Explora Journeys: what it is, how it works, and what to expect in 2026
Luxury cruise guide · Updated 2026 · Ultra-luxury · All-suite · Oceanfront · European design
Explora Journeys is one of the most ambitious new entries into ultra-luxury cruising in recent memory: a brand built entirely from scratch, driven by the Aponte family’s conviction that luxury ocean travel could feel less like a cruise ship and more like a private floating hotel.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the brand, its fleet, its culinary programme, and how it compares to other options in 2026.
A brief history of Explora Journeys
The story of Explora Journeys begins not in 2021, when the brand was officially launched, but in 2018, when the MSC Group — a family-owned company founded by Gianluigi Aponte in 1970 and today the third-largest cruise company in the world — placed an order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for four luxury vessels.
The original concept was to extend the MSC Yacht Club, the luxury enclave within MSC Cruises ships, into a fully dedicated fleet. That vision quickly evolved: rather than an extension of an existing product, the Aponte family chose to create an entirely independent brand, with its own identity, positioning, and service culture.
Explora Journeys was officially launched in 2021. The initial order of four ships was expanded to six, with deliveries scheduled through 2028, representing a total investment estimated at 3.5 billion euros — one of the most ambitious newbuild programmes in the current ultra-luxury market.
The first ship, Explora I, set sail in August 2023 departing from Copenhagen. Explora II followed in 2024. In 2026, the fleet enters a new phase with the arrival of Explora III, the first ship in the series to run on LNG (liquefied natural gas).
The Explora Journeys fleet in 2026
Explora Journeys currently operates two ships, with a third entering service in summer 2026 and three more scheduled through 2028. The entire fleet is built by Fincantieri at its Italian yards under a unified and consistent construction programme.
Explora Journeys fleet at a glance
Explora I: in service since August 2023, 461 oceanfront suites, 922 guests
Explora II: in service since 2024, 461 oceanfront suites, 922 guests — refined based on guest feedback from Explora I
Explora III: delivery July 2026, first LNG-powered ship in the fleet
Explora IV and Explora V: delivery 2027, LNG propulsion, next-generation green technologies
Explora VI: delivery 2028, the concluding ship of the initial programme
All ships: all-suite, all-inclusive, Wi-Fi included, guest-to-crew ratio of approximately 1 to 1.25
Itinerary range: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, the Americas, Asia, Africa, Alaska
At 922 guests per ship, Explora Journeys sits in an interesting middle position within the luxury segment: more intimate than large premium ships, yet slightly larger than the sub-500-guest vessels operated by some competitors. The result is an atmosphere closer to a large boutique hotel than either a private yacht or a conventional cruise ship — generous spaces without crowds, and enough social diversity to make each sailing feel distinct.
What all-inclusive means on Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys’ all-inclusive model covers the elements that matter most to the daily experience. All voyages include premium beverages throughout the ship — including Moët Hennessy’s Mercier Brut champagne served by the glass as part of the complimentary selection — dining across nearly all onboard venues, gratuities, access to the spa thermal suite, and unlimited Wi-Fi.
One detail worth noting: nine of the ten culinary experiences onboard are included in the fare, among them specialty restaurants like Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, and Fil Rouge. Only Anthology, the line’s exceptional fine dining venue featuring rotating guest chefs and curated tasting menus, carries a supplemental charge. On most luxury lines, restaurants of that calibre would routinely add cover charges across the board.
The practical effect of the all-inclusive model is the same as on other ultra-luxury lines: guests are not managing a running tab or making cost decisions throughout the voyage. The psychological shift that produces, particularly on longer sailings, is one of the most consistently valued aspects of the Explora experience.
All suites, every guest
Like Seabourn and Silversea, Explora Journeys operates an entirely all-suite fleet. There are no standard cabins on any Explora ship. Every guest stays in a suite, and every suite includes a private terrace — an absolute standard across the entire fleet.
Suites start at 377 square feet for the entry category, which ranks among the most generous in the industry for that tier. Higher categories include Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences spanning multiple rooms and several hundred square metres. The Owner’s Residence, at the top of the hierarchy, is designed for guests who require absolute privacy and a level of personalisation that goes beyond even standard luxury hotel service.
Suites are developed in collaboration with leading superyacht design studios and European interior architects, with close attention given to materials, natural light, and the visual relationship between the living space and the ocean. Heated bathroom floors, premium bedding, high-end bath amenities, and an in-suite Technogym fitness kit are part of the standard offering in every category.
Service: warm rather than formal
Explora Journeys’ service philosophy is anchored in what the brand calls modern European service — defined by warmth, intuition, and the deliberate absence of unnecessary formality, rather than the rigid codes of traditional luxury hospitality.
To formalise that commitment, Explora Journeys has established an exclusive partnership with EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne), one of the world’s most respected hospitality institutions. Every host onboard completes the Guest Experience Foundations programme, executed by EHL Certified Trainers. This approach is rare in the cruise industry, and is designed to ensure consistency of experience as the fleet grows.
In practice, this means preferences are learned and remembered quickly — not through a scripted intake process, but through natural observation over the course of a voyage. The bar team knows what you drink. The dining team knows your dietary preferences by day two. Small requests are handled without friction and without being asked twice.
The brand also integrates a roster of guest speakers and experts-in-residence — marine biologists, local cultural ambassadors, artists, and regional specialists who join specific sailings. Rather than being confined to a lecture hall, these figures participate in dinners, shore experiences, and onboard social life throughout the voyage.
Dining and the nine culinary experiences
Dining on Explora Journeys is built around nine distinct culinary experiences, eight of which are included in the fare. The approach is fundamentally different from the single main dining room that characterises most cruise lines: each restaurant has its own universe, its own cuisine, and its own atmosphere.
Sakura explores Asian flavours — Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia — with an emphasis on quality ingredients and authenticity, complemented by a dedicated sake sommelier. Marble & Co. Grill redefines the European steakhouse experience with sustainably sourced cuts, an in-house dry-ager, and an integrated wine cellar. Med Yacht Club celebrates Mediterranean dolce vita in a relaxed nautical setting, from focaccia to osso buco Milanese. Fil Rouge offers a French-inspired global tasting tour in an intimate, unhurried setting. Emporium Marketplace provides high-quality all-day dining with seafood, sushi, and daily rotisserie options. In-suite dining, available around the clock, is consistently cited by guests as among the finest in the industry.
Anthology, the only supplemental restaurant, presents tasting menus created by world-renowned guest chefs, paired with selections from celebrated winemakers. It is deliberately separate from the inclusive offering in order to preserve its character as a special occasion event rather than a standard dinner option.
The culinary team is led by a brigade of chefs trained in some of Europe’s finest establishments, including alumni of the Four Seasons Paris and the Hôtel de Crillon.
Ocean Wellness: wellbeing as a pillar of the experience
Explora Journeys’ wellbeing programme, called Ocean Wellness, is one of the brand’s most distinctive features. It is conceived not as a spa bolted onto the ship, but as a fundamental pillar of the onboard experience, rooted in the philosophy of the Ocean State of Mind — the idea that proximity to the ocean has a measurable effect on body and mind.
The facilities include 11 treatment rooms (two of which are private spa suites with outdoor relaxation areas), a full thermal circuit with hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, salt cave, experience shower, and heated marble loungers — all included in the fare. The fitness centre spans over 2,400 square feet and is fully equipped by Technogym, with Pilates reformers, a running track that encircles the ship, and a multi-sport court for yoga, tennis, and basketball.
Every suite also includes a Technogym in-suite fitness kit — yoga mat, foam roller, resistance bands — allowing guests to train in their suite or on their private terrace, guided by a virtual coach. Personalised nutrition, fitness, and sleep programmes that can continue after the voyage position Explora Journeys closer to a floating wellness retreat than a conventional cruise ship spa.
Signature experiences unique to Explora Journeys
Destination Experiences
Explora Journeys consistently builds longer port stays — often including overnight calls — into its itineraries rather than rapid one-day visits. The Destination Experiences offered onboard are designed for small groups and focus on authentic access: private visits to historical sites, culinary tours with local producers, and immersions in neighbourhoods well off the tourist path. The aim is to turn each port into a narrative experience rather than a point on a map.
The Galleria d’Arte
Every ship houses a curated collection of contemporary art by both established and emerging artists. The works are integrated throughout public spaces rather than isolated in a separate gallery, creating a continuous dialogue between art and daily life on board.
Extended Journeys and World Journeys
Explora Journeys offers long-form itineraries — Grand Journeys of 20 to 30 nights and, on the horizon, an inaugural World Journey of 128 days in 2029. These extended voyages allow for deep immersion in entire regions rather than a selection of individual ports, and represent the heart of the brand’s promise: ocean travel conceived as a journey, not an excursion.
A Journey of One
Explora Journeys offers zero single supplements on over 500 itineraries for solo travellers, under the programme called A Journey of One. It is one of the most generous solo offerings in the ultra-luxury segment, and reflects the brand’s deliberate effort to serve a growing clientele who values independence as much as refinement.
How Explora Journeys compares to other luxury cruise lines
Explora Journeys
Best for: Design and wellbeing
All-oceanfront-suite fleet, nine culinary experiences with eight included in the fare, spa thermal suite included, EHL-trained service, and a contemporary aesthetic that deliberately breaks from traditional cruise ship conventions.
Seabourn
Best for: Intimacy and personal service
Smaller ships (450 to 600 guests), private club atmosphere, Thomas Keller dining partnership, expedition programme with submarine access in polar regions.
Silversea
Best for: Expedition range
Larger expedition fleet, broader destination network in polar and remote regions, S.A.L.T. culinary programme connecting guests to local food cultures.
Regent Seven Seas
Best for: Inclusions
Most comprehensive all-inclusive package in the market, including shore excursions on most sailings. Larger ships than Explora.
Who Explora Journeys is best suited for
Explora Journeys works best for a specific kind of traveller, and understanding that fit matters before booking.
Experienced luxury travellers accustomed to high-end land-based hotels who are looking for an equivalent standard at sea
Guests for whom culinary quality is a central part of the travel experience
Couples or solo travellers who value generous space, calm, and an atmosphere free of formality
Design-conscious travellers who appreciate contemporary architecture, curated art collections, and European aesthetic sensibility
Those drawn to longer voyages, immersive itineraries, and genuine connection with destinations
Explora Journeys is less suited to travellers looking for large-scale entertainment, family-focused programming, or expedition sailings to extreme destinations such as Antarctica or the Arctic, which the fleet does not currently serve.
Frequently asked questions
Is Explora Journeys truly all-inclusive?
Yes, to a very substantial degree. Every voyage includes premium beverages including Moët Hennessy champagne by the glass, dining across eight of the nine onboard restaurants, access to the spa thermal suite, gratuities, and unlimited Wi-Fi. Only Anthology, the fine dining venue with rotating guest chefs and tasting menus, carries a supplemental charge.
Are there standard cabins on Explora Journeys ships?
No. Explora Journeys operates an entirely all-suite fleet. Every guest stays in an oceanfront suite with a private terrace. There is no cabin category without a private outdoor space on any vessel in the fleet. Suites start at 377 square feet and extend through Ocean Penthouses, Ocean Residences, and the Owner’s Residence.
Who owns Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is the ultra-luxury division of the MSC Group, founded by the Aponte family in 1970. The brand operates entirely independently from MSC Cruises, with its own management, positioning, and service culture. The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
What is the difference between Explora I and Explora II?
The two ships are very similar: same gross tonnage (63,900 GT), same capacity (461 suites, 922 guests), same service philosophy. Explora II incorporates refinements based on guest feedback from Explora I, including improvements to public space flow and the consistency of certain dining experiences.
What does Explora III add to the fleet?
Explora III, expected in July 2026, is the first LNG-powered vessel in the fleet, significantly reducing sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. It also features larger outdoor spaces and design refinements informed by two full years of operating the earlier ships.
How does Explora Journeys compare to Seabourn?
Both are ultra-luxury all-suite lines with strong service reputations. Seabourn operates smaller ships with a more intimate private-club atmosphere, and stands out for its Thomas Keller dining partnership and polar expedition fleet. Explora Journeys differentiates itself through a more contemporary hotel-like design language, a broader culinary programme with nine restaurants included, and a more developed onboard wellness offering. The choice between the two often comes down to whether a guest prefers the intimacy of a smaller ship or the aesthetic of a luxury resort at sea.
Every traveller’s ideal Explora Journeys voyage looks different depending on the itinerary, the suite category, and what you are hoping to take away from the experience. I help clients navigate those questions — from choosing the right sailing season to selecting the suite category that fits their travel style.
If you are curious about pricing, current availability, or whether Explora Journeys is the right fit for where you are in your travel journey, I would be glad to talk it through.
Yvan Junior Blanchette
Travel & Cruise Specialist
ÆRIA Voyages📩 yvanblanchette@aeriavoyages.com
📞 1-888-460-3388
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