For a high-end version of your Headspace app, this new luxury cruise ship offers the best way to find wellbeing on the waves, writes Lauren Murphy.

I often visualise myself standing at the edge of the ocean, feeling the sand beneath my feet, warm waves washing over my toes as the sun beams down above me. Standing on deck on the Explora I as it starts its inaugural UK journey, I am transported mind, body, and soul to some faraway paradise, with one goal in mind: complete relaxation.

Explora I is the first luxury ship in the new Explora Journeys brand fleet, and cost a cool €500 million ($888m) to build. Five more ships are on order, for the company that’s a new venture for the MSC group, a global shipping operation and the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company. The vision behind Explora Journeys is to “create a transformative ocean travel experience” - refined yet effortless luxury, with the opportunity for exploration and transformation of the inner and outer self.

The ship features a luxurious spa with steam rooms, saunas, salt caves, experience showers, and a hydrotherapy pool, as well as a fully equipped gym, complete with open-air fitness, so guests can feel at one with the ocean. Brands on board include Aromatherapy Associates, Dr Levy Switzerland, The Tides Wellness and Technogym.

READ my full review for NZ Herald: HERE