If you like the idea of a luxury cruise, but you’re worried about being Gilligan on a ship full of Mr. & Mrs. Howells, then look at EXPLORA JOURNEYS.  There are no caviar luncheons served by butlers with white gloves… just understated European Luxury service with fantastic culinary.  

WHO is EXPLORA JOURNEYS?

• They have 6 near-identical ships, with two currently operating, with a third vessel joining the fleet in July, two more ships in 2027, and their sixth vessel arriving in 2028. 
• You’ve probably heard they are the luxury division of MSC, but don’t worry… Explora Journeys is a completely different onboard experience than MSC.  
• European Luxury Lifestyle brand:  slower pacing, spacious design.  More private yacht.

WHERE DOES EXPLORA JOURNEYS GO?

• Explora Journeys has a strong presence in the MEDITERRANEAN
• 2026:  They also have itineraries in NORTHERN EUROPE, the CARIBBEAN, and CANADA & NEW ENGLAND
• 2027:  All of the above, AND will add SOUTH AMERICA, ALASKA, JAPAN & EAST ASIA.
• EXOTICS:  Explora Journeys also has some itineraries in the Indian Ocean if you want to explore East Africa, Dubai, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea.  

HOW DO EXPLORA JOURNEYS DIFFERENTIATE?

• SPACIOUS SUITES – The entry-level stateroom on Explora ships is a 377 square foot suite with a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, heated bathroom floors and a veranda (or “Sun Terrace” as they call them) with a daybed for soaking up the sun.
• CULINARY – there isn’t a main dining room where everyone shows up at an appointed time.  Instead, much like a land resort, there are a variety of choices (9 of them!) where you can make a reservation ahead of time OR come as a “walk up”.  Frank Garanger, the Head of Culinary, was formerly with Oceania (well known for their amazing food).

• ENTERTAINMENT – Explora does not have a big main theatre that cranks out the Vegas-style production shows.  Instead, there are a variety of smaller venues (10 of them!) with different styles and types of entertainment, that are intended for you to drop in at your whim.  No more setting your watch to make the show.
• INCLUSIONS – Your fare includes an open bar (including an in-suite mini-bar), all specialty dining, gratuities, taxes/fees, and high-speed internet… it really includes everything other than shore excursions (Explora calls these “Destination Experiences”).
• NO CROWDS:  There are 922 guests on a 64,000 ton vessel.  This gives you about 5% more space per guest than Seabourn, 24% more space than Oceania, and 34% more space per guest than on Viking Ocean.  

WHO TRAVELS with EXPLORA JOURNEYS

• FOODIES:  If great food and wine is your thing, EXPLORA JOURNEYS is a good choice. 
• CASUAL LUXURY:  If you prefer to leave the tuxedos and ball gowns at home. 
• LAND TRAVELERS:  Non-cruisers — especially those that like waterfront luxury hotels.
• NEWEST SHIPS:  If you like the latest hardware, with service and amenities to match.
• FAMILIES:  We don’t see a lot of children on Explora, but they do have facilities for them, unlike the other luxury brands. 

Explora Journeys is elegant without being stuffy, and luxury without being loud, for those looking for a calm, immersive destination experience.  

UNPACKED:  The PODCAST

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim & Bob take a closer look at Explora Journeys, and break down what makes them different — and who it’s really for.  Having both experienced the product firsthand, they walk through what stood out to each of them, and how it fits into the broader world of luxury cruise travel. 

https://youtu.be/XWBqAUctJ90

In Case You Missed It:

HOW TRAVEL HAS CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.  You remember the dark times… the world is a lot different now, and it has changed how we travel.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-the-pandemic-changed-travel-forever/

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND.  It’s in our own backyard, and there are different ways to see this corner of the world.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/canada-new-england/

TIPS on TIPPING:  Tipping expectations and culture vary widely across the world, and it’s important to know how to handle this when you’re abroad.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/tips-on-tipping/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

We have a few videos from our experience with this brand.  Here’s a link to our EXPLORA JOURNEYS Playlist.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVFSKHYuI7u89DR2aCV7JiY4&si=lLy240PO_Mb57swC

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

Have something to say about this?

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

If you’re looking for an elevated culinary experience, and a unique entertainment concept, all while enjoying a luxury small ship experience, then Explora is worth looking at.  The entry level room is a 380 square foot veranda – bigger than the suites on the mega-ships!

CANADA & EAST COAST:  Quebec City to Miami departing October 15 for 10-nights

• Start in Quebec City and visit Saguenay, Sept-Îles, Sydney, Halifax, New York City, and finish in Miami.
• Fares from $5,495

JAPAN:  Tokyo round-trip departing September 27, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Tokyo and visit Shimizu, Kobe, Kochi, Busan, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and finish in Tokyo.
• Fares from $8,760

ALASKA:  Vancouver to Anchorage departing July 16, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Vancouver and visit Ketchikan, Prince Wales Island, Sitka, Juneau, sail past Hubbard Glacier, and finish in Seward.
• Veranda Fares from $5,555
• On brand new Explora III

SOUTH AMERICA & AMAZON: Manaus to San Juan departing February 17 for 12-nights

• Start in Manaus and visit Parintins, Alter do Chão, Macapá, Devil’s Island, Bequia, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Basseterre, and finish in San Juan.
• Fares from $10,100

CARIBBEAN:  Miami round-trip departing December 5 for 8-nights

• Start in Miami, and then visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Guatemala, Belize, and Roatan. 
• Fares from $4655
• Or stay on board for 15-nights and also visit the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Sint Maarten, and finish in San Juan, Puerto Rico with fares from $7000

PORTUGAL & SPAIN in WINTER:  Lisbon to Barcelona departing December 21 for 7-nights

• A great opportunity to visit Europe when it’s less busy.
• Start in Lisbon and visit Gibraltar, Málaga, Alicante, Ibiza, and finish in Barcelona.
• Fares from $4,865
• OR stay on board for a second week, and disembark in Rome with fares from $9,940

EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0 

EXPLORA ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: https://youtu.be/9ELX0zxNjZ0 

RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK

If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Europe with children or teens, then Tauck has a number of voyages every year that are designed for families.  These itineraries have specially curated excursions for younger guests, and take place during school holidays:

Paris to Normandy with departures in June & July for one-week

• Visit Paris, Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, the Normandy Beaches and more.
• Share the magic of Paris, and the importance of the Normandy Beaches.
• 2026: Fares from $5,940
• 2027:  Fares from $5,990

CHRISTMAS MARKETS on the Danube from Bavaria to Budapest for one-week

• Visit Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Melk, Vienna (overnight), Bratislava, Budapest. 
• 2026: Depart December 22, 23 or 29 from $4990
• 2027:  Depart December 21, 22, or 28 from $5,290

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

If you want to get to the POLAR REGIONS in comfort and style, here are two suggestions.  Atlas has three brand new yachts, all carrying less than 200 guests.  

ANTARCTICA:  Buenos Aires to Ushuaia departing March 19, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in, with 4 days of scheduled landings, before returning to Ushuaia
• Fares from $15,499

GREENLAND, CANADIAN ARCTIC & NEWFOUNDLAND: Departing September 21 for 17-nights

• Visit Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, and Disko Bay in Greenland, Qikiqtarjuaq, Lady Franklin Island, Monumental Island, and the Button Islands in Nunavut Territory, Saglek Fjord, Hebron, Tikkoatokak Bay, L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Norris Point and Woody Point in Newfoundland, as well as St. Pierre & Miquelon (France)  and finish in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $14,629

SEA CLOUD Sailing Yachts

You may have been to the Caribbean or the Mediterranean previously, but you’ve never seen it THIS up close:

PANAMA, COSTA RICA, BELIZE from Colon to Cozumel departing March 13, 2027 for 12-nights

• Start in Colón and visit San Blas Archipelago, Bocas del Toro, Puerto Limón, Roatán, Belize City, Lighthouse Reef, and finish in Cozumel.  
• Fares from $7,710

CROATIA’s DALMATIAN COAST:  Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 30, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Venice and visit Rovinj, Sibenik, Korcula, Hvar, Vis, and finish in Dubrovnik. 
• Fares from $4,895

COLLETTE Premium Land Journeys

SPOTLIGHT tours mean you only UNPACK ONCE, and can explore a city or region in depth while having the logistics taken care of for you:

NEW YORK for 5-days

• Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
• Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
• Year-round departures from $2449.

South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands for 7-days

• Visit Mount Rushmore, Badlands national park, Devils Tower, Deadwood, and more.
• Departures May through October from $2,749

TRAVELLING in SUMMER 2026? Be READY

FIFA WORLD CUP is the largest sporting event on the planet, and it’s coming to North America this summer.  Even if you’re NOT a soccer fan, you SHOULD have this on your radar if you plan to travel (internationally or domestically) in June or July of 2026.  Here’s why:

• AIR TRAVEL domestically, as well as to/from Canada and Mexico will be very busy.
• AIRPORTS:  Even if you’re flying to Europe or Asia, domestic airports will be busy. 
• HOTELS:  If you’re trying to find lodging in a host city around game day, it will be tight. 
• SECURITY:  The security in airports and at venues will be enhanced, and slow everything down. 
• SEATTLE & VANCOUVER:  If you’re going to Alaska in June or July, book your hotel NOW.  Both these cities are hosting multiple games. 
• HOST CITIES:
  • CANADA:  Toronto, Vancouver
  • MEXICO: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
  • UNITED STATES: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle

FIFA’s impact on travel to host cities is equal to travelling to an Olympic Games. Be prepared.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley