We began our cruise in Piraeus, Greece, and the process was quick and easy.

Within minutes of arriving at our ship, we were brought on board and given Champagne.

When booking our spots on the 813-foot-long ship, we could choose from three tiers of cabins: suites, penthouses, and residences. Residencies are the highest tiers and can come with butlers and private jacuzzis.

My roommate and I were happy with our 377-square-foot, entry-level ocean-terrace suite, which had two twin beds, a balcony, a walk-in closet with a dressing room, and a lounge area.

The heated floors were a nice touch in our fairly spacious bathroom.

I also loved the sizable walk-in shower, strong water pressure, and ample counter space.

The dressing room was spacious, with ample storage and a vanity area complete with a light-up mirror.

My friends were particularly excited that cabins come with a quality Dyson hair dryer, as some cruise lines restrict the wattage you can use for these devices.

There were also nice touches throughout the room, like wireless charging pads for cellphones built into the nightstands.

Our cabin host also ensured our complimentary minibar was fully stocked with coconut water, ginger beer, Belvedere, and other items throughout our trip.

All cabins come with private outdoor spaces. Ours had a comfortable daybed and a table with two chairs.

The ship had numerous dining options, from a pan-Asian eatery to a steakhouse. Fortunately, meals atmost were included in the cost of our cruise fare.

My favorite was Fil Rouge, as I thought its French-inspired menu was very well executed. Standout dishes included crab cakes, escargot, lobster thermidor, veal Wellington, and daily soufflés.

Meals at the onboard Italian-inspired eatery Anthology were not included in our cruise fare, but we headed there for my birthday.

We participated in its seven-course tasting experience for 140 euros a person, plus an extra 60 euros each for wine pairings. It wasn't cheap, but we paid for it with onboard credits that came with our booking.

Our food was excellent, with bites featuring Oscietra Royal caviar, lobster, truffle, and A5 Japanese wagyu.

We had plenty of spots to hang out in on the ship, from a whisky bar to a mixology lounge.

My favorite was Lobby Bar, which was centrally located on the ship. Some of my friends preferred the Explora Lounge, which served afternoon tea and offered sweeping views of the ocean.

I had two incredible massages at the onboard spa, which was fantastic. Much to my surprise, going there didn't cost me extra — on most cruises, travelers must pay for spa access.

There were also numerous pools and jacuzzis on board and some seriously high-end retailers. We looked through luxurious pieces from brands like Cartier and Piaget, and my friend was even able to purchase a Rolex.

Our cruise stopped in numerous places throughout Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

The Greek island of Paros was a highlight for me. Its beaches were truly stunning, and I loved how authentically Greek the towns felt.

We also particularly loved Dubrovnik in Croatia. As my friends enjoyed shopping for leather goods, I relished walking through the walled city made even more famous by HBO's "Game of Thrones."

My favorite experience, though, was visiting the walled city of Kotor, Montenegro, and spending the afternoon at nearby Nikki Beach.

I was really impressed by the service, amenities, and rooms on this cruise.

Plus, we stopped in so many places and our small ship spent a decent amount of time docked in each. I really felt like I could take my time experiencing every city because we'd typically arrive at port very early in the morning and sometimes leave as late as 11 p.m.

As the MSC Group continues to grow Explora Journeys by adding new itineraries and ships, I think it will become a really prominent player in the luxury-cruise space.