Cruise Frog guide
Explora Journeys vs Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Explora Journeys and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises rate the same overall on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 4.3 out of 5 across their rated ships. Explora Journeys leads on cabins, with the rest level. Pick Explora Journeys for multigenerational groups; Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for adventure seekers.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Explora Journeys | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Luxury | Luxury |
| Best for | Couples, Food lovers, History and culture, Multigenerational groups | Couples, Food lovers, History and culture, Adventure seekers |
| Fleet rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Cabins | 5.0 | 4.8 |
| Dining | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Entertainment | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Service | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Pools & decks | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Value | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Ships in service | 3 | 5 |
| Ships on the way | 3 | — |
| Largest ship | Explora III (72,810 GT) | Europa 2 (42,830 GT) |
| Newest ship | Explora III (2026) | Hanseatic Spirit (2021) |
| Guests per ship, average | 996 | 323 |
| Usually sails | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe | Antarctica, World cruises |
| Solo cabins | None | None |
| Single supplement | A Journey of One offer: solo occupancy from 0% over the current per-person fare on select journeys, in Ocean Terrace, Ocean Grand Terrace… | Suites are priced per person on double occupancy. Hapag-Lloyd publishes offers for solo travelers with no or only a small surcharge for… |
| Loyalty program | Explora Club | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Club |
| Owner | MSC Group | TUI Cruises |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland | Hamburg, Germany |
| Founded | 2021 | 1970 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises?
Explora Journeys and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises rate the same overall on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 4.3 out of 5 across their rated ships. Explora Journeys leads on cabins, with the rest level.
Is Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises better value?
They score the same for value, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 5.0 out of 5.
Is Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises better for entertainment?
They score the same for entertainment, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises better for cabins?
Explora Journeys scores higher for cabins, 5.0 to 4.8 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Explora Journeys or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises?
Explora Journeys's largest ship, Explora III, measures 72,810 gross tons, against 42,830 for Europa 2, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises's largest. An average Explora Journeys ship carries 996 guests, a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship 323.
How many ships do Explora Journeys and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have?
Explora Journeys has 3 ships in service and 3 on the way; Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has 5 ships in service.
Are Explora Journeys and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises owned by the same company?
No. Explora Journeys is part of MSC Group; Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is part of TUI Cruises.