" on the mean time experiences. They simply go with the flaw for those.

Ok, nice review. Different products for different individuals. That said; me thinks that, either way, CCL group will need to decide between making HAL to adapt to the generation change or eventually they'd just to send their current newer ships to Princess, sell the older smaller ones and call HAL a night. Simply the below 60 generation of today wouldn't perhaps to be happy on such a cruise with the likes of the HAL's fame. That generation is at least more active. If they don't bring something a little bit more active to the count, they'll fail. In HAL's favor; they have some of the nicest Alaska sailings available industry wise, no surprise, at least for me, I have some of them under my eye for the next years to come. Surely HAL's environment might not be for me on a regular day, but I can to splurge for the occasion.

Actually, the added gross tonnage on Oasis is mostly devoted to the Aqua Theater that doesn't exist on MSC's World class, so pretty similar sized ships. As per the OP's question: Yes; it will be a less childish ship than Icon for sure. Very classy for current contemporary mainstream lines. Bear in mind though that MSC usually carries a more international crowd than RCI, so you'll listen to far many languages aboard which might not be for everyone. They're relatively affordable though and they status match your RCI (or other cruise line for that matter. Chose what is the highest you have under your belt) status which in turn will give you at least an additional 5% off your base fare.

...And to say the least; it's not Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Regent segment either, but rather Oceania, Viking, Azamara one on the somewhat more expensive side of the pond, at least for now, perhaps due to some more inclusions not ready on the competitors right now, but they'll reassert once they settle the product more carefully or they simply don't need to because they're clearly creating a niche of their own to attract some cruisers that are still on their active jobs with shorter cruises than usual on mid to full luxury companies, so even those on the likes of O/V/A don't have to worry so much on Explora, at least on the immediate. Thanks to the simple, but rather detailed review, that reassured me that would exactly to be the case on their market target that would be "Mid Luxury" and not "Full Luxury".

This exactly, and they know to do it... From their mainstream MSC!!!...

As in many other MSC aspects, your home market matters. Here in Portugal they have never sold an automatic kids package to the promotion and those interested would pay it separately. And by the most part, only the basic Easy is routinely offered as a promotion here, not Easy Plus! Thanks to the contribution.

Aurea or YC. Table for 2 possible, not granted.

It used to be Pepsi product in Europe and Coke elsewhere. I have heard they're a full coke product right now.

Even without being in the ship; permit me 2 notes from my long experience with European cruises and land tourism alike: As per their description, no formal nights aboard. It's relaxing everywhere. While on cruises or land vacations, Europeans seem to be slightly more conservative than their current US peers as far as both reading CC and other sources things seem to me. Any day, formal or not so, going for dinner at a cruise is really like going for such a premium-to-luxury good land restaurant or a wedding event. For man some trousers and a collared shirt usually suffix with optional tie. For the Nordic seas I'd recommend a jacket just to feel more comfortable while running the ship, etc. For ladies a nice cocktail dress, blouse & skirt or something on that range would suffix. My pro tip? If going a little bit out of place on your flight doesn't bother you the most, try to use your jacket for the flight. It will save you some precious weight on your luggage, even if you fly Executive class.

Even on mainstream MSC they have the buffet always open with at least some pizzas and some leftover desserts from lunch. They'll need to correct that as times go. At that market level such a thing like that would be unacceptable.

Perhaps at that market level it's worth to consider that part of the available items will come from whatever else they can have at each region they're on, so this month available items can vary to the next month on a different region. It makes sense.

As on any other aspect: Soft opening is there for a thing; to get all the bugs sorted out. They'll have a wine list when they realize what works and what not so much.

Each person in cabin need to have the same package. Minors would have the minors version of it, which is non alcoholic at a discounted rate.

Usually under those promotions, only the first 2 individuals in a cabin have a discounted drinks package. For minors it is then mandated to purchase the minors package, so, yes, all of you have the package. As per the non alcoholic stuff, for both the adult and the minors is made of pretty much all things nonalcoholic sold aboard, except items from the specialty coffee place, some canned sodas and specialty drinks from the Spa bar. Incredibly, those "little nothings" do add to an account really. One or 2 specialty coffees, some bottles of water, some fountain soda, some juices, even if not freshly squeezed and the odd mocktail here and there are very nice to have.

Never seen people in bikini round the ship, other than for older kids, early teens. Generally a big t-shirt, but that was before the pandemic... Things are going downward informal these days. Regular pool area dress code is becoming dinner one, and for regular pool time, they're creating something else!...

That's it. They will adjust as the demographics adjust when the ship goes US based or elsewhere. The same they already do with mainstream MSC.

The ship is in the Nordic Seas. Even on mainstream MSC you'll see several people, especially ladies coming on a bathrobe round the ship in between spa massage appointments and other spa activities. People on that area of the globe have such a different more direct relation with nature that they see as natural on those activities. My best bet: Same on Explora.

Permit me to add a review from a Portuguese influencer which is by far the most accurate review I have read to date. It is in Portuguese, of course, but Google Translate can be your best friend. O meu Cruzeiro de Luxo a bordo do EXPLORA I (desde Copenhaga à incrível Reiquiavique) | Blog dos Cruzeiros Summary: Beautiful ship. Top luxury service. Wonderful cuisine. Marketplace is a star of its own. Well: My impression is that whom knows "Gourmet Experience" at Lisbon's or any Spanish "El Corte Inglés) pretty much has an idea of what the venue is about. Little "poor" entertainment (in his opinion. Maybe, maiden voyage bug?) Extremely expensive shore excursions with no distinctiveness from mainstream line ones (again Maiden voyage bug?)

Soft, but high quality entertainment would be what I expect at that cruising level. Want the loud Broadway or Vegas shows? Pick the mega ships. Nothing against, but at Explora's level it is to get things easy and relaxed at top quality. As per the headcount, great, but there is something calling my attention from quite awhile on Explora. While most luxe lines use to make mostly 14+ nights cruises, Explora, while having some long exploration cruises of some good 20+ nights and transatlantic crossings, many to not say most of their cruises for the next 2 years in raw seem to fall on the 4-11 night range, that is to permit just a quick getaway or a short holiday for the ones that actually do have a job at a top luxury level, living at reasonable distance from embarkation and debarkation ports. I'm starting to getting it that Explora's market point distinctive is actually a niche of its own nobody else really provides: To provide top cruising to a younger top affluent clientele and for those ones whom otherwise wouldn't ever know that other side of the cruising's force... I'm out of cruising for some 5 years in raw, partially because of what everyone know, so actually I have saved money for such a special moment one. Let's see if in the next weeks if all the "angels" join together so that Lisbon-Barcelona will be my next cruise for June 2024!... I only need such an hour and a half flight to return home at the end from Barcelona. Quite easy and relatively affordable. The end price of the trip is wonderful for the segment. I wouldn't perhaps to partake on shore excursions once I have long traveled the region. And for the ones anxious on the Marketplace offerings; as per the few photos and videos I have seen from there it's quite possible that if I ever go, I'll likely to have all my meals from there!...

Bear in mind that the ship is currently in the Nordic Sea where usually even MSC has sort of later times to enjoy; and that they are in "soft opening" time. By the times you cruise they might to have that fixed out for you, considering even the possible different demographics sailing by sailing.

First of its all, welcome aboard CC Explora forums! Have my answers in blue across your text and have a wonderful day!...

Surely, but the problem is general industry wise. I know several Brazilian current Youtubers whom were crew members elsewhere in the industry whom now are far from wishing to return. Some became influencers, some became land based workers, some started their small businesses with the money they have got till the pandemic. And Saudi Arabia huge tourist boom will simply to eat all the Eastern talent available. Simply cruise lines will need to do 2 kinds of things to survive: A mix of automation and the creation of huge training centers to create the next employees waves. Things like serving wine, bear, sodas and coffee drinks in mainline ships will go the automated way. For other things they'll need to train their next employees wave. The next 5 years will be sort of complex in the mainstream industry. On the luxury one things will be a little bit more easy, but even there, it won't be without its pains...

Well: Nothing in this life is perfect, is it? That said; to know the exact product from objective analysis is perhaps the best way to not end up disappointed on ones options. Let me to try to help a little bit on that: YC on MSC equals a Premium suite enclave (EU 5*) inside a Mainline ship (EU 4*). Retreat on X equals a Premium suite enclave (EU 5*) inside a Premium ship (EU 5*). That's perhaps the most important to know about both products. Both are equally Premium products on the same land hotel industry standard. Perks and value per buck may vary. YC has such a fame of being the smaller suites at sea, but that may be changing as MSC's new builds are coming side by side with their competitors. The main difference will be round ship's "steerage": X will be your typical Premium clientele. MSC will be your younger, less affluent clientele. Oh! And to not forget: Once MSC is Italian owned and operated, chances are you'll find a more international crowd at their ships as well. In summary: You'll be either way well whatever the product you chose. The "steerage" part of the ship will be far different from MSC to X, despite the fact that decoration wise and general environment wise I can to describe MSC as being sort of an "X lite".

...And this is why; I highly suggest the OP to contact special needs department. I know the no direct cruise lines links thing here, but this time is pretty much justifiable to help someone in need. Here it is to whom to contact in such situations. Every time I go with RCI this is where I start my contact with them for my own special needs as a blind individual. Same thing here: Guest Special Needs | Royal Caribbean Cruises