The Edge | Issue 22 | Featured Article 2

What is Bleisure Travel?

Bleisure travel—where business and leisure converge—is redefining the art of travel. By extending work trips to include moments of relaxation and exploration, travelers are finding new ways to enrich both their professional and personal lives. Explora Journeys exemplifies this balance, offering luxurious ships equipped with cutting-edge connectivity, serene workspaces, and unparalleled amenities. Whether you’re attending virtual meetings from a chic lounge or unwinding after hours with fine dining and a view, Explora delivers seamless transitions between work and play.

A Closer Look at Explora Journeys

Aboard Explora II, every element has been designed to elevate the travel experience. Suites like the Grand Penthouse exude refined comfort, with private terraces, walk-in closets, and spa-inspired bathrooms. Culinary offerings are equally indulgent, featuring everything from freshly crafted sushi to exquisite Italian pastries. Wellness is woven into every moment, from ocean-inspired spa treatments to peaceful spaces for quiet reflection. Add curated cultural excursions to the mix, and you have a truly transformative setting for both productivity and leisure.

Advisory Board at Sea

The Travel Edge Advisory Board demonstrated the power of bleisure while aboard Explora II this past November. The ship served as a luxurious hub for brainstorming and innovation, with stunning Caribbean views as the backdrop. Explora’s commitment to personalized service, with a highly trained and meticulously selected team, created an environment of unmatched sophistication. Guests enjoyed world-class dining, innovative suite designs, and amenities that ensured both focus and relaxation. The result? A productive and inspiring journey that blended professional collaboration with indulgent moments.

Insights from Lara Alexander, member of The Travel Edge Advisory Board:

Here are just a few reasons why @ExploraJourneys newest ship, Explora II, was the perfect setting for the Advisory Committee retreat:

Sublime service. In contrast to other cruise lines, Explora Journeys has defied convention, and instead of allowing contract agencies to screen candidates, is individually evaluating and screening every single host onboard the ship. Let’s just say there’s a palpable difference when surrounded by highly experienced, hand-selected staff with a background in luxury service and an unmatched guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to 1.

Exquisite cuisine. You know you’re on a luxury cruise line with deep Italian roots when each and every onboard dining venue is a gastronomic masterpiece. From sashimi-grade tuna and A5 Japanese Wagyu to exquisite plant-based options and the best French pastries outside of France, it is apparent that no expense was spared to source the finest and highest quality ingredients.

Modern luxury. Touted as the most expensive cruise vessels ever built, Explora ships are the embodiment of refinement and innovation and no where is this most evident than the Ocean Suites... These homes-at-sea showcase incredible attention to detail and innovative space utilization, with spa showers, Japanese inspired Shoji sliding walls for added privacy, luxury Italian mattresses, appointments such as bookshelves and walk-in closets, all meant to make guests feel at home. It’s saying something about a cruise line when you never have to leave your stateroom to experience rejuvenation...

It is incredibly exciting to be able to witness first-hand how our host agency @WeAreTravelEdge is integrating the critical insight of our Advisory Committee to help us move forward through innovative and exciting events, programs and technology tools to take our businesses to the next level.

Explora Journeys is transforming luxury cruises into ocean journeys - and our experience has been nothing less. Contact us today to customize your next ocean journey in either the Carribean or Mediterranean with exclusive discounts and added amenities.

St. Lucia: A Perfect Detour

Even a packed business schedule benefits from a restorative break, and St. Lucia delivered in spades. Andy swapped his onboard office for a catamaran tour with Island Routes, discovering volcanic mud baths, cascading waterfalls, and postcard-perfect scenery. These detour destinations highlight the magic of bleisure—transforming a business trip into an opportunity for adventure, connection, and rejuvenation, leaving travelers feeling refreshed and inspired.

The Future of Bleisure Travel

Bleisure travel isn’t just a trend; it’s a philosophy that combines the best of both worlds. Explora Journeys stands at the forefront, offering a travel experience where luxury, productivity, and discovery coexist effortlessly. Whether working from a private suite or exploring exotic locales, Explora ensures every journey is meaningful, enriching, and unforgettable. Ready to redefine your work-life balance? Let Explora Journeys lead the way.