EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV at a glance

EXPLORA IV is an ocean-going luxury ship operated by Explora Journeys, sailing from late September 2026 across Norway, the British Isles, the Caribbean, the Transatlantic, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and beyond. Here is what sets the stage:

• Part of the Explora Journeys fleet, alongside EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II
• Over 107 sailings available, ranging up to 43 nights
• Departures from Southampton, Copenhagen, Miami, Reykjavik, San Juan, Québec City, Hamburg and more
• The Owner's Residence — the ship's largest accommodation at 183 m² of living space and a 132 m² private terrace, sleeping up to four
• Multiple included restaurants plus a curated selection of speciality dining venues

Dining on EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV offers one of the most extensive dining line-ups at sea, with several restaurants included in your fare and a handful of speciality venues carrying an additional charge.

Included restaurants cover every mood and hour of the day. Fil Rouge is your all-day dining anchor — a French-influenced international restaurant open from breakfast through to dinner. Med Yacht Club brings a casual Mediterranean atmosphere with sea views, while Emporium Marketplace offers a market-style layout with live cooking stations serving global dishes. Poolside, Shore Club serves freshly prepared coastal-inspired dishes and light bites in a sun-filled, relaxed setting — an easy choice for an unhurried lunch. Suite guests can also take advantage of round-the-clock In Suite Dining, with a full menu available on your private terrace or in the comfort of your suite.

Speciality venues — each carrying a separate charge — raise the dial for those after something more distinctive. Anthology is a rotating guest-chef restaurant where the menus change voyage by voyage, bringing fresh culinary concepts each time. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary steakhouse with an open kitchen, ideal if you enjoy a bit of theatre with your meal. Sakura blends Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean flavours under one roof. For the most intimate experience of all, Chef Table seats just one party for a personalised, à la carte meal crafted around your preferences — advance reservation is essential.

Bars and lounges

EXPLORA IV's social spaces are varied enough that you will find your own rhythm quickly. Journeys Lounge, the ship's largest lounge, shifts between mixology sessions, enrichment talks and cabaret entertainment throughout the day. The Explora Lounge is a naturally lit retreat for afternoon tea, a quiet read, or simply watching the ocean pass by, and within it sits the Malt Whiskey Bar — a refined whisky haven with a curated global selection, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace for cigars. The Cellar, a wine bar, offers Old World classics alongside New World favourites and select rarities.

For poolside drinking, the Astern Pool Bar sits beside the infinity pool and transitions from a beach-club daytime vibe into live acoustic and DJ sessions come evening. Atoll Pool Bar keeps refreshments flowing in the sun, and the Helios Pool Bar on Deck 12 is an adults-only spot with panoramic forward-facing views. Those after the widest vistas of all should head to Sky Bar On 14, an open-air bar on Deck 14 where the horizon stretches in every direction. The Lobby Bar and Astern Lounge round out the social options for guests who want to settle in close to the action. For lighter refreshments, Crema Cafe handles quality coffee and snacks throughout the day, and the Gelateria Creperie at The Conservatory serves gelato and crepes in the weather-protected Conservatory — which doubles as an open-air cinema by night.

Cabins and suites on EXPLORA IV

For a full breakdown of grades, sizes and deck plans, see the dedicated EXPLORA IV cabins and deck plans page. At the very top of the range sits the Owner's Residence — a 183 m² suite that sleeps up to four and comes with a 132 m² private terrace. At that scale, it stands in a class of its own and represents one of the most generous private spaces available on any Explora Journeys ship. Whatever grade you are considering, our cruise experts can walk you through the inclusions and help you match the right cabin to your travel style.

Where EXPLORA IV sails

EXPLORA IV's itinerary programme from late 2026 spans an impressive spread of regions. Norway accounts for the largest share of sailings — a natural fit for a ship of this calibre given the drama of the fjords and the appeal of the Arctic Ocean routes. The full Norway programme is worth exploring if the far north appeals.

Closer to home for many travellers, the British Isles programme departs heavily from Southampton, making it one of the few ways to join a ship of this standard without flying. Browse British Isles cruises for everything currently available in the region. Transatlantic crossings connect Europe and the Americas — a wonderful way to mark a change of scene — and you can see what is available on our Transatlantic cruises page.

In the Americas, Caribbean sailings depart from Miami and San Juan. Browse Caribbean cruises in 2026 or Caribbean cruises in 2027 for the full picture. The Baltic Sea programme departs from Copenhagen, and Mediterranean sailings touch ports including Barcelona and Lisbon — see our Mediterranean cruises for 2026 and Mediterranean cruises for 2027. For a broader sweep of European itineraries, including Baltic and Mediterranean routes, our Europe cruises search is the fastest way to compare options.

Why book EXPLORA IV with CruiseAway

CruiseAway backs every booking with our Best Price Guarantee, so you can be confident you are not paying more than you should. Our cruise experts know Explora Journeys ships and fares in detail — they can match the right grade, the right fare inclusions and the right sailing length to your circumstances, all on one booking.

Because every sailing on EXPLORA IV requires flying to the port, these are very much the kind of trips where the cruise is the centrepiece of a longer journey. Our DreamAway Packages are built for exactly that: we arrange the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers, wrapping everything into one holiday rather than a collection of separate bookings. If you are departing from Southampton and want to explore what is available without flying, our Southampton sailings for 2026 and Southampton sailings for 2027 show the full calendar.

Common questions about EXPLORA IV

Which restaurants are included in the cruise fare on EXPLORA IV?

Several restaurants are included at no extra cost: Fil Rouge (all-day French-influenced dining), Med Yacht Club, Emporium Marketplace, Shore Club (poolside), and In Suite Dining for suite guests. Speciality venues — Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and Chef Table — each carry a separate charge and are worth planning for if you want to experience them during your voyage.

Do I need to fly to join EXPLORA IV?

For the vast majority of sailings, yes — departure ports include Copenhagen, Miami, Reykjavik, San Juan and Québec City, all of which require a flight from Australia. Southampton is the exception, and several sailings depart from there, which can suit travellers who are already in the UK or who prefer not to fly. CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages can bundle flights, hotels and transfers for any sailing that requires them.

Which cabin grade is the Owner's Residence, and who is it suited to?

The Owner's Residence is the ship's top-grade accommodation, covering 183 m² of interior living space and a 132 m² private terrace, and sleeping up to four guests. It suits families or groups travelling together who want a truly private, residential feel at sea. For full details on all grades, the EXPLORA IV cabins and deck plans page has the complete breakdown.

What other ships does Explora Journeys operate?

Explora Journeys currently has EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II in service. All three are part of the same fleet and sail broadly similar itinerary styles, so if the dates or regions on EXPLORA IV do not suit, either of the others may offer what you are looking for.

How long are the sailings on EXPLORA IV?

Sailings range considerably in length, with the longest reaching 43 nights — ideal for those who want an immersive, unhurried journey. Shorter options are available too. Filtering by region on our destination pages, such as British Isles or Caribbean, is the quickest way to compare durations and find a sailing that fits your schedule.