A new European luxury cruise line is launching in the US this year — see what it'll be like aboard the ships

Brittany ChangFeb 12, 2023, 19:36 IST

Explora Journeys

MSC Cruises' Explora Journeys will invest over $3.75 billion in its first six ships.
The luxury cruise line has several itineraries sailing to or from the US in 2023 and 2024.

One of the newest players in the luxury cruise industry will begin sailing this year with several itineraries in the US.

Explora Journeys

And unlike other recently announced ultra-luxury cruise lines from the likes of Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Aman Resorts ….

Christopher Cypert

… Explora Journeys isn't tied to a hotel group.

Explora Journeys

Instead, it's backed by one of the world's largest shipping and cruise companies: the Italian MSC Group.

Explora Journeys

And it's moving full steam ahead with its fleet expansion plan even as travelers have yet to step foot on the brand's first ship.

Explora Journeys

On Wednesday, Explora announced that it's first vessel — the Explora I — will be named in July ahead of its inaugural 15-night sailing.

Explora Journeys

That same day, the luxury cruise line held a coin ceremony for its second ship, appropriately named the Explora II.

Explora Journeys

This ship will begin service in 2024 with the remaining four vessels joining Explora's fleet by 2028 ...

Explora Journeys

... a $3.75 billion investment that will hopefully pay off as travelers continue to seek out the luxury cruise segment.

Explora Journeys

Explora's sibling brand MSC Cruises, a popular cruise line in Europe, is rapidly growing its footprint in the US.

MSC Cruise

Unlike MSC, Explora doesn't plan to scale its US itineraries years after establishing itself in Europe.

Explora Journeys

Instead, it'll begin operating itineraries to, from, or with stops in New York, Miami, Los Angeles …

Explora Journeys

… Honolulu, Hawaii, and Juneau and Sitka, Alaska all within its first year-and-a-half of service.

Explora Journeys

And these sailings will be significantly more expensive than its MSC counterpart.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys' itineraries start at $2,150 per person for a three-night cruise from Germany to the United Kingdom in August 2023 …

Explora Journeys

… or $4,150 for the cheapest US itinerary, a seven-night sailing from New York to Quebec City, Canada in October.

Explora Journeys

This price then ranges up to $182,950 for the highest-end suite in a 52-night cruise from Vancouver to Quebec City, Canada from August to September 2024.

Explora Journeys

Let's take a look closer around the floating hotels.

Explora Journeys

The 813-foot-long Explora I and II vessels will have 461 suites.

Explora Journeys

Most of these will be the Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace suites starting at 377 square-feet.

Explora Journeys

Guests staying in the higher-end Ocean Residences will have a butler who can help with tasks like packing and unpacking.

Explora Journeys

But no matter the room category, all of these suites will have floor-to-ceiling windows …

Explora Journeys

… walk-in closets, and terraces. No need to worry about being stuck in a dingy interior stateroom.

Explora Journeys

For Explora Journeys, ultra-luxury doesn't just mean a clean ship with modern staterooms.

Explora Journeys

Guests also receive a bottle of champagne, wine, and spirits when they arrive.

Explora Journeys

And unlike other less premium cruise lines that charge for WiFi, premium dining, and beverages …

Explora Journeys

… these amenities and services, plus access to the spa, come at no additional cost.

Explora Journeys

The ships will have 10 bars and lounges and nine restaurants.

Explora Journeys

For sunny days at sea, travelers can lounge by the four pools.

Explora Journeys

One is indoor with a solarium-like retractable glass roof ...

Explora Journeys

... while the three other outdoor pools will be on the 26,909-square-foot pool deck lined with 64 cabanas.

Explora Journeys

And the ships' wellness facilities could rival your local Equinox. The vessels also have a 7,500-square-foot spa with another 2,900-square-foot gym.

Explora Journeys

Just be prepared to budget out hundreds of dollars per day to afford a trip on these luxury floating hotels.

Explora Journeys

See before and after photos of an old hotel being transformed into an example of Hilton's new brand for budget travelers

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A new European luxury cruise line is launching in the US this year &mdash; see what it'll be like aboard the ships

One of the newest players in the luxury cruise industry will begin sailing this year with several itineraries in the US.

And unlike other recently announced ultra-luxury cruise lines from the likes of Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Aman Resorts ….

… Explora Journeys isn't tied to a hotel group.

Instead, it's backed by one of the world's largest shipping and cruise companies: the Italian MSC Group.

And it's moving full steam ahead with its fleet expansion plan even as travelers have yet to step foot on the brand's first ship.

On Wednesday, Explora announced that it's first vessel — the Explora I — will be named in July ahead of its inaugural 15-night sailing.

That same day, the luxury cruise line held a coin ceremony for its second ship, appropriately named the Explora II.

This ship will begin service in 2024 with the remaining four vessels joining Explora's fleet by 2028 ...

... a $3.75 billion investment that will hopefully pay off as travelers continue to seek out the luxury cruise segment.

Explora's sibling brand MSC Cruises, a popular cruise line in Europe, is rapidly growing its footprint in the US.

Unlike MSC, Explora doesn't plan to scale its US itineraries years after establishing itself in Europe.

Instead, it'll begin operating itineraries to, from, or with stops in New York, Miami, Los Angeles …

… Honolulu, Hawaii, and Juneau and Sitka, Alaska all within its first year-and-a-half of service.

And these sailings will be significantly more expensive than its MSC counterpart.

Explora Journeys' itineraries start at $2,150 per person for a three-night cruise from Germany to the United Kingdom in August 2023 …

… or $4,150 for the cheapest US itinerary, a seven-night sailing from New York to Quebec City, Canada in October.

This price then ranges up to $182,950 for the highest-end suite in a 52-night cruise from Vancouver to Quebec City, Canada from August to September 2024.

Let's take a look closer around the floating hotels.

The 813-foot-long Explora I and II vessels will have 461 suites.

Most of these will be the Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace suites starting at 377 square-feet.

Guests staying in the higher-end Ocean Residences will have a butler who can help with tasks like packing and unpacking.

But no matter the room category, all of these suites will have floor-to-ceiling windows …

… walk-in closets, and terraces. No need to worry about being stuck in a dingy interior stateroom.

For Explora Journeys, ultra-luxury doesn't just mean a clean ship with modern staterooms.

Guests also receive a bottle of champagne, wine, and spirits when they arrive.

And unlike other less premium cruise lines that charge for WiFi, premium dining, and beverages …

… these amenities and services, plus access to the spa, come at no additional cost.

The ships will have 10 bars and lounges and nine restaurants.

For sunny days at sea, travelers can lounge by the four pools.

One is indoor with a solarium-like retractable glass roof ...

... while the three other outdoor pools will be on the 26,909-square-foot pool deck lined with 64 cabanas.

And the ships' wellness facilities could rival your local Equinox. The vessels also have a 7,500-square-foot spa with another 2,900-square-foot gym.

Just be prepared to budget out hundreds of dollars per day to afford a trip on these luxury floating hotels.

A new European luxury cruise line is launching in the US this year — see what it'll be like aboard the ships