Explora Journeys

Luxury brand of the MSC group headquartered in Geneva. Small ships offering only luxury with ocean views and a private terrace, an “all inclusive” fare, and a slow pace of travel with longer port stays.

Overview of Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys - a luxury cruise company of the MSC Group (Mediterranean Shipping Company), founded in 2021 with headquarters in Geneva. The first ship, Explora I, set sail on August 1, 2023 from Copenhagen. The company positions itself not as a traditional cruise line, but as an “ocean resort”: there are no lines, loud shows, or formal evenings-there’s space, quiet, and service at a five-star hotel level.

Ships and suites

All vessels are built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. Each liner is designed for approximately 900 guests-which is several times fewer than on mass-market liners, and therefore the ship is rarely crowded. All accommodations are ocean-view suites with a private terrace, from the Ocean Terrace Suite of about 35 m² to the Owner's Residence of over 250 m². Explora III (July 2026) is the first ship in the fleet to run on liquefied gas (LNG), extended by 19 meters compared to its predecessors, with a connection to the shore power grid in ports.

What’s included in the price

The Explora fare really is “all included”: accommodation in a suite, meals in most restaurants, alcoholic beverages and cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and water, gratuities, port charges, unlimited Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment, and transfers from the port to the city center where provided. Shore excursions (Destination Experiences), spa procedures, the Anthology restaurant with menus by invited chefs, and some premium wines and drinks are paid separately.

Restaurants and leisure

On board there are six to seven restaurants with no mandatory seating and no fixed dinner time: the steakhouse Marble & Co. Grill, the pan-Asian Sakura, the Mediterranean Med Yacht Club, the Emporium Marketplace food market, the French Fil Rouge, and the gourmet Anthology. On Explora III, The Cellar, The Chef's Table, and Shore Club on 11 were added. The Ocean Wellness spa complex with a thermal area, several pools (one with a retractable roof), bars and lounges with live music.

Who it’s for

Couples and adult travelers who value comfort, gastronomy, and a calm pace; those who have already traveled with MSC or Costa and want to move up to a higher level; and those who don’t want to count extra charges for drinks, internet, and gratuities. Children are welcome: for guests aged 6-17, the Nautilus Club is available, but the atmosphere on board is predominantly geared toward adults.

Itineraries

Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, the Caribbean basin, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Australia; from 2027 - Alaska. Itineraries are typically from 7 nights, with overnight stays or long port calls, more often in smaller harbors that large liners don’t visit.

Loyalty Program

Explora Club - a free loyalty program for guests aged 18+ (21+ in the USA). Points are awarded for each night on the voyage: 100 points per night in an Ocean Suite, twice as many in penthouses, three times as many in Residences, and ten times as many in an Owner's Residence. An additional 100 points are awarded for every €1000 spent onboard and on excursions. Points are valid for five years from the last voyage.

Levels:

• Classic - from the moment of registration, up to the first voyage;

• Silver - up to 5 000 points: 5% discount on next cruises, gifts, champagne on your birthday;

• Gold - 5 001-20 000: additionally, one complimentary bag of laundry per voyage;

• Platinum - 20 001-50 000: $100 credit for the spa and $100 credit for excursions, daily laundry, excursion to the captain's bridge;

• Diamond - from 50 001: suite upgrade, private transfers, a dedicated boarding area, complimentary one-week voyage for two.

There is a Status Match: members of the Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Crystal and Ponant loyalty programs can transfer their status once. You can register via a travel agent, your My Explora personal account, or onboard.

Dress code

There are no formal evenings on Explora. During the day-free resort style: shorts, dresses, sandals, and swimsuits are appropriate by the pool. In the evening-“elegant resort casual” (elegant resort casual): for men, trousers and a collared shirt or polo shirt, a blazer if desired, no tie required; for women, a dress, skirt, or trousers with a blouse. In the restaurants, guests are asked not to appear in beachwear, shorts, or flip-flops in the evening.

Cancellation Terms

Deposit - 25% of the cost per person; full payment - 90 days before departure (for Ocean Residences - 150 days). If the booking is made more than a year before the cruise, it can be canceled within 10 days with only an administrative fee.

Cancellation penalties (Ocean Terrace, Grand Terrace and Penthouse suites):

• 151 days or more before departure - only an administrative fee (equivalent to $200);

• 150-121 days - 15% of the cost;

• 120-91 days - 25%;

• 90-61 days - 50%;

• 60-31 days - 75%;

• 30 days or less - 100%.

For Ocean Residences and Owner's Residence the penalties are higher: 25%, 45%, 65%, 85% and 100% for the same stages. The exact terms for your cruise are confirmed by the Cruise Life manager during booking; we recommend arranging travel insurance with cancellation coverage.

Age restrictions

Infants are accepted from 6 months as of the cruise start date; children under 1 year old are accepted only on itineraries where there are no more than two consecutive days at sea.

• Guests under 18 years old (up to 21 for US citizens or cruises departing from US ports) travel only with parents or a legal guardian.

• You can book a suite independently starting from 18 years old (from 21 on cruises from US ports).

• Alcohol is available starting from 18; on cruises in North America and the Caribbean - from 21.

• Children’s club Nautilus Club - for children aged 6-17.

• Pregnant guests are accepted if, on any cruise date, the due date is no more than 23 weeks and 6 days.