Explora Journeys Review: A Travel Advisor's Honest Take After Sailing Both Ships
If you have been anywhere near my YouTube channel or my inbox this year, you already know I cannot stop talking about Explora Journeys. I sailed an 11 day Caribbean itinerary on Explora I from Miami to Bridgetown, Barbados this past December, and I just stepped off an 8 day round trip Athens sailing through the Greek Islands and Brindisi, Italy on Explora II. Two ships, two very different corners of the world, and the same conclusion both times: this is the most exciting thing to happen to luxury cruising in years.
As a six time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist and Virtuoso member, I get asked constantly which luxury line is worth a client's money right now. Explora Journeys is my answer more often than not. Below is everything I wish someone had told me before my first sailing, from the suites to the solo traveller program to a loyalty hack most people do not know about.
If you are ready to see it for yourself, book a complimentary travel consultation here and I will help you find the right ship, suite, and itinerary for your first Explora Journeys sailing.
A Quick Introduction to Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is the luxury ocean cruise line launched by MSC Group, built specifically to compete with names like Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn, but with a distinctly younger, design-forward sensibility. The line currently sails two nearly identical sister ships, Explora I and Explora II, with four more vessels arriving through 2028. Everything about the brand, from the interiors to the fare structure, feels more like a private resort than a traditional cruise ship, and that is exactly the point.
I work with clients across the United States and Canada, in both USD and CAD, and I can tell you that once someone tries Explora, they rarely want to go back to a mainstream line. If that sounds like the kind of trip you have been picturing, reach out and let's start planning your Explora Journeys cruise.
The Ocean Terrace Suites: Space, Comfort, and What's Actually Included
The first thing every guest notices on Explora I and Explora II is the sheer size of the accommodations. The Ocean Terrace Suites are generously proportioned, with a private terrace, a walk-in shower, a separate walk-in closet, and a layout that genuinely feels residential rather than like a cabin. Bathtubs are available on a limited basis within this category, so if soaking is a priority for you, let me know when we book and I will confirm availability for your specific suite. Thoughtful touches like a Dyson hair dryer and an in-suite clothes steamer round out the details, small additions that make a real difference on a longer sailing. There is no sense of squeezing past furniture or living out of a suitcase. You unpack, you settle in, and the suite works for you.
For longer sailings, laundry is easier than you'd expect. Both ships have two complimentary self-service launderettes, with detergent provided at no cost, or you can send items out to be laundered for an additional fee. That laundry service is included at no charge for guests in higher suite categories and for certain Explora Club loyalty tiers, so it is worth asking me about when we compare suite options for your sailing.
What makes Explora Journeys stand apart is just how much is bundled into your suite fare. Your suite, dining across nearly all onboard restaurants, a well-curated wine and spirits list, gratuities, and Wi-Fi are all included, so day to day life on the ship comes with very few surprise charges. The one thing worth knowing upfront is that shore excursions, which Explora calls Destination Experiences, are booked and paid for separately, along with a small handful of extras like spa treatments and the specialty restaurant Anthology. I get into exactly what falls into each category later in this post so you can budget accordingly.
I filmed a full walkthrough of Explora I, including tours of several Ocean Terrace Suites, a Penthouse, and one of the extraordinary Ocean Residences, so you can see the layouts and finishes for yourself before you book. Watch the full ship tour on YouTube here. Since Explora I and Explora II are essentially identical ships, this tour applies to both.
Explora Journeys Ocean Terrace Suite with private terrace and walk-in shower.
If a spacious suite with strong fare inclusions sounds like your kind of trip, let's talk about which category is right for you.
Onboard Activities and the Four Pool Areas
Explora Journeys does not try to be everything to everyone, and that restraint is part of its charm. Rather than one crowded central pool deck, both ships offer four distinct pool areas, each with its own personality, so you can choose your mood for the day. There is a quiet adults-focused space, a livelier social pool, a wellness-oriented area connected to the spa, and my personal favourite, the Astern Pool at the back of the ship.
The Astern Pool is tucked at the stern with an infinity edge that seems to spill straight into the ship's wake. It is the spot I found myself returning to on both sailings, whether for a day by the pool in the sun admiring the Caribbean Sea or sunset drinks as we sailed away from Mykonos.
One of my favourite parts of any sea day is the daily port talk. These are not the shopping pitches or excursion sales presentations you get on other lines. Explora Journeys brings a local expert onboard at each destination to talk through practical tips, the historical significance of where you are sailing, and honest advice on what is actually worth buying locally. I picked up some incredible olive oils in Italy and Greece purely because of recommendations from these talks, and I still think about them.
Astern Pool aboard Explora Journeys with infinity edge over the ship's wake.
Wellness Onboard: More Than Just a Spa
Wellness is woven into the entire Explora Journeys experience, not treated as an afterthought. The onboard fitness center is outfitted with a full Technogym setup, so whether you are maintaining a regular training routine or just want a solid workout between port days, the equipment is there. Alongside it, a full schedule of complimentary fitness classes runs throughout each sailing, including yoga on select mornings, and my personal favourite, a sound healing class called Ocean State of Mind. It is unlike anything I have done on another ship, and it has become a highlight of every Explora sailing for me. For anyone wanting a more targeted workout, there are two Pilates reformers onboard, available for an additional fee.
The real showstopper, though, is the Wellness Area within the spa. It includes a hydrotherapy pool, a salt room, a steam room, a sauna, ice therapy, and heated loungers, and all of it is complimentary to use. Access runs on limited hours on sea days, but on port days, when most guests are ashore, you can often have the entire space nearly to yourself with unlimited use. If you have never experienced a proper hydrotherapy circuit at sea, this alone is worth building a day around.
Wellness Area hydrotherapy pool aboard Explora Journeys.
Ocean State of Mind sound healing class aboard Explora Journeys.
Want help planning a sailing with enough sea days to actually enjoy the spa and wellness offerings? Let's build the right itinerary together.
Dining Onboard: A Restaurant for Every Mood
Dining is where Explora Journeys truly earns its luxury credentials. With nearly all restaurants included in the fare, you can dine at a different venue every night of a week long cruise without ever opening your wallet or feeling like you are settling for the included option. Here is a quick look at each venue:
Sakura is the Pan-Asian specialty restaurant, and it is my personal favourite onboard. Between the sushi, the dim sum, and the overall presentation, it delivers a level of precision I did not expect at sea. Reservations are required here, so book as soon as your reservation window opens. My tip: book your Sakura reservation early in your journey rather than toward the end. If you love it, you will have time to snag a second reservation before you disembark.
Fil Rouge is the closest thing Explora has to a main dining room, with a refined French-inspired menu for both breakfast and dinner. It is also home to my nightly ritual: a fresh soufflé for dessert. I made it a personal mission to try a different flavour every night on both my Caribbean and Greek Isles sailings.
Med Yacht Club brings the flavours of the Mediterranean coast, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and North Africa, to the table with shared tapas plates, fresh fish, and a relaxed, yacht-club atmosphere.
Marble & Co. is the European-style steakhouse, with an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs work, plus a wine list to match. Like Sakura, reservations are required and tend to book up quickly, so make this one of your first reservations when your booking window opens. Again, I always suggest scheduling it earlier in your sailing so there is still time to book a second visit if it becomes your favourite, which it very well might.
Emporium Marketplace is Explora's answer to the buffet, and it is unlike any buffet I have experienced elsewhere. There is no self-service and you never touch communal serving utensils. Everything is plated and served to you at the station, which makes for a far more sanitary and elevated experience than a traditional cruise buffet.
Anthology is the one specialty venue that comes at an additional cost, offering an elevated tasting menu built around Italian cuisine with an optional wine pairing. Pricing runs around 165 EUR per person for the tasting menu, plus roughly 70 EUR per person for the wine pairing, though the exact rate shifts depending on where the ship is sailing, charged in EUR in Europe and USD in the Caribbean, for example. It is the splurge worth making at least once during your sailing.
And of course, the service that ties every one of these venues together is exceptional. On my most recent Greek Isles sailing on Explora II, several crew members remembered me from my Explora I cruise in December, despite it being a different ship and a different itinerary. That kind of continuity and genuine warmth is rare in this industry, and it tells you everything about how Explora trains and retains its team.
One of my favourite restaurants and dining experiences on Explora Journeys, Sakura.
Curious what a week of dining like this actually costs compared to what you might expect? Book a consultation and I will walk you through real pricing for your dates.
Solo Cruising on Explora Journeys
If you are a solo traveller who has been priced out of luxury cruising by single supplements, Explora Journeys is worth a very close look. Where most luxury lines charge a single supplement anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent above the double occupancy rate, Explora typically prices solo travellers between 0 percent and 15 percent above that rate, depending on the sailing and suite category. In an industry where solo travellers are so often penalized, this is genuinely unheard of.
It is not just about the rate, either. Explora Journeys runs an organized solo travel program onboard, with daily meetups and dedicated group dinners so solo guests have an easy, low-pressure way to connect with fellow travellers from the first day of the cruise. I have had solo clients tell me it was the first cruise where they never once felt like an afterthought.
If solo travel has been on your list but the pricing on other luxury lines has held you back, this is exactly the kind of question I love helping clients work through. Get in touch and I will find you the best solo rate available.
Explora Club Loyalty and a Status Match Tip Most People Miss
Explora Journeys launched its loyalty program, Explora Club, with a five tier structure: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. What makes it especially appealing for new cruisers is the status match program, which lets you carry over elite status from another luxury line rather than starting from zero.
Explora Journeys currently offers direct status matching with Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Ponant, SeaDream Yacht Club, Scenic Luxury Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and sister brand MSC Cruises.
Here is the tip most travellers do not know. If your loyalty status is with a contemporary or premium line that is not on that list, such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, or Royal Caribbean, you are not out of luck. Many of these lines allow you to status match into MSC Cruises' Voyagers Club first. Once you hold status with MSC, you can then request an Explora Club status match using that new MSC tier. It takes two steps instead of one, but it means almost any existing cruise loyalty status can eventually translate into real benefits on your first Explora Journeys sailing.
This is exactly the kind of detail I help clients navigate, since the paperwork and timing can be a little fiddly. Reach out before your next booking and I will help you maximize your status match.
Booking Through a Virtuoso Advisor Has Its Perks
As a Virtuoso member, I am also able to add exclusive Virtuoso amenities to many Explora Journeys bookings, on top of everything already included in your fare. The specific perk varies by ship, itinerary, and suite category, but it is one more reason booking through an advisor rather than direct almost always works in your favour, at no extra cost to you.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Explora Journeys
Between my December sailing on Explora I through the Caribbean and my just completed Explora II cruise through the Greek Islands, I have now experienced this line in two completely different settings, and both times the takeaway was the same. The suites are genuinely spacious, the fare inclusions cover far more than you'd expect, the crew remembers you, and whether you are travelling solo or as a couple, the value relative to other luxury lines is hard to beat right now. I honestly can’t wait until my next journey with Explora Journeys.
If you want to see it before you book, start with my full ship tour on YouTube, covering the Ocean Terrace Suites, a Penthouse, a few of the Ocean Residences and the stunning Owner’s Residence. And when you are ready to talk through itineraries, suite categories, or status match strategy, book a complimentary travel consultation with me here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Explora Journeys all-inclusive?
Your fare covers your suite, dining at nearly all onboard restaurants, a curated selection of wine and spirits, gratuities, and Wi-Fi. It is one of the most inclusive fares in luxury cruising, though it is not entirely all-inclusive; a few extras like shore excursions, spa treatments, and Anthology fall outside the base fare, which is covered below.
Are shore excursions included on Explora Journeys?
No. Explora Journeys calls its shore excursions "Destination Experiences," and they are not included in the base cruise fare. They are booked and paid for separately, either in advance through your guest profile or onboard, and are organized into categories ranging from group tours to fully private arrangements. Some sailings may include onboard credit that can be applied toward these experiences, but it is worth budgeting for excursions as a separate line item when planning your trip.
Do I need reservations for restaurants on Explora Journeys?
Yes, for two of the venues. Sakura and Marble & Co. Grill both require reservations and tend to book up quickly, so it is best to reserve as soon as your restaurant reservation window opens. A good strategy is to book both earlier in your sailing rather than toward the end. That way, if you love your meal, there is still time to secure a second reservation before you disembark.
How much is the single supplement for solo travellers on Explora Journeys?
Solo supplements typically range from 0 percent to 15 percent above the double occupancy rate, depending on the sailing and suite category, which is notably lower than most other luxury cruise lines.
Does Explora Journeys have a solo travel program onboard?
Yes. Solo travellers can join daily meetups and organized group dinners designed to help them connect with other solo guests throughout the cruise.
What is the difference between Explora I and Explora II?
Explora I and Explora II are sister ships and are essentially identical in layout, suite categories, dining venues, and pool areas. Explora I launched in 2023 and Explora II in 2024.
Does Explora Journeys have specialty fitness classes onboard?
Yes, including complimentary yoga and a sound healing class called Ocean State of Mind, plus two Pilates reformers available for an extra fee. The fitness center is also equipped with a full Technogym setup.
Is the Wellness Area in the spa free to use?
Yes. The hydrotherapy pool, salt room, steam room, sauna, ice therapy, and heated loungers are complimentary, with limited hours on sea days and unlimited access on port days.
Can Explora Journeys status match my loyalty status from another cruise line?
Explora Journeys directly status matches with Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Ponant, SeaDream Yacht Club, Scenic Luxury Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and MSC Cruises. If your status is with a line outside this list, you may be able to match into MSC Cruises' Voyagers Club first, then request an Explora Club match from there.
Do I need a travel advisor to book Explora Journeys?
No, but booking through a Virtuoso advisor often adds exclusive amenities to your reservation at no extra cost, along with personalized guidance on suite selection, status match strategy, and itinerary planning.
