I Test Out If Explora Journeys Really Lives Up To The Luxury Cruise Hype

Before boarding my Explora Journeys cruise, I had many questions. Would this much-hyped new line truly deliver the ultra-luxury experience promised in its glossy marketing and rave online reviews? Who exactly is it competing with — and who is it really aimed at? I’d even seen ads suggesting it was becoming a family-friendly line.

So, as I stepped aboard Explora II in Barcelona for an 11-night sailing, I was eager to discover the truth. And by the end, I had some clear answers — and one major hurdle that made me question if I would sail with them again.

Welcome aboard, I’m Gary Bembridge. As always, I paid for my own cruise at the going rate through my usual travel agent to keep this review fully independent. Later, I’ll share exactly what the cruise cost me — and whether I think it was worth it.

Who Is Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys markets itself as a new generation of luxury cruising. It’s owned by the Aponte family — the same family behind MSC Cruises and MSC Cargo Shipping.

At the time of writing, two ships are in service (Explora I and Explora II), with six planned in total. Each ship carries around 922 guests in 461 all-balcony suites, designed with a European boutique hotel aesthetic.

Unlike MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys is monolingual English onboard, though it retains a distinct European feel, with euro pricing and continental cuisine.

The line clearly sees itself as competing in the ultra-luxury space, offering status match with nine leading luxury cruise lines — including Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Ponant, and Ritz-Carlton Yachts.

And based on both fare levels and inclusions, I’d say they sit firmly in that price bracket.

What Explora Journeys Does Well

🛳️ Ship and Cabins

The ships are beautifully designed — sleek and contemporary, with interiors resembling an upscale boutique hotel. They’ve worked with private yacht and luxury hotel designers, and it shows: elegant décor, generous public spaces, and plenty of venues to relax.

All accommodation is balcony-only, divided into three categories — Ocean Terraces, Penthouses, and Residences — and every one feels indulgently high-end.

🍽️ Dining

Dining is where Explora Journeys truly shines. There’s no main dining room — instead, six restaurants (five included, one surcharge) and multiple casual options.

Fil Rouge – French-inspired global cuisine, open for breakfast and dinner
Med Yacht Club – Mediterranean flavours, open for lunch (sea days) and dinner
Marble & Co. Grill – European steakhouse
Sakura – Asian fusion and sushi, my personal favourite
Anthology – Fine Italian tasting menu (€140 pp, €60 for wine pairing)

The Emporium Marketplace reimagines the buffet with chef-served fresh stations, while Crema Café, Gelateria & Creperie, and Afternoon Tea in the Explora Lounge add delightful variety.

Overall, food quality was among the best I’ve experienced at sea — easily rivaling ultra-luxury lines like Crystal or Silversea.

💎 Inclusions

Explora’s fares are steep, but inclusions are generous:

All dining (except Anthology)
Wines, spirits, soft drinks, speciality coffees
Wi-Fi (3 devices)
Gratuities
Thermal spa access
Fitness classes
Shuttle buses in ports

Extras include excursions, paid tastings, and cooking classes.

👤 Solo Cruisers

As a solo traveller, I was impressed. Solo supplements start as low as 15%, rarely exceeding 50%. The hosted solo programme is varied and social — rotating between breakfasts, lunches, and teas — rather than the usual repetitive meet-ups.

🪙 Status Match

Explora’s loyalty status match is a smart move. If you’re elite with Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, or similar, you can try Explora while enjoying comparable perks from day one.

What Explora Journeys Does Just Okay

🙋‍♂️ Service

While friendly, service wasn’t as polished or anticipatory as I’ve experienced on lines like Regent or Seabourn. With a 1.25:1 guest-to-crew ratio, things occasionally slipped — especially at peak dining times.

Crew training and consistency should improve as the line matures.

🧭 Enrichment

Port talks and enrichment were solid but not standout. Fortunately, we had Karen Worrall (“Cruise Ship Karen”), whose talks were excellent — but consistency varied. Other enrichment, like cooking demos and whale-watching with ORCA, was enjoyable but not yet at Crystal’s calibre.

What Explora Journeys Needs to Improve

🌐 Pre-Cruise Experience

Their website and booking system are clunky. I couldn’t book excursions online through my travel agent and had to call to confirm dining reservations. The onboard app, though, worked very well.

🎭 Entertainment

Entertainment was a weak spot. Production shows felt dated (Motown, Rat Pack, Billy Joel), guest acts were standard cruise fare, and the daily programme was light.

For a brand courting Gen X and younger luxury travellers, the entertainment needs a refresh.

🧳 Itineraries & Excursions

Itineraries are currently limited to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with expansion planned to South America and the Middle East as more ships arrive.

Excursions, handled by Intercruises, were uninspired — heavy on panoramic bus tours rather than immersive local experiences.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families and Kids

This could be a deal breaker for some. Explora Journeys actively welcomes families — infants sail free, and children up to 18 pay half-fare.

The Nautilus Club kids’ facility is growing with demand. On my sailing, there were 24 kids; the next cruise (Easter holidays) doubled that.

If you prefer adults-only luxury, avoid school holidays and shorter sailings. Only the Helios Pool is adults-only.

However, for multi-generational luxury cruising, Explora is a rare and welcome option.

💰 Fares

It’s undeniably expensive. My 11-night Canary Islands cruise as a solo cost £8,250 ($11,000) before discount — around $1,000 per night. Even with a 30% launch offer, that’s $770 a night.

Future itineraries average $1,000 (£750) per cabin per night, in line with Seabourn and Silversea entry fares but higher than Oceania or Viking.

So… Does Explora Journeys Live Up to the Hype?

Mostly, yes — if you know what you’re buying.

Explora Journeys delivers on design, dining, inclusions, and a youthful, modern luxury vibe, but it still has growing pains in service, entertainment, and back-end logistics.

For seasoned luxury cruisers wanting something fresh, international, and contemporary, it’s a compelling new alternative to Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, or Crystal.

Just be prepared to pay for it — and perhaps wait another year or two for the experience to fully mature.