Explora Journeys

What sailing with Explora Journeys is really like

Explora Journeys sits at the refined end of the ocean-cruising spectrum — ships built to feel less like a vessel moving between ports and more like a private resort that happens to be at sea. The atmosphere is unhurried and sociable rather than formal, with generous space per guest, a striking range of places to eat and drink, and itineraries long enough to genuinely settle in. If you have cruised on a mainstream line and wondered what the next level looks like, this is a strong answer.

The ships

The fleet is purpose-built for this style of travel. EXPLORA I pioneered the concept; EXPLORA II followed with the same ocean-resort philosophy refined; and Explora III continues to expand what the line can offer across its growing calendar. Each ship carries a broad selection of the venues described below — plan your preferred restaurants before you board, as some require advance reservation.

Dining: a genuine reason to stay on board

Few luxury lines match the sheer variety of places to eat. Included in your fare are all-day venues such as Fil Rouge, which serves French-influenced international cuisine from breakfast through dinner, the casual market-style Emporium Marketplace with its live cooking stations, the relaxed Med Yacht Club with sea views, and the poolside Shore Club for coastal-inspired lunches. Suite guests also have round-the-clock In Suite Dining with the same breadth of choice.

Speciality dining carries an à la carte charge but is worth planning for: Anthology rotates guest chefs each voyage; Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary open-kitchen steakhouse; Sakura brings pan-Asian flavours — Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean — together under one roof; and the intimate Chef Table offers a single-table personalised tasting experience. Reserve these early, particularly on longer voyages.

Bars and social spaces

The range of bars is equally considered. The Malt Whiskey Bar — tucked within the Explora Lounge — holds a curated global whisky collection, rare finds, and a walk-in humidor with cigar guidance, plus an outdoor terrace. The Cellar is a relaxed wine bar spanning Old World classics to New World discoveries. For something more lively, the Journeys Lounge is the ship’s largest social space, hosting mixology sessions, enrichment talks and cabaret entertainment across the day. Those wanting fresh air will find the Sky Bar On 14 — perched on Deck 14 with open panoramic views — and the Helios Pool Bar, an adults-only retreat on Deck 12 with forward-facing ocean vistas.

The Conservatory Pool Bar transforms from a sheltered daytime lounge into an open-air cinema under the stars in the evenings — a detail that captures the line’s habit of making ordinary moments feel considered.

Entertainment and enrichment

Evening entertainment is anchored by World Class Performances — Broadway and West End artists, acclaimed Steinway pianists and authentic local performers — included in the cruise fare. Curated Moments adds thoughtfully designed cultural celebrations throughout the voyage, and the Clubs programme creates themed social spaces for guests with shared interests, including those travelling solo or preferring alcohol-free gatherings.

Who Explora Journeys suits

This line works best for travellers who want genuine space and variety without a rigid daily schedule — couples who appreciate a fine dinner but also want to drift between a pool bar and a whisky lounge on their own terms, and experienced cruisers ready to step up from a large resort ship. Voyages range from short four-night breaks to grand sailings of up to 128 nights, so the line works whether you are testing it for the first time or committing to an extended journey.

Where Explora Journeys goes

The itinerary map is genuinely global. In Europe, sailings fan out across the Western Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean — departing from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus) and Fusina (Venice) — as well as into Norway‘s fjords and the Arctic. The British Isles feature on the calendar too, with Southampton among the regular departure ports.

Further afield, the Caribbean is well served from both Miami and San Juan, with options in the Western Caribbean as well. Asia opens up through sailings to Japan — departing Tokyo — and across South East Asia from Singapore. For the biggest ambitions, round-the-world voyages are also on offer. Transpacific crossings and Alaska itineraries departing Vancouver complete a programme that genuinely circles the globe.

Australian travellers should note that for virtually every sailing the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip — our team at Cruise1st can wrap flights, hotels and transfers around it as a single booking, so nothing falls through the gaps.

Popular routes to explore

• Mediterranean cruises in 2027 — the line’s largest region by sailings, with departures from multiple Italian, Spanish and Greek ports
• All-inclusive Mediterranean cruises in 2027 — filter for all-inclusive fares in the region
• Cruise to Japan from Australia — including sailings departing Tokyo
• Caribbean cruises in 2027 — from Miami and San Juan across the islands
• Vancouver to Alaska cruises in 2027 — wilderness scenery at the opposite end of the scale
• Cruise deals departing Singapore — a natural joining point for Australian travellers heading into South East Asia

Why book with Cruise1st

Cruise1st offers a Best Price Guarantee across the Explora Journeys programme. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week — local specialists who know this line and can help you choose the right cabin grade, the right fare inclusions, and the right voyage length for your circumstances. Because nearly every Explora Journeys sailing requires a flight from Australia, we also offer Cruise1st Packages — cruise, flights, hotel stays either side, and transfers, all on one booking, so the whole trip is managed in one place.