Explora Journeys review

About Explora Journeys review

By the ULTIMATE Cruises Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean brand of the MSC Group, offers some of the most spacious suites at sea, nine culinary experiences in the fare and a fleet growing to six ships by 2028. Here is who it suits, what is included and how to choose a journey.

Explora Journeys set out to be something other than a cruise line, and its vocabulary shows it. Voyages are “Journeys”, the mood is an “Ocean State of Mind”, and the design leans towards relaxed European elegance rather than formality. Behind it is the MSC Group. Three ships are sailing and three more are on the way by August 2028 (explorajourneys.com, Oct 2026).

What you notice first is space. Every suite faces the sea and has its own terrace, and even the entry-level Ocean Suites measure 35 to 39 m². Here is how the ships, suites, restaurants and fares fit together.

Voyages are “Journeys”, and the mood is an “Ocean State of Mind”.

Who Explora suits

Explora suits travellers who want the comforts of a luxury hotel at sea without stiffness: long, unhurried lunches, a choice of pools and an evening that can be a grill dinner or a Pan-Asian one. It suits families too. The Nautilus Club runs activities for guests aged 6 to 17, with sports, technology tournaments, painting and crafts, and children aged three to five are welcome at set times with a parent or guardian. Selected journeys offer family savings for children aged 2 to 17.

If you want the intimacy of a ship for a few hundred guests, or a butler for every suite, look at the smaller luxury lines instead. Explora’s ships are larger, with around 460 suites each, and its pleasures are those of space and choice.

The ships

EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II each have 456 ocean-front suites, five heated pools, six restaurants and twelve bars and lounges, plus the Gelateria & Crêperie at The Conservatory. EXPLORA III, now sailing, has 461 suites and seven restaurants, adds Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, and is the first ship in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas.

EXPLORA IV follows in summer 2027, the fleet’s second LNG-powered ship, with 461 suites. EXPLORA V sets sail in December 2027 and EXPLORA VI in August 2028, each with 457 suites and new suite types such as the Cove Residence and the Grand Penthouse with whirlpool.

The suites

Ocean Suites (35–39 m²) are the way in, and already generous. Ocean Penthouses (43–69 m²) add early access to dining reservations, a third in-suite bottle of wine or spirit, pressing and one bag of laundry per journey, and priority check-in where available. Ocean Residences (65–149 m²) bring Residence Hosts, a welcome bottle of Dom Pérignon, an in-suite bar of premium spirits and wines, unlimited laundry and ground transfers within 80 km (50 miles) of the port. The Cocoon and Serenity Residences have panoramic terraces on the aft, and the Serenity Residences add a private outdoor whirlpool.

At the top, the Owner’s Residence measures 280 m². Its terrace spans the full width of the aft, with an infinity whirlpool and outdoor furniture by Manutti; inside are a living area, dining for eight, a bedroom with a workspace and a bathroom of Calacatta marble. A Residence Manager looks after you, and the residence includes a private driver ashore once per journey where available.

Dining

Nine culinary experiences are included in the fare, in-suite dining among them. Sakura offers what Explora calls an immersive, authentic Pan-Asian experience; Marble & Co. Grill is the European steakhouse; Med Yacht Club brings relaxed Mediterranean cooking; Fil Rouge takes you on a tour of French-inspired international dishes; and Emporium Marketplace is the all-day restaurant, with dishes from across the globe. Wine, champagne and premium spirits are poured at any time, in your suite too.

A few experiences sit outside the fare. Anthology, the fine-dining room created by Head of Culinary Franck Garanger, elevates Italian cuisine with regional ingredients, with a tasting menu at EUR 165 per person and a wine pairing at EUR 70 (explorajourneys.com, Oct 2026). The Chef’s Kitchen invites 12 guests to a hands-on session led by the ship’s chefs, and The Chef’s Table and The Cellar are also extra.

Ocean Wellness

Ocean Wellness brings together spa, fitness, beauty and wellbeing, with a signature scent created with the master perfumer Alberto Morillas. Access to the spa’s thermal area and to group wellness, fitness and mindfulness classes is included in every fare. Residence guests have priority access and a complimentary Ritual of Ocean Renewal treatment.

Where Explora sails

The Mediterranean is the heart of Explora’s summer, and the ships show the brand at its most natural there, with terraces open to the evening. During the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2027, EXPLORA I will once again take her place in Port Hercule. Beyond the Mediterranean, the fleet sails Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, the Caribbean, the US and Canada East Coast and New England, and the Pacific coast of Central and North America.

Explora has also announced a 128-day Inaugural World Journey for 2029, and has signed a letter of intent for new luxury river ships in Europe, with sales due to open in 2027.

What’s included, and what isn’t

Every Explora journey includes nine culinary experiences including in-suite dining; unlimited beverages, including fine wines, champagne and premium spirits, at any time; a welcome bottle of champagne and a bottle each of wine and spirits of your choice; access to the thermal area of Ocean Wellness and group classes; high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the ship; onboard gratuities; and shuttles from port to city centre where required (explorajourneys.com, 23 Oct 2026). Explora’s booking terms add that guests may still choose to reward a host for service beyond expectations.

Shore excursions, which Explora calls Destination Experiences, are booked separately: the booking terms list them outside the Journey Fare. Explora also sells a Sky & Sea fare, which adds economy flights; check the current offer for your journey on explorajourneys.com before you book.

Anthology, The Chef’s Kitchen, The Chef’s Table and The Cellar are extra, and the fare lists only the spa’s thermal area and group classes, not treatments. The ground transfers, laundry and Residence Hosts come with the larger suites.

How Explora compares

Explora’s nearest rivals are the established all-inclusive lines. Regent Seven Seas includes unlimited shore excursions and every specialty restaurant; Silversea includes a butler for every suite; Seabourn’s ships are smaller, at 600 guests or fewer. Like Explora, Seabourn and Silversea leave most shore excursions outside the standard fare, so the drinks, dining and gratuities are the fairest basis for comparison. Explora answers with space, with terraces on every suite, five heated pools on each ship and a contemporary, design-led style, and with a family programme that most luxury lines do not offer.

Booking tips

Choose an Ocean Penthouse if you can: the extra space, early dining reservations and laundry make a real difference on a longer journey. Sail on EXPLORA III for the newest ship and Shore Club on 11, or book ahead for EXPLORA IV in summer 2027. If Anthology appeals, book it early in the journey: it is the one restaurant with its own tasting-menu price.

Our advice: if you love space and a relaxed, European feel, Explora gives a great deal of it for the fare. A Mediterranean summer journey in an Ocean Penthouse is the place to start.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Explora Journeys review before you go.