Evaluation: 4 Seasons Explorer Luxurious Cruise in Palau

October 22, 2026

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Wednesday newsletters characteristic a resort or flight evaluation.

A number of weeks in the past, I loved a vacation in Hong Kong, Taiwan & Palau. You’ll be able to learn my journey reviews right here:

Evaluation: 4 Seasons Explorer Luxurious Cruise in Palau

The 4 Seasons Explorer is a relatively totally different idea inside the 4 Seasons portfolio. As an alternative of being a conventional resort, it’s a luxurious catamaran with simply 11 lodging, designed to take company on an exploration of a vacation spot relatively than preserving them in a single place. The vessel initially operated within the Maldives earlier than shifting to Palau, the place it now spends its days touring between islands, lagoons and dive websites. That is notably effectively suited to Palau, a small island nation within the western Pacific made up of lots of of islands and surrounded by a wealthy marine atmosphere. The nation is finest identified for its diving and snorkeling, however there are additionally jungle landscapes, waterfalls, seashores and an fascinating World Struggle II historical past to find. The 4 Seasons Explorer gives a cushty base from which to expertise all of this, with a restaurant, lounge, a spa room and well-appointed cabins onboard. More often than not, nonetheless, is spent exterior, whether or not within the water, on a seashore or just on deck. The ‘floating resort’ strikes with you, permitting you to see a number of totally different components of Palau throughout the identical keep.

Have you ever ever sailed aboard the 4 Seasons Explorer? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

I made a YouTube documenting my cruise aboard the 4 Seasons Explorer, which you’ll be able to watch right here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TG24S-463s

On this evaluation (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

Execs & Issues I Like

Palau – house of 4 Seasons Explorer – is a small island nation within the western Pacific, made up of greater than 300 islands, most of that are uninhabited. The nation is especially identified for its marine atmosphere, with clear waters, coral reefs, steep underwater partitions, caves and a exceptional number of marine life. The well-known Rock Islands, with their distinctive limestone formations coated in dense vegetation, are one other defining characteristic of the panorama. Diving and snorkeling are due to this fact among the many most important causes to go to, with websites starting from shallow reefs to dramatic drop-offs and historic shipwrecks. However there’s extra to Palau than the underwater world. The islands even have tropical forests, waterfalls, seashores and an interesting historical past, together with remnants from the Second World Struggle. This mix of distant islands and a largely marine-based panorama makes Palau notably effectively suited to the 4 Seasons Explorer. Somewhat than being based mostly at one resort and travelling forwards and backwards every day, the yacht permits company to maneuver across the archipelago and expertise totally different components of the nation throughout the identical journey.

Attending to Palau requires just a little extra planning, as solely a restricted variety of airways function flights to the nation. Essentially the most handy choices are usually China Airways from Taipei, or United Airways from Tokyo, Manila or Guam. Flights arrive at Roman Tmetuchl Worldwide Airport, from the place a 4 Seasons consultant will meet you for the quick switch by automotive to the harbor. The journey then continues by speedboat to the 4 Seasons Explorer, which might be ready offshore. The period of the speedboat switch will depend on the situation of the yacht, because the 4 Seasons Explorer strikes across the Palau archipelago throughout its itinerary. The switch itself is a part of the expertise, as you permit the primary island behind and steadily enter the extra distant waters of Palau. Relying on the place the yacht is anchored, the boat experience can take a while, but it surely additionally gives the primary alternative to see the islands and turquoise waters that make this a part of the Pacific so distinctive.

The 4 Seasons Explorer has an fascinating historical past. The vessel initially operated within the Maldives, the place it provided 4 Seasons company the chance to discover a number of atolls aboard a luxurious liveaboard as a substitute of staying at one resort all through their journey. The Explorer was later moved to Palau and commenced working there in November 2023. Its arrival additionally has a reference to 4 Seasons’ plans to assemble a luxurious resort in Palau. As an alternative of introducing the model solely when a everlasting resort is accomplished, the Explorer permits company to already uncover the vacation spot now and provides 4 Seasons a option to develop its presence within the nation. In some ways, the idea is sensible for Palau. The nation consists of lots of of islands, and plenty of of its most fascinating locations are reached by water. A floating resort due to this fact permits company to maneuver across the vacation spot as a substitute of spending their whole keep in a single location. It additionally offers 4 Seasons a chance to showcase totally different points of Palau, from diving and marine life to its landscapes, tradition and wartime historical past, whereas preparations for a future land-based 4 Seasons property proceed.

The 4 Seasons Explorer is kind of totally different from a traditional cruise ship. With solely 11 lodging, it has a a lot smaller and extra personal really feel, and there are not any massive public areas or crowds of passengers. The interiors are modern however comparatively understated, with loads of wooden and pure colours. The primary areas of the boat are unfold over three decks, with lodging on the decrease ranges and eating, dwelling and rest areas greater up. The comparatively small measurement of the vessel can be essential as a result of the Explorer is designed to achieve components of Palau that might not be accessible to a a lot bigger ship. A lot of the tools wanted for exploring the vacation spot is carried onboard, together with diving and snorkeling tools, kayaks and paddleboards. Through the day, company can due to this fact transfer between the boat and the water a number of occasions, relying on this system. When there’s some free time, the higher decks present loads of house to sit down exterior and benefit from the views. The general environment is informal, which is sensible given that the majority company spend a big a part of the day in swimwear or out of doors clothes.

There are ten commonplace staterooms aboard the 4 Seasons Explorer, every measuring round 20 sq. meters (215 sq. ft). They’re definitely smaller than the rooms one would usually discover at a 4 Seasons resort, however that is comprehensible given the dimensions and objective of the vessel. The rooms are designed primarily for sleeping and stress-free between excursions, relatively than for spending lengthy durations indoors. Relying on the configuration, they’ve both a king-size mattress or twin beds, along with a small sitting space, personal toilet (with one wash basin and a bathe) and refrigerated bar. The design follows the identical understated fashion discovered all through the boat, with wooden, impartial colours and comparatively easy furnishings. Massive home windows or portholes present views of the encompassing water, though the surroundings exterior is more likely to be extra fascinating than something contained in the room. Housekeeping is offered recurrently, together with night turndown. One factor to remember is that storage is of course extra restricted than in a typical luxurious resort room, so packing fairly calmly is sensible. In apply, nonetheless, most company are more likely to spend comparatively little time of their cabin, as this system is centered round actions and life on deck.

The most important lodging on the vessel is the Explorer Suite, which measures 45 sq. meters (484 sq. ft) and is accessed through the boat’s indoor lounge. It gives significantly extra space than the usual staterooms and has a separate daybed, eating space, walk-in wardrobe and personal bar. The suite additionally has a non-public out of doors terrace, which might be its greatest benefit. Having your personal house exterior is especially nice on a ship, whether or not for breakfast, a drink within the afternoon or just watching the surroundings go by. The big home windows additionally make the encompassing panorama very a lot a part of the room, and the views change all through the journey because the Explorer strikes round Palau. The suite can accommodate as much as three adults, which can be helpful for households or small teams travelling collectively. In contrast with the usual staterooms, it gives way more room to unfold out and spend time indoors, though I might nonetheless count on most company to be exterior for a lot of the day. For vacationers who place a excessive worth on house and privateness, the Explorer Suite is clearly the popular lodging, notably for an extended voyage.

The 4 Seasons Explorer’s services and communal areas are unfold over three decks, with every stage having a special objective. The decrease deck comprises nearly all of the rooms in addition to the dive heart, which makes it notably handy when heading out for a morning dive or coming back from an tour. The center deck is the social coronary heart of the yacht, with the indoor eating space, lounge and the Explorer Suite. There may be additionally a small library, whereas an indoor bar gives a spot to have a drink or loosen up after coming back from an exercise. When the climate is sweet, nonetheless, the out of doors eating space is a extra enticing choice. Breakfast and lunch could be loved exterior, with the islands and surrounding water offering the backdrop.. The higher deck is extra targeted on rest, with a lounge space, 4 solar loungers, and an out of doors spa mattress for remedies, with curtains that may be closed across the space when privateness is required. The mix of the ocean, contemporary air and lack of noise additionally makes the highest deck a very peaceable place to spend a while.

Eating aboard the 4 Seasons Explorer is pretty different, with menus altering from everyday. Breakfast is à la carte, whereas lunch is served as a three-course meal and dinner as a four-course menu. All meals are included within the keep, though drinks are charged individually. There are usually two selections for the primary course, giving company some flexibility relying on their preferences. Lunches can vary from mangrove crab tacos and steamed catch of the day to vegetable spring rolls and ahi tuna poke bowl. Dinner is a bit more elaborate, with dishes similar to buffalo mozzarella, cucumber soup, home made mezzelune pasta, beef steak tagliata and tiramisu. On one other night, the menu might take a extra Asian path, with Vietnamese seafood salad, Balinese satay, corn fritters, miso eggplant or prawns and surf, adopted by contemporary fruit salad. The setting additionally adjustments sometimes, with seashore barbecues obtainable at a further price. Total, the meals is effectively suited to the relaxed nature of the journey, with sufficient selection to maintain meals fascinating throughout a multi-day voyage.

A typical day aboard the 4 Seasons Explorer is principally spent on or within the water. Diving is likely one of the most important causes individuals select the expertise, and the itinerary can embrace a number of dives through the day relying on situations and the pursuits of the company. Palau is especially well-known for its coral reefs, partitions, caves and historic wrecks, so there’s lots to discover beneath the floor. Friends who don’t dive can be part of snorkeling excursions or use the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to discover the quieter lagoons. After a morning exercise, there’s often time for lunch and a few rest earlier than heading out once more. Afternoons could be spent on one other tour, on a seashore or just stress-free on the boat. There are additionally alternatives for sundown actions and, relying on the itinerary, evening dives. This system is due to this fact fairly energetic, however it isn’t essential to take part in every part. The precise rhythm of the day naturally will depend on climate, tides and the itinerary.

Though the marine atmosphere is the primary focus, the 4 Seasons Explorer additionally gives a number of alternatives to discover Palau on land. One choice is a go to to Ngardmau Waterfall, reached by a hike by way of the island’s tropical vegetation. The Rock Islands will also be explored from a special perspective, together with visits to secluded lagoons and the well-known Milky Method Lagoon, the place company can cowl themselves in its mineral-rich white mud. For these all in favour of historical past, Peleliu gives a really totally different expertise. The island was the scene of one of many fiercest battles of the Pacific Struggle, and remnants of the battle can nonetheless be present in its jungle, together with caves and different wartime websites. Cultural excursions present one other perspective on the nation, with alternatives to see conventional bai assembly homes, historical stone buildings and different reminders of Palau’s lengthy historical past. These land-based actions are helpful additions to the itinerary as a result of they present that there’s extra to the vacation spot than its well-known diving. The ocean could also be the primary cause to go to Palau, however spending a while on the islands gives a greater understanding of the nation and its historical past.

Cons & Issues To Know

4 Seasons Explorer gives really a heavenly cruise for diving and snorkeling fanatics, with few, if any, experiences on this planet that may match the underwater adventures provided at Palau. Diving and snorkeling excursions are sometimes provided a number of occasions every day, permitting company to discover Palau’s extraordinary marine life and reefs at a powerful tempo. Nonetheless, the focus could be very a lot on diving and snorkeling ; the land excursions, whereas gratifying and effectively organized, are usually not fairly as spectacular by comparability and are usually not provided each day. Because of this, if diving and snorkeling are usually not a significant a part of what you might be on the lookout for, this cruise might not be totally for you, until your most important aim is just to find the highlights of Palau in a relaxed and easy approach.

4 Seasons Explorer follows a kind of fastened route by way of Palau, crusing from north to south and again once more. One of many benefits of the Explorer idea is that company can be part of the cruise at totally different factors and keep for as little as one evening or so long as a number of weeks. Nonetheless, this additionally signifies that you can’t know your actual itinerary upfront and basically must go together with the rhythm of 4 Seasons. This isn’t essentially a drawback, however it’s value figuring out that some areas of Palau are significantly extra spectacular than others. When you’ve got a specific curiosity in exploring Palau, I like to recommend ensuring that your keep features a crusing by way of the Rock Islands, probably the most spectacular a part of the archipelago. To rearrange this, merely point out your choice to the reservation staff when reserving your keep.

The meals on board is included within the room charge and completely excellent, though, personally, it didn’t fairly persuade me to the identical extent as another points of the expertise. That stated, expectations have to be saved in perspective. You might be crusing by way of some of the distant areas on Earth, typically with out seeing land for a number of days, and it might be unrealistic to count on a Michelin-starred eating expertise in the midst of the Pacific. Inside these constraints, the culinary providing is definitely gratifying and effectively executed, however for me, the extraordinary environment and excursions stay the actual highlights.

The staterooms are one space the place house is considerably restricted, so that is value contemplating if having a beneficiant dwelling space is essential to you. In that case, I might suggest contemplating the Explorer Suite, situated on the bow of the catamaran. It gives significantly extra space in addition to a non-public terrace. There may be, nonetheless, a small trade-off for different company: when the Explorer Suite is occupied, the bow terrace is closed off, that means that everybody else can solely loosen up on the terraces on the rear of the catamaran. This was the case throughout my keep, and whereas it was definitely not a significant situation, I sometimes missed having the unobstructed ahead perspective and the great feeling of watching the ocean stretch out forward of the boat.

My Verdict

Structure: 8/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: n/a
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 7/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: n/a
Service: 9/10
Wow issue: 8/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: excellent – 8/10

Ideas & Save Cash

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks at 4 Seasons Explorer when reserving by way of 4 Seasons Most well-liked Visitor:
- Improve on arrival, topic to availability
- Day by day buffet breakfast for as much as two company per bed room
- $100 USD credit score, to be utilized throughout keep
- Early check-in / late check-out, topic to availability

Room tip: all staterooms aboard 4 Seasons Explorer have kind of the identical format. If you’re delicate to noise, go for a stateroom in the direction of the entrance of the yacht, farther away from the engine noise on the again. If you happen to want extra space and your funds permits, take into account reserving the Explorer Suite, the yacht’s solely suite.

Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

Greatest Time To Go to

One of the best time to go to Palau is mostly from December by way of April, when rainfall is comparatively decrease, seas are typically calmer and situations are notably favorable for diving, snorkeling and exploring the Rock Islands. February to April is arguably the candy spot, with good visibility and considerably much less holiday-season demand. Temperatures stay tropical all year long, with daytime highs sometimes round 28–30°C (82–86°F) and heat nights round 26°C (79°F).

Palau doesn’t have a very dry season, nonetheless, and rain is feasible at any time. Might to October is mostly wetter, with June to September among the many rainiest months, whereas November generally is a good shoulder-season choice as situations start to enhance. For the very best mixture of climate, calmer seas and out of doors actions, I might personally select February to April, whereas preserving in thoughts that Palau stays heat and humid year-round.

How To Get There

The simplest option to attain Palau (Roman Tmetuchl Worldwide Airport) is through Taipei or Tokyo, with each providing handy connections from main Asian and worldwide gateways. China Airways operates frequent flights through Taipei, whereas United Airways gives connections through Tokyo, making these two cities probably the most sensible gateways for a lot of worldwide vacationers. When you arrive in Palau, the airport is simply a brief drive from the harbor, the place company switch by speedboat to the 4 Seasons Explorer, relying on the place the yacht is positioned that day. Understand that when you arrive after darkish, a same-day switch to the Explorer might not all the time be doable, so you will need to coordinate your arrival fastidiously and, if obligatory, plan for an evening on Palau earlier than embarking.