Cruise Frog guide
Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is the luxury brand of MSC Group's cruise division, founded in 2021 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, as a sister line to MSC Cruises. It sails three Fincantieri-built ships: Explora I (2023), Explora II (2024) and the LNG-powered Explora III, which entered service in July 2026. Three more are due between 2027 and 2028, and in September 2026 the line signed a letter of intent with the Dutch yard Den Breejen for its first river ships.
Style
Luxury
small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
Best for
- Couples
- Food lovers
- History and culture
- Multigenerational groups
Fleet rating
No ships rated yet.
About Explora Journeys
Every room is an ocean-front suite with a terrace, and each ship carries fewer than 1,000 guests with a guest-to-host ratio the line puts at 1.25 to 1. Fares include most dining (nine of eleven culinary venues, including in-suite dining), unlimited drinks with fine wines, champagne and premium spirits, Wi-Fi, gratuities and access to the spa's thermal area; shore excursions, flights and a few premium venues cost extra.
Itineraries, which the line calls Journeys, range from a few nights to multi-week Grand Journeys, are often one-way, and move with the seasons: the Mediterranean in summer, the Caribbean in winter, and newer routes to Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, North America's East Coast, Alaska, South America and Asia, with a 128-day world voyage announced for 2029. The ships put dining, wellness and enrichment ahead of big-ship attractions, and a Nautilus Club serves children and teens.
What Explora Journeys is known for
Explora is praised for spacious suites, uncrowded public areas, understated contemporary design and a fare that bundles drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Reviewers often single out the calm atmosphere, friendly and unstuffy service and consistent dining. The common criticisms are teething problems for a young line, such as slow or disorganized embarkation on some sailings, extra charges for the premium restaurant and shore excursions, low-key entertainment and quiet late evenings, and limited activities for young children. Fares sit firmly in the luxury bracket, several times the cost of a comparable mainstream cruise.
Who it's for
Explora suits couples and solo travelers who want a calm, design-led luxury ship with drinks and tips included, travelers who plan trips around food, wellness and destinations, and multigenerational groups with older children or teens, who can use the Nautilus Club. It is less suited to families with young, high-energy children, and to anyone who wants big production shows, late-night venues, water slides or budget fares; those travelers will find more on large-ship lines, including sister brand MSC Cruises.
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- Food lovers
- dining is a reason to sail
- History and culture
- port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
- Multigenerational groups
- something for grandparents and grandchildren alike
How it rates
None of Explora Journeys's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.
Where Explora Journeys sails
Ships
Explora I2023 · 63,621 GT · 996 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanExplora I is the first ship of Explora Journeys, MSC Group's luxury brand, built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and delivered in July 2023 after a delay over fire-safety…
Explora II2024 · 63,900 GT · 996 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanExplora II is the second Explora-class ship, built by Fincantieri at Sestri Ponente near Genoa and delivered on 12 September 2024. Marine environmentalist Rosalba Giugni named…
Explora III2026 · 72,810 GT · Caribbean · Northern EuropeExplora III is the third Explora-class ship and the line's first LNG-powered vessel, delivered by Fincantieri in Genoa in July 2026. At 72,810 gross tons she is 19.2 metres…Coming soon
Quick answers
What is Explora Journeys known for?
Explora is praised for spacious suites, uncrowded public areas, understated contemporary design and a fare that bundles drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Reviewers often single out the calm atmosphere, friendly and unstuffy service and consistent dining. The common criticisms are teething problems for a young line, such as slow or disorganized embarkation on some sailings, extra charges for the premium restaurant and shore excursions, low-key entertainment and quiet late evenings, and limited activities for young children. Fares sit firmly in the luxury bracket, several times the cost of a comparable mainstream cruise.
Who is Explora Journeys best for?
Explora suits couples and solo travelers who want a calm, design-led luxury ship with drinks and tips included, travelers who plan trips around food, wellness and destinations, and multigenerational groups with older children or teens, who can use the Nautilus Club. It is less suited to families with young, high-energy children, and to anyone who wants big production shows, late-night venues, water slides or budget fares; those travelers will find more on large-ship lines, including sister brand MSC Cruises.
Where does Explora Journeys sail?
Explora Journeys's ships in service sail Caribbean (3 ships), Mediterranean (2 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Northern Europe (1 ship), Canada and New England (1 ship), Transatlantic (1 ship), South America (1 ship) and Asia (1 ship).
Does Explora Journeys have new ships coming?
Yes: Explora Journeys has 3 new ships on the way: Explora V (debuts December 2027), Explora IV (due 2027) and Explora VI (debuts August 2028).
How many ships does Explora Journeys have?
Explora Journeys has 3 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Explora I, Explora II and Explora III.
Who owns Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is part of MSC Group.
Where is Explora Journeys based?
Explora Journeys is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It has operated since 2021.
What is Explora Journeys's loyalty program called?
Explora Journeys's past-guest loyalty program is Explora Club.
What is the largest Explora Journeys ship?
Explora III is Explora Journeys's largest ship at 72,810 gross tons.
Cruising with children
Explora’s multigenerational offer can work for families who want a luxury voyage together. Start by matching the children’s ages to the current Nautilus Club program.
Read the Explora Journeys family guide →