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MSC's Explora Journeys Cruise Ship Offers a Wellness Program

10/12/2022

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The new Explora I luxury cruise ship features outdoor workout areas. // Photos courtesy Explora Journeys
By John Roberts 
Explora Journeys is a new luxury cruise line from the company that operates MSC Cruises, and this new cruise brand is set to sail with its first ship, Explora I in May 2023.  
This is an exciting addition to the cruise landscape because the ship (three more are set to join the fleet in 2024, 2025 and 2026) carries a modest passenger count at 922 and also promises a more wellness-focused, all-inclusive and immersive way to travel. 
As part of that mission Explora Journeys unveiled its plans for an Ocean Wellness program. 
This is an array of restorative experiences far removed from urban noise and what seems to be an always-on digital culture. The program focuses on helping cruisers on Explora I to achieve better sleep, relaxation, mindfulness and energy while at sea. The ship features almost 11,000 square feet of space dedicated to a spa, indoor and outdoor wellness areas and contemporary fitness facilities, as well as an outdoor sports court and running track. 
"The philosophy behind Ocean Wellness is deeply rooted in Explora Journeys' origins," said Julanda Marais, senior lead for the cruise line's spa operations. "We've long understood the powerful effect of water and waves on body, mind and soul.  
"This is the inspiration for Ocean Wellness. We want to give our guests a feeling of refined simplicity, relaxed luxury and complete mental and physical replenishment." 
Experiences, programs and spaces designed to enhance wellbeing help achieve inner and outer calmness. From sleep to nutrition, a selection of initiatives has been curated to ensure a feeling of renewal during these voyages.
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The Spa
A place to soothe and heal, or simply a haven for pampering, Ocean Wellness -- The Spa mirrors the gentle, hypnotic effect of the ocean, allowing the pressures of daily life to recede. It offers more than 7,500 square feet of space dedicated to treatments and wellness facilities. 
Treatment Rooms: There are 11 treatment rooms, including two private spa suites with their own outdoor relaxation areas; one double and seven single treatment rooms; an additional treatment room dedicated to specialized Medi-Luxe Treatments; and an outdoor relaxation space. 
Beauty Studio: The flowing layout allows cruisers to receive grooming treatments in a tranquil space. The studio features replenishing hair and barber treatments in the hair salon and hand and foot treatments in the nail salon. 
Sensorial Therapeutic Circuit: You'll find a wide array of facilities in the thermal wellness area: a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall and heated marble loungers.
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Fitness
Featuring 2,443 square feet of indoor space and more than 688 square feet of outdoor fitness facilities, Ocean Wellness -- Fitness also offers a Sports Court for half-court basketball as well as a panoramic running track and touchtennis. From an initial physical assessment to functional and strength training, cardio and Pilates, in individual sessions or group classes, the fitness program focuses on motivating cruisers to achieve their goals. 
Fitness Center: The program offers fitness assessments and Technogym Artis equipment. Workout-inclined cruisers will appreciate the broad range of cardio and strength-training equipment. 
Fitness Studio: Take part in tailor-made Technogym classes designed specifically for Explora Journeys. The studio also features Pilates reformers to target core strength and balance. 
Open Air Fitness: Offering an unparalleled spectrum of fitness facilities with ultra-modern equipment that gives a nice variety of exercise options, this is a scenic area for solo or one-on-one training sessions. 
Running Track: Encircling the ship is an 820-foot track on which runners can enjoy ocean views while they crank out laps. 
Sports Court: This is the space for touchtennis, half-court basketball or yoga ritual experiences. 
In-Suite Fitness: All cruisers have the option of training in their ocean-front suites or on their suite terraces, encouraged by a virtual coach. This is made possible by Technogym Bench, the sleek strength-training station with enclosed tools, and Technogym Case Kit with its QR code access to a digital library of guided video exercises with trainers supported by Technogym. 
Yoga Programs: Choices include energy-flow power classes to replenish stamina and strength; sleep yoga to induce better nights of rest; relaxation yoga; mindfulness yoga to anchor body and mind through meditation; and immune-boosting yoga to support health and reduce anxiety via pranayama breathing techniques.
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Hike and Flight: St. Mary’s Glacier in Idaho Springs

3/3/2022

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By John Roberts
The Hike: St. Mary's Glacier in the Arapaho National Forest 
The Flight: Craft ciders at Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery in Idaho Springs 
St. Mary's Glacier is a signature day hike in Colorado and a wonderful outing for both visitors and residents in the state. The trailhead is located at: St. Mary's Glacier Trailhead, St. Mary's Drive, Idaho Springs. This is located just over an hour from Denver and up a switchback road to a well-marked parking lot just before that trailhead, which begins at 10,400 feet in elevation. 
There is a $5 parking fee (self-pay in a provided envelope and mail slot). The route climbs to just past 11,000 feet once you reach the glacier. St. Mary's Glacier might not be technically a glacier these days as it is not flowing under its own weight any more. Instead, it's a semi-permanent ice field and still an impressive sight once you get there. I loved scaling the steep hill to the ice field and soaking in the 360-degree views on a sunny day when I first hiked it on March 1, 2022. 
The hike is about 2.5 miles out and back. The first scenic location is at 1 mile into the hike at St. Mary's Lake. This is a great spot to rest because the route is a steep uphill at the start until you get to the lake.  
This is a wonderful place for a picnic, and you can even go in for a swim during warmer months. A path to the right of the lake brings you around to the hill that you climb to get to the ice field.  
You can cross-country ski, enjoy snowshoeing and even go sledding or snowboarding down from the ice field. 
This hike is combined well with a lunch at flight at Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery, located about 20 minutes away in the historic town of Idaho Springs. Clear Creek has a nice menu filled with comfort foods, including a great cheeseburger. You can choose from about nine ciders on tap to build a flight. 
I had the Lavender Lemonade, Agave Peach, Cherry Glider and Alma (apples and honey).
Check out our Colorado Craft Brewery Guide to find more great craft beer spots around the state.

Thanks for reading.
Happy hiking and sipping!
JR
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St. Mary's Lake
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A view from the glacier.
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My lunch and flight at Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery.
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Cruising with SeaDream: Six Ways to Stay Active on SeaDream II

2/25/2022

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Colleen and I loved the outdoor dining on SeaDream II. Plus, the food all week was amazing!
By John Roberts 
Over the years, many friends I have met while cruising on other lines have mentioned SeaDream Yacht Club, consistently raving about how these small-ship voyages were among their favorite travel experiences. 
These conversations made me eager to take a trip with SeaDream, and I finally sailed one of the line's two ships, SeaDream II, cruising in the Bahamas and to the Dominican Republic for a winter getaway in early 2022. The weather in January makes the conditions a little cooler in the Caribbean, so we faced days of choppy sailing and rain that limited some of the activities that we would have loved to try.  
However, the service and cuisine stood out, and Colleen and I quickly realized why our friends love cruising with SeaDream Yacht Club. Within in moments of walking up the gangway to board the 112-passenger ship, Capt. Michael Macleod grabbed our luggage and said he would make sure it was delivered to our cabin. (Yes, the captain!) 
Then, as we settled in for a drink in the ship's lounge while we waited our turn to check in, Frank, the sommelier and an 18-year veteran on SeaDream, joined to welcome us aboard and ask whether there was anything he could do for us -- like maybe have him give us a personal tour of the ship he called home. 
This is how it went all week, with all staffers greeting us every day with smiles and fabulous service, never failing to make every effort to grant any and all requests. We saw it happening throughout SeaDream II for all of our fellow passengers, too. 
Bartenders Gareth and Byron kept our glasses filled and passengers laughing with friendly banter and tales of their home country, South Africa. Hotel manager Jamie made a special run while ashore in the Bahamas to grab a batch of island brews -- Kalik -- for us after learning we were interested in a different variety of beers during the sailing.
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In addition, Chef Alistair and his crew in the galley crafted the most incredible menus for our daily meals. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners all had a diverse array of flavorful cuisine, and it truly was hard to choose from all the fantastic options.  
It's a good thing that we could indulge a bit during our voyage without feeling too guilty. This is because the ship also features multiple ways to stay active and work out during your cruise. 
That means SeaDream Yacht Club fits perfectly with our travel style, offering the ideal mix of food, fun and active adventures. 
Here are six ways you can earn your extra calories on a SeaDream cruise:
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The water sports marina sits at the back of SeaDream II.
Marina Sports 
Several cruise lines offer ships with a water sports marina that opens at the back of the vessel to allow cruisers to get on the water for sports like swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. However, SeaDream Yacht Club has the most-impressive lineup of activities we've ever seen. 
We sailed in the Caribbean and would have loved to try all the toys that SeaDream II carries, but the choppy seas throughout our week meant that the activities team couldn't open the marina. 
Here's what they offer, though. In addition to kayaks and paddleboards, you can go sailing on the ship's Hobie Cat catamaran, jet skiing, tubing, water skiing, take banana boat rides and use the floating trampoline, as well as swimming and snorkeling.
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Fitness Center 
SeaDream II has a big gym. It's especially large, I think, for a ship that carries just more than 100 passengers. We were able to do everything in this fitness center that we could do at our gym back home. It's equipped with an elliptical machine, spin bike (we used our Peloton app to take a class), treadmills and a nice batch of resistance equipment. 
We used the universal machine and dumbbells, as well as the kettle bells, yoga mats and foam rollers to get well-rounded daily workouts.  
Tai Chi and Yoga Sessions 
The daily program includes morning yoga or Tai Chi classes. Members of the spa team are self-taught in yoga and Tai Chi and lead these informal sessions for passengers outdoors on deck when the weather is nice (or inside when it's too chilly or raining), and these classes are a wonderful way to get the blood flowing and your mind right for another fun day of your voyage.
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Beach Running 
Though rough at sea, the weather was ideal for runs and hiking while ashore in the Bahamas (we visited Nassau, San Salvador Island and Compass Cay) and the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata and Isla Saona). During the stop at Compass Cay, we went on a long hike and run along a beautiful and secluded sandy beach. This warmed us up nicely for a swim in the blue waters to cool off. 
At San Salvador Island, we took a run to a beach, where again we were alone except for a couple fishermen. SeaDream Yacht Club sails to stunning small ports where you don't have to deal with crowds and can easily blend into the fabric of the daily life of the residents.  
So, if you are an avid jogger, hiker or walker, there are brilliant opportunities to go out and explore on your own this way at your port stops.
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Biking 
SeaDream ships carry a fleet of about 10 bikes, so you can also check these out for rides around town. Some ports will be better for this than others. You can imagine riding along the waterside on well-developed paths in Europe, for example.

Snorkeling and Swimming
While you can jump in and splash around off the back of the ship when the marina is open at certain port calls, you also get excellent opportunities to swim and snorkel when you cruise with SeaDream Yacht Club. 
We went swimming from the beach almost every day of our trip, and the ships stock snorkel equipment that you cab to use on your own whenever you get the urge to spend some of your time snorkeling at your destination.

We had a special time on our mid-winter trip, but there was no way to do it all. Now, we'll plan to get back on for another sailing to enjoy everything a SeaDream cruise has to offer.
 
Thanks for reading,
JR
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