New Wave, New Luxury

Explora Journeys is reinventing the cruise experience while also throwing time-honored "dream ship" clichés overboard. Instead, it focuses on casual ultra-luxury and the charm of glamorous boutique hotels.

Perhaps the most exhilarating hotel on earth is not ensconced in the heart of London or Paris, nor nestled in the Swiss Alps or upon an idyllic beach in the Indian Ocean. Instead, it may well be gliding across the Atlantic or cruising through the Mediterranean… Explora Journeys places precisely this notion at the centre of its new advertising campaign: What if the world’s most exceptional vacation destination no longer had an address at all, but was instead traveling somewhere in the world? Just like the Explora I and the Explora II, the two flagships of the MSC Group’s luxury travel brand—which is many things, but certainly not a cruise line. Instead, it defines itself as floating 5-star boutique hotels. This distinction is not merely a marketing ploy; it is an innovative concept that permeates every aspect of life on board. The two vessels—the fleet is set to grow to six by 2028—are deliberately kept small and ultra-exclusive, accommodating a maximum of 900 passengers and approximately 650 crew members.


No megaliners, no mass-market offerings. Instead, every suite begins at 35 square metres and features a balcony, along with amenities such as heated marble flooring in the bathrooms. The interior design of both private quarters and public spaces evokes the refined elegance of a boutique hotel rather than a traditional luxury cruise ship. Nine restaurants—spanning Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines—are included in the cruise fare, as are select beverages. The philosophy is simple: once you have booked, you can fully surrender to relaxation. What further distinguishes this concept from traditional cruise lines is the considered rhythm of the journey. Explora Journeys selects its itineraries so that the ship often remains in port overnight, affording guests the opportunity to spend the evening ashore rather than aboard. Should you wish to experience it yourself, the Explora I and Explora II will spend the coming summer cruising the Greek islands and the French Riviera, among other destinations. So the next time you find yourself craving breakfast in Portofino or an evening glass of wine in Mykonos, a hotel room will no longer be necessary…


Please take a seatat the exclusive Chef’s Table aboard the fleet’s newest additions, the Explora III and IV


.

The Owner’s Residence,designed by star designer Patricia Urquiola,

invites guests to bathe in luxury. The two ships from Explora Journeys are redefining luxury cruising.




www.explorajourneys.com