Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo
Trip Bacon

My First Luxury Cruise Was NOT What I Expected | Explora Journeys Review

Family at Sea
Family at Sea
🥉Knowledgeable
👁️ 15K views📅 7 months ago⏱️ 19:27
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship Review🥉Knowledgeable CreatorSponsored
❤️ Best for CoupleOther · 7 nightsFrom IstanbulVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

This was my first ever luxury cruise. And while I had plenty of questions at the start, there was one even bigger question waiting for me at the end.

It wasn't just a break from reality, it was a fullon reset, and it completely changed how we think about cruising.

Would we sail explore journeys again? Absolutely.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Book through Cruises to unlock perks and use their low price guarantee
Consider an upgrade bid for better suite categories
Skip Marble Co steakhouse due to inconsistent meat quality
Be prepared for higher pricing for family travel due to suite capacity limits
Expect a quieter, adult-focused atmosphere without high-energy entertainment

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Will I get bored without constant entertainment?The ship invites you to breathe and be present; you won't miss the chaos
Is the premium price worth it?The fundamentals and service quality justify the cost, especially with upgrade bids
Will I fit in with the luxury atmosphere?No formal dress code or stuffiness; it's modern, relaxed luxury for adults

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs a luxury cruise worth the premium price?
QWill I get bored without water slides and Broadway shows?
QWho is Explorer Journeys best suited for?
QWhat is the real difference between mass market and luxury cruising?

Topics Covered

Service Crew4 Happy BaconCabin Suite4½ Happy BaconDining Specialty4 Happy BaconValue Pricing2 Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Istanbul1½ Sad Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

🚢 Book your next cruise at the GUARANTEED best price: https://bit.ly/dream-cruise-fas 🌴 My #1 tip for better, cheaper excursions: https://bit.ly/fas-excursions 👥 Be part of our Cruise Family on Facebook: https://bit.ly/fas-group 🚢 And don’t miss the action on our second channel: https://bit.ly/fas-adventures-yt ----- I thought I knew what to expect from my first luxury cruise… I was wrong. From bold surprises to unexpected trade-offs, my first luxury cruise challenged everything I believed about cruising. Is it worth the $20,000 price tag? That’s the question I set out to answer... and the journey was anything but predictable. ----- ⚓ Our Trusted Travel Partners: 🤝 🛳️ Ready to Book Your Next Cruise? Cruises It makes planning easy! Get expert advice and the best deals here: 👉 https://bit.ly/dream-cruise-fas 🌍 Save Big on Excursions! Skip the overpriced ship tours and book directly to save money: 👉 https://bit.ly/fas-excursions ----- 🎉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly tips & hacks + immersive vlog experiences: https://bit.ly/subscribe-cruise-hacks ----- 🛒✨ Cruise Products We Recommend ✨🛒 - Sea Bands (to prevent seasickness): https://amzn.to/3YOTGjX - Sea Bands for Kids: https://amzn.to/4cvG1RS - Sea Bands w/ Built-In Aromatherapy: https://amzn.to/3SQ0zO8 - Seasickness Patches: https://amzn.to/3AmF94L - Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4dNGmAx - Towel Bands (for pool loungers): https://amzn.to/3SXARHx - Water Shoes: https://amzn.to/4dIWxPA - Magnetic Hooks: https://amzn.to/4dqHr1j - Power Strip (w/ no surge protector): https://amzn.to/3yJzuoX ----- 👀 Watch Next 🍿 https://youtu.be/qMiHVOql4_g https://youtu.be/bM4ZI8FS3xo https://youtu.be/cggiftmgowA https://youtu.be/69N7oMQ5DcI https://youtu.be/fLUgYfN5qAA ----- Join our NEW Facebook Group for all sorts of cruising tips, tricks, and deals! Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea ----- Disclosure: Hey there! Just a heads-up – some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a little commission, but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! I only recommend stuff that I genuinely love from companies I trust. Thank you for your support! ----- Business & Media Opportunities: Please contact Evan at partners@familyatsesa.travel ----- 🌍🙋‍♂️ Who We Are 🙋‍♀️🌍 Family at Sea chronicles the cruising adventures of our family of four as we set sail across the globe aboard different cruise ships and cruise lines, including MSC, Disney Cruise Lines (DCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), P&O, Explora Journeys, Costa, Margaritaville at Sea, and more! ----- 📧💬 Contact Us & Follow Us on Social Media! 📱📲 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyAtSea - Facebook: https://facebook.com/FamilyAtSea.travel - Facebook Group: Family Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea - Instagram: https://instagram.com/FamilyAtSea.travel ----- #LuxuryCruise #ExploraJourneys #FamilyAtSea ----- 00:00 Intro 00:45 What You Should Know 01:56 Pricing 03:11 What Blew Us Away 09:23 What Left Us Disappointed 14:04 What Changed Our Minds 15:43 Who Is It For? 18:17 Would We Sail It Again? -----