Cruise on the Explora Journey

Hi there A few photos from the Explora Journey—the ship is stunning, and I can confirm the dining is on par with Michelin-starred restaurants. Plus, you get to choose between several restaurants where everything is included, even drinks and champagne!

hi there Thanks for the feedback 😉 It sounds really great, too bad that for a luxury positioning they don’t reserve cruises for adults.

hi there Thanks for this feedback 😉 It sounds really great, too bad that for a luxury positioning they don’t reserve cruises for adults.

Hi Isa, I’m currently on board. There are only a handful of kids here, and they’re very well-behaved.... Mind you, we’re outside school holidays, but I wouldn’t come on this ship with kids. There isn’t much for them to do.

Hi there, I completely agree with you. It's an amazing ship with exceptional service. Right now, there are fewer passengers than crew members. And the dining is excellent. It's going to be hard to go back to other cruises after this one.

hi there hope you enjoy your cruise 😉 all the better if there aren’t many kids 😎

Thanks! For the vibe, it’s similar to Oceania... From what I remember, there were a few kids, but they were very well-behaved. The dining and service are a step above.

During my Oceania cruise, there were zero kids—it was awesome! 😉

Thanks Sophie for these photos. I’m also looking at this category of ships for an upcoming cruise. But I don’t want to spend hours on a plane anymore, and the prices in Europe are still pretty high.

Hi Claudine, I just went on a cruise on Oceania’s Vista—it was perfect, with top-notch food and service. The Cruise Director was French, and I told him about Explora Journey. He said a lot of the chefs and other staff came from Oceania. In his opinion, given the low passenger numbers, they’ll have to cut back on staff or services. We’ll see... I’m still keeping an eye out for opportunities

I have to say that we’re outside school holidays, and on the ship I only saw one baby and a young child of barely 4 years old—we never saw or heard them, and I only spotted them at meals. I don’t even think there’ll be many kids later on, since there’s nothing for them on board except a small room with a pool table and foosball, and definitely no slide.

Small downside: lack of entertainment, but I think that’s intentional. However, during my last cruise on this ship in December departing from Miami, there were hardly any shows. Now there’s a small troupe of singers putting on a different show every night—they’re 6 singers with 6 musicians.

As for the price, with promotions it doesn’t end up being more expensive than YC, and the difference in service is noticeable. We left from Barcelona and returned to Barcelona. Since I live in Nice, I took EasyJet for a 1h15 flight. For 10 days, it cost 3500 € per person. I know that can be a significant amount, but as someone used to YC, I’ve already paid that much during peak season.

I’ll try to send you some more photos

good evening thanks for the details I have to say, the price of the Yacht Club has doubled—it's unbelievable, there are no longer any reasonable prices I'm waiting to see a good deal for EXPLORA, but maybe I'm dreaming 😏

On the other hand, on the ship there are tons of little touches that you don’t even get in YC anymore: a free shuttle to the city center, nearly a hundred free movies you can watch in French on the TV, heated floors in the bathroom, and at night when you get up, a light turns on at the base of the bedside tables. When you arrive, they give you reusable water bottles, there are binoculars in the cabin, and if it rains when you go out, they provide very comfortable umbrellas. For two people, the hairdryer is a Dyson—and there are plenty of other little touches too!

Above all, the ship is absolutely peaceful. I spent the day by the indoor pool, and there wasn’t a sound louder than another—it’s complete relaxation. Though I think some people prefer the noisy atmosphere around the pool.

This ship has 4 pools, so there’s no crowding, and the staff constantly checks in to see if you need anything. They’ll lay out your towels for you, and if you have a plate in hand, they rush to carry it for you. I have to say, I really appreciate all of this!

I get that you like it! Are the pools properly heated? Thanks 😉

Hi Catherine,

I’d also read that they’d poached chefs from Oceania.

When I booked this cruise, Oceania was more expensive for equivalent cruises. The basic cabins are equivalent to the balcony cabins in the Yacht Club.... No need to pay more in my opinion. I paid 6,400 € for 10 days. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a Yacht Club cruise.... I don’t know how much a 10-day cruise costs now. Plus, I don’t like the Yacht Club on ships bigger than the Fantasia series. And between Yacht Club and Explora, there’s no comparison!!

They’re definitely not filling their ships..... and they’ve got four more planned!! But it seems like Explora is meant to be MSC’s showcase to restore its image. To be continued.

Right now, there’s a promotion through agencies with 25 to 50% off (on the full price).

Thanks Claudine! Which agency can we use to get 25 to 30% off?

On the boat, if you choose an option, they transfer the file to your agency. For me, Monacruise (I booked this one with them) and Croisiland (now they operate as Explora).

Hi Sophie, Thanks for all these details—those little touches always make a cruise special and are what make it so memorable.

Hi Isa, Kids over 24 months pay half the adult price for these cruises, which should limit the number of them.

Hi Claudine, To answer your question, I just took a 10-day Mediterranean cruise on the Splendida, which cost me a little under 5,500 €, including all the discounts that stacked up. Have a great cruise.

Hi Catherine

While browsing, I found 3,500 € per person for 10 days in Yacht Club... no discount, of course, so 7,000 € for two. Prices have really gone up...

When I think about that 30-day cruise on the *Splendida* in Yacht Club, flights included (to Shanghai, which became Singapore, and back from Dubai), which cost us just over 6,000 €... but that was in 2020, and we took advantage of an IT department error for a few days. The cruise alone was over 10,000 € without flights.

The 5,500 € you got is more affordable... but if you compare the perks (like tips included on Explora, the quality of the wines—for example, champagne is included, and it’s Mercier brand—the free shuttles in some ports, and the overall service and food quality), the balance tips in Explora’s favor.

From what I understand, MSC wants to attract luxury cruise clients and former Yacht Club guests to Explora (there was even a 5% discount for them at one point) and offer the Yacht Club to MSC customers looking to upgrade.

Anyway, it always depends on promotions, itineraries, and personal preferences.

If I understood correctly, MSC wants to attract luxury cruise clientele and former Yacht Club members to Explora (there was a 5% discount for them at one point) and offer the Yacht Club to MSC customers looking to upgrade.

I totally agree with you, that’s exactly what I understood too. And the YC standard might drop even further with the perks given to the new Blue Diamond loyalty card.

I just got off the phone with the Monacruises agency (about another cruise), and they told me some promotions are coming for Explora during Black Friday, but they’re not amazing either...

Hi Claudine and Sophie, I’m torn between three ships: the Viva from NCL, the cheapest option, but I loved the Prima, its twin; the Allura from Oceania, which has a French cruise director in July and August—that’s a big plus—and the Explora, the only line I’m not familiar with.

Can we have lunch in all the restaurants, or are there any that are pay-to-access or require a reservation?

Everything is included on this ship—there’s only one pay-to-enter gourmet restaurant, but honestly, it’s not worth it given the quality of the other four. Two of them are accessible without a reservation, and the other two require one since there isn’t as much space.

As for ships, I’m not familiar with the other two options right now—it really depends on the itinerary. I’ll admit that Explora’s routes aren’t the most exciting for me, but I prioritized the ship’s quality and dining. That said, I’ve been on over 100 cruises, so I know all the stops in the Mediterranean—they can’t exactly invent new cities!

Hi there! I’m also looking into taking a cruise on this ship, specifically the transatlantic route from Miami to Lisbon in April. There are some interesting Black Friday deals available!

Hi there, I’ve already booked this cruise myself, departing from Miami on April 2nd and returning to Barcelona. I got a deal and paid 11,000 € for two people for 18 days, but you’ll need to book the flight separately. Maybe there’ll be an even better offer with Black Friday though! Keep me posted for my info, will you?

I'm looking for the one that stops in Lisbon

Thanks Sophie for your reply. Even though I haven’t been on as many cruises as you, it’s true that it’s almost impossible to find Mediterranean itineraries with lesser-known stops 😎

I'm looking at the one that stops in Lisbon

Hi Nathalie,

I have a quote for this same cruise that comes to 5,000 €. If we manage to get time off, I think I’ll go ahead and book it.

Hi Alfred and Nathalie! Way too many sea days for me, Alfred, always up for a cruise 😎

Hi Alfred and Nathalie, Way too many days at sea for me, Alfred, always up for a cruise 😎

Hi Catherine,

Yeah, always up for it, but my wife less so. LOL I agree with you about the days at sea—it might feel a bit long (given the size of the ship, and I’m worried I’ll get bored...). Nothing’s set in stone yet!

Hello Yeah, that’s what’s holding me back too Unless there’s a French-speaking group! Do you know when?

Hello That’s exactly what’s holding me back too Unless we have a French-speaking group! Do you know when?

Hi Nathalie,

Well, I’ll know at the start of next week, because my wife requested a few days off (for 2025 planning) and she should get an answer pretty quickly. Her leave normally runs from May to May, but she asked for a few days in April.

Just so you know, Aïda just canceled our cruise planned for December 2025, so we’re looking for a replacement. That’s why (maybe) this one.

My wife thinks the stops aren’t great because we’ve already done them several times.

In 2019 with Oceania Insignia, we stayed 2 days in Bermuda, and this time there’s only 10 hours (a bit tight to get to Saint George’s side). Anyway, I’ll keep you posted if we decide to go or not.

True, it’d be more for the boat than the itinerary, and the price is really good. Who did you get a quote from?

That’s true, it’s more for the ship than the itinerary, and the price is really good. Who did you get a quote from?

Exactly, it’s for the ship.

I got this quote from Croisière Club, which I find very interesting. I think "if I push a little," I can get an extra small discount.

I’m looking at the one that stops in Lisbon

Hi Nathalie,

I’ve got a quote for this same cruise that comes to 5,000 €. If we can get the time off, I think I’ll go ahead and book it.



but the schedule isn’t great

I’m looking at the one that stops in Lisbon

Hi Nathalie,

I’ve got a quote for this same cruise that comes to 5,000 €. If we can get the time off, I think I’ll go ahead and book it.



but the times aren’t great

I think there’s a mix-up (between arrival and departure times)

Hi there! 👋👋 We were on board with Claudine and Sophie and two other French couples… Lovely cruise and great meet-ups!!!! Yep, the retractable-roof pool is definitely heated 👍🏽👍🏽 I can confirm

Thanks for the clarification 😉

hi there which site did you get that quote from? because on Explora’s site, no classic cabins are available and the prices are totally different

I have the same quote. Looks like the sale really took off.

I have the same quote. Looks like the sale really took off.

Hi Nathalie,

Just to confirm, I didn’t go ahead with this quote because I’m not doing this cruise.

Sure, the price is great, but the itinerary isn’t exactly thrilling, and on top of that, there are too many sea days. The worst part is the stopover time in Bermuda (around 10 hours), which I think is just ridiculous. You should know that if you go to Bermuda, you *have* to visit St. George’s, and the travel time between Hamilton and St. George’s is really long. Anyway,

Let us know if you’ve confirmed your quote or not.

Alfred

Hello,

Gorgeous photo report and descriptions.

What’s available in French on board?

What are the extra charges?

Thanks so much, have a great Sunday

Hi Claudine,

That’s really interesting, and it’s great news if there’s nothing for kids on board.

Between the YC and Explora, which did you prefer?

See you soon, Alexandre

Hi Alexandre,

We really loved Explora. Our next cruise is already booked with them.

The biggest plus is the food—even Oceania doesn’t compare.

Explora’s basic cabin is similar to YC’s.

The service is very attentive, maybe a bit above YC, especially in terms of crew numbers. However, for those who often make requests to their butler, they might miss having one. You don’t need a butler to get on and off the ship—there’s never a line. Even with one in YC, it’s not always smooth.

On the other hand, the shows are simpler on Explora. MSC does much better.

WiFi is free and really high-performing on Explora.

As for kids, there were few on Explora (5 or 6 on our cruise). They were very well-behaved. I think there are some activities for them, but I didn’t look into it.

In summary, our current cruise preferences would be: Explora first, then Oceania (Marina or Riviera), and MSC in YC—but only on the Fantasia-class ships. We didn’t like the Seashore-class ones; the YC is too big.

However, Explora only has 2 ships, and the itineraries are limited to either the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.

If you have any questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them.

Happy New Year and happy cruising! Claudine

Hello, I completely agree with you. It's a fantastic ship with exceptional service. Right now, there are fewer passengers than crew members. And the dining is excellent. It's going to be hard to go back to other cruises after this.

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Hi Clau05, No problem with French? Menus translated, majority nationality Italian? American? Any French passengers? 🤔

Hi Ondine

The official language on Explora is English. There’s no translation into multiple languages like on MSC and Costa. But you can get menus in French. Basic English is enough, especially if you’re used to cruises.

The nationalities on board are mostly Americans, English, Canadians (Quebecers speak French), and Australians. Few French people, and I don’t remember seeing any Italians.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share these details! I’m finalizing everything tomorrow for a cruise on EXPLORA 2, departing Venice on May 18, 2026. The ship looks absolutely stunning! The "basic" suite cabin is already really, really nice 😉

True, the "standard" cabins are really nice. They’re quite similar to the MSC Yacht Club cabins. For us, it’s not worth paying extra, especially since the prices climb fast. You’ll probably love this cruise.