When MSC Group established Explora Journeys, its aim was to redefine the concept of ultra-luxury ocean travel.
“We were never trying to create just another cruise line,” says Anna Nash, the brand’s president. “From the outset, our ambition was to develop an experience that would resonate equally with experienced cruise guests seeking something different and with a new generation of luxury travellers who may never have considered an ocean journey.”
Explora Journeys set out to challenge many of the conventions the cruise industry has long been built around: rigid schedules, fixed dining times, formal dress codes and the idea that every moment needs to be programmed.
“Being a challenger brand means having the confidence to question long-held assumptions and ask whether there is a better way to experience the ocean,” says Nash. “Luxury today is defined less by formality and excess, and more by time, space, privacy and genuine human connection. We’ve created an experience centred on freedom and choice. Guests can dine when and where they wish, spend time entirely at their own pace and enjoy an environment that feels spacious, relaxed and deeply personal.”
Every aspect of the Explora Journeys experience – from the design of the vessels to the intuitive service, dining and wellness offerings, and the carefully curated destination portfolio – is shaped around its ‘Ocean State of Mind’ philosophy.
“Everything begins with our belief that true luxury is about how something makes you feel,” explains Nash. “We describe this as the ‘Ocean State of Mind’ – a feeling of calm, space and perspective that stays with our guests long after they return home.”
Guests are immediately immersed in this state of mind when they board Explora I and Explora II, which began sailing in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and accommodate around 900 guests each. Both ships were designed to “feel closer to a luxury hotel” than traditional cruise vessels and set the foundation for the latest newbuild, Explora III, which was christened at the Port of Barcelona in Spain on 1 August 2026.
Cristina Ozores, marine conservationist, dive trainer and National Geographic educator, cuts the ribbon to break the bottle of champagne over Explora III’s hull during the christening ceremony (Photo: Explora Journeys)
“Explora III represents the natural evolution of our vision,” says Nash. “We listened carefully to our guests and travel advisor partners, took what we learned from Explora I and Explora II and used those insights to enhance the experience in thoughtful ways.”
The 72,810gt newbuild is 19.2 metres longer than its 63,900gt sister ships, but only has two additional suites. Rather than increasing overall capacity, Explora Journeys maximised shared areas to offer 19.5 square metres of public space per guest – one of the highest ratios in the industry.
“We made a very deliberate decision not to significantly increase guest numbers,” says Nash. “Instead, we invested the additional space back into the experience itself by creating more generous public areas, enhancing the retail offerings and introducing new culinary experiences and additional amenities. This gives our guests even greater choice in how they spend their time onboard.”
Some public spaces have been refined or reconfigured to improve guest flow. For example, Explora Journeys has redesigned Crema Café, enlarged the Conservatory Pool and Bar, and consolidated all spa and fitness spaces into “one beautifully integrated destination”. This Ocean Wellness space now features a Sava Sound Pod, additional treatment rooms, Technogym Sand Stone fitness equipment, reformer Pilates, a larger sports court and a longer outdoor running track. Meanwhile, the lobby has been reimagined as a double-height atrium with more social spaces, bespoke hand-blown Venini chandeliers and a sculptural asymmetrical staircase crafted from Perlato di Sicilia and Sahara Noir marble.
Explora Journeys has enlarged the Conservatory Pool and Bar (Photo: Explora Journeys)
Notable new spaces include an Outdoor Cigar Lounge and the first at-sea boutiques for both Chopard and Mandala by Ocean Atelier. There are also three additional culinary concepts: The Chef’s Table by Explora Journeys; Shore Club on 11, a poolside venue serving Mediterranean dishes; and The Cellar by Explora Journeys, which provides wine-led experiences.
The Chef’s Kitchen hosts interactive cooking classes for small groups of guests (Photo: Explora Journeys)
Accommodation includes 311 Ocean Suites, 109 Penthouses and 39 Ocean Residences, all with private terraces. At the aft, there are two 280-square-metre Owner’s Residences, including one created by architect and designer Patricia Urquiola.
“Guests will be most struck by how Explora III feels even more spacious while remaining wonderfully intimate,” says Nash. “The most memorable moments will come from the thoughtful touches and unexpected details that make guests feel instantly at home.”
Nash is particularly excited to see how returning guests react. “They already have a real sense of curiosity about the thoughtful surprises and subtle changes they’ll discover,” she says. “Many of our guests have been part of our journey since the beginning and helped shape this next chapter. They’ll enjoy exploring what is new and what has evolved, and recognise that we listened carefully to their feedback.”
Explora III is the first dual-fuel ship in the fleet. The vessel, which can connect to shore power, also has advanced energy management systems, improved hydrodynamics, and responsible water and waste management technologies.
“Sustainability is fundamental to the future of our business – today’s ultra-luxury guests expect brands to act responsibly,” says Nash. “As our first LNG-powered ship, Explora III supports our transition towards lower-emission operations while providing flexibility for future renewable fuels, such as synthetic or bio-LNG. The energy-efficiency innovations will significantly improve the vessel’s environmental performance compared with our earlier ships, while also supporting the MSC Group Cruise Division’s long-term pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2050. Decarbonisation reinforces our long-term brand value because it builds trust and shows we’re pursuing growth with care and respect for the ocean and destinations we visit.”
Explora Journeys’ next three ships will also be powered by LNG and feature similar energy-efficiency technologies. Fincantieri is currently building all three vessels, with Explora IV and Explora V set to debut in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028.
As the fleet grows, Explora Journeys’ priority is to consistently deliver on its ultra-luxury brand promise at scale. That’s why every decision it makes will “start and end with the guests”, says Nash.
“Growth should never come at the expense of the guest experience,” she explains. “Our ambition is not simply to build more ships – it’s to build one of the world’s most respected hospitality brands, where guests know exactly how they will feel every time they sail with us. We believe deeply in listening carefully to guests, travel advisor partners and onboard hosts. We use their insights to continuously shape and refine the experience we deliver. Consistency does not mean standing still; it means staying true to who you are while continually evolving.”
According to Nash, two fundamental pillars will be central to achieving that goal: people and technology. “We invest heavily in recruiting, developing and empowering exceptional onboard hosts who embody our culture of warmth, care and intuitive service,” she says. “Meanwhile, technology helps us better understand guest preferences and support operational excellence. But it will always remain in service of human connection rather than replacing it.”
The same guest first philosophy extends beyond the ships themselves to shape how the brand designs itineraries and onshore experiences too. The aim, explains Nash, is to “prioritise quality over quantity”, so guests have the time and freedom to “experience each destination more deeply”.
“Our guests are incredibly well travelled and increasingly seek experiences that feel authentic, immersive and personally meaningful,” she says. “As our fleet grows, we have an opportunity to offer greater diversity while remaining true to our philosophy of slower, more considered exploration. We continue to balance iconic destinations with lesser-known ports, longer stays and experiences that create genuine connections with local culture, gastronomy and nature. Looking ahead, regions such as Asia, Alaska and Latin America present exciting opportunities because they offer exactly the type of rich cultural experiences our guests are seeking.”
Explora III is sailing through Northern Europe as part of its inaugural season (Photo: Explora Journeys)
Explora Journeys’ strategy is resonating with luxury travellers. “Our ships are sailing full, guest satisfaction scores consistently exceed a Net Promoter Score of 80, and feedback is overwhelmingly positive,” says Nash. “Perhaps most importantly, more than one-third of our guests are entirely new to cruising, which tells us we are attracting a new audience and broadening the appeal of ocean travel.”
According to Nash, this signals that luxury ocean travel is increasingly being recognised alongside the world’s finest hotels and resorts as another way to “experience exceptional hospitality”
“We’re only just beginning to see the potential of this sector,” she says. “Today’s luxury guests are seeking experiences that combine exceptional service with authenticity, wellbeing, flexibility and a deeper sense of purpose. Ocean travel is uniquely positioned to offer all those things.”
To continue thriving in this evolving landscape, Explora Journeys aims to “remain deeply human” and continue listening, evolving and placing guests at the centre of every decision. “We’re incredibly grateful for the trust our guests have placed in us and humbled by the role they have played in shaping our journey so far,” says Nash. “Ultimately, guests are looking for experiences that allow them to reconnect – with themselves, those around them and the world they are exploring. This is the essence of the ‘Ocean State of Mind’.”
Discover more about advancements in luxury cruising and insights from experts at CLIA, Interferry and Expedition Cruise Network in the Autumn/Winter 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. To get content like this on a regular basis, subscribe to the print editions or free digital editions of our Cruise & Ferry publications.