From Dock to Dream: Boarding Explora II

Join us as we board Explora II, one of the newest luxury cruise ships at sea from Explora Journeys! From our hotel in Miami to the moment we step onboard, we take you along for every part of embarkation day — check-in, lunch, our first impressions, and a full tour of our Ocean Terrace Suite (spoiler: it’s gorgeous). We also explore the Emporium Marketplace (their version of a buffet — and honestly, it’s the best we’ve had at sea!), get a sneak peek at the Ocean Wellness Spa, and wrap up the evening with a delicious dinner at Fil Rouge and a lively performance in the Explora Lounge. Whether you're planning your own Explora cruise or just curious what this new line is like, we hope this video gives you a helpful and honest first look at life aboard Explora II. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Check-In and Security 02:13 Champagne and First Impressions 02:43 Embarkation Day Lunch at Emporium Marketplace 04:09 Ocean Terrace Suite Room Tour 06:53 Afternoon Plans and Spa Peek 08:31 Evening Reflections Our Recommended Cruise Gear OREI American to European Plug Adapters—Many cruise ships are equipped with 220 European plugs, which are useless unless you have the correct adapter. These are the essentials we pack in our bags every time we cruise or travel to Europe. They come in an affordable six pack which you can find at this link: https://amzn.to/44ixS0U Strongman Tools Strong Magnetic Hooks—A couple of these 6-pack sets of hooks are always with us when we cruise. Each individual hook can hold up to 30 lbs of weight and is ideal for hanging coats, hats, and the shelves described below. Get your set of these useful magnetic hooks at this link: https://amzn.to/3UDrVbJ Whitmor 5 Section Closet Organizer—Unfortunately, drawer and shelf space are sometimes limited in some cruise cabins. That’s why we always bring at least one of these inexpensive closet organizers, which gives us plenty of room for our folded clothes. We typically use a couple of magnetic hooks, as described above, to hang these from the ceiling in the corner of our room. Here’s the link where you can get yours: https://amzn.to/3w3GvQn Our Recommended Camera Gear DJI Osmo Pocket 3--You’ll usually see Tracey using this in almost all of our videos. Love this wonderful, small, and versatile camera. Basic Camera: https://amzn.to/3UDJJDF Creators Combo: https://amzn.to/4beP6OP GoPro Hero12—This is the best action camera we’ve ever used. Whether taking videos on the Zodiacs in Antarctica, snorkeling in Papua New Guinea, or scuba diving in Bonaire, this camera is always in our hands. Find the link to get yours here: https://amzn.to/3UkTcy1 Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap—If you still carry a DSLR or Mirrorless camera as Jan does, this is the perfect strap to use. What's great is that this fully adjustable strap can be configured to be worn across your body, distributing the weight of your camera across your back rather than your neck. Additionally, it provides a bit more security when traveling through high-risk pickpocket areas. Get your Slide Lite Strap here: https://amzn.to/3xW6pWR As Amazon Affiliates, we earn from qualifying purchases.