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Explora Journeys

Luxury cruise line · 5 ships · sailing 10 regions — All-inclusive European luxury in an 'ocean state of mind'.

Luxury All-inclusive European luxury in an 'ocean state of mind'

Explora Journeys is MSC Group's luxury brand, built around a relaxed 'ocean state of mind' philosophy and contemporary European design. It offers all-suite, ocean-front ships with private terraces and an inclusive fare covering drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities, positioning itself as modern, understated luxury rather than traditional cruising.

Tier Luxury
Fleet 5 ships
Price $$$$ · Ultra-luxury
Voyages 7–16 nights
Sails 10 regions

Who Explora Journeys is for

Design-minded, affluent travelers who want space, flexibility and a low-key luxury tone with no fixed dining times or dress-code formality. It suits couples and solo luxury travelers; families are welcome but it is not built around kids.

couplesadult groupfemale solo travelermulti-gen

The fleet

A new, growing fleet of large luxury ships. EXPLORA I debuted in August 2023 and near-sister EXPLORA II followed in September 2024, each carrying about 922 guests in 461 all-balcony (ocean-front) suites. Two further Explora-class ships, EXPLORA III and IV, are on the way and will be LNG-powered.

EXPLORA IEXPLORA IIIEXPLORA IIEXPLORA IVEXPLORA VI

Signature ships

The standout vessels in the fleet — and the amenities that set them apart.

EXPLORA I2023 · 922 guests

The line's debut ship; all-suite with heated bathroom floors and furnished balconies

  • 461 all-balcony ocean-front suites with private terraces
  • Four pools including an indoor Conservatory Pool with retractable magrodome roof
  • 27,000+ sq ft of outdoor deck with 64 private cabanas and hot tubs
  • Nine culinary experiences (six included restaurants plus cafes/bars)
  • Emporium Marketplace all-day global buffet
  • Thermal spa, gym and open-air fitness deck
EXPLORA II2024 · 922 guests

Refined sister ship with the same inclusive, design-led experience

  • Near-identical all-suite layout to EXPLORA I
  • Four pools including retractable-roof indoor pool
  • Anthology fine-dining restaurant (Italian by in-house chef Franck Garanger)
  • Marble & Co. Grill European steakhouse
  • Sakura Pan-Asian and Fil Rouge Mediterranean dining
  • Large outdoor LED movie screen and cabanas

The onboard experience

Dining

Nine culinary experiences per ship, with six restaurants included in the fare: Fil Rouge (Mediterranean/European), Marble & Co. Grill (steakhouse), Sakura (Pan-Asian), Med Yacht Club and the all-day Emporium Marketplace buffet, plus the fine-dining Anthology (Italian, by chef Franck Garanger) which carries a supplement. Cafes, a chocolate/gelato spot and multiple bars round it out, with flexible dining times.

Entertainment & activities

Understated and lounge-driven rather than big-production: live music, sophisticated bars, an outdoor LED movie screen for films under the stars, and a large spa and fitness offering emphasizing wellness.

Families & kids

Family-friendly with a youth club (Nautilus) for children, but the tone and layout skew toward adults and couples rather than a dedicated family product.

What's included

Effectively all-inclusive: the fare covers all included restaurants, drinks (fine wines, cocktails and premium spirits), unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi, all onboard gratuities, thermal-spa access and port shuttles; specialty fine dining and some premium experiences cost extra.

Where Explora Journeys sails

Regions in Noura's Cruise Navigator, most sailings first. Tap a region for its ports and season.

Sails from
MiamiSouthamptonRome (Civitavecchia)LisbonMiamiBarcelonaAthens (Piraeus)CopenhagenReykjavikQuebec CityVancouver

Sample itineraries

A Journey of Caribbean Charm & Spectacular Natural Beauty10 nights

EXPLORA III · from Miami

Miami, FL → Willemstad, Curaçao → Oranjestad, Aruba → Cartagena, Colombia → Cartagena, Colombia → George Town, Grand Cayman → Miami, FL

7-Night Western Mediterranean7 nights

EXPLORA II · from Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain → Ibiza, Spain → Ibiza, Spain → Marseille, France → Cannes, France → Portofino, Italy → Porto Santo Stefano, Italy → Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

10-Night Norwegian Fjords10 nights

EXPLORA I · from Southampton

Southampton, England → Stavanger, Norway → Bergen, Norway → Flåm, Norway → Geiranger, Norway → Ålesund, Norway → Olden, Norway → Haugesund, Norway

7-Night Adriatic & Dalmatian Coast7 nights

EXPLORA I · from Athens (Piraeus)

Athens (Piraeus), Greece → Katakolon (Olympia), Greece → Corfu, Greece → Kotor, Montenegro → Dubrovnik, Croatia → Split, Croatia → Venice, Italy

Best known for

MSC Group's luxury brandAll-suite ocean-front ships with private terracesAll-inclusive fares (drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities)Four pools including a retractable-roof indoor poolContemporary European design and 'ocean state of mind'

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