Explora Journeys has revealed details of EXPLORA III, the third of six ships that will be launched by the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group by 2028, with the first two have been introduced earlier this year. The third vessel will set sail in summer, 2026.
Designed to offer a refined home-away-from-home, EXPLORA III will feature 463 spacious Ocean Suites, Penthouses, and Residences, complemented by award-winning culinary offerings and ocean-inspired wellness experiences.
During her inaugural season, the ship will take guests on scenic journeys through Northern Europe’s dramatic coastlines, the picturesque landscapes of Iceland and Greenland, and the scenery of North America’s East Coast, before positioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2026/27.
Here a look at what’s in store:
A Spacious Haven at Sea
EXPLORA III will feature one of the highest ratios of total public space per guest, as well as expanded outdoor public spaces. The ship offers 18.7 sq. m. of public space per guest, one of the highest ratios in the industry, and 463 suites, slightly more than EXPLORA I and II.
The ship’s layout includes a focus on higher suite categories, offering more luxurious, inclusive, and spacious accommodation. Among these are the Ocean Penthouses, which now account for 24% of the suite inventory, and the Ocean Residences, which have increased to 9% of the total inventory. EXPLORA III also introduces an additional Owner’s Residence on Deck 7, as well as redefined Cove Residences, allowing guests to select their ideal suite configuration. EXPLORA III will feature 313 Ocean Suites, 109 Ocean Penthouses, 39 Ocean Residences, and two Owner’s Residences.
Culinary and dining experiences
Explora Journeys’ signature dining concepts return on EXPLORA III to elevate the onboard experience along with additional new concepts. Guests will find in a wide variety of gourmet dining options, including favourites such as Anthology, Sakura, Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Marble & Co. Grill, and Emporium Marketplace. Guests can experience both casual and fine dining in a variety of venues.
Wellness and fitness
Ocean Wellness and Fitness, the bespoke ocean-inspired wellbeing concept, has been reimagined to offer a unified space dedicated to wellbeing. The enhanced area includes Ocean Wellness – The Spa, a sanctuary offering experiences inspired by the power of the sea, alongside a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre and Fitness Studio, created in partnership with Technogym. The space features the latest cutting-edge training equipment.
Further enhancing the unique wellness experience is the Open-Air Fitness area on Deck 14, where guests can train outdoors while enjoying breathtaking ocean views, and an extended running track along Deck 12. The expanded Sports Court now offers pickleball, paddle, and basketball.
Family
The Nautilus Club on EXPLORA III has been enhanced with dedicated spaces and curated experiences designed for children and teens. A dedicated team of expert hosts helps foster creativity, fun, and engagement.
- Nautilus Club Juniors: Tailored for children aged three to five years, this area will also include six hours of daily baby care services. For children under three years old, parents can enjoy time together or take advantage of supervised care without their children.
- Nautilus Club Teens: Created for children aged six to 17, this space offers activities and experiences designed to inspire and entertain older children and teenagers.
Meeting and event spaces
EXPLORA III also offers sophisticated meeting rooms on Deck 11 for business events, functions, and video conferences. The versatile spaces can be divided into three separate rooms to accommodate corporate gatherings or private functions.
Itineraries
In summer 2026 the ship will start sailing through Western Europe with a visit to Bordeaux, France, before heading to Northern Europe. Starting in Southampton on Aug. 17, 2026, the ship will visit destinations the Netherlands, Norway, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany, before making its way to Iceland and Greenland. Along the way, guests have the chance to explore off-the-beaten-path ports such as Rønne in Denmark, Nanortalik and Paamiut in Greenland and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland.
On Sept. 27, EXPLORA III will arrive in Quebec City before continuing her journey towards Canada and the US’s East Coast, including the Magdalen Islands and New York. The ship will arrive in Miami on Oct. 25, 2026 before setting sail to the Caribbean for the winter season, offering an exceptional escape to tropical destinations.
Sustainability
EXPLORA III is the first LNG-powered ship in the fleet and reflects the brand’s efforts to decarbonize its marine operations to reduce the environmental impact.
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