Explora Journeys has introduced its latest vessel, the Explora III, marking a notable addition to the luxury cruise market. The ship set sail from the shipyard just one week prior to its recent Mediterranean voyage, highlighting the brand’s continued expansion since launching its first ship in August 2023. Operated under the MSC Group umbrella, Explora Journeys aims to capture a growing segment of affluent travelers, as the number of luxury cruise passengers worldwide has more than tripled since 2015, reaching over 1.2 million last year.
With a passenger capacity of 922, Explora III is larger than its predecessors, extending 19.2 meters in length to accommodate the requirements of its liquefied natural gas-powered engines. This eco-friendlier fuel option necessitates larger tanks but aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainability. Despite its increased size, the ship maintains a focus on spacious luxury rather than maximizing capacity, offering guests wide corridors, a double-height lobby, and an expansive pool deck featuring three pools in total.
Dining options are diverse, with seven restaurants onboard, including a private dining room seating up to 12 and an outdoor cigar lounge. The ship’s interiors emphasize opulence with extensive use of marble and elegant design elements such as backlit onyx staircases and Murano glass chandeliers—hand-blown and sourced from the Venetian islands—which serve as the centerpiece of the lobby bar.
Accommodation ranges from well-appointed entry-level suites equipped with minibars customizable to guest preferences, espresso machines, pillow menus, binoculars, walk-in wardrobes, and spacious balconies, to the expansive Owner’s Residence. The Owner’s Residence spans 183 square meters with an additional 132 square meters of balcony space, featuring upscale amenities including a steam room and whirlpool, and is priced at approximately £38,800 per person for an eight-night stay.
Gastronomy and lifestyle amenities extend beyond dining. The Cellar wine-tasting lounge offers rare vintages such as the Napa Valley Screaming Eagle at £2,269 per bottle and the Super Tuscan Masseto at £1,053. The Clarendon Fine Art gallery onboard provides a platform for art investment, featuring works by renowned artists including Salvador Dalí and Marc Chagall, with pieces valued as high as £428,000. The spa menu is equally premium-priced, with treatments such as a 60-minute massage starting at £256, alongside wellness facilities like a sound pod designed for relaxation, though it was reportedly fully booked during the recent voyage. The fitness program also boasts unique offerings, including a newly inaugurated padel court.
Explora III’s combination of size, sustainable technology, upscale amenities, and refined design reflects a strategic effort to position Explora Journeys as a competitive player in the high-end cruise sector as demand for luxury travel shows no signs of slowing. Additional vessels in the series, Explora IV, V, and VI, are currently under construction to meet growing market interest.