EXPLORA V

EXPLORA V at a glance

EXPLORA V is the fifth ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, designed around an ocean-house philosophy — generous, unhurried spaces, an exceptional ratio of venues to guests, and a style of travel that feels closer to a private residence at sea than a conventional cruise ship. She sails a varied programme of itineraries across Norway, the Arctic, the Western Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, the East Coast of America and beyond, with departures from ports including Copenhagen, Barcelona, Southampton, Reykjavik, Rome (Civitavecchia), Québec City and Stockholm.

• Operated by Explora Journeys
• Itineraries ranging up to 38 nights
• Sailings across Norway, the Arctic, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Transatlantic routes and the East Coast of America
• Multiple included restaurants plus a range of speciality dining venues with a cover charge
• The Owner's Residence — a 155 m² suite sleeping up to four, the largest residential suite on board

Dining on EXPLORA V

EXPLORA V offers one of the most extensive dining line-ups at sea, spanning relaxed poolside eating, all-day market dining, a French-influenced brasserie, and several speciality restaurants with an à la carte charge.

Included in your cruise fare, Fil Rouge is the all-day dining venue serving French-influenced international cuisine from breakfast through to dinner — a natural anchor for the day. Med Yacht Club brings a casual Mediterranean atmosphere with sea views, while Emporium Marketplace offers a global spread from live cooking stations throughout the voyage. For poolside meals, Shore Club serves freshly prepared coastal-inspired dishes in a sun-filled, relaxed setting — equally suited to a lingering lunch or a light afternoon bite. Suite guests also enjoy round-the-clock In Suite Dining, with meals delivered to their suite or private terrace at any hour.

Speciality dining carries an additional charge but raises the experience considerably. Anthology brings rotating guest chefs and evolving culinary concepts voyage by voyage — no two sailings are quite alike. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary steakhouse with an open kitchen and premium cuts prepared in full view. Sakura blends Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean flavours in one pan-Asian restaurant; advance reservations are recommended. For something truly singular, the Chef Table is an exclusive, single-table experience crafted personally to your preferences — a one-off culinary dialogue that warrants booking early.

Between meals, the Gelateria Crêperie at The Conservatory serves authentic gelato and crêpes à la carte, and Crema Cafe is the go-to for quality coffee and light refreshments throughout the day.

Bars and lounges

EXPLORA V's bar and lounge programme is as carefully considered as its restaurants, with a space for every hour of the day.

The Journeys Lounge is the ship's largest social space, shifting from mixology sessions and enrichment talks during the day to cabaret entertainment in the evenings. The Explora Lounge is a naturally lit retreat for light meals, afternoon tea or a quiet read with the ocean as backdrop. Tucked within it, the Malt Whiskey Bar holds a curated collection of whiskies from around the world — including rare finds — alongside a walk-in humidor and cigar guidance, with an outdoor terrace for open-air enjoyment. Adjacent, The Cellar explores Old World classics and New World favourites in a relaxed wine-bar setting.

Poolside, the Astern Pool Bar sits beside the infinity pool — a beach-club atmosphere by day, with live acoustic performers and DJs as evening arrives. The Atoll Pool Bar and the Helios Pool Bar — an adults-only forward-facing retreat on Deck 12 — round out the open-air options. High above everything, Sky Bar On 14 on Deck 14 delivers panoramic ocean views for sundowners. The Lobby Bar anchors the ship's social heart with aperitifs and live music, and the Astern Lounge hosts daily events from quiet afternoons to livelier evenings. Come nightfall, The Conservatory Pool Bar transforms into an open-air cinema under the stars.

Cabins and suites on EXPLORA V

Every accommodation on EXPLORA V is suite-grade, designed with space, light and private outdoor living at the fore. For those seeking the ultimate in space on board, the Owner's Residence spans 155 m² and sleeps up to four — the largest residential suite on the ship. For full detail on every grade, from entry-level ocean suites to the flagship residences, the EXPLORA V cabins and deck plans page sets out sizes, layouts and available decks.

Where EXPLORA V sails

EXPLORA V covers an ambitious range of destinations across the sailing programme. The strongest concentration of sailings is in Norway, where fjords, northern lights and dramatic coastlines define the itineraries. The Baltic Sea programme takes in cities including Copenhagen and Stockholm. In the Mediterranean, sailings span the Western basin and the broader Mediterranean Sea, with departures from Barcelona, Málaga, Fusina (Venice) and Rome (Civitavecchia) — browse Mediterranean cruises in 2026 and Mediterranean cruises in 2027 for current sailings.

Further afield, transatlantic crossings connect Europe to the East Coast of America — with Québec City among the Canadian departure points — and Arctic sailings depart from Reykjavik. Southampton-departing itineraries also feature, making it possible for some travellers to join without flying; see cruises from Southampton in 2026 and cruises from Southampton in 2027.

Because every other departure port — Copenhagen, Barcelona, Rome and the rest — requires flying from Australia, Cruise1st packages the whole trip: flights, hotels either side and transfers, all on one booking. Prices for EXPLORA V sailings start from A$5,750pp*.

Why book EXPLORA V with Cruise1st

Cruise1st backs every booking with a Best Price Guarantee and the support of Australian cruise experts, seven days a week — specialists you can speak to before you commit, not after. Because all current EXPLORA V sailings depart from overseas ports, every itinerary can be booked as a Cruise1st Package — the cruise plus flights, hotels and transfers arranged as one holiday, with a single point of contact throughout. We'll also help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions for your circumstances, so nothing is left to chance.

Thirty-two of the current sailings carry a discount — browse Mediterranean cruise deals and offers or Europe cruises to see what's available, or explore all-inclusive Mediterranean cruises for 2027 if you want fare inclusions locked in from the start.

Other ships in the Explora Journeys fleet

If you're deciding between vessels, Explora Journeys also sails EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and Explora III — each offering the same ocean-house philosophy across different itineraries. The Explora Journeys cruise line page sets out the full fleet alongside what sailing with them is like.

Common questions about EXPLORA V

Is EXPLORA V all-inclusive?

Several dining venues and all lounges are open to all guests with no cover charge, and certain restaurants are included in the cruise fare — among them Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Shore Club and Emporium Marketplace. Speciality restaurants such as Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and the Chef Table carry an à la carte or cover charge. Beverages at most bars are charged separately unless you have a beverage package. Browse all-inclusive Mediterranean cruises to filter by fare type.

Which cabin should I book on EXPLORA V?

Every cabin on EXPLORA V is suite-grade, so the choice is about how much space and how many inclusions you want. The Owner's Residence at 155 m² is the largest on board and sleeps four, making it a strong option for families or groups. For a full breakdown of grades, sizes and deck positions, visit the EXPLORA V cabins and deck plans page, or call our Australian cruise experts seven days a week for a recommendation based on your specific needs.

Do I need to fly to join EXPLORA V from Australia?

Yes — all current sailings depart from overseas ports including Copenhagen, Barcelona, Southampton, Reykjavik and Rome (Civitavecchia). Cruise1st can arrange the entire trip as a Cruise1st Package, covering flights, hotels before and after, and transfers, all on a single booking.

What are the longest sailings available on EXPLORA V?

The current programme stretches up to 38 nights, with Transatlantic and combined itineraries tending to be the lengthiest. Norway voyages and Baltic Sea sailings typically sit in the shorter range. Use the Transatlantic cruises page or the Arctic cruises page to filter by duration and departure date.

Can I depart EXPLORA V from the UK?

Southampton features as a departure port on several itineraries, which may appeal to travellers combining a UK leg with their cruise. Cruises from Southampton in 2026 and cruises from Southampton in 2027 show current availability. Cruises from Southampton lists all sailings from that port year-round.