EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV at a glance

EXPLORA IV is the fourth ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, built to deliver a resort-at-sea experience defined by generous space, multiple dining venues and unhurried itineraries. Here is what sets the scene:

• Operated exclusively by Explora Journeys
• Multiple pools, lounges and dining venues — included and specialty alike
• Accommodation ranging from well-appointed suites to the extraordinary Owner's Residence
• Itineraries spanning Norway, the Caribbean, the British Isles, Transatlantic crossings, the Baltic, the Arctic and the East Coast of America

Sailings on EXPLORA IV depart from ports including Southampton, Copenhagen, Miami, Reykjavik, San Juan, Québec City, Hamburg, Bruges and Lisbon, with voyages running up to 43 nights.

Dining on EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV carries a full range of dining venues, from all-day included restaurants to intimate specialty experiences that carry a separate charge.

Fil Rouge is your all-day anchor — a French-influenced international restaurant serving breakfast through dinner and included in your fare. Emporium Marketplace takes a market-hall approach, with live cooking stations serving global dishes throughout the day, also included. For a Mediterranean mood, the casual Med Yacht Club offers sea views and a yacht-club atmosphere at no extra cost, while Shore Club brings coastal-inspired dishes and light bites to a laid-back poolside setting — equally included and ideal for long, sunny lunches.

Specialty dining steps things up further. Anthology rotates guest chefs each voyage, bringing evolving fine-dining concepts to the table with à la carte pricing. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary steakhouse built around an open kitchen and premium cuts, also à la carte. Sakura blends Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean flavours across a pan-Asian menu with reservations recommended. The Chef Table offers the most intimate experience of all — a single table, a personalised meal crafted to your preferences, advance reservation required and a cover charge applies. Suite guests can also draw on round-the-clock In Suite Dining at no extra cost, with the full variety of the main restaurants available to the terrace or the table in your room.

Bars and lounges on EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV's social spaces span everything from quiet reading retreats to lively evening venues, and most are free to enter.

The Explora Lounge is a naturally lit hub for light meals, afternoon tea and ocean watching, with the Malt Whiskey Bar tucked inside it — a curated whisky haven with rare expressions, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace. Nearby, The Cellar is a relaxed wine bar exploring Old World classics alongside New World favourites. The Journeys Lounge — the ship's largest lounge — transforms through the day from mixology sessions and enrichment talks to cabaret entertainment in the evening. The Astern Lounge handles the daily rhythm of social gatherings, while the Lobby Bar sits at the heart of the ship for aperitifs and live music. For coffee and lighter refreshments, Crema Cafe is the casual daytime hub. On deck, Sky Bar On 14 rewards you with panoramic open-air views from Deck 14, while Helios Pool Bar on Deck 12 is an adults-only forward-facing retreat. The Gelateria Creperie At The Conservatory rounds things off with authentic gelato and crêpes, charged à la carte, in the sheltered Conservatory setting.

Note that drinks and food at most bars are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package — check your fare inclusions when booking.

Pool areas on EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV offers several distinct pool settings to suit different moods. The Astern Pool Bar sits beside the infinity pool with a beach-club atmosphere by day, live acoustic performers and DJs as evening arrives. The Atoll Pool Bar keeps things colourful and refreshing with sea views throughout the day. The Conservatory Pool Bar offers a sheltered poolside lounge that transforms into an open-air cinema under the stars come nightfall.

Cabins and suites on EXPLORA IV

Accommodation on EXPLORA IV is suite-only, designed around generous personal space and private terraces. At the pinnacle sits the Owner's Residence — at 183 m² of living space complemented by 132 m² of private terrace, sleeping up to four guests, it is the ship's largest accommodation and more than three times the size of a Grand Penthouse Suite. For full details of every grade, deck layouts and what each cabin type includes, explore the EXPLORA IV cabins and deck plans.

Where EXPLORA IV sails

EXPLORA IV covers a broad sweep of destinations from late 2026 onwards. Norway is the most represented region, with itineraries sailing the fjords and the coast. The Caribbean features prominently too, with departures from Miami and San Juan — browse Caribbean cruises in 2027 or Caribbean cruises from Sydney to see what's available. The British Isles feature strongly, with many sailings departing from Southampton — the ship's most frequent home port — and you can search cruises from Southampton in 2027 directly. Transatlantic crossings connect Europe and the Americas, and the Baltic brings Copenhagen, Hamburg and the wider region into the mix. The Arctic and Mediterranean round out the programme, including Mediterranean cruises in 2027 and all-inclusive Mediterranean options.

Other embarkation ports include Reykjavik, San Juan, Québec City, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Lisbon. All of these require flying to the port — see below for how Cruise1st handles that.

Why book EXPLORA IV with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is backed by our Best Price Guarantee — a named, site-wide promise that you're getting the best available rate when you book with us. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to talk through cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary options before you commit.

Because every sailing on EXPLORA IV departs from an overseas port, the cruise is the middle of a longer trip — our team can book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one holiday through a Cruise1st Package, so there's one booking, one point of contact and one less thing to worry about.

Whatever cabin grade you're considering — from a well-appointed ocean suite to the Owner's Residence — we'll help you match the grade and fare inclusions to your circumstances.

Other ships in the Explora Journeys fleet

If you're weighing up your options within the Explora Journeys fleet, Cruise1st also sells sailings on EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and Explora III — each sailing a different programme of itineraries that may suit your preferred dates or regions.

Common questions about EXPLORA IV

Which cabin grade should I book on EXPLORA IV?

All accommodation on EXPLORA IV is suite-style, so the question is really how much space and how many inclusions you want. The Owner's Residence, at 183 m² of interior space plus 132 m² of private terrace, is the ship's largest option and sleeps up to four — ideal for families or those who simply want the most generous private space afloat. Suite guests also unlock round-the-clock In Suite Dining. Our EXPLORA IV cabins and deck plans page covers every grade in detail, and our team can talk through the options seven days a week.

Are there free dining options on EXPLORA IV?

Yes — several restaurants are included in your cruise fare. Fil Rouge (all-day French-influenced dining), Emporium Marketplace (global live cooking stations), Med Yacht Club (casual Mediterranean) and Shore Club (poolside coastal dishes) are all included. Specialty venues including Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and the Chef Table carry an additional charge, as do most drinks at bars unless you have a beverage package.

Do I need to fly to join EXPLORA IV?

Yes — all sailings on EXPLORA IV depart from overseas ports, with Southampton, Copenhagen, Miami, Reykjavik and San Juan among the most common. Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotels and transfers alongside your cruise as a single Cruise1st Package, making the full journey easier to plan and book in one go.

How long are the itineraries on EXPLORA IV?

Voyages on EXPLORA IV range from short sailings up to 43 nights, covering destinations from Norwegian fjords and the Arctic to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. If you have a specific length in mind, our cruise experts can match available sailings to your schedule.

Which regions does EXPLORA IV visit most?

Norway accounts for the largest share of sailings, followed by the Caribbean, the British Isles and Transatlantic routes. The Baltic Sea, Arctic, East Coast of America and Mediterranean are also featured. You can browse by region — Norway sailings, Caribbean, British Isles and Arctic cruises all have their own pages on Cruise1st with current availability.