Explora Journeys FAQ

Explora Journeys is the ultra-luxury, all-suite ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, launched in 2023. Its EXPLORA-class ships carry roughly 900 guests, every accommodation is a suite with a private ocean-facing terrace, and fares include most dining, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and thermal-spa access.

No. Explora welcomes guests of all ages and offers family-friendly suites and programming, while keeping a calm, grown-up atmosphere thanks to its small guest count. Families who want refinement without a theme-park feel tend to love it; travellers who want an adults-only ship should look at Virgin Voyages instead.

Explora Journeys is the luxury ocean brand of the MSC Group, the family-owned parent of MSC Cruises. It launched its first ship, EXPLORA I, in 2023.

Explora sits between the two. Its ships are far larger and better-equipped than luxury yachts (multiple restaurants, full spa, pools), yet carry only about 900 guests — a fraction of a mainstream cruise ship. Explora itself avoids the word "cruise," calling its sailings "journeys."

EXPLORA-class ships are about 63,900 gross tons with roughly 461 suites carrying around 922 guests at double occupancy — intimate compared with mainstream cruise lines, but spacious for the guest count, giving one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea.

Yes. Explora welcomes families and offers connecting suite options and age-appropriate programming in peak periods. The atmosphere stays calm and refined — there are no waterslides or arcade decks — so it suits families who want a grown-up ship their children are welcome on.

Largely, yes. The fare includes most dining (nine of about ten venues), unlimited premium beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, all onboard gratuities, and access to the Ocean Wellness thermal spa. The main extras are the Anthology specialty restaurant, spa treatments, shore excursions, and airfare.

Yes. Unlimited beverages are included throughout the ship and in your suite — fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails, specialty coffee, and more. A rarefied reserve list is available at extra cost, but most guests never need it.

Yes. All onboard gratuities for hotel, dining and bar staff are included in the fare. There is no daily service charge added to your account and no expectation of extra tipping.

Yes. Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi is included for all guests, suitable for streaming and video calls in most regions (satellite coverage can vary in remote areas such as parts of Alaska or Greenland).

No. Shore excursions are extra on Explora Journeys — unlike Regent Seven Seas, which bundles them. Explora offers curated "Destination Experiences" for purchase, or you can explore independently; longer port stays make that genuinely practical.

No, flights are not included in standard Explora fares. As a Canadian agency we arrange air from your gateway (Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary and others) alongside the voyage, and can advise when an air promotion is available.

No. Anthology, Explora’s signature guest-chef restaurant, carries a per-person charge. Every other restaurant — nine of about ten venues — is included in the fare, so most guests treat Anthology as a one-night special occasion.

The short list: shore excursions, flights, the Anthology restaurant, spa treatments (thermal-area access is free), a rare-vintage reserve beverage list, boutique purchases and travel insurance. Everything else — dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities — is in the fare.

Yes. Every accommodation on every Explora ship is a suite with a private ocean-facing terrace. There are no inside or ocean-view-only cabins anywhere in the fleet.

It is mostly space and privileges. Ocean Terrace Suites (from ~377 sq ft) are the entry level; Ocean Penthouses add a separate living area and larger terrace; Ocean Residences are expansive multi-room homes; the Owner’s Residence (~2,076 sq ft) is the largest accommodation aboard. Every category has a private ocean-facing terrace.

For most couples the Ocean Terrace Suite offers outstanding space for the fare. Celebrating something, or sailing longer itineraries? The Ocean Penthouse’s separate living area and bigger terrace is the upgrade we recommend most often. We advise suite location (deck, midship position, terrace exposure) individually.

Yes, Explora offers accessible suite configurations in several categories. Availability is limited per sailing, so tell us early about mobility needs and we will confirm which accessible suites are open on your preferred dates.

Yes. Several categories sleep three or four, and connecting suites are available for larger families or multigenerational groups. The right configuration depends on the sailing — we check deck plans and connecting availability before you book.

Explora uses a relaxed-elegant dress code with no formal nights. Think smart-casual by day and elevated-casual in the evening; there is no requirement for tuxedos or gowns.

There are around ten distinct venues per ship — from pan-Asian and steak to Mediterranean fine dining and a marketplace-style option — and nine are included. There is no fixed seating, no assigned dining time, and no buffet-hall crush; the marketplace venue, Emporium, offers casual dining with cooked-to-order stations.

No. Explora has no formal nights and no gala dress codes. Evenings are "elegant casual" — comfortable, polished, and jacket-optional everywhere on board.

Access to the Ocean Wellness thermal area — hydrotherapy pool, saunas, steam rooms and heated loungers — is included for all guests, not sold as a day pass. Individual treatments such as massages are extra.

Yes, but intimate rather than spectacular: live musicians across multiple lounges, guest performers, enrichment talks and a refined late-night bar scene. There is no big production-show theatre — if West-End-style shows matter to you, a larger ship may fit better.

No. With roughly 900 guests on a 63,900-ton ship, Explora offers among the most space per guest at sea. Multiple pools (including an adults-oriented quiet pool), wide decks and many small venues mean you rarely queue and can always find an empty corner.

You can book through a specialist travel advisor at no extra cost versus booking direct. Revolution Travel (TICO #50026098) plans Explora voyages for Canadian travellers and can advise on suites, itineraries and current offers — request recommendations on this site.

No. Explora pays advisor commissions from the same fare you would pay booking direct, so our planning, suite advice and support add no professional fee for standard bookings. You gain an advocate; you do not pay more.

For the best suite choice, 10–18 months ahead is the sweet spot — especially for Penthouses and Residences, school-holiday dates, Alaska and popular Mediterranean weeks. Booking early also locks today’s fare; if an eligible promotion appears later, we ask Explora about applying it.

Deposits are a percentage of the fare, confirmed at booking time along with the currency and payment schedule. As an Ontario agency we walk you through the payment plan and documentation, and TICO registration provides the consumer protections attached to booking through a registered Ontario agency.

A Canadian passport valid well beyond your return date (six months is the safe rule) is essential, and some itineraries — for example those touching the U.S., or certain Middle East and South American ports — have visa or entry requirements. We review requirements for your specific itinerary before you book.

We strongly recommend it. Provincial health plans cover little outside Canada, and a luxury cruise is a significant prepaid investment. We help Canadian clients understand medical, cancellation and interruption options — ask us about coverage when you enquire.

Regent bundles more (shore excursions, often flights); Explora counters with newer ships, larger standard terraces and a more contemporary feel, usually at a lower headline fare. Regent suits travellers who want everything pre-paid; Explora suits those who prioritise hardware and style. See our full comparison.

Both are ultra-luxury and all-suite. Silversea offers butler service for every suite, a bigger fleet and expedition itineraries; Explora offers newer, larger ships with more dining venues and bigger standard terraces. Traditional service ritual versus modern European hotel-style luxury is the real choice.

Oceania and Viking are premium lines: excellent, but with smaller standard cabins and à-la-carte extras (drinks packages, specialty add-ons). Explora is a genuine step up — every room a large terrace suite, drinks and gratuities in the fare. Many of our Explora guests are Oceania or Viking graduates.