Why Explora Journeys is the cruise line to watch in 2025

Explora Journeys may be the new name in ultra-luxury cruising, but its first ship, Explora 1, is redefining expectations – with Michelin-level dining, refined design, and unexpected touches like the world’s only onboard Rolex boutique

We’ve sailed with many of the world’s ultra-luxury cruise lines – Regent, Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn – so we don’t expect to be surprised by newcomer Explora Journeys. But from embarkation to disembarkation, the ship delivers a steady stream of thoughtful, luxurious touches that feel genuinely fresh in the world of high-end cruising.

The line is the new top-tier offering from Switzerland-based MSC Group. It currently operates two ships: Explora 1, launched in 2023, and its identical sister, Explora 2, completed in Italy in 2024. By 2028, the fleet is expected to grow to six all-inclusive ships, each accommodating 920 guests.

First impressions: yacht-like elegance

Embarking on a nine-day cruise through Mexico and Central America aboard Explora 1, we step into a spacious, modern lobby sparkling with crystal and rich marble – more mega-yacht than cruise ship. Then comes the surprise: a full Rolex boutique nestled among other high-end shops. It’s the first and only Rolex retailer at sea, we’re told, and according to the store manager, he sells several luxury timepieces each week.

Luxury here often reveals itself in small, thoughtful details. At dinner, individual foil-wrapped butter from a top French creamery is served in a ceramic dish. On each restaurant table sit elegant Peugeot salt and pepper grinders.

Dining that exceeds expectations

Dining is where Explora truly sets itself apart. There’s no main dining room and no traditional buffet. Instead, Explora 1 offers six distinct dining venues, each with its own décor and menu. Five are included in the fare: the Mediterranean-inspired Med Yacht Club, the pan-Asian Sakura, Fil Rouge for French specialties, the Marble & Co. steakhouse, and the expansive Emporium Marketplace, open all day.

We count 18 food stations in the Emporium Marketplace, including sushi, pizza, charcuterie, Fruits of the Ocean, and a full carvery. There’s no self-service – attentive staff plate each dish to order. Salads such as Curried Mango Crab and Seared Taku Tuna are beautifully presented. Even the pizza dough is made from a blend of three specialty flours. Pasta is made to order, with a choice of noodles and sauces.

Food quality and service across all venues match – and sometimes exceed – the level found in the specialty restaurants on other luxury lines. Standout dishes include the grilled octopus, lobster pad Thai, slow-cooked beef Penang, and a beautifully tender, applewood-smoked New Zealand lamb rack.

Anthology, the only extra-cost dining venue onboard, delivers a tasting menu worthy of a Michelin-starred experience. During our three-hour, seven-course meal, we’re impressed by the creativity and attention to detail – lobster with green apple, caviar, and edible gold leaf; scallops with black truffle; and perfectly cooked Wagyu beef. Service is precise and highly attentive.

Suites that feel thoughtfully designed

Many guests tell us how much they enjoy their suites. Even the entry-level Ocean Terrace Suites measure a generous 35 square metres and include a king-size bed, excellent lighting and temperature controls, a walk-in closet, and a balcony with a table, chairs and lounger. Bathrooms feature heated floors and showers with both overhead rain and handheld nozzles. The Frette towels are extra thick and plush – some of the best we’ve experienced at sea.

Wellness, leisure and life onboard

Evening entertainment takes place in the Journeys Lounge on Deck 4, which seats 250 for live shows and enrichment lectures. On our cruise, six talented vocalists deliver four high-energy shows, backed by a strong six-piece band. We enjoy classical music and miss hearing a string duo or trio, which are common on other ultra-luxury lines – but overall, the performances are polished and energetic.

Explora 1 also features an award-winning spa with a wide range of extra-cost treatments. All guests, however, have complimentary access to the hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, and steam room. The gym is well equipped, and there’s also a pickleball court and a jogging track that wraps around the top deck.

“We’re the new kid in town,” says Meerten Smeets, General Manager of Explora 1. “Right now, we’re just competing with ourselves to get better.” But if Explora continues at this level, other ultra-luxury cruise lines may soon be the ones trying to keep up.