EXPLORA VI

EXPLORA VI at a glance

EXPLORA VI is the newest ship sailing under the Explora Journeys banner, offering an ocean-resort style of cruising across the Mediterranean. She sails the Western Mediterranean and Mediterranean Sea, departing from Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and Fusina (Venice). Current sailings run to up to 17 nights, visiting ports across Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Tunisia.

Dining on EXPLORA VI

EXPLORA VI carries one of the most extensive dining line-ups at sea, spanning relaxed all-day venues, refined specialty restaurants and 24-hour in-suite service.

For included dining, Fil Rouge is the all-day anchor — a French-influenced international restaurant open from breakfast through dinner. Med Yacht Club brings a casual, sea-view Mediterranean atmosphere with no surcharge, while Emporium Marketplace runs live cooking stations throughout the day. Shore Club offers poolside coastal dishes for unhurried lunches in the sun — also included in your fare.

Specialty dining carries its own charge, and the options are genuinely distinctive. Anthology rotates guest chefs each voyage, so the menu is never quite the same twice. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary steakhouse with an open kitchen where you can watch premium cuts prepared in front of you. Sakura brings pan-Asian cuisine together — Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean — under one roof. And Chef Table offers the most intimate option: a single table, a personalised menu, a meal crafted entirely around you. Advance reservation is essential for all specialty venues.

Suite guests can also draw on In Suite Dining around the clock, with the full breadth of the ship's cuisine delivered to their private terrace or living space.

Bars and social spaces

EXPLORA VI has an unusually rich collection of bars and lounges, each with its own character. The Journeys Lounge is the ship's largest social space, shifting shape through the day to host mixology sessions, enrichment programmes and cabaret evenings. The Astern Lounge handles daily gatherings from quiet afternoons to livelier nights.

For something more contemplative, the Malt Whiskey Bar — nestled within the Explora Lounge — offers a curated global whisky selection, rare bottles, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace. The Cellar is the wine bar counterpart, with Old World classics and New World finds chosen to prompt conversation rather than simply fill a glass.

Out on deck, the Astern Pool Bar sits beside the infinity pool and transitions from beach-club relaxation by day to live acoustic performers and DJs in the evening. The Helios Pool Bar on Deck 12 is an adults-only forward-facing retreat, and Sky Bar On 14 — on Deck 14 — gives panoramic open-air views across the horizon, ideal for an unhurried cocktail. The Conservatory Pool Bar doubles as an open-air cinema after dark.

The Crema Cafe and Gelateria Creperie At The Conservatory handle daytime refreshments, from quality coffee to authentic gelato and crepes. The Explora Lounge and Lobby Bar round out the picture as naturally lit retreats for reading, catching live music or simply watching the sea go by.

Cabins and suites on EXPLORA VI

EXPLORA VI is an all-suite ship — every accommodation is a suite. The full cabins and deck plans cover all grades, but the standout option in the current inventory is the Cocoon Residence (CR): a 74 m² suite sleeping up to four guests, positioned at the stern with a private terrace that spans the full width of the ship and runs to approximately 75 m² of outdoor space. For groups or families who want genuinely spectacular private outdoor space at sea, it is hard to look past.

Where EXPLORA VI sails

All current sailings are in the Mediterranean, covering the Western Mediterranean and the wider Mediterranean Sea. Rome (Civitavecchia) is the most frequent departure point, followed by Barcelona and Fusina (Venice). The itineraries touch countries including Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Tunisia — making them well suited to first-time Mediterranean visitors and those who want to go deeper into a specific corner of the region.

Browse Mediterranean cruises in 2026 or look ahead to Mediterranean cruises in 2027 to see what is currently available. You can also search Mediterranean Sea cruises across all departure dates, or check Mediterranean cruise deals if you want to filter by discounted sailings.

Why book EXPLORA VI with CruiseAway

CruiseAway offers a Best Price Guarantee on every sailing, and our cruise experts know the Explora Journeys fleet well enough to guide you through cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary choices without the guesswork. Because every EXPLORA VI sailing departs from Italy or Spain, each one involves a flight from Australia — which means the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip. Our DreamAway Packages are built for exactly that: flights, hotels either side, transfers and the cruise all on one booking, managed by one team.

Prices on EXPLORA VI currently start from A$6,450pp*, with sailings departing from late September 2026. More than half the available voyages carry a discount. Whether you have a specific itinerary in mind or want help narrowing it down, our cruise experts can put the whole trip together.

Alternatives to EXPLORA VI

If you are weighing up options, Viking Sea — sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises — is a strong comparison. She sails from the same departure ports and her itineraries overlap closely with EXPLORA VI's, visiting Italy, Spain, Croatia and France among other shared destinations. No flight is required beyond what you would already arrange; it is a straight alternative for the same style of Mediterranean voyage. Browse Viking Sea cruises to compare sailings side by side.

Within the Explora Journeys fleet, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II are the other ships you may be choosing between.

Common questions about EXPLORA VI

Which departure ports does EXPLORA VI use?

Current sailings depart from Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and Fusina (Venice). Rome (Civitavecchia) is the most frequent starting point, appearing on the majority of available voyages. All three ports require a flight from Australia, and CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages can include those flights and any hotels alongside your cruise booking.

What is included in the EXPLORA VI fare?

Several dining venues — including Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Shore Club and Emporium Marketplace — are included in your cruise fare, as are entry to all the ship's bars and lounges. Specialty restaurants such as Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and Chef Table carry a separate charge, as do most beverages unless you have taken a drinks package. In Suite Dining is available around the clock for suite guests at no additional charge.

How long are EXPLORA VI voyages?

Voyages currently on sale run up to 17 nights, giving you enough time to cover a meaningful stretch of the Mediterranean in a single sailing. Shorter options are also available — browse the full range of Europe ocean cruises to see all itinerary lengths side by side.

Which cabin grade offers the most outdoor space?

The Cocoon Residence (CR) is the standout option for outdoor space: a 74 m² suite at the stern with a private terrace spanning the full width of the ship, giving approximately 75 m² of outdoor living area. It sleeps up to four guests, making it well suited to groups or families. Full details are on the EXPLORA VI cabins and deck plans page.

Are there discounted sailings on EXPLORA VI?

Yes — a significant share of current voyages carry a discount. The quickest way to find them is to browse Mediterranean cruise deals or check cruise deals across Europe, both of which filter to discounted sailings automatically. You can also speak to one of our cruise experts, who can flag the best-value options for your preferred travel window.