Explora Journeys

In a short space of time Explora Journeys has become my top-selling luxury cruise brand. Not because of hype. Simply because the experience onboard is strong, consistent, and quietly confident. Clients come home raving about it. The biggest sign, though, is what they do next. They book again.

My first-hand experience onboard EXPLORA I

I have just returned from five nights onboard EXPLORA I (8 May 2026). I was invited to experience the ship properly and understand what makes it different. This was not a quick ship tour with a glass of fizz and a brochure. I ate in the restaurants, spent time in the suites, watched how the crew worked, and spoke to guests about why they chose Explora. My conclusion is simple. Explora Journeys deserves its growing reputation in luxury cruising.

What also impressed me is the scale of the ambition behind the brand. EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II have both launched within the last three years, with EXPLORA III due to launch this summer. Beyond that, EXPLORA IV, V and VI are all at various stages of construction at the famous Fincantieri shipyards in Italy, showing this is not a one-off project but a serious long-term investment in redefining luxury at sea.

A boutique hotel feel, not a “traditional cruise” vibe

Explora Journeys is the luxury lifestyle brand from the MSC Group. I will be honest. Historically, MSC Cruises has not been my personal favourite. The ships can look stunning, but the overall feel has not always matched what many luxury travellers expect. MSC Yacht Club, though, has always impressed me. It offers a calm, elevated experience within a larger ship.

Explora feels like MSC has taken those lessons and built a dedicated luxury brand from the ground up. The result is calm, spacious, and modern. It feels more like a high-end boutique hotel at sea than a classic cruise ship. It also attracts a younger luxury crowd. The average age onboard is around mid-50.

What stood out straight away
  • Space and design – the first thing you notice is the space. Decks feel open. Lounges feel airy. There are plenty of places to sit without feeling like you are in anyone’s way. It is stylish, but it is not showy. Everything feels considered.
  • The suites – these are genuinely lovely. Calm colours, smart layout, and proper comfort. The terraces are generous, and the bathrooms feel like luxury hotel standard, not “cruise acceptable”. The bed deserves a special mention. It is one of the most comfortable I have slept in at sea. The minibar is also stocked to your preferences, and there’s a Dyson hairdryer; small touches that make a big difference.
  • The crew – for me were the real highlight. Service is polished, but it is not stiff. You feel looked after but not hovered over. The warmth feels natural, and it sets the tone for the whole ship.
  • Entertainment – across the ship there are talented resident pianists and musicians creating a sophisticated atmosphere in the bars and lounges. Then there are the headline guest performers in the Voyage Lounge — think elegant theatre rather than large cruise ship auditorium. During our sailing we watched an extraordinary violinist, a winner of The Voice, and a prodigy pianist, all delivering performances you would happily pay to see on land.
The dining and bar scene is incredible…

I ate in all the included restaurants onboard. What impressed me most was that each venue has its own personality. It does not feel like the same menu dressed up in different décor, and it couldn’t be further removed from the ‘main dining room’ on most cruise ships.

Another big plus is that you are not restricted by “speciality dining limits” in the way you are on some lines.

  • Anthology is the only restaurant with a supplement. It is positioned as the special occasion venue. It is excellent, but here is the interesting part. Many guests do not feel the need to repeat it, because the included dining is already so strong.
  • Sakura, a beautiful setting and a real step up from typical “cruise Asian”. Think refined Pan-Asian dishes, delicate sushi, and standout wagyu. It feels elegant, not gimmicky.
  • Marble & Co. Grill, a modern European steakhouse style restaurant. Great quality cuts, strong seafood options, and sides that feel properly thought through. It is elevated but still relaxed.
  • Fil Rouge, French-inspired brasserie and a great choice for breakfast if you prefer a quieter start to the day.
  • Med Yacht Club, fresh Mediterranean cooking with a coastal feel. Grilled fish, bright salads, and simple dishes that lean into quality ingredients.
  • Emporium Marketplace and Raw Bar, this is not a standard cruise buffet experience. It feels far more like a beautifully curated food hall, with live cooking stations, exceptional quality throughout. Emporium is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and what really impressed us was how it transformed throughout the day. We visited one evening to experience the dinner atmosphere and it was genuinely lovely — relaxed, elegant and surprisingly busy considering the number of excellent speciality restaurants available onboard. Guests were enjoying beautifully presented food and good wine, but in a more informal way after a busy day ashore. We loved seeing people simply come up for oysters and a few glasses of champagne before heading off to their dinner reservations.
  • Café Crème, great coffee, pastries, and light bites, served in a space you naturally drift back to.
Life onboard: calm, flexible, and easy

Explora’s layout is one of its best features. The ship feels like a collection of smaller boutique spaces, rather than one big vessel. One standout area is The Conservatory. It is a glass-roofed lounge that changes with the weather. One day it is open and breezy. The next it is cosy and sheltered. It also becomes a social hub for major events. Yes, people were genuinely watching the Grand Prix and football onboard.

Spa, gym, and wellness

The wellness area is included, which is still relatively rare in luxury cruising. You have access to sauna, steam room, salt room, heated relaxation beds, and experiential showers and ice fountain. Robes, towels, and slippers are all there, so it feels effortless. The gym is large and well-equipped with high-end Technogym kit. It gets busier on sea days, but it was quiet when we were in port.

The best Wi-Fi I have experienced at sea

This deserves its own section. The Wi-Fi was fast, stable, and consistent around the ship.

You can also connect up to three devices per person, which is brilliant if you like to travel with a phone, tablet, and laptop. If you are working remotely (like me!), or you simply need to stay connected, this is a real advantage.

A surprising detail: the Rolex boutique at sea

EXPLORA I has the world’s first official Rolex boutique at sea. Some guests genuinely book the cruise for that reason alone. Appointments can be late, even around midnight, because the boutique only operates while the ship is sailing. Not everyone cares about that, of course, but it shows where Explora Journeys is positioning itself.

Value: why Explora stacks up so well

This is where Explora Journeys becomes particularly interesting because, whilst this is absolutely a luxury cruise brand, I actually think it’s incredible value.

Ocean Terrace Suites can often be found from around £400 to £600 per person per night. When you compare that to staying in a luxury resort or hotel and adding drinks, dining and extras on top, the value quickly becomes clear.

In many ways, I think people who love IKOS resorts will immediately understand Explora. You have that same feeling of quality, service and genuinely premium all-inclusive hospitality where almost everything that matters is included and done exceptionally well. Fine dining, premium drinks, Champagne, cocktails, speciality coffees, gratuities, Wi-Fi, in-suite minibar replenished daily, room service and access to the wellness facilities are all part of the experience.

The lead-in Ocean Terrace Suite never once felt “entry level” to me. In fact, I loved it. Spacious, elegant and beautifully designed, it felt like a proper luxury hotel suite from the moment we walked in.

I also think anyone who enjoys brands like Four Seasons will feel very comfortable onboard Explora Journeys. The service is polished and intuitive, the surroundings are stunning, and the quality is consistently high throughout the ship. The difference is that you are not constantly signing for cocktails, coffees, lunch by the pool or dinner each evening and leaving with a hefty final bill at the end of your holiday.

Yes, there were families onboard and they seemed to be having a wonderful time, but for me Explora still feels much more adult-orientated in its atmosphere. Calm, sophisticated and very relaxed.

Interestingly, some of my clients are booking Explora Journeys for milestone celebrations and special occasions, whilst others are switching from established luxury cruise brands because they prefer the newer, more contemporary feel.

One thing that also surprises many people is the single occupancy pricing. Explora often offers some exceptionally attractive solo traveller fares, with supplements sometimes as low as zero percent, which is almost unheard of in luxury cruising.

Explora Journeys has absolutely earned its place alongside the very best modern luxury cruise brands.

What it does brilliantly is make luxury feel effortless. Elegant, but never intimidating. Refined, but never stiff.

If you are curious about Explora Journeys, I would genuinely love to talk it through with you. I can help you compare itineraries, suite categories and what is really included, so you can make a confident decision without spending hours researching online.

And perhaps the biggest compliment I can give it? We enjoyed the experience so much that we have already booked to return this November — this time for ten nights in the Caribbean onboard EXPLORA I, and we’ve booked three cabins.