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The Kensington’s Over-the-Top Marie Antoinette Stay Lets You Eat Cake

September 9, 2025

London has no shortage of royal attractions, but this autumn the spotlight falls on France’s most infamous queen. On September 20, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens its first major exhibition devoted to Marie Antoinette, on view through March 22, 2026. Sponsored by Manolo Blahnik, the show promises a lavish look at the monarch’s world through extravagant gowns, sky-high wigs, glittering jewels and decorative arts on loan from Versailles.

Just blocks away, The Kensington, a Doyle Collection property known for its townhouse style and residential feel, is rolling out a suitably regal experience: The V&A Experience: Marie Antoinette Style package. Guests booking the one-night stay will receive guaranteed tickets to the exhibition — even when sold out — along with accommodations in a room or suite with Juliet balcony or marble-clad bathroom.

Sweet touches abound. Parisian treats inspired by the queen’s era, from Debauve & Gallais chocolate pistoles to Nina’s Versailles-blend tea, await in-room. The highlight is the hotel’s cheeky “Let Us Eat Cake” afternoon tea. Pastel-coloured pastries, lemon shortbread and savoury pink brioche sandwiches arrive on fine bone china, paired with Champagne, tea or the signature Queen’s Coupe cocktail. The ritual feels like stepping into an 18th-century salon, albeit with contemporary London polish.

For travellers who like their cultural immersion with a dash of decadence, the pairing of the V&A’s landmark show and The Kensington’s indulgent touches is a match made in Versailles heaven.

Culture, Cuisine, and Concerts: Ponant’s 2026 Cruises Are Floating Masterclasses

September 9, 2025

Luxury expedition line Ponant Explorations has long championed the idea that travel should educate as well as enchant. For 2026, the French-flagged fleet is doubling down with six new expert-led themed voyages that bring together culinary icons, art historians, geopolitical leaders and musicians for a series of journeys designed to deepen passengers’ connections to the world.

Food lovers can embark on Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily (April 11–19, 2026), sailing roundtrip from Valletta aboard Le Dumont d’Urville. On board, Sicilian food authority Fabrizia Lanza will lead tastings and talks, with acclaimed oenologist Laetitia Ouspointour offering wine pairings and Italian star chef Denny Imbroisi curating menus. Ashore, guests will explore how Greek, Roman, Arabic and Norman influences shaped the island’s kitchen.

Art takes centre stage on itineraries tied to the 61st Venice Biennale. One voyage sails from Valletta to Venice (July 1–9, 2026) with private access to Pinault Collection spaces such as Palazzo Grassi, guided by Christie’s specialist Kathryn Widing. Another departs from Nice (July 10–18, 2026) to explore the French and Italian Rivieras and Corsica, with visits to homes where Renoir and Picasso once worked, and lectures by Ottavia Marchitelli and G. Max Bernheimer of Christie’s.

Culture extends into performance with Sailing the Mediterranean with the Paris Opera Ballet (July 29–August 6, 2026), which includes exclusive shows both onboard Le Boréal and ashore in Corsica and Tuscany. Music aficionados may prefer A Symphony at Sea: The Musical Traditions of Greece (October 18–25, 2026), with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and fellow musicians performing throughout the voyage.

For travellers seeking a different kind of expertise, A World Affairs Voyage (August 26–September 5, 2026) journeys from Copenhagen to London with Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, leading discussions that link historic ports to current geopolitics.

“Each voyage is designed to offer meaningful engagement with the cultural fabric, historical context and contemporary significance of the places we explore,” says Samuel Chamberlain, Ponant’s CEO of the Americas. Fares begin around CAD $7,500, with all-inclusive amenities from Michelin-inspired dining to shore excursions in each port.

Toronto’s Water/Fall Festival is Ready to Make a Splash

September 9, 2025

This September, Toronto will welcome a new festival that puts water centre stage. From September 20 to 28, the inaugural Water/Fall Festival will spill across the city with large-scale art installations, live performances, and thought-provoking talks exploring the beauty and urgency of our relationship with water.

Anchored at Harbourfront Centre and Ontario Place, the programming will ripple into public squares, waterfront parks and even unexpected downtown nooks. One highlight is the Urban Waterfall Project, a towering installation designed to surprise visitors with a dramatic rush of sound and spray in the heart of the city. Another is Reflections, an outdoor projection series that transforms building façades into moving canvases of glimmering water imagery after dark. Families can join hands-on workshops at Harbourfront, while Ontario Place will host multimedia experiences and concerts with water-inspired soundscapes.

The festival isn’t just about spectacle. Curators have invited scientists, Indigenous water protectors, artists and urbanists to share ideas through panels and dialogues, including sessions on clean-water equity and the future of sustainable cities. For the playful at heart, there are interactive elements such as misting walkways and a “river soundscape” where visitors can stroll through shifting audio streams.

“Water is life, water is story, and water is play,” says artistic director Ravi Jain. “The Water/Fall Festival is a way of reminding Torontonians that water shapes our city and our future.” The nine-day celebration will culminate in a closing night performance at Ontario Place featuring a full symphonic score set to projected visuals of waterfalls from around the world.

Free to attend and spread across multiple venues, Water/Fall promises to be both a spectacle and a conversation starter — a reminder that the most ordinary element of our lives can make for some pretty extraordinary moments.

Cape Town Cool: Wine and Wellness in South Africa’s Capital

September 9, 2025

Ann Ruppenstein explores South Africa’s second largest city by helicopter, sidecar, Jeep and on foot and discovers why this captivating coastal destination — along with a little bit of wine and wellness — is good for the soul.

As our convoy of Jeep Wranglers — blood red, bright yellow and dark grey — zipped past striking views of the imposing Table Mountain range towards miles of sloped vineyards, tour guide Marzahn Botha shared that Capetonians have found the perfect antidote for those suffering from a bad case of grouchiness.

“How can you look at a penguin and still stay angry?” Botha, a driver with the all-female operated Jeep Tours Cape Town, says smiling from behind the steering wheel.

The first stop on our road trip adventure is Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins that multiplied from two breeding pairs in 1982 to more than 2,000 penguins, garnering a reputation as a must-see on itineraries to South Africa’s second largest city.

While I’m certainly not in a bad mood on arrival, as I witnessed several penguins waddle down the beach with their stubby legs to submerge into the water, I couldn’t help but feel happy. “The beach has these huge granite boulders and that’s where the name Boulders Beach comes from,” she explains.

Topping penguin thrills is not an easy feat, but as we rounded the corner at the nearby Cape Point Vineyards estate a short while later and encounter sommelier Sifiso waiting on the side of the road with bottles of chilled wine ready to hold a private hillside wine tasting overlooking the Atlantic coast, I’m ready and willing to give it a shot. After a glass (or two in the name of research) of the reserve Sauvignon Blanc that’s been aged in French Oak barrels and made to “carry the characteristics of a completely different grape — chardonnay,” we head to the main building of the winery for a Braai luncheon, a local term for a social gathering of friends and family where the meat is prepared over an open fire or an outdoor grill for an experience that lives up to the name.

(PSA: it’s not only handy to have a DD so you can delve into the local wine scene while on tour, it can also be a wise idea since South Africans drive on the left side of the road, which can be a little daunting for North American travellers. Day trips are fully customizable and can include wine tastings at notable estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia or thrilling rides through white sand dunes).

Back in the Jeep, stuffed, with the top down and the wind blowing in my hair, the journey continued along Chapman’s Peak Drive. Admiring the dramatic coastal views, it’s easy to see why this stretch of the road constantly gets named as one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The winding road has 114 curves and rivals the Road to Hana in Maui or the Amalfi Coast in Italy for its beauty. “I think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Botha notes, approaching a section of the road that is cut into the side of a mountain scape on the edge of the water.

The colours of Bo Kaap

Next up, we’ve traded in our Jeeps to explore Bo-Kaap, a historic community known for its vivid and colourful houses, on foot. Along with hands-on culinary lessons, Zayed Harris of Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour provides insights into the significance of the neighbourhood that was long populated by slaves. In front of a lime green and a hot pink house, Harris explained that during the Apartheid era, people of colour were restricted from owning property in the area.

Fast forward to 1980, at the height of the political struggle of South Africa, Bo-Kaap was at the heart of the struggle in Cape Town.

For the first time, residents were able to own the homes their families had lived in for hundreds of years.

“It was a huge thing for us to finally own this piece of property,” Harris said. “So, we grabbed our savings, we bought the house and we found the cheapest paint we could find,” Harris continued.

“Like naughty kids with crayons, we went crazy with colour.”

While the pastel-painted houses still represent an expression of freedom, identity and cultural heritage, he said the colours change frequently, with the only rule being that you can’t paint your house the same colour as your neighbours’ house. “Next time you’re here and you think, now wasn’t that house green before? It probably was, the owner just got sick of it,” he notes, adding that it’s common for owners to slap on a fresh coat of paint every two to five years.

Today, Harris’ family focuses on teaching visitors how to make traditional Cape Malay dishes ranging from spicy curries to stews, roti and samosas. “Cape Malay cuisine is synonymous with Cape Town; you won’t find this anywhere else in the world,” he says. Joining his mom and sister, we try our hand at preparing a lunch feast loaded with culinary traditions. The best part, of course, is getting to taste our creations, which are delicious beyond words.

For another amazing vantage point, the coast of Cape Town is a sight to behold from above. Taking to the skies with NAC Helicopters Cape Town is another uplifting experience. Soaring over Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent most of his prison sentence to seeing the coastal mansions in the affluent Clifton suburb area against the backdrop of the Lion’s Head peak jetting out 669 metres in the air, the flight is nothing short of spectacular. The experience kicks off with a glass of bubbly and a walk down a red carpet to meet your pilot, setting the tone for what’s to come.

But the one experience that garnered the most envy from those back home was hitting the open road with Cape Sidecar Adventures in a sidecar attached to a vintage motorbike.

As we started passing through the city, we attracted attention from countless onlookers who smiled and waved as we zoomed by. Pulling into the 12 Apostles Mountain Range, which actually has 18 peaks, I step out of my sweet ride and stand in awe of the scenery.

Wherever your own adventure in Cape Town takes you, it’ll no doubt have some good views. And if you’re ever in doubt or in a bad mood, head to the penguins.

This story first appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to subscribe to the digital magazine.

Keefer House: Vancouver’s Next-Gen Aparthotel Blends Design, Tech, and Neighbourhood Soul

August 26, 2025

Vancouver’s historic Chinatown will soon welcome a new neighbour — one that feels equal parts stylish loft, boutique hotel, and cultural hub. In October 2025, Keefer House, the latest project from Kalido Hospitality Group (the team behind Yaletown’s Smithe House), is set to redefine what it means to check in, drop your bags, and truly live like a local. Bookings are now open.

SipUnlike traditional hotels, Keefer House leans into the comforts of an extended-stay residence without skimping on polish. Each thoughtfully designed apartment comes with a full kitchen, in-suite laundry, and a curated interior aesthetic — natural woods, cool greys, soft neutrals, and cheeky pops of mustard yellow. The finishing touch? A gallery-worthy collection from Canadian art brand Opposite Wall.

Select apartments include private balconies, but the crown jewels are the Terrace and Rooftop Apartments, where oversized outdoor spaces meet elevated extras: vintage record players for spinning vinyl at sunset, and (coming soon) a welcome package from Vancouver’s cult-favourite Keefer Bar next door.

A Rooftop Sunset, A City at Your Feet

Keefer House is as much about what lies outside its doors as within. Perched at the nexus of Chinatown, Gastown, and the Arena District, the aparthotel drops you into Vancouver’s most electric grid. Sip cocktails at award-winning bars, wander through the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, catch a stadium show, or grab late-night dumplings just down the block.

True to its ethos of embedding travellers in the community, Keefer House collaborates with beloved Vancouver makers and brands: Pallet Coffee for your morning fix, Tealeaves for a calming brew, Fable for elevated dining essentials, and TALLU for natural skincare amenities. Even the rooftop communal space and on-site gym are designed as gathering spots, encouraging connections among extended-stay guests.

The Future of Travel, Rooted in Place

Keefer House is Kalido’s second Vancouver aparthotel, following the success of Smithe House in Yaletown, and part of a broader vision for tech-forward, design-driven accommodations across British Columbia. For travellers — whether creatives settling in for a month-long residency, or business nomads balancing meetings with neighbourhood explorations — it offers a compelling mix: flexibility, character, and a front-row seat to the city’s cultural pulse.

Opening October 2025, Keefer House is set to be less about checking into a room and more about plugging into Vancouver itself.

Discover the Heart of Southeast Asia on This 20-Day Trip

August 25, 2025

To mark its 20th anniversary, luxury tour operator Remote Lands has unveiled a new itinerary that reads more like a cultural pilgrimage than a vacation. Listen Closely: A Journey Through Southeast Asia is a 20-day exploration across Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, designed to spotlight connection, cultural depth, and responsible travel — the very principles the company was founded on two decades ago.

Instead of racing through temples and ticking boxes, this trip slows the pace and leans into presence. Travellers are invited to look past the postcard-perfect scenery and immerse themselves in the people, stories, and traditions that define the region today. The focus is on experiences that feel intimate and transformative — the kind of moments that lodge themselves in memory long after the journey ends.

Imagine receiving a private blessing from the head monk at Wat Mai in Luang Prabang, then rising at dawn to witness the centuries-old alms procession in silence. Or sailing along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River after a twilight tour of Wat Pho, when the reclining Buddha seems even more otherworldly without the crowds. In Cambodia, guests meet Khmer Rouge survivors, war veterans, and social entrepreneurs whose voices give shape to the country’s complex history and its forward-looking resilience.

Unforgettable Encounters

Some of the most powerful encounters unfold in unexpected places. In Bangkok’s Klong Toei neighbourhood, a cooking class doubles as a social enterprise, where preparing a meal becomes a lesson in hope. In Hanoi and Siem Reap, artisans who are deaf or working with repurposed bullet casings show how creativity can transform lives — and futures.

Travellers also head into rural Cambodia, where they meet families whose daily lives have been transformed by access to clean water, supported by sustainable aid programs. And yes, there’s even a chance to meet Cambodia’s famous landmine-detecting rats — unlikely but heroic creatures that continue to save countless lives.

More Than a Milestone

Remote Lands conceived this anniversary journey as a celebration not just of its past but of the future of meaningful travel. By weaving in social enterprises, spiritual traditions, and personal storytelling, Listen Closely underscores how luxury travel can be about far more than indulgence.

For travellers craving a trip that pairs style with substance — and adventure with responsibility — this 20-day Southeast Asia journey offers an invitation to do more than just see the world. It’s a chance to listen closely, connect deeply, and step inside the soul of a region that rewards curiosity at every turn.

Sail to the North Pole Aboard This Luxury Icebreaker

August 25, 2025

For many travellers, reaching the North Pole sits at the edge of imagination—a destination that seems more mythical than real. In 2027, PONANT will make that dream a little more tangible with a new series of 12-night expeditions aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker.

Launching from Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, the voyages (departing July 27, August 8, August 20, and September 1) are designed to shorten the epic journey north without diminishing its sense of wonder. Guests will push through shifting ice floes and sculpted fjords, following a route that culminates at 90° North—the geographic North Pole, where few humans have ever stood.

Days are dictated by the rhythm of the Arctic itself: the ship’s reinforced hull carving through vast ice fields, the possibility of spotting a polar bear pacing the floes, or watching a pod of whales slip across the glassy surface. Zodiac outings, ice landings, kayaking, snowshoeing, and even the polar plunge bring guests closer still, while a stop in Ny-Ålesund connects them with the stories of early explorers and today’s scientific community.

Life on Board

If the destination feels otherworldly, life on board is anything but austere. Le Commandant Charcot—the same ship that made history in 2022 as the first passenger vessel to reach the North Pole—balances frontier exploration with refined French style. Every suite comes with a private balcony or terrace, while public spaces invite lingering: the glass-walled Observation Lounge, the firelit Main Lounge, or the open-air Blue Lagoon deck, complete with heated benches.

Dining is a highlight, anchored by Nuna—the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea—where French culinary artistry meets the stark backdrop of the polar environment. After days on the ice, guests can retreat to the spa for Biologique Recherche treatments, unwind in the snow room and sauna, or swim in the indoor pool.

Purposeful Exploration

For PONANT, these journeys aren’t just about luxury in remote places—they’re also about responsibility. Le Commandant Charcot is powered by a hybrid LNG-electric propulsion system, engineered to reduce environmental impact while navigating uncharted ice. The ship also serves as a platform for scientific research, cultural exchange, and environmental stewardship.

As Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of PONANT Explorations Group, Americas, puts it: “This journey to the Geographic North Pole offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Arctic as few ever have. Coupled with our French flair for hospitality, this is purposeful exploration at its finest—providing today’s time-strapped travellers with the rare opportunity for transformative discovery.”

Six Top Dog-Friendly Hotels Around the Globe

August 25, 2025

For many travellers, a getaway doesn’t feel complete without a wagging tail trotting alongside. Still, not every hotel rolls out the welcome mat for four-legged guests in equal measure. The properties below go far beyond “pet-friendly” to transform a stay into a genuine holiday for both you and your dog. From Canadian castles to Manhattan glamour and Cabo beach cabanas, here are six of the world’s best dog-friendly hotels.

Kimpton Saint George — Toronto, Canada

Toronto’s Kimpton Saint George embodies ease and inclusivity for pet owners. The brand’s famous motto applies here: “If your pet fits through the door, they’re welcome.” That means no size restrictions, no breed limitations, no deposits, and no hidden fees. Dogs are treated to loaner beds, food and water bowls, courtesy bags for walks, and even a concierge list of the best pet-friendly cafés, parks, and patios around the Annex neighbourhood.

It’s the kind of policy that puts guests instantly at ease. Whether you’re travelling with a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, the Saint George makes sure your companion feels just as welcome as you do.

The Plaza — New York City, USA

If ever a hotel embodied glamour, it’s The Plaza (pictured above). And that elegance extends to dogs through its famous Pampered Pup Package. Imagine your pup wrapped in a miniature Plaza-branded bathrobe, lounging on a plush bed, and nibbling on a three-tiered tower of dog-friendly macarons made with oat flour, coconut oil, and yogurt filling — all washed down with a chilled bowl of Evian.

The robe, available in sizes from XXS to XXXL, is more than a prop; it’s a tongue-in-cheek nod to The Plaza’s place in New York legend. For owners, it’s a moment straight out of Eloise at the Plaza — only this time, the star guest is on four legs.

The Little Nell — Aspen, USA

Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out five-star hotel knows how to pamper. At The Little Nell, canine guests are treated almost as well as their celebrity owners. Dogs arrive to find house-made peanut butter treats, bowls, and beds waiting. They can dine from a dedicated pet menu, enjoy the services of professional dog walkers or sitters, and even benefit from a “Puppy Jet Lag Kit” designed to help them adjust to Aspen’s altitude.

Whether it’s après-ski or après-hike, pups curl up fireside or lounge on the patio while their owners sip fine wine. It’s five-star living, Aspen-style, with dogs included in every detail.

Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort — Los Cabos, Mexico

For indulgence, few resorts rival Las Ventanas — and that extends to its canine program. Here, a dedicated dog butler ensures every detail is handled, from beach walks to arranging “doga” sessions or a canine massage. Portable cabanas keep pups shaded by the pool or on the sand, while special menus feature freshly prepared meals. Planning a birthday trip? Staff will happily organize a paw-ty complete with cake.

It’s over-the-top in the best way, perfectly in tune with the resort’s reputation for luxurious escapism.

Encore at Wynn Las Vegas — Las Vegas, USA

Las Vegas is all about spectacle, and Encore at Wynn delivers it for pets too. The resort’s “Dog Companion” program greets pups with branded robes and toys, and offers a gourmet “Bone Appetite” room service menu — think Puppy Patty or Best in Show entrées. Guests can book dog-walking or sitting through the concierge, while pups sport a Wynn-branded neckerchief as a stylish keepsake.

Between people-watching on the Strip and sprawling in silky bedding, even the most pampered pooches will feel right at home in true Vegas style.

Fairmont Empress — Victoria, Canada

On Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the historic Fairmont Empress might be known for its turrets and afternoon tea, but it’s also quietly one of Canada’s most pet-forward luxury hotels. Here, dogs check in like royalty. Each receives a custom-sized bed, bowls, treats, a toy, and even a handwritten welcome note.

Better still, there’s no pet fee — a rarity at luxury properties. Outside, manicured lawns and a waterfront walkway make morning and evening strolls effortless. Staff are quick with suggestions for dog-friendly parks and cafés nearby, ensuring the experience is as seamless for four-legged guests as it is for their humans.

Going slow in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

August 25, 2025

There’s no sign for Tree House Bush Bar, only a narrow footpath climbing through dense greenery on a hillside in Bequia. But our guide walks with ease, ducking under branches until the trail opens onto a breezy clearing, where a raised wooden structure with a bright yellow roof sits tucked into the trees.

Inside, our chef grills fresh-caught lobster, which is currently in season, in a rustic open-air kitchen. We sip Hairoun, St. Vincent’s local beer, while taking in the sweeping, bird’s-eye view of the harbour. When the lobster arrives at our table, drenched in garlic butter, it’s every bit worth the wait. It’s a slower, more soulful kind of travel experience — unhurried, immersive and quietly unforgettable. And it captures the spirit of what travellers are finding across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Bequia, a seven-square-mile gem in this 32-island Caribbean nation, blends intriguing seafaring history with laid-back charm. Princess Margaret Beach — named after the royal who famously swam there in the ’50s — is one of the island’s most beloved stretches of sand. Pair a swim with a boat ride to Bar One, a floating cocktail bar bobbing just offshore. Inland, the Grenadine Salt Company offers small-batch sea salt harvested from the surrounding waters — a worthy souvenir.

From there, it’s on to the Tobago Cays, a string of uninhabited islets surrounded by a protected marine park, which is considered to be among of the best snorkelling spots in the Caribbean.

The shallow water is clear and teeming with life: sea turtles graze on seagrass beds while colourful fish dart between coral heads. After snorkelling, head to Petit Rameau island for lunch at Alphonso’s Lobster BBQ. Meals typically include local fish, coconut rice and plantains, served at shaded picnic tables right on the beach. It’s a castaway-style lunch, minus the roughing it.

Next, we arrive in Canouan, an island known for its luxury resorts and sugar-white beaches. It’s home to Soho Beach House Canouan, the only Soho House property open to non-members, which offers stylish suites, beachview dining and the brand’s signature effortless sophistication.

Visitors can also enjoy the soft stretch of sand on Godahl Beach or book a spa treatment at the hilltop Mandarin Oriental. Just five square miles in size, Canouan delivers high-end amenities in a serene, uncrowded setting.

Our last day brings us to St. Vincent, the largest and most naturally dramatic of the islands. While many visitors skip it in favour of the Grenadines, those who linger find a wilder, more unexpected kind of beauty. Rainforest trails lead to rugged waterfalls, black-sand beaches line the coast and panoramic views stretch out from Fort Charlotte’s historic perch.

The island is also evolving: the new Sandals Saint Vincent, opened in March 2024, is drawing more travellers to its shores. The trip ends with a final dinner at Buccan, the resort’s open-fire restaurant, where Vincy-grown ingredients are grilled and served family-style.

Smoke curls into the evening air, the hearth crackles softly and each traditional dish reflects the island’s soothing rhythm. It’s a fitting end to a journey through the islands: where barefoot ease meets thoughtful indulgence, and every moment unfolds at its own pace.

This story first appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to subscribe to the digital magazine.

Explora Journeys Launches Ocean Wellness Retreats at Sea

August 12, 2025

For travellers who see the journey as just as transformative as the destination, Explora Journeys is setting a new course in seaborne self-care. This October and November, the luxury ocean travel brand will debut its Ocean Wellness Retreats — a series of immersive, one-day wellbeing programs offered exclusively on select Grand Journeys aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II.

Designed to restore balance and inspire deeper connection, the retreats blend Eastern and Western traditions into a curated mix of yoga, breathwork, sound healing and guided reflection. Mornings might begin with Surya Shakti Yoga and pranayama practice, while evenings could unfold under the stars with a meditative Gong Bath, the ocean’s natural soundtrack in the background. Guests are welcome to join multiple sessions during their voyage, allowing the experience to evolve as the days and horizons pass.

“The Ocean Wellness Retreats exemplify how travel can nurture the mind, body and soul,” says Julanda Marais, Head of Ocean Wellness for Explora Journeys. “They invite guests to slow down and reconnect — within themselves, and with the vast, calming energy of the sea.”

The retreats will debut on two distinct sailings: EXPLORA I’s 26-day journey from Venice to Miami, weaving through Mediterranean cultural gems and Caribbean shores (October 18–November 12, 2025), and EXPLORA II’s voyage from Barcelona to Barbados via Tangier, Gran Canaria and lush Caribbean isles (November 11–22, 2025).

With the luxury of time, spacious oceanfront suites, and a bespoke program led by top wellness experts — complete with thoughtful touches like a lavender-infused eye pillow and Ocean Wellness booklet — guests can expect more than relaxation. They can expect renewal.