Explora Journeys

Luxury at its finest.

It may come as a surprise for some, but MSC has a fancy older brother that ranks among the most luxurious cruise lines in the world. We are talking, of course, about Explora Journeys, one of the top brands if you are looking to sail the world in style.

Explora Journeys is part of a very selective group of cruise lines that focus on ultra luxury, joining names like Crystal Cruises, Ponant, Seabourn and Silversea. They offer intimate and romantic itineraries on ships that accommodate around one thousand guests, with plenty of crew members onboard to help you with anything you need. While mega resorts at sea can feel crowded with more than four thousand passengers, cruising on Explora Journeys feels like going to a yoga class on the Atlantic for the entire week.

Explora currently has three ships, Explora I, Explora II and Explora III, with more on the way. Are the names original? Not really, but that is easy to forgive when the ships feel more like private yachts with elegant swimming pools, lots of restaurants, bars and so on. Even though this is a luxurious brand, Explora likes to keep things more casual than most. There are no formal nights or strict dress codes and they even have an onboard Kids Club, which is very rare for cruise lines of this category.

Your all inclusive fare includes gratuities, almost every restaurant onboard (only one costs extra), all drinks, Wi Fi, entertainment, the fitness center and, of course, your room. Staterooms are another area where Explora Journeys gets two thumbs up, by the way. Every room is a suite with a private terrace, king size beds, floor to ceiling windows, espresso machines and heated bathroom floors. It is like cruising in your very own private castle.

Food is another highlight. The buffet alone is better than most restaurants you find on land, offering sushi and sashimi stations, lobster tails, crab legs and oysters. Even the steakhouse is included in your fare, and the overall food quality ranks among the best at sea.

Explora Journeys travels all over the world, giving you the chance to explore the globe like royalty. They focus on popular destinations like the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and they are getting ready to sail to Alaska in 2027 as their fleet grows. Main departure ports include Miami, San Juan, Vancouver, Barcelona, Athens, Rome and Venice.

Explora Journeys is definitely a safe choice in the world of ultra luxury. They offer amazing staterooms, great food and a lot of valuable perks included in your fare. More than that, they even have a Kids Club, so we could say they are a great option not only for romantic couples and travelers who want to chill, but also for multigenerational families who want to explore the world in style. Yeah, they just do about everything right.