Explora's Ocean Wellness Retreats set sail this fall

Published on Aug 11, 2025, 3:18 pm CDT

6 min read

Explora Journeys will introduce Ocean Wellness Retreats, a new series of immersive, one-day programs offered during Grand Journeys aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II in October and November 2025. The curated sessions draw on Eastern and Western traditions, pairing yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and guided reflection with unhurried sea days. The line says guests may join multiple retreats on the same voyage, choosing what fits their pace and interests. Launch sailings run from Venice's port of Fusina to Miami, and from Barcelona to Bridgetown. Pricing starts at €199 per guest.

Key Points

Why it matters: Wellness at sea continues to grow, and Explora packages it into flexible, one-day retreats.
Travel impact: Programs are available on two Grand Journeys this fall with à-la-carte pricing.
What's next: Bookings are open; spaces are limited to maintain a calm, small-group feel.
Guests receive a cotton tote, lavender eye pillow, booklet, and turndown amenity with each retreat.

Snapshot

Marketed as a sanctuary at sea, Ocean Wellness Retreats blend Surya Shakti Yoga, pranayama breathwork, sound healing, and starlit Gong Baths to encourage inner peace and emotional renewal. Sessions are designed for all levels and can be stacked across several days, letting travelers curate a personal path to rest and resilience. Each retreat includes guidance from expert practitioners plus thoughtful take-home touches, such as a 100 percent cotton yoga tote and an organic hemp and cotton, lavender-infused eye pillow. The experiences debut on two late-season Grand Journeys, giving guests long ocean stretches to unplug between culturally rich port calls.

Background

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean brand from MSC Group, has framed its ships around an "Ocean Wellness" philosophy, highlighting the restorative power of time at sea. The concept spans dedicated spaces, rituals, and programming that aim to balance energy, sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, and immunity. Ocean Wellness Retreats extend that approach into focused, single-day experiences that layer movement, sound, and reflective practices. "Travel can nurture the mind, body and soul," said Julanda Marais, the brand's head of ocean wellness, noting the retreats help guests slow down and reconnect with the sea's calming energy. The brand's broader wellness pages detail how onboard environments and expert-led sessions seek to spark lasting wellbeing beyond the voyage. For more on Explora's wellness vision, see the Ocean Wellness overview. https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/life-on-explora/ocean-wellness?utm_source=adept.travel.

Latest Developments

Lineup and pricing for the one-day retreats

Each Ocean Wellness Retreat day pairs active practice with introspection, balancing Surya Shakti Yoga and pranayama with sound healing, guided reflection, and optional Gong Baths under the stars. Guests may book more than one day, and each booking includes a cotton tote, lavender-infused eye pillow, Ocean Wellness booklet, and a turndown amenity. Launch pricing is listed per guest at €199 (EUR), about $231.00 (USD) for one day; €358, about $416.00, for two; and €508, about $590.40, for three, with additional multi-day options available. Conversions are based on the European Central Bank's reference of €1 equals about $1.16 on August 11, 2025. Full retreat details are published on Explora's press page, which also confirms availability limited to Grand Journeys on EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II. https://explorajourneys.com/nl/en/press-and-media/press/explora-journeys-presents-new-ocean-wellness-retreats?utm_source=adept.travel.

Where and when to sail

Two Grand Journeys host the fall rollout. EXPLORA I operates A Grand Journey of European Gems and Tropical Idylls from October 18 through November 12, 2025, sailing from Fusina, near Venice, to Miami via Mediterranean icons and Caribbean calls. EXPLORA II runs A Grand Journey between Sweet Mint Tea and Lava Caves from November 11 through 22, 2025, departing Barcelona and finishing in Bridgetown with visits that include Tangier and Gran Canaria. Explora notes that guests can attend multiple retreat days during these longer sailings. For itinerary specifics on the EXPLORA I program, see the journey page. https://explorajourneys.com/ca/en/destinations-globe/tra/journeys/fsamia-25-v1?id-journey=EX20251018FSAMIA&utm_source=adept.travel.

Analysis

Explora Journeys is betting that travelers want flexible, high-quality wellness without committing to a full themed voyage. The one-day format lowers the barrier to entry and fits how many guests actually cruise, sampling options between port days rather than locking into a rigid schedule. Pricing, while premium, compares with land-based day retreats at upscale properties and aligns with the brand's luxury positioning. The included take-home items also extend the experience beyond the ship, reinforcing habits that outlast the holiday.

The move lands in a market where cruise wellness is expanding from classic spa menus to whole-ship philosophies and sensory experiences, such as sound baths, thermal circuits, and sleep-focused programming. Media roundups over the past year have spotlighted lines elevating wellness through distinctive offerings, from Tibetan sound sessions to Roman-inspired bathing rituals, a signal that wellness has become a core differentiator rather than a side attraction. Explora's approach, anchored in its Ocean Wellness ethos, positions the brand among leaders tailoring restorative time at sea to modern expectations.

Availability is limited to two late-season Grand Journeys, which suggests Explora is testing and refining the model before scaling. If uptake is strong, expect the line to expand retreat days to more voyages or bundle them into themed seasons. For now, the fall timing is smart, pairing quiet ocean stretches with temperate weather, fewer families, and a traveler set inclined toward mindful experiences.

Final Thoughts

Ocean Wellness Retreats give you structured ways to unplug without surrendering spontaneity. The one-day design means guests can try breathwork one day, then add sound healing or night-sky Gong Baths later in the voyage. With long crossings on two Grand Journeys, the setting does much of the work, granting rare stretches of calm between colorful ports. If the pilot resonates, it could shape how cruise lines package wellness in 2026. For travelers who want meaning with their miles at sea, this is a timely blend of luxury and intention, and a thoughtful entry point to ocean wellness retreats.