Explora Journeys Review: What It’s Really Like Onboard EXPLORA III

Stepping on board EXPLORA III, I realised very quickly that this was not going to feel like a “normal” ship visit.

Forget everything you associate with traditional cruising: the bright carpets, loud atriums and constant tannoy announcements. Walking into EXPLORA III felt more like arriving at an ultra chic, design led hotel in Dubai than embarking on an ocean voyage. It was calm. It was quietly confident. And within a few minutes, I understood what Explora mean by their guests achieving an “Ocean State of Mind”.

Finding that “Ocean State of Mind”

From the moment I stepped into the lobby, there was a sense of space and stillness that you very rarely find at sea. No queues, no crowds, no hustle. Just soft lighting, rich textures and the gentle reminder that here, your job is simply to exhale.

The layout feels deliberately unrushed. Wide walkways, cosy seating areas and endless ocean views invite you to slow down. Instead of being funnelled into one big “main” venue, the ship gently reveals itself corner by corner, more like a boutique hotel than a conventional cruise ship.

I found myself instinctively lowering my voice, moving a little slower, and just taking it all in. It is clever design, but more than that, it is a very intentional atmosphere: Explora do not talk about “cruises”, they talk about “Journeys”, and you really do feel that shift in mindset when you are on board.

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A Rich, Masculine Take on Luxury

What struck me most about EXPLORA III was how unapologetically grown up it feels. This is not a white and turquoise, beachy style of luxury. Think instead: a chic bar in Milan, or a discreet five star townhouse hotel in London.

Everywhere I looked there were:

• Deep woods and rich walnut panelling 
• Brushed bronze details and smoked glass 
• Beautifully grained marble under soft, architectural lighting 
• Leather chairs you can genuinely sink into and stay for hours

Nothing shouts for attention, yet everything is quietly beautiful. Corners are softly lit, creating intimate little pockets where you can curl up with a drink or a book, and still feel connected to the sea just beyond the glass.

It feels masculine in the best possible way: confident, tailored, sophisticated. The kind of place where you could dress up if you want to, but never feel like you are performing “formal night” just for the sake of it.

Suites With Real, Liveable Space

Stepping into one of the oceanfront suites, I had exactly the same feeling you get when you walk into a really well designed hotel room: “Yes, I could happily live here.”

The first thing that hits you is the sense of space. The bed is generous and inviting, with beautiful linens and thoughtful lighting rather than a single bright overhead glare. There is a proper seating area, not just a token chair, and then that glorious private terrace that pulls your eye straight out to the water.

It is not just about square footage; it is the way the space is used:

• Plenty of storage that feels practical but discreet 
• A bathroom that feels spa like, with quality finishes 
• A terrace set up for real use, not just for show

You can picture yourself enjoying slow mornings with coffee on the balcony, or ordering in room dining and making it your own private restaurant with a view. It all feeds back into that same idea: a slower, more spacious way to be at sea.

Small Ship Elegance, Boutique Hotel Soul

As I wandered around, what impressed me most was how Explora have managed to keep the ship feeling intimate, even though it offers everything you would expect from a modern luxury vessel.

Bars and lounges are spread out in a way that diffuses any sense of crowds. Each one has its own personality: some more moody and club like, others lighter and airier, but all connected by that same design language of bronze, leather and soft light.

There are pools and outdoor areas that feel more like the deck of a private yacht than a busy resort: cushioned loungers, chic cabana-style spaces, and plenty of room to find your own quiet spot. Even on a short visit, it was not hard to imagine a sea day here feeling like an indulgent, grown-up retreat rather than a race to find a sunbed.

A New Kind of Family Friendly Luxury

One thing I genuinely loved about EXPLORA III is that, despite all this sophistication, it is not exclusive in the sense of excluding families. You can feel the Italian family heritage running through the brand (they are the ultra luxury off spin of MSC Cruises) : there is a warmth and welcome for younger travellers that is rare at this level of luxury.

I visited the Nautilus Club, their dedicated space for children and teenagers aged 6 to 17, and it honestly would not look out of place in a high-end city club:

• High spec gaming setups and VR stations 
• Stylish, comfortable seating rather than anything “plastic” or childish 
• Board games and creative areas that respect that older children and teens want a grown-up environment too

This is not a token kids’ club tucked away out of sight. It is clearly been designed with the same care as the rest of the ship. For multi generational families who want true five star surroundings without feeling like the children are an afterthought, it is a very appealing proposition.

The connecting suite options also make real sense here. You can see exactly how a family, or even three generations travelling together, could spread out in comfort while still enjoying shared spaces and time together.

The Food: Where Design Meets Dining

Even on a short visit, it is very obvious that culinary experiences are at the heart of Explora’s concept. There is no single “main dining room”; instead, the ship offers a collection of distinct restaurants, each with its own personality and visual story.

What really sets it apart is that these are not billed as “speciality” venues with supplements attached. They are simply part of the experience. You can feel that freedom in the way the spaces are designed: they are not trying to be all things to all people, they are allowed to be themselves.

Sakura: A Pan Asian Dream

Sakura was the restaurant that absolutely stopped me in my tracks.You step in and are immediately drawn to the blossom tree canopy overhead, softly illuminated and reflected in subtle details around the room. The lighting is low and flattering, with warm festoon touches that make everything feel almost cinematic.It is incredibly Instagrammable, but in a very authentic way: you want to take photos because it is genuinely beautiful, not because it is been staged for a snapshot. I could picture couples lingering here long after dessert, and friends laughing over shared plates and sake.

Marble & Co. Grill: Modern Steakhouse Chic

Marble & Co. Grill has a completely different energy: masculine, modern and quietly indulgent. Think leather, dark wood, and lighting that feels more like a stylish city restaurant than anything at sea. Even without sitting down to a full meal, you get a strong sense of what the experience is meant to be: a place for long, lingering dinners with beautifully cooked, dry-aged meats and a really good glass of red in hand.

Med Yacht Club: Sunlit Mediterranean Ease

Med Yacht Club feels like stepping into a chic seaside taverna somewhere along the Mediterranean coast, translated into a refined onboard space.There is a breezy, sun-drenched feel, with a focus on seafood and regional flavours. The sea views through the windows remind you that you are travelling through the very landscapes that inspired the menu. It feels informal yet elevated, the kind of place you could happily visit more than once on a voyage.

Fil Rouge & Emporium Marketplace

Fil Rouge offers a French inspired take on international cuisine, with clean lines and a more classic, refined aesthetic. It feels like a venue where you could celebrate a special occasion, but without the stiffness that “formal dining” can bring on other lines. This is where I had the pleasure in dining whilst on board and I can categorically say it was some of the most exquisite food I have ever had at sea. 

Emporium Marketplace, meanwhile, takes the idea of a buffet and transforms it into something far more elegant. Gleaming white marble counters, live cooking stations, fresh sushi, seafood and gelato stations: it feels curated rather than chaotic. You still have all the choice and flexibility, but in an environment that matches the rest of the ship’s elevated style.

All Inclusive, But Not All the Same

One of the practical questions people often ask is whether Explora Journeys is all-inclusive. The answer is yes, in the way that really matters for this level of luxury:

• Dining across the multiple venues is included 
• Fine wines and premium spirits are part of the journey 
• Speciality coffees, high-speed Wi-Fi and gratuities are covered 

Access to the thermal spa area is included, creating that sense of a complete wellbeing experience

That leaves you free to simply enjoy the ship without constantly thinking about what is “extra” and what is not. There is an optional, elevated fine dining experience in Anthology, but the beauty of Explora is that you can already eat incredibly well, in beautiful spaces, without ever needing to venture into a surcharge restaurant.

How Explora Feels Different From Other Ultra Luxury Lines

Explora Journeys sit in an interesting space alongside more established ultra luxury names. To me, EXPLORA III felt:

• More contemporary in design 
• Less formal in mood (no feeling of “must dress up to fit in”) 
• More attuned to modern travellers who value flexibility, wellbeing and design as much as they do traditional notions of formality

There is a clear focus on longer stays in port, overnights where possible, and enough time to genuinely experience a destination rather than just tick it off. Paired with the calm, grown up onboard atmosphere, it feels like a very modern answer to the question: “What should luxury at sea look like now?”

My Personal Takeaways

As I left EXPLORA III, I found myself replaying little moments from the visit rather than individual “wow” factors:

My biggest takeaway from EXPLORA III is how purposefully everything is centred around wellness and slowing down. This does not feel like being on a ship, it feels like checking into a beautifully curated, design led hotel that just happens to move. The whole experience is unhurried: from the calm, spacious public areas to the way time on board is designed to be savoured rather than squeezed. It is a very different feeling to traditional cruising, and one that will really resonate with clients who want space, serenity and a more hotel like style of luxury at sea.

For clients who love the idea of the ocean but are hesitant about traditional cruising, EXPLORA III is an incredibly compelling option. It feels familiar if you are used to high end city or resort hotels, yet it offers something deeper: that elusive Ocean State of Mind that comes from being gently carried between destinations, with all the time and space you need to reconnect with yourself, the sea and the people you are travelling with.

If you are curious about what a new generation of ultra luxury ocean travel looks like, EXPLORA III is a beautiful place to start.