Indeed, the Four Seasons Explorer leaves nothing to be desired. It comes with an attentive 24-member crew who – in typical Four Seasons fashion – will look after and pamper a maximum of 22 guests. The vessel is a floating resort with daily embarkations.

Accommodations:

Choose from 10 spacious State Rooms and the palatial Explorer Suite, all of which are bright and airy and include the luxury and style you expect from Four Seasons Explorer.

All cabins are air-conditioned, with an ensuite bathroom that features a bathtub/shower. Curl up on your sofa, select something from the refrigerated private bar or enjoy a movie on the flat screen LCD TV, all in the comfort of your State Room or Explorer Suite. 

Explorer Suite:
Enjoy spectacular scenery from the expansive panoramic windows of your elegant Explorer Suite. This incredible suite features 1 king sized bed and a day bed for a maximum of 3 adults. The suite is the largest available at 45 m2 (484 sq.ft.). Enjoy the ensuite bathroom with a full bathtub, separate shower, and vanity. It is connected to a walk-in wardrobe. You can also enjoy a refrigerated private bar, along with a DVD/CD player, MP3 cable connection, telephone and in-cabin safe. Details such as down comforters and pillows, slippers, silk padded hangers and twice-daily housekeeping service with evening ice delivery really make this suite stand out.

Stateroom:
Unwind in your air-conditioned room with one king bed or two twin beds, a comfortable sofa bed, a writing desk, a DVD/CD player, an MP3 cable connection, a refrigerated private bar, a telephone and an in-cabin safe. Staterooms can occupy a maximum of 3 adults.

Dining

Aboard Four Seasons Explorer, each day begins with an array of buffet and à la carte breakfast choices. Lunch and dinner menus change daily, themed on regional creations from India, the Maldives, Asia, Europe and the Americas – always with fresh ingredients, gourmet flourishes and complemented by a surprisingly extensive wine list. Dine in the air-conditioned dining room or its al fresco area. For those who fish, the chef is pleased to discuss preparation ideas for your catch of the day. Meals are all-inclusive – with the exception of alcoholic beverages – and vary between buffet and table service, shared in the company of other passengers.

Or if you prefer, dine with the Captain! Sit down to an intimate feast in the company of the Explorer’s captain.

Activities

For those preferring to stay on, rather than under, the water, a range of other water sports is available besides diving, including water skiing, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing. Even if all these water activities fail to impress, the Four Seasons Explorer remains the perfect way to experience Palau. Several daily activities are organized for those who have had their fill of diving or are non-divers, and four inflatable dinghies are available at anytime to go out and explore.  This really is one of the best dining experiences in the country, especially if you have caught your own, fresh fish.

Lounge and Library
The indoor lounge is ideal for relaxing after dinner – to swap stories, review the day’s underwater highlights captured by the resident videographer or curl up with a book, magazine, DVD, music or board game from the Library. Drinks and refreshments are available throughout the day.

Two Bars
Four Seasons Explorer’s indoor bar features comfy sofas adjacent to a relaxing lounge area. A second bar seats you outdoors on the sheltered lower sundeck.

Spa
Four Seasons Explorer’s resident spa therapist offers natural therapies inspired by Asia’s ancient healing principles. Retreat to the private treatment area on the upper deck – curtained for privacy yet open to the refreshing sea air – or indulge in a massage at one of the secluded beaches visited during the cruise. Treatment highlights include the restorative and deeply relaxing Indian herbal-oil massage and the hydrating and refreshing sun-soother wrap, with fresh aloe vera and toning lavender mist. Fees apply.

Diving

Divers can usually expect two dives in the morning and one in the afternoon, with the option of additional sunrise, night and wreck excursions. .

Dive itineraries adapt to currents and conditions, seasonal marine visitors and the diving requirements of those on board. Every cruise aboard Four Seasons Explorer is unique.

Guests can expect multilingual dive staff and experienced crew, including a marine biologist. There is a maximum 6:1 guest to dive-guide ratio, with those of similar experience levels grouped together. All diving is conducted from a modern 16.7-metre (55-foot) support vessel, Aseykara II, a custom-designed dive dhoni with full safety and navigation equipment. A full line of equipment for all on-board guests, including SCUBAPRO BCDs and regulators, Suunto computers and Cressi fins. Surface marker buoys and Sea Marshall personal locator radio beacons are available for all divers as well as hot and cold showers on two sea-level platforms. There is a dedicated fresh-water rinse tank for camera equipment and of course, coffee- and tea-making facilities and refreshments to enjoy after your dive.

A typical day onboard Four Seasons Explorer

Morning

  • Start the day with an optional sunrise dive.
  • Enjoy a fresh breakfast served on board.
  • After breakfast, prepare for the morning two-tank dive, which will be spent exploring a vibrant thila and an overhang full of soft corals.
  • Those who aren’t diving can snorkel with the marine biologist or soak up the sun on board.

Afternoon

  • Enjoy views of sparkling water and distant islands as you eat lunch on board.
  • After lunch, set anchor at a virgin island and explore to your heart’s content.
  • Divers can join the pelagics on a channel dive.
  • Non-diving explorers can waterski or fun-tube in the lagoon.
  • After all that activity, finish off the afternoon with a relaxing massage on the beach.

Evening

  • Just in time to enjoy the glorious sunset at sea, take off on a fishing trip aboard a local dhoni boat.
  • Upon returning to Four Seasons Explorer, sip cocktails on the upper deck before setting anchor and savouring a barbecue dinner on a beautiful sandbank.
  • Review video highlights of the day with after-dinner drinks in the lounge.

An adventure at sea aboard Four Seasons Explorer is guaranteed to create a memorable getaway.