Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, today unveiled its summer 2026 journeys aboard EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II, and the highly anticipated EXPLORA III. With the introduction of EXPLORA III to the fleet, Explora Journeys will embark on a fresh chapter of “An Ocean of New.” This reflects the exploration of new destinations, new experiences, and new itineraries across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and the East Coast of the US and Canada, including New England. Meanwhile, EXPLORA I and II will explore new itineraries in the Mediterranean, offering guests a range of new destinations and new experiences.
Launching in summer 2026, EXPLORA III will set sail for her seven-night maiden journey on August 3rd from Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal. In her inaugural season, EXPLORA III, will pass along the Atlantic coast of Portugal and France, continuing to the UK, Ireland and the Baltic Sea, before exploring the dramatic landscapes of Northern Europe. The voyage will then continue westward, along the coastline of Iceland and Greenland, to the vibrant shores of North America’s East Coast and New England. Meanwhile, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II will sail guests to the timeless allure of the Mediterranean, exploring its captivating coastlines across celebrated and lesser-travelled destinations.
Onboard, guests will experience an atmosphere of unrivalled elegance, inclusivity, and comfort. The ships feature spacious Ocean Suites, Penthouses, and Residences, designed to offer a luxurious oceanfront, home at sea. With unforgettable culinary offerings and ocean-inspired wellness experiences, every aspect of the journey is tailored to help guests discover the Ocean State of Mind.
Northern Experiences on Board EXPLORA III
EXPLORA III will set sail on an extraordinary journey, beginning in the Mediterranean, where guests will enjoy the vibrant art, culture, and cosmopolitan allure of iconic destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and Marbella, Spain before calling Lison, Portugal, Bordeaux and Saint Malo on the French Atlantic Coast and the UK. From Southampton, England, the ship will head to Northern Europe, exploring the picturesque harbours of the Baltic Sea and Scandinavia, where dramatic coastlines and fjords meet towering spires, while making maiden calls at several celebrated and unique ports, including Flåm in Norway, Riga in Latvia and Aarhus in Denmark.
As the journey continues through Ireland and Iceland, the vibrant culture comes to life with enchanting fairytales, soulful folk songs, and Celtic melodies, evoking a deep sense of history and tradition. Leaving behind Iceland’s green hills, the adventure takes a breathtaking turn towards Greenland where majestic icecaps stretches endlessly, revealing nature’s most surreal and inspiring landscapes.
EXPLORA III will then make her way to North America’s East Coast and New England, calling the historic port of Quebec City, and continuing to New York, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
A Mediterranean summer on board EXPLORA I and II
Meanwhile, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II will return to the Mediterranean, where guests can wander through lively cities and towns, where inspiring architecture stands against a backdrop of azure waters, golden sands, rolling vineyards, and verdant forests.
The ships will visit celebrated destinations such as Santorini and Corfu in Greece, Naples and Sorrento in Italy, Saint-Tropez in France, Split in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, La Valletta in Malta, Lisbon in Portugal, and Istanbul in Türkiye. They will also explore lesser-known destinations like Carloforte in Italy, Syros in Greece, Mahón in Spain, and Kepez in Türkiye. Additionally, the ships will call at maiden ports, including Çeşme in Türkiye, Capri and La Spezia in Italy, and Nafplio in Greece.
Explora Journeys itineraries offer the perfect blend of celebrated destinations and off-the-beaten-path ports. All journeys are carefully curated to allow guests to immerse themselves deeply in the destinations visited with extended stays and overnights. Explora Journeys also provides seamless travel with flexible itineraries, ranging from seven nights to 14 or 21 nights, all departing from easily accessible ports. Guests can enjoy the ultimate ocean escape by combining consecutive journeys of their choice.
