Explora Journeys in 2027: What Is Included, the Ships and Four Voyages to Consider

The short answer

Explora Journeys is an ultra-luxury ocean line owned by MSC Group, with all-suite ships where every suite faces the ocean and has its own terrace. The fare includes nine dining experiences, unlimited premium beverages, a minibar restocked daily, access to the spa thermal area, fitness programs, gratuities and Wi-Fi. Shore excursions and flights are not included. It suits travelers who want a quiet, design-led ship without the formality of the traditional luxury lines.

What is included, and what is not

• Included: a welcome bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine and a spirit of your choice; nine dining experiences, including in-suite dining; unlimited premium beverages and a minibar replenished daily; the spa thermal area; wellness and fitness programs; gratuities; Wi-Fi; and a shuttle from port to town where available.
• Not included: shore excursions, spa treatments, a small number of dining experiences that carry a supplement, flights and hotels.

The ships

EXPLORA I, II and III are in service. EXPLORA IV and V join in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in 2028. The ships are close sisters, so the choice is usually about itinerary. EXPLORA III introduces an Owner's Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola and takes the line to Asia for the first time.

Life on board

There are no formal nights and no fixed dining times. Days tend to be spent around the pools and the terraces at the stern; evenings are elegant without ceremony. The feel is closer to a European seaside hotel than to a traditional cruise.

Four voyages to consider in 2027

These are published departures; your advisor confirms availability.

• Greek islands and the Adriatic. EXPLORA II, seven nights from Piraeus (Athens) to Venice, August 9 to 16, 2027, by way of Paros, Kusadasi, Syros, Dubrovnik and Hvar. See our Greece guide and Croatia and Montenegro guide.
• Southeast Asia over the holidays. EXPLORA III, 14 nights round trip from Singapore, December 19, 2027, to January 2, 2028: Koh Samui, an overnight in Bangkok, Sihanoukville, Malacca, Port Klang, Penang, Phuket and Krabi. See our Singapore guide and Thailand guide.
• Scotland to Iceland. EXPLORA IV, eight nights from Southampton to Reykjavík in late May 2027, with Greencastle, Stornoway, Seydisfjordur, Akureyri and an overnight in Reykjavík. See our Iceland guide.
• Alaska's Inside Passage. EXPLORA III, nine nights round trip from Vancouver, June 1 to 10, 2027: Wrangell, Sitka, Haines, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan and Victoria. See our Alaska guide; for a smaller vessel, the Inside Passage by private yacht.

How Explora compares

Against the long-established ultra-luxury lines, Explora is younger in style, with larger ships, more restaurants and a resort atmosphere; the older lines fold more into the fare, in some cases including excursions. Our comparison of the best luxury cruise lines sets them side by side.

What it starts from

As a planning guide, we budget from around US$600 per person, per night for ultra-luxury ocean sailings, with two sharing an entry suite; the figure rises with the suite, the region and the season. Your advisor confirms the fare for your sailing and the Virtuoso privileges that apply to it; those differ by sailing, so they are confirmed for each booking, not assumed. Forest Travel's planning fee is US$250 per itinerary.

Start the conversation

Tell a Forest Travel advisor which region and month you have in mind and they will match the ship, the suite and the time ashore. Request your private consultation →