After a serine two-hour stroll through Venice and a light breakfast at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, it was time to head to Explora Journeys’ Explora I, docked in Fusina, Italy, for the most important stage of the 2024 Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Journey: The journey at sea!
Fusina should be stone’s through away. But, alas, this is Italy, “Where everything is Impossible, but everything is Possible!” We were supposed to take a water taxi to just outside Fusina and then a shuttle bus into this commercial port. But the completion of the cruise terminal has creeping delays, so we summoned two water taxis for our group to head to the Venice Maritime Terminal – where the cruise ships used to dock. (85€ for the people, but they get you on the luggage.)
I was greeted at the pier by Heike Bergos, the General Manager for Explora I and a long-time friend. She just brightens up any room but also knows how to make sure that room is in tip-top shape. With a van waiting for us, some of the guests took the van and others, like me, took the short walk to the terminal where we went through Venetian security after waiting a bit. It was then off to another water taxi that brought us right to Explora I. Only Italy could make a 15-minute trip into a 1.5-hour painful experience! (But we were still onboard by a very reasonable 2:00 p.m.)
Captain Pietro Sinisi was at the gangway waiting to welcome me onboard (a nice, but unnecessary, touch) and, finally, we were onboard Explora I.
First impressions matter…and the first thing I noticed was the staff were acting with more confidence than my last two experiences onboard Explora I, and that led to relaxed smiles, legitimately warm welcomes, and real efficiency in getting everyone registered.
As I am staying in a Residence, a Residence Host aka butler (ironically my host on the Maiden Voyage of Explora I…almost exactly one year ago) escorted me to my Cove Residence and quickly registered me in my suite. (Those guests staying in Ocean Terraces, etc. are directed to the Journeys Lounge for registration.)
I was greeted with beautiful flowers, a bottle of Dom Perignon, a welcome note and gift from Explora Journeys’ Chief Commercial Officer (and friend), and some 1st Anniversary Sweets. A truly polished welcome!
As it was now about 2:00 pm and the Emporium would be closing at 2:30 pm, I figured I should eat something. So I headed to the fresh pasta station and ordered pappardelle.
However, it took me forever to eat it, as one by one Explora staff – many of which I already knew – came by to welcome me onboard. Again, the experience, confidence, and genuine smiles were a great first impression.
After a quick walk around, noting that Explora I looks as good as she did on her Maiden Voyage…along with some small things that were missing now being added…it was time to head back to my suite, where my luggage greeted me. Time to unpack and with so much storage in the suite, it was a very easy task!
I arranged for dinner at Sakura with two of my long-time C&C guests (one has been on every one since 2007, save one). It is the “hot ticket” for dining! We met at my favorite bar, the Malt Whisky Bar. The bartenders were far more polished, made cocktails with style, offered wonderful banter and explanations as to anything spirit-related. Bravo!
Why is it my favorite bar? It uniquely has a fantastic view of the ocean, whereas most other whisky bars are dark affairs with no views. It is intimate. It adjoins the Cigar Lounge. (One serious criticism: The prices for premium whiskies are way too high; especially for a luxury product like Explora Journeys.)
After a couple of cocktails, we headed to Sakura. From the moment we were escorted to our table through the entire dinner service, the polish of the staff was notable. There were better explanations of each dish, and the improved engagement was notable. As for the cuisine, well, it was even better than before, which I couldn’t believe was possible!
After dinner, I headed back to the Cigar Lounge to relax before bed after a few long days. My guests headed to the Journeys Lounge for the revamped entertainment program. (They later enthusiastically told me it was a huge improvement and would be returning.) Another great first impression!
Explora I was overnighting in Fusina. Rather than bus service (and to a less than optimal location), Explora Journeys offered round-the-clock hourly water taxi service right near St. Marks Square – about a 30-minute ride. That way, if guests wanted to head into Venice for dinner or late-night festivities, it was an option. Same for the next day with the last water taxi leaving Venice at 4:00 pm for our 6:00 pm departure.
Speaking of first impressions, in all of my visits to Venice, this was the best. With a wonderful al fresco lunch, an incredibly successful Goldring Travel Private Special Event dinner, an awe-inspiring early morning wander through the city, and another wonderful stay at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, I felt that returning and having to deal with crowds and, of course, what would then be doing that might improve my experience? I didn’t want to spoil my impression.
Part of my decision was my visit to Kyoto, Japan this past April. My previous serene experience – especially in the bamboo forest – became a survival of the fittest ordeal with crowds that overwhelmed almost everything. Yes, overtourism is a very real problem.
So, I spent the day catching up on work, relaxing, and having another great lunch at Sakura.
(BTW, Explora Journeys uses real wasabi root; not that green horseradish stuff most think is wasabi. The little things matter!)
In the evening, I caught up on life with one of the Explora Journeys’ executives who will be onboard for a few days. We’ve known each other since the early days of Seabourn and always have much to catch up on and, of course, solve the world’s problems.
Our 6:00 pm cocktails turned into dinner at my favorite, Med Yacht Club, with the sharing of a number of starters (grilled octopus, Iberico ham, and shrimp) followed by delicious pork and porcini mushroom risotto.
I do have to pause here to make a comparison of hype vs. quietly excelling. Oceania Cruises shouts in all of its marketing that it has “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”, but nothing could be further from the truth. I was infuriated by the portabella mushroom risotto and other dishes that Oceania served at its $130 per person La Reserve dinner that was terrible and then finding essentially the same terrible risotto (absent black truffle powder that was blatantly substituted for actual black truffles) was also served in the buffet. While I lost a good friend at Oceania over my criticisms, the facts are facts. Compare its mushroom risotto to that offered on Explora I.
Clearly, a picture paints a thousand words!
My impression, as well as many others, is that Explora Journeys actually has the finest cuisine at sea AND each of its restaurants feels like, well, land-based restaurants; not cruise ship dining rooms. I will be visiting every dining experience on Explora I during my fourteen-day journey, but I’m talking about first impressions here, so stay tuned!
Next up: Hvar, Croatia and more about my Explora I experience!