MSC’s Explora I Embraces Relaxed Luxury and Wellness
With high-end residential aesthetics, tailored holistic wellness offerings and contemporary art displays, the Explora I feels more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship
Traveling on MSC’s Explora I feels like there is nowhere else to be. The first luxury vessel of the Explora Journeys line has been created with a yacht-like approach: conceived to offer the intimacy and elegance of a private boat on a larger scale, the ship hosts fewer guests and presents a design language that feels more personal, less mass-market-oriented.
With 900 guests across 13 decks impeccably run by a staff of 700, Explora I is generous in both space and program: leisure, culture, well being and relaxation on board, plus curated land excursions. Crowds are simply absent.
Explora I’s design follows a high-end residential aesthetic, with clean lines and a warm palette that brings it closer to a private superyacht than a traditional cruise ship. The navy blue hull and teak decks reinforce that sense of elegance. All cabins—decorated in gradients of grey and beige—are suites or penthouses, complete with a double bedroom, living room, walk-in closet, spacious bathroom with a large shower and, most notably, a private terrace with a lounging area overlooking the sea. Works of contemporary art hang in every suite as well as in public spaces, personally selected by Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, co-founder of MSC.
Antonio Di Nenno, Director of Architecture & Design at MSC Cruise Management, emphasizes the vision behind the project: “From the beginning, the vision for Explora I was to create an experience that feels much closer to a private yacht or boutique hotel at sea rather than a traditional cruise ship. The aesthetic is intentionally understated, with open spaces and a warm palette that create a sense of relaxed luxury. Every element was designed to foster a deep sense of calm and connection to the sea, shaping a guest experience that feels intimate, uncrowded, and effortlessly elegant. We call it Ocean State of Mind.”
Design and construction followed strict marine safety and fire-retardant regulations, shaping material choices for fabrics, wall coverings and finishes. The team prioritized natural materials like oak paneling, stone and muted textiles, balancing aesthetics with durability. Pristine conditions are maintained through night work by both onboard staff and mainland specialists.
A key component of Explora’s Ocean State of Mind is its wellness offering. On the twice-yearly Grand Journeys across the Atlantic, for example, Explora ships host the Ocean Wellness Retreat, curated by Carlie Barlow. A UK-based expert with over two decades of experience designing transformative wellness retreats worldwide, Barlow has dedicated her life to guiding others toward balance and vitality. During a recent cruise, she described her tailored Explora program to COOL HUNTING: “Here, my wellness philosophy meets the inspiration of the ocean’s vast, rhythmic presence and the ship’s exceptional spaces,” she says. “The program harmonizes spa, movement, beauty and holistic wellbeing, guiding guests toward deep renewal. It is a sanctuary encouraging self-reflection and reconnection with nature through mindful movement, rejuvenating seminars and transformative wellbeing experiences.”
During meditation, Barlow invites guests to focus on “nowhere else to be,” a concept that helps detach from daily concerns and incidentally reflects the sensation of being onboard Explora I.
Her programs are structured across several paths: Heart and Soul (calming the mind), Sleep Retreats (improving rest quality), Revive (purposeful living) and Find Your Flow (optimizing mental and physical energy, including lymphatic drainage). While she has also developed a Women’s Retreat, male participation has increased significantly over the past two years. The setting—surrounded by seascapes and coastal destinations—enhances engagement, encouraging introspection and relaxation.
Barlow, who developed her method through 16 years of study and extended stays in Indian ashrams, identifies sound curation as a core element. She creates refined playlists and collaborates with live musicians. For example, she stages acoustic guitar sessions during breathwork on deck or cello performances for morning yoga and meditation overlooking the ship’s wake. She also leads gong baths and plays traditional Indian meditation instruments alongside modern crystal singing bowls . The program appeals especially to solo travelers, who balance independent exploration with structured wellbeing activities while connecting with fellow guests. The ship’s expansive, high-end spa—with sauna, indoor pool, steam bath, and beauty and health treatments—reinforces Explora’s “nowhere else to be” mantra.
MSC’s Explora I has now been at sea for three years, Explora II for two and Explora III is set to launch later this summer. The next wellness retreat will be on Explora I in November, as the vessel travels from Barcelona to Miami, with programming during days at sea. The journey then continues to Antigua, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Belize and the Bahamas.
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