Explora Journeys

What sailing with Explora Journeys is really like

Explora Journeys sits in a category of its own: neither a traditional luxury liner nor a small expedition vessel, it is a fleet of beautifully appointed ocean ships where the pace is deliberately slow, the spaces feel more like a boutique hotel than a cruise ship, and the itinerary is a reason to travel rather than a backdrop to a floating resort. The line describes its philosophy as an “ocean state of mind” — and that spirit shapes everything from how the lounges are designed to how long the ships linger in port.

The ships and how they feel on board

The fleet is intimate by design. EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II are the two ships you can explore in most detail on CruiseAway right now, with full cabin grades and deck plans available. Both carry a guest count that keeps corridors calm, sun decks uncrowded and dining rooms genuinely relaxed. The line’s newer ships — including EXPLORA III, EXPLORA IV, EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI — extend the same philosophy as the fleet grows.

Across the fleet, the architecture of each day is yours to build. Multiple pool areas each have their own character: the infinity-edged Astern Pool Bar shifts from a sunlit beach-club mood during the day to live acoustic sets and DJs as evening arrives; the Helios Pool Bar is an adults-only retreat on Deck 12 with panoramic forward-facing views; and The Conservatory Pool Bar doubles as an open-air cinema under the stars at night. Sky Bar on 14 adds another open-air perch with 360-degree ocean vistas — the kind of spot built for a slow cocktail as the sun goes down.

Dining — from casual to extraordinary

Explora Journeys approaches food with the same seriousness it brings to itinerary design. Several restaurants are included in your cruise fare and need no reservation: Fil Rouge serves French-influenced international cuisine across breakfast, lunch and dinner in an all-day setting; Med Yacht Club brings a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere with sea views; Emporium Marketplace runs live cooking stations all day with global dishes; and Shore Club is the poolside option for coastal-inspired light bites in the sun.

When you want something more considered, the speciality dining options raise the stakes considerably. Anthology brings rotating guest chefs and evolving menus — no two voyages are quite the same. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary open-kitchen steakhouse for premium cuts with a little theatre. Sakura blends Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean flavours in a single pan-Asian restaurant. And Chef Table is the line’s most intimate experience: a single table, a personalised menu, a meal crafted around you. Suite guests also have round-the-clock in-suite dining available on their private terrace.

Bars follow the same philosophy of depth over volume. The Cellar is a proper wine bar built around Old World classics and New World discoveries. The Malt Whiskey Bar — tucked within the Explora Lounge — carries rare global whiskies, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace for a cigar. Crema Cafe keeps quality coffee flowing all day, while Journeys Lounge, the ship’s largest lounge, morphs from a mixology class space into a cabaret venue as the day progresses.

Entertainment and enrichment

Explora Journeys programmes its evenings carefully. World-class guest performances — Broadway and West End performers, acclaimed Steinway pianists — appear across the ship’s stages, all included in the fare. Curated Moments brings guests and hosts together through cultural celebrations and performances designed to reflect the spirit of each voyage. The Journeys Lounge also hosts enrichment sessions and mixology classes throughout the sailing.

Where the ships sail

The itinerary range is genuinely broad. The Mediterranean in 2027 is the line’s largest programme, with sailings departing from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus) and Fusina (Venice) across both the western and eastern basins. The Caribbean runs year-round from Miami and San Juan. Japan sailings depart from Tokyo, with South East Asia routes beginning from Singapore. Norway and the British Isles fill the northern-hemisphere summer, sailing from Southampton and Copenhagen. Alaska sailings from Vancouver run in the summer season, and Transatlantic crossings connect these regions across the seasons. For longer adventures, round-the-world voyages stretch to 128 nights.

Many of these departures start in Europe or North America, which means for most Australian travellers the cruise sits at the heart of a longer trip. CruiseAway can build the whole journey — flights, hotels either side and transfers — as a single booking through our DreamAway Packages.

Who Explora Journeys suits

This line draws travellers who are done with crowded pool decks and regimented schedules. It suits couples and solo travellers who want to move at their own pace, eat and drink well, and arrive in ports that matter rather than tick them off a list. The multi-pool setup, the variety of bar and dining venues, and the adults-oriented atmosphere make it especially rewarding for those who plan to spend as much time on board as ashore. It is not a line for families with young children, or for travellers who measure value by the volume of included activities.

How to book with CruiseAway

Our cruise experts know this fleet in detail and can help you choose the right cabin grade — ocean view, terrace or full suite — and the fare inclusions that suit how you like to cruise. Every sailing comes backed by our Best Price Guarantee, and if you need flights, pre- or post-cruise hotels or transfers, we put the whole holiday on one booking. Browse Mediterranean sailings in 2026, check what is sailing in Transatlantic waters, or look at the Japan 2027 programme — then call us, and we will match you to the right voyage and the right cabin.