Explora III Review: First Look at Explora Journeys' Newest Ship
August 2026
David Smith
Managing Director
It struck me that while this luxury cruise brand is growing and settling into the public consciousness, it remains something of an unknown quantity for some. Perhaps the MSC connection creates confusion. Perhaps some simply cannot fit another operator into what is already a heavily saturated market where new ships seem to have arrived every other month for the past few years.
So let me start with the basics. Explora Journeys is the luxury cruise division of the MSC Group, launched in 2021 with a clear ambition: to create something that feels less like a traditional cruise product and more like a floating boutique hotel. Think Rosewood, Four Seasons, or Aman, but at sea. That positioning remains central to understanding what makes Explora different.
Why Explora Matters to Me
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been an advocate for Explora Journeys since the brand launched. But the moment that cemented it came in October 2023, aboard Explora I, sailing the coast of Canada and New England.
Here was a new cruise brand that seemed to be striving for something different. Not just another ultra-luxury ship, but a different philosophy altogether. How refreshing it is to step aboard and actually have your breath taken away by a stunning lobby. No garish, but elegant. No casino noise bleeding into public spaces. Just calm, considered design that makes you exhale the moment you step aboard.
If you’ve seen their recent ‘Maybe’ campaign, you’ll understand the vibe they’re going for. Cinematic. Slightly offbeat. Quietly confident. It has more than a hint of The White Lotus about it, all composed luxury and lingering shots of people staring thoughtfully at the ocean or relaxing in one of the onboard spaces. It won’t suit all tastes, but perhaps that’s the point. I think it captures exactly what Explora is trying to be: a brand with cultural relevance for those “in the know” – not just another cruise line with a marketing budget.
That feeling stayed with me. And so when the invitation came to join Explora III’s preview cruise ahead of her naming ceremony in Barcelona, I cleared my diary.
Joining a ship that's six days old
The preview cruise ran from Rome to Barcelona: embarkation at Civitavecchia, a call at Portofino, a sea day, then an overnight in Barcelona for the naming ceremony and then home the next morning.
What made this particularly special was timing. Having attended the naming ceremony for Explora II in Rome, I knew what was coming. And as we sailed closer to Barcelona, you could sense the anticipation building. Equipment being prepared. The crew visibly excited. A buzz around the ship that made every evening feel like the night before something significant.
I should note that I’ve been on shakedown cruises before where things feel chaotic, and rooms are still being finished. Painters in corridors. Staff learning their way around. There was none of that here.
When we boarded in Civitavecchia, the ship had only been in the water for six days. Six days! That’s a remarkable feat of operational readiness.
The Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
My accommodation was an Ocean Grand Terrace Suite. Essentially the same layout as a standard Ocean Terrace Suite, but with a more expansive terrace that allows for alfresco dining if you wish.
In terms of amenities, this category has everything you’d need for a voyage of up to 14 nights or longer. A seating area. A well-stocked minibar. An en suite bathroom with both a rainforest shower and a standard shower head. The lighting effects work particularly well for dimming the room, and the blackout curtains are pleasantly effective.
Due to the nature of this preview cruise, we didn’t see much of our steward. But having stayed in an Ocean Residence on my previous trip to Canada, I already knew what to expect. The service is exceptional. Room turned down twice daily. Everything exactly where you left it, but somehow better. It’s the little things – like a clothes steamer in every suite – that make a difference.
What's actually different on Explora III
If you’ve sailed on Explora I or II, you’ll find Explora III delivers a very similar experience. There are no sweeping changes. But the differences that do exist are worth understanding, particularly because most have been made in direct response to guest feedback.
During a seminar onboard, the leadership team explained their approach: 51% guest experience, 49% the vision of Executive Chairman, Mr Vago. Everything from the lobby layout to the lighting in the bathrooms to the menu offerings has been refined based on what guests on Explora I and II actually said. This is a brand that listens. And you feel it.
The Lobby Bar redesign
The most immediately noticeable change is the lobby bar. On Explora I and II, it was one of the first things you saw after embarkation: a statement piece with a towering, two-tier backdrop of book-ornament shelving behind a long bar.
In terms of cruise ship design, I thought it was one of the most innovative uses of space I’d ever seen. On Explora III, they’ve reduced the bar’s footprint. It now forms almost a semicircle off to one side, with considerably more seating, including a lounge area with a fire.
The reason? Feedback indicated the space was so popular that they were running out of seats. Staff were bringing chairs from other parts of the ship to accommodate everyone wanting a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink.
I’ll admit to being slightly disappointed. The original design was special and made a real impact. But if you’re using guest feedback to drive improvements, more seating clearly wins. And the new configuration does work well.
The Wine Cellar
The Wine Cellar is a new space dedicated to an extensive collection of Old World wines, New World wines, and rare vintages. Explora now claims the largest premium wine selection at sea, with over 400 labels from Japan, China, Hungary, Israel, and traditional wine regions across Europe and the Americas.
You can have tasting sessions guided by the ship’s cellar masters, accompanied by small plates. There’s also an intimate private dining area for up to four guests. It’s super relaxed. No pretension. Just serious wine in a setting that does it justice.
I noticed one bottle priced at €16,800. Probably a bit too rich for my tastes, and honestly, it would be wasted on me. But it gives you an idea of the depth they’re aiming for.
Shore Club on 11
This is not adding a venue for the sake of it. Shore Club on 11 exists because of a specific piece of feedback: the Emporium Marketplace closes at 3pm, and all the other venues go into changeover for dinner. If you returned from a shore excursion after 3pm, your options for eating were limited to room service.
Shore Club, located on deck 11 just off the conservatory pool area, now offers light bites throughout the afternoon. Burgers. Hot dogs. Nachos. Simple problem, simple solution.
More space - without more guests
Explora III is 19.2 metres longer than Explora I and II. That additional length could easily have been filled with more accommodation to increase revenue. Instead, Explora has added only two suites.
The extra space has been used for expanded public areas, a larger conservatory pool, and an enlarged wellness centre. The fitness centre has been relocated to deck 5, sharing space with the wellness area. This makes practical sense: guests can move between the gym and spa without changing decks.
As the leadership team put it during our seminar: they could have added more suites and made more money. Instead, they chose to give existing guests more space. That philosophy runs through everything on Explora III.
Shade, colour, and a relocated pool table
When Explora I launched, guests commented that there weren’t enough shaded areas on deck. Explora now describes Explora III as a ship where you need to search for the sun. Shade is everywhere. For anyone who has baked on an unshaded pool deck in the Mediterranean, this is a welcome evolution.
The colour palette has shifted too. Less navy, more sandstone. It extends to everything, even the weights in the fitness centre. The overall effect is warmer, lighter.
A small detail, but worth noting: on Explora I and II, the Astern Lounge on deck 5 had a pool table. On my Canada sailing, we spent hours there during sea days. I was initially disappointed to see it missing from Explora III. Turns out it’s simply been relocated to a larger space next to the Malt Whiskey Lounge. Feedback suggested the original location wasn’t quite right. Problem solved.
The environment angle
Explora III is the first LNG-powered ship in the fleet. Liquefied natural gas produces significantly lower emissions than traditional marine fuel. The ship is also capable of using bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as these fuels become more available, and is equipped for shore power where port infrastructure exists.
For a luxury brand, where sustainability sometimes feels like an afterthought, this represents genuine investment. Important to guests or not – and that can be debated – such technology is an investment in it’s own right, and for those travellers that do factor environmental considerations into their booking decisions, it adds credibility.
Dining on Explora III
We’ve covered dining extensively on past reviews of Explora’s ships, as well as our social media channels (you’re welcome to scroll through the archives on Facebook and Instagram). On Explora III, not much has changed where dining is concerned – you’ll find the same venues and the same culinary excellence that is now becoming a hallmark of the experience.
During this cruise, we dined in three of the restaurants, one of them twice, and managed to fit in lunch at Sakura as well. On the first night, Fil Rouge, the French-inspired fine dining venue. On the second night, Marble and Co, the European steakhouse. On the third and fourth nights, the Med Yacht Club.
What I would say about the food this time around: it was the best and most consistent I’ve experienced on any Explora ship. The Med Yacht Club, which I’ve never particularly loved before, has changed its menus and added new dishes. On the first visit, there were five or six specials to choose from, which really helps revitalise the options, particularly on longer voyages where dining fatigue can set in.
(Note: Due to logistics, dining was a set menu for the naming ceremony – still delicious).
The Emporium Marketplace remains, to my mind, the best casual dining experience at sea. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s a massive variety of options from all corners of the world. The hot stations were themed: Greek one day, Spanish the next, Mexican after that. The food is of exceptionally high quality, and with so much variety, you simply won’t get bored.
The Naming Ceremony
Having been at the naming ceremony of Explora II in Rome, I roughly knew what to expect this time around. Taking place throughout the evening in Barcelona, proceedings began in the Discovery Lounge, where members of the executive team, the MSC Foundation, and the ship’s godmother each took turns to explain where they feel Explora Journeys and Explora III fit into the world.
I was originally offered seats in the Discovery Lounge but passed them up in favour of watching the event from the comfort of the Explora Lounge, so any photos I have of the actual naming part of the ceremony are unfortunately taken from a flat-screen television…
What followed was a drone show, a performance from Sister Sledge, and a DJ. A genuine party atmosphere. I can only imagine what passengers on the Viking ship that sailed past were thinking. If you were onboard, rest assured, everyone was having a lovely time.
Explora III for families
Explora Journeys is increasingly popular with multigenerational families. If you have younger adults, teenagers, or children onboard, the Nautilus Club has been expanded significantly. Brand new PlayStation stations with huge screens. Table football. Interactive toys. Quiet breakout areas. Everything you could need for anyone under 17.
The verdict
Explora III is not a revolution. If you’ve sailed on Explora I or II, you’ll recognise almost everything. What it represents is refinement: small, considered changes made in response to what guests actually said they wanted.
This is a brand that started from a strong foundation and is using each new ship to get incrementally better. They’re not chasing radical reinvention. They’re paying attention to details: more shade, more seating, a wine cellar for enthusiasts, afternoon dining options for late returners from shore excursions. Each change makes sense once you understand the feedback that prompted it.
With Explora IV arriving next summer and debuting from Southampton, there are now three ships in the fleet and three more coming by 2028. I’m genuinely excited to see what subtle improvements make it onto Explora IV based on what guests experience this year on Explora III.
If you’re considering Explora Journeys but have been uncertain whether to wait for a newer ship or book now, my honest advice is this: the experience across the fleet is remarkably consistent. Explora III offers slightly more space per guest and some thoughtful additions, but the core experience on Explora I and II remains excellent. Book the itinerary that appeals most to you. The ship will take care of itself.
Interested in Explora Journeys?
As specialists in luxury cruising, The Cruise Line’s team has sailed with Explora Journeys multiple times and can advise on every aspect of the experience. To discuss the best options, our exclusive fares, and the latest availability, call us on 0800 008 6677 or submit an online enquiry for your preferred itinerary. You might also be interested in taking a look at our current Explora cruise deals.
