When it comes to planning a European honeymoon, many couples dream of experiencing multiple countries, incredible food, breathtaking coastal views and unforgettable cultural experiences and all in one trip. However, between flights, train schedules, hotel check-ins and packing up every few days, even the most exciting itinerary can quickly become exhausting. Enter luxury cruising. Offering the chance to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations without sacrificing comfort, a boutique cruise combines five-star accommodation, world class dining and effortless travel into one unforgettable honeymoon experience. Travel writer Lisa Perkovic recently stepped aboard Explora Journeys, Explora I to discover whether a European cruise could redefine romance at sea.

European honeymoons confuse me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Europe, but it’s an ambitious spot for the most romantic getaway of your life. There’s Autobahns, ferry terminals, trains, planes, and usually a few cobblestones to tackle. That was my thinking until I boarded an Explora Journeys cruise. The luxury cruise line’s ships are designed like ultra luxe, extra chic boutique hotels, but it’s not just the interiors that catch my breath. Here’s five reasons you’ll be packing your cruise clothes in no time.

  1. The great European tour tick

Ambitious newlyweds, you know who you are. Your holidays often involve month long jaunts, with a new country every few days and a jam packed itinerary.

We board Explora I in Istanbul, spend 30 minutes unpacking our suitcases into the walk-in-wardrobe and voilà. The ship hops between Turkey and Greece for the next seven days. We discover a new city every day, watching ancient forts and fishing villages disappear into the distance with a Negroni in hand from the comfort of the open-air hot tub. No navigating, no driving, no worries.

  1. Fine dining and French champagne

Explora Journeys sailings are all-inclusive, but remove any preconceptions you might have about all-inclusive holidays and reorientate them towards the likes of bluefin tuna sashimi, dry-aged steaks, crisp glasses of French champagne and pretty high tea carts. This is about beautiful food and fantastic wine (and cocktails, and spirits) to accompany them. We dine at Sakura on gyoza and zesty sake cocktails, before moving on to the sashimi and sushi menu. At Marble & Co. Grill, the crushed fingerling potatoes and caviar starter is legendary but I make a beeline straight for a French Aubrac filet and a glass of Bordeaux red. At Med Yacht Club, my sage and ricotta tortellini, followed by a hazelnut semifreddo that resembles a giant Ferrero Roche, is a meal I’ll be remembering for a long time. Between the seafood and charcuterie boards at the Emporium Marketplace and the dainty French dishes at Fille Rouche, we don’t make it to the degustation at Anthology. Next time.

  1. Port control

Explora Journeys is owned by the Aponte family. They’ve designed every inch of the ships from the top to bottom  and beyond that, the itineraries are based on tried and tested family holidays. So, you will find Explora I, Explora II, and soon to be Explora III ticking off the blockbuster ports like Civitavecchia (Rome) and Barcelona, but also expect to spend your time in smaller locations the more mainstream cruise lines don’t prioritise.  We spend a special morning in Samos, birthplace of Pythagoras, and home to the prettiest crescent-shaped harbour I’ve seen. In Bodrum, we rub shoulders with the super yachts before heading ashore to find hole in the wall bakeries selling sweet sesame scrolls I still daydream about.

  1. Serious self-care

Have you ever been to a spa with its very own fireplace? Neither have I. Did I mention we’re at sea? In my books that makes it even more special. I have The Spa to myself when I pop in halfway through our trip. I’d planned on a quick dip in the hydrotherapy pool, but the fireplace, my book and a cosy lounge bed were calling. Plus, I needed time to pop into the salt cave. Complete with Himalayan salt brick walls and heated loungers, it’s the best kind of decompression zone.

Wellness is serious business on this ship. I balance out spa time with trips to the top deck pickleball courts. Sports Director Zack is at the courts every day, running workshops and friendly games for all skills levels. I skip the court twice to join outdoor bootcamp, with the gym PTs setting up weights, bikes and boxes at the bow of the ship. We have the tunes, a 250m running track and the promise of the Emporium Marketplace’s excellent smashed avocado toast directly below to put us through our paces. The outdoor gym is one of the best at sea, though I head inside to try out the weights room and Pilates classes too.

  1. Suite life

Ever dreamt of spending a few nights in a penthouse suite? Explora I is an all-suite ship. Every cabin has a balcony and at a bare minimum king-size bed, smart TV, heated bathroom floors, walk-in-wardrobe, Dyson hairdryer, mini bar, its own mini-library, day bed on the balcony and access to 24/7 room service. There are 67 Penthouse suites, and even more spectacular, 22 Residences, where they up the ante and you’ll have access to a butler 24/7 and your very own outdoor whirlpool.

There’s nine different spots to dine on board and 64 cabanas perched around pools and decks, but there’s a few afternoons we end up on our own balcony, watching the waves go by. A bottle of red wine, a fior de latte pizza, plus tiramisu offer a very compelling evening in. My verdict is it doesn’t seem to matter where you stay, on this ship you’ll be wined, dined and well rested.

So eight days after boarding our ship, we arrive in Athens early in the morning. We’ve toured ancient ruins and modern art galleries, dined in French brasseries and Italian trattorias, stretched out by the pool, sipped Spritz’s as the sun went down, and only now do we pull out the bags and put on our travelling clothes. Cruising with Explora I has taken European honeymoons into a whole new territory.

About the Author: Lisa Perkovic has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.

Photographs courtesy of Explora Journeys