“We’re optimizing”: Explora charts growth with ship expansion, worldwide itineraries

“Launching six ships is a huge signal to our belief that the future of the cruise industry is going to be very strong,” said Chris Austin, president, North America at Explora Journeys, speaking at a media event at Salon Private Dining by Alo in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood Monday night (Nov. 24).

“We’re looking forward to 2026 when we’ll launch EXPLORA III. She’ll be coming out of the yard a week early,” he told PAX.  “We’ve added a preview journey for guests, to sail with us from Genoa to Rome, that will come before the inaugural journey at the end of July. EXPLORA IV and V launch in 2027 and EXPLORA V1 in 2028.”

While EXPLORA I and II are twin sisters, EXPLORA III will be an older sibling of sorts at 60 feet long and 62 feet wide with a portion of the power for the ship being generated on the water using LNG (liquified natural gas) power to significantly reduce emissions.

Ships need extra length for the battery packs to store electricity.

VIDEO: “We needed something like this”: Agents unpack EXPLORA I's "homes at sea" with Explora Journeys

“We’re optimizing, not maximizing,” said Austin. “We could add 50 more ocean terrace suites but instead we’re listening to feedback from over 20,000 guests, adding more ocean residence and penthouses. There’ll also be more seating and more kids’ areas.”

New routes

Growing your fleet means you can add more destinations.

Explora III will depart from the yard in the Mediterranean and make her way through the Iberian coastline to northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, the Canadian Maritime, across the eastern seaboard to the Caribbean.

By March, the superyacht-like craft will sail through the Panama Canal, up the western seaboard to the U.S. and claim Explora’s first Alaskan summer in 2027, sailing out of Vancouver.

Next stops are Asia with destinations from Tokyo to Singapore.

Luxury family values

Explora, under the MSC Group, is family owned and, as a luxury brand, strives to accommodate family needs.

The founding Aponte family’s desire was to reimagine what ocean travel could be – by creating an ultra-luxury European resort-like environment whose home is on the ocean.  

“Our slogan is Ocean State of Mind. Guests have told us they want a slower pace, warm hospitality and passionate hosts. Our goal is to create a new option for new-to-cruise or ‘luxury-land lovers,” Austin told PAX.

“Travel advisors need to look at all their clients, cruise lovers and non-cruisers who stay at luxury resorts,” he went on to say. “Put the two together...Suggest having a week in a beautiful resort and spend a week with us.”

The brand is responsive not only to guests but also to advisors. “When travel advisors told us they have groups that want to travel together, in the same style of suites, we listened and we’ll be delivering by building more and more of them,” Austin said.

Occupancy is in a sweet spot – the Mediterranean season sat between the high 80s and high 90s, said Austin.

“We’re very proud to speak of occupancy only two years into our journey,” said Austin. “Being in the 80s to 90s is perfectly where we want to be. We aren’t striving to be at 110 per cent. That’s not luxury.”

Luxury lifestyling

Other standout features on Explora ships include a Rolex store and luxury retailers like Buccellati, Cartier, Panerai and Piaget.

As PAX reported after experiencing Explora Journeys back in late 2023, accommodations come with binoculars, a mini bar, an espresso machine with biodegradable pods, a kettle and teapot, and refillable water bottles.

They even come wth a powerful Dyson Supersonic hairdryer.

These super spacious suites, which have living rooms and ocean-facing balconies, ranging from 377 sq. ft. in the Ocean Terrace category to up to 3,014 sq. ft. in the sprawling Owners Residence.

They have walk-in closets, book shelves, sculptures, cashmere blankets, vanity areas, king-sized beds (with nearby charging ports), motion sensor nightlights that activate when you step out of bed, and heated floors in marble-covered bathrooms, which have walk-in showers.

The brand also offers an all-inclusive experience, without complex food and beverage packages, in a 24-hour butler service-oriented environment.

Canadians are responding

The cruise line’s eye on sports hasn’t changed either.

Earlier this year, Explora partnered with tennis champion Jannik Sinner, who serves as the brand’s global ambassador.

And in June 2026, the cruise line will resume its partnership with Monaco’s Formula 1, with front-row access to the Grand Prix at Port Hercule in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

“Canadians are really responding to Explora journeys,” Explora’s Patricia Di Benedetto, business relationship lead and director, national and key accounts, told PAX.

“We rank third globally and Canadians are definitely responding to what’s new and different. We’re European owned, which also gives Canadians great confidence.”

MAIN IMAGE. From left: Akanksha Patil, account manager, PUNCH; Georgia Sourtzis, VP, PUNCH; Patricia Di Benedetto, business relationship lead / director, national & key accounts, Explora Journeys; Chris Austin, president, North America, Explora Journeys; Allison Vajda, dir., PR & communications - North America, Explora Journeys; Andrea Kilfeather, account coordinator, PUNCH.

What's it like to sail with Explora Journeys? Watch PAX's exclusive video reel shot on board Explora I! 

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