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.

View from the top deck from on board the Explora I

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.

Scenic and colorful street, and homes in Stavanger, Norway

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.

Exterior of the Explora I at a port

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.

Interior of a guest room on board the Explora I

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.

The lobby bar on board the Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

Its amazing, isnt it?

The dining room and a dish with caviar and gold flakes from on board the Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

The enclosed pool on board the Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

The spiral staircase and an outdoor deck shower from on board the Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure