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Explora Journeys is the newest serious entrant in luxury cruising, and it arrived with deep pockets. It is the luxury brand of MSC’s parent company, the Aponte family, who poured shipbuilding scale and ambition into a from-scratch luxury line aimed squarely at Silversea and Regent.
This is contemporary all-inclusive luxury, built around spacious ocean-front suites the line calls ocean residences, a relaxed European sensibility, and a deliberately understated, non-stuffy style. The ships are new, the design is modern, and the fares include premium drinks, most dining, and gratuities.
Launched in 2023 and backed by MSC’s parent, Explora sits in the luxury tier as its freshest major brand. Our verdict up front: if you want modern, relaxed all-inclusive luxury on brand-new ships, Explora is a genuinely strong and good-value choice. If you want an established track record or the lowest fare, weigh that newness carefully.
Quick Facts
| Fleet size | 2 ships (with more on order) |
| Newest ship | Explora II (2024) |
| Capacity range | around 900 guests |
| Home ports | Itinerary-led worldwide; strong Mediterranean and Caribbean presence |
| Destinations | Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Americas, transatlantic |
| Starting price | From $3,999 per person, all-inclusive |
| Loyalty program | Explora Journeys rewards |
| Age policy | Family-capable, but adults-focused in feel |
| Dress code | Relaxed elegant, no formal nights |
| Our rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
Want to see what an Explora voyage costs in your dates? Check live Explora Journeys prices and sailings first. The figures below are accurate for 2026, and the fares are all-inclusive, covering premium drinks, most dining, and gratuities.
Who Explora Journeys Is For
Explora is for the traveler who wants luxury without the stiffness, on a modern ship with a relaxed European feel. It is deliberately less formal than the established luxury lines, with no fixed dress codes and a contemporary, understated style that suits a slightly younger luxury audience.
It draws an international, affluent crowd, with a notable European contingent given its MSC parentage. The appeal is brand-new ships, spacious all-suite accommodation, all-inclusive ease, and a fresh take on what luxury cruising can feel like.
Best for:
- Affluent travelers who find traditional luxury too formal
- those who want brand-new ships and modern design
- relaxed-luxury seekers
- anyone drawn to all-inclusive value
Not ideal for:
- Travelers who want a long-established track record
- families wanting big-ship facilities
- budget cruisers
If you are weighing the newer luxury options, compare Explora and Silversea side by side.
The Fleet
Explora runs two brand-new ships with four more on order, an ambitious build program reflecting its parent company’s shipbuilding scale.
Explora I (2023) and Explora II (2024) each carry around 900 guests, which is larger than the most intimate luxury ships but still modest by mainstream standards. The extra size allows more dining venues, more pools, and generous public space while keeping a luxury feel.
The design is contemporary and residential, built around the ocean residences (suites) that all face the sea, with a calm, modern aesthetic distinct from the more traditional luxury ships. Multiple pools, including a covered one, suit varied climates.
With four further ships on order, including future LNG and hydrogen-capable vessels, Explora is positioning for rapid growth. That brings both fresh hardware and the usual considerations of a young, expanding brand still establishing consistency.
Dining
Explora’s dining is a real strength, with more variety than most luxury ships thanks to the larger size, and most of it included in the fare.
The ships offer multiple restaurants spanning Mediterranean, Asian, European, and steakhouse cuisines, plus a relaxed all-day venue and an emporium-style food hall, with the great majority included. Only a chef’s-table-style experience and a few premium elements carry a surcharge.
Premium drinks, including a well-considered wine list, are included throughout, as is in-suite dining. The quality is high and the breadth is unusual for the tier, giving guests more choice across a voyage than the smaller, more intimate luxury ships can offer.
Entertainment & Activities
Explora’s entertainment is intentionally understated, leaning toward a relaxed, lifestyle-resort feel rather than scheduled production shows. Live music, sophisticated lounges, and a strong wellness offering define the onboard atmosphere.
The wellness focus is notable, with an extensive spa and thermal area, fitness spaces, and pools that support a wellbeing-led experience, fitting the modern, relaxed positioning. There is no casino in the traditional sense on the wellness-forward design.
Onboard days center on the destination, the spa, the pools, and dining, with an emphasis on personal freedom rather than a packed schedule. The style suits travelers who want luxury that feels like a contemporary resort rather than a formal cruise.
Cabins & Accommodations
Explora is all-suite, and every suite, branded an ocean residence, faces the sea with a private terrace, which is central to the brand’s promise.
Entry-level ocean residences are spacious and modern, generously sized for the tier, with walk-in wardrobes and large terraces. Because fares are all-inclusive, pricing is voyage-led, with premium drinks, most dining, and gratuities all part of the number.
Higher categories scale up through larger residences, penthouses, and the top Owner’s Residences, which are expansive and richly appointed. The contemporary, residential design runs throughout, emphasizing light, space, and the connection to the ocean.
The all-ocean-facing layout means there are no interior or obstructed suites, keeping the experience consistent and bright across categories, much as the all-veranda luxury lines do.
Destinations & Itineraries
Explora’s itineraries favor the Mediterranean and Caribbean heavily, alongside Northern Europe, the Americas, and transatlantic crossings, with longer port stays and some overnights that suit the relaxed, immersive style.
As a young line, its footprint is narrower than the established luxury brands, focused on proven, high-demand regions while the fleet grows. The itineraries lean toward characterful ports and a slower pace rather than packed port-a-day schedules.
Explora favors real destinations over manufactured stops, in keeping with luxury norms. You can build your Explora itinerary by region. If you are flying in to a Mediterranean or Caribbean gateway, see where to stay before or after your cruise to settle in before the voyage.
Pricing & Value
An Explora voyage starts around $3,999 per person, which is notably accessible for genuine all-inclusive luxury and undercuts several established rivals at the entry point.
Included in the fare: an all-suite ocean residence, premium drinks, most dining, gratuities, and WiFi. The all-inclusive structure removes onboard spending, and the entry price makes Explora one of the better-value ways into true luxury cruising.
For a couple, a realistic all-in on a 7-night Mediterranean voyage lands in the mid five figures with little to add. The value relative to the established luxury lines is real, especially given the brand-new ships. Watch the current Explora deals for launch-era and reduced-fare promotions while the brand builds its audience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Brand-new ships with modern, residential design
- All-suite, all-ocean-facing accommodation with private terraces
- Genuinely all-inclusive: premium drinks, most dining, gratuities, WiFi
- More dining variety than most luxury ships
- Relaxed, non-stuffy luxury with no formal dress codes
- Strong wellness and spa offering
- Accessible entry fare for true luxury
Cons
- Very new brand with a short track record
- Larger than the most intimate luxury ships
- Narrower itinerary footprint while the fleet grows
- No expedition option
- Consistency still being established across a fast-growing fleet
The Verdict
Explora Journeys is the most credible new luxury brand to launch in years, backed by serious shipbuilding muscle. Its point of view is clear: luxury that feels modern and relaxed rather than formal and traditional. The brand-new ships, all-ocean-facing suites, generous dining, and accessible all-inclusive fares make it a genuinely strong, good-value entrant. The main caveat is simply its youth.
Book Explora if you want modern, relaxed all-inclusive luxury on brand-new ships, with more dining variety than the intimate luxury lines and a fresh, non-stuffy style. Skip it if you need a long-established track record, want the smallest and most intimate ships, or are seeking expedition travel. In those cases an established line fits better.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5. The strongest new luxury brand at sea, and excellent value for relaxed, modern luxury.
Ready to look at real voyages? See this week’s Explora deals or compare Explora against another line before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is the luxury brand of the Aponte family, the same owners behind MSC Cruises. That backing gives it significant shipbuilding scale and financial muscle, which is why it launched with brand-new ships and an ambitious build program aimed at the established luxury lines.
What is an ocean residence on Explora?
Ocean residence is Explora’s term for its suites. Every one faces the sea with a private terrace, and there are no interior or obstructed categories. They are spacious and modern, with the entry level generously sized for the luxury tier and the top Owner’s Residences genuinely expansive.
Is Explora Journeys all-inclusive?
Yes. The fare covers an all-suite ocean residence, premium drinks, most dining, gratuities, and WiFi. Only a chef’s-table-style experience and a few premium elements carry a surcharge, so onboard spending is minimal, in line with the established all-inclusive luxury lines.
How does Explora compare to Silversea or Regent?
Explora is newer, larger, and more relaxed in style, with no formal dress codes and a contemporary feel, plus a lower entry fare. Silversea and Regent are more established, more traditional, generally more intimate, and offer expedition options Explora lacks. Explora’s appeal is fresh ships and relaxed, good-value luxury.
Is Explora Journeys good value?
For genuine all-inclusive luxury, yes. Its entry fare around $3,999 per person undercuts several established rivals, and it delivers brand-new ships, all-ocean-facing suites, generous included dining, and premium drinks. The main trade-off is the brand’s youth and still-developing consistency.
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