When guests embark on a cruise with Explora Journeys, they can expect a unique experience – both onboard the brand’s ultra-luxurious, yacht-style ships and onshore in the myriad of destinations they visit.
“We invite discerning travellers to experience a ‘home away from home’ onboard our luxurious ships as we sail to lesser-known destinations and off-the-beaten-track locales, offering immersive cultural encounters and tranquil escapes that redefine ocean travel,” says Justin Poulsen, head of itinerary planning, destination experiences and ground handling at Explora Journeys.
The brand takes a “straightforward” approach when selecting homeports for itineraries. “We choose ports that can offer the most seamless and comfortable experience from home to ship, accommodate our vessels, provide efficient infrastructure for embarkation and disembarkation, and enable us to design the most compelling itineraries possible,” says Poulsen. “We also like to innovate, often by identifying opportunities for less traditional deployments, such as offering winter journeys in the Mediterranean. Our deployment strategy is essentially about positioning our ships in the right place at the right time to meet demand for cruise travel in key regions.”
To date, Explora Journeys’ two vessels – Explora I and Explora II – have primarily been based in the Mediterranean for the summer and the Caribbean for winter. However, with Explora III, Explora IV, Explora V and Explora VI set to join the fleet between summer 2026 and 2028, the brand will soon have capacity to expand to new regions of the world.
Between December 2026 and March 2027, Explora II will operate the brand’s first Middle East sailings, calling at destinations in the Red Sea and along the Arabian Peninsula. Guests will be able to explore Unesco World Heritage sites, renowned souks, modern cities, deserts and other attractions in places such as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Petra in Jordan, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Khasab, Salalah and Sur in Oman. Explora I and Explora V will sail similar itineraries in the winter 2027-2028 season. “These itineraries will open up a new region rich in culture, history and contrast,” says Poulsen.
Later in 2027, Explora III will embark on Explora Journeys’ inaugural season in Alaska, offering 14 departures from either Vancouver, Canada, or Seward, Alaska, in the summer season. While in the region, the ship will sail the Inside Passage, navigate various fjords, and call at ports such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Icy Strait Point.
Explora Journeys has also created a collection of three- and five-day ‘Destination Immersions’ to enable guests to explore more of Alaska and Western Canada before or after their cruise. Some of the experiences guests can enjoy during these land-based adventures will include scenic railway journeys, visits to national parks, observing native wildlife and interacting with locals to learn more about their cultural heritage.
“Alaska perfectly captures the spirit of exploration with its vast landscapes and incredible wildlife,” says Poulsen.
While Explora Journeys “closely follows” emerging market trends and guest feedback to plan itineraries, data and digital technologies like artificial intelligence “do not play a central role” in the itinerary planning process, says Poulsen.
“As a luxury operator, our focus is on creating experiences that connect guests emotionally with the destinations and the communities we visit,” he explains. “That kind of connection can’t be designed by an algorithm; it requires human insight, intuition and an understanding of what truly moves people. Our itineraries are crafted with care and intention, guided by experience and a deep appreciation for culture, rather than by data alone.”
Now that people are being introduced to cruising and experiencing traditional itineraries in well-established regions of the world, Poulsen predicts they will soon want to undertake “deeper and more immersive explorations of a destination they already love.”
“To capture this interest, we focus on identifying subregions offering a blend of iconic ports – those timeless favourites that never lose their appeal – and fresh ways of experiencing them,” he says. “We like to balance these with smaller, lesser-known destinations that still have the power to surprise and inspire. Of course, this can be challenging when working within a limited geographic area, but that’s often where the most meaningful and memorable journeys are created.”
The Mediterranean is a popular destination for many of Explora Journeys’ guests (Photo: Explora Journeys)
In keeping with this approach, Explora Journeys will base a ship in Asia for the first time in the winter 2027-2028 season. Explora III will operate 28 immersive journeys, calling at a total of 47 destinations across Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Notable itinerary highlights will include overnights in cities like Shanghai in China and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, as well as onshore experiences such as touring temples in Japan’s Miyako Islands, visiting food halls in Singapore and hiking the volcanic landscapes of Jeju in South Korea. Some of the itineraries have been designed to coincide with major cultural events, including Chinese New Year celebrations.
“These itineraries consist of shorter journeys that focus on allowing guests to explore specific subregions within Asia in greater depth,” says Poulsen. “Many of these cruises also include overnight stays, giving travellers extra time to connect with the destination, experience its culture and enjoy a more immersive and relaxed pace of discovery.
“Each of our itinerary programmes represents an exciting new chapter for us, expanding the horizons of our brand and offering our guests even more opportunities for discovery.”
Explora Journeys plans to continue expanding its itinerary portfolio as the fleet grows and guest preferences change, looking for destinations that are able to differentiate themselves from the competition.
“Destinations should first understand which segment of the cruise industry they wish to attract and invest in infrastructure to meet the needs of ships within that segment,” advises Poulsen. “For instance, ultra-luxury, small-ship operators like us require facilities close to city centres rather than large-scale terminals.
“To appeal to the luxury cruise traveller, destinations need also to articulate a clear narrative and invest in experiences to bring that story to life. This means creating chances for guests to connect socially, emotionally and physically with the community, the culture and the natural environment of the destination. The most successful destinations understand this intrinsically and work to ensure that all local stakeholders are aligned around a shared vision.”
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