New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys just launched Explora I, a 461-suite ship.
Of course, shed have help.
Back then, theyll tell you, the fishermen could just scoop spratt right into the boat.
Credit:Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
Not that Id expected to learn any of this.
In fact, Id never even heard of Stavanger until a few weeks before I arrived.
Not that the other stops along the way lacked for pleasure.
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
The most impressive vessel of the trip, though, was theExplora I.
(Theyve also got heated marble floors in the bathrooms and Dyson hair dryers in the walk-in closets.)
The onboard restaurants are also excellent.
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
(The tuna carpaccio alla puttanesca was, for me, a particular highlight.)
Sourcing superlative luxury seems to be a specialty of Explora.
In between the extravagance, the onboard experience is as serene as youd expect from a premium cruise line.
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
Then, he surprised me with a question.
Did you go to the canning museum in Stavanger?
he asked, before Id had the chance to fill him in on my memorable morning.
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
Its amazing, isnt it?
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure
Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure