Explora Journeys is the luxury offshoot of family-owned cruise giant MSC. Explora III, like it’s two sister ships, is not the petite exploration vessel that the name might suggest. Instead it’s a ship that has the air of a boutique hotel and promises an ‘ocean state of mind’ for 920 guests with its décor, restaurants and wellness.
Explora III is the biggest of the Explora ships, just by a handful of suites and by 19m in length – and is the first powered by LNG in a decarbonising campaign.
What’s it like?
The Conservatory, sunny with the roof on or off…
As close to a posh hotel as any cruise ship can be. Interiors are rich and soft in browns, creams, woody textures mixing with softly padded panelling. Even the low-lit corridors and the lifts are stylishly sensuous.
Despite its modest size there are three outdoor pools – the gorgeous Helios adults-only area on deck 12 has views over the front of the ship while at the back are the Atoll pool and bar and the Astern pool and bar.
Indoors there’s the Conservatory with large pool and circular, bed-like loungers – and the grandiose glass roof is retractable turning the who place into a sun trap.
Aside from a whole menu of restaurants that are on sister ships – Sakura (Asian), Med Yacht Club (coastal Med), Fil Rouge (French), Emporium Marketplace (perhaps the cruise world’s sleekest buffet-style spot) and Marble & Co (steakhouse) there are new arrivals… Shore Club On 11 (posh poolside fare at The Conservatory) and The Chef’s Table (intimate with storytelling and live preparation). Dining’s all included except Anthology, £150 a head for seven-course menu with wine pairing.
Raise your glasses in The Cellar
Twelve bars and lounges include the new Cellar, a place for wine tasting adventures. Drinks, even champagne, are all included, too.
The Ocean Wellness spa features two attractions exclusive to Explora III – the Sava Sound Pod, a padded chair-bed that massages with sound and vibration that emanates from within, and the Sound Bath Meditation. On my fleeting time aboard, I tried the latter, relaxed on a floor mat, eyes covered, with a yoga-like instructor creating noises from space and sea from pots, pans and pebbles – quite remarkable.
Infinity and beyond: The Astern pool
Accommodation
An Ocean Grand Terrace suite, sophisticated yet one of the mainstream offerings
Definitely no inside cabins – everyone gets a suite, and a balcony. There are 243 Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace suites, both with more outside space than you’d find on most ships, then a succession of even sweeter suites. Free mini bar stocked to your request in all. Décor reflects the rest of the ship in soft browns and creams.
Where
Sparkling ship life in the atrium
From Southampton, Explora III sailed for Iceland, with a journey to Quebec, via Greenland, to follow for an autumn in eastern Canada, a Caribbean winter sailing from Miami and summer 2027 visiting Alaska from Vancouver.
What next
Explora IV arrives summer 2027 and Explora V in December 2027 for a world of European voyages with Explora VI adding to the tally in August 2028.
Explora III under Southampton’s sunny skies