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Ultra-Luxury

7 enchanting Explora Journeys Mediterranean voyages for 2024

Explora Journeys Mediterranean cruises stop not just at famous continental gems from Rome to Istanbul but also at charming, lesser-known towns just waiting to be uncovered.

Explora Journeys Mediterranean cruises 2024 take in a wealth of delightful destinations, from the gorgeous Greek Islands and the fantastic French Riviera to exotic corners of Turkey and the wonders of coastal Croatia.

As you sail Europe in opulence onboard beautiful Explora Journeys ships you’ll embrace the effortless allure of Mediterranean living. Envelop yourself in the scents of sea breeze, aromatic herbs and citrus fragrances as you embark on a journey across a rich tapestry of cultural, historical and culinary wonders.

With Explora Journeys cruises it’s easy to surrender to the tranquillity of a rejuvenating escape where leisurely, sun-kissed days seamlessly transition into relaxing evenings or, should you so desire, lively nights, brimming over with possibility.

What’s more, these Explora Journeys Mediterranean cruises 2024 take place across both the luxury line’s current ship EXPLORA I and the hotly anticipated second vessel EXPLORA II, setting sail in August, so you have two incredible ships to choose from.

Tempted? We’ve rounded up seven amazing Explora Journeys cruises to choose from next year.

Explora Journeys Mediterranean cruises 2024

Set Sail

A Journey to the Crossroads of Antiquity

When: June 27, 2024
Duration: 8 nights
Where: Athens (Piraeus), Greece | Volos, Greece | Thessaloniki, Greece | Kavala, Greece | Istanbul, Turkey | Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Ship: EXPLORA I
Price: From £4,850 pp

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A Journey from Ancient Empires to Iconic Islands

When: July 26, 2024 | September 20, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Where: Istanbul, Turkey | Bodrum, Turkey | Rhodes, Greece | Katapola (Amorgos), Greece | Paros, Greece | Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Ship: EXPLORA I
Price: From £4,250 pp

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A Journey to the Jewels of the Aegean Sea

When: 23 August, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Where: Istanbul, Turkey | Bozcaada, Turkey | Bodrum, Turkey | Rhodes, Greece | Katapola
(Amorgos), Greece | Paros, Greece | Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Ship: EXPLORA I
Price: From £4,250 pp

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A Journey of Riviera Reveries and Italian Icons

When: August 26, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Where: Barcelona, Spain | Monte Carlo, France | Saint-Tropez, France | Ajaccio, Corsica | Porto Cervo, Sardinia | Florence (Livorno), Italy | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Ship: EXPLORA II
Price: From £4,250 pp

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A Journey from Marco Polo’s Venice to Athens

When: September 6, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Where: Venice (Marghera), Italy | Hvar, Croatia | Kotor, Montenegro | Lecce (Brindisi), Italy | Nydri (Lefkada), Greece | Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Ship: EXPLORA I
Price: From £4,250 pp

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A Journey to Serenades of Sorrento and Must-See Sicily

When: September 16, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Where: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy | Sorrento, Italy | Lipari, Italy | Trapani (Sicily), Italy | Siracusa (Sicily) | La Valletta, Malta | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Ship: EXPLORA II
Price: From £4,250 pp

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A Journey to Emerald Lagoons of the Adriatic

When: October 5, 2024
Duration: 9 nights
Where: Athens (Piraeus), Greece | Mykonos, Greece | Dubrovnik, Croatia | Zadar, Croatia | Venice (Fusina), Italy | Split, Croatia | Kotor, Montenegro | Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Ship: EXPLORA I
Price: From £5,100 pp

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Explora Journeys cruises: FAQs

What is included on Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys is an all-inclusive luxury cruise line that includes:

  • Champagne – Welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival plus a bottle of wine and a bottle of spirit of your choice
  • Dining – 11 complimentary dining experiences plus in-suite dining
  • Unlimited beverages – Unlimited drinks, fine wines and premium spirits, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks available anytime, including in-suite mini-bar
  • Gratuities – All onboard gratuities
  • Wi-Fi – Free Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • Wellness – Wellbeing and fitness programmes onboard and at destinations
  • Spa – Access to the spa thermal area
  • Shuttles – Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required/available)

Are excursions included on Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys cruises do not include excursions. However, Explora Journeys may offer complimentary shuttle service in selected ports. Paid-for shore experiences can be booked in advance of your sailing or onboard.

What is EXPLORA I?

EXPLORA I is the first (and at the time of writing, only) Explora Journeys ship sailing in the luxury cruise brand’s fleet.

How many ships does Explora Journeys have?

Explora Journeys’s fleet of six ships will be launched from 2023 to 2028, beginning with EXPLORA I’s delivery that took place on July 24, 2023.

In early September 2023, the brand celebrated the float out of second Explora Journeys ship EXPLORA II and the steel cutting of third vessel EXPLORA III.

EXPLORA II is currently under construction and will enter service in August 2024, EXPLORA III will come into service in 2026 and EXPLORA IV will sail in 2027 with both Explora Journeys ships being LNG-powered.

Explora V and Explora VI will be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy and come into service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.  The vessels will use alternative fuels such as bio and synthetic gas and methanol, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines.

How many cabins does Explora Journeys have?

EXPLORA I has 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences, all with vast ocean views and private balconies, designed to be ‘Homes at Sea’ for Explora Journeys ship guests.

How many guests are on Explora Journeys?

EXPLORA I has a capacity for 922 passengers on Explora Journeys cruises.

How many restaurants are in EXPLORA I

Explora Journeys boasts eleven distinct culinary experiences, across six restaurants plus in-suite dining, twelve bars and lounges, (eight indoor and four outdoor) and the cookery school-style Chef`s Kitchen.

Is there a dress code for Explora Journeys?

There is no strict dress code on Explora Journeys cruises, but the luxury line suggests an Elegant Resort Casual style as a guide to guests. There are no formal nights onboard Explora Journeys ships.

Who owns Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys is privately owned by the MSC Group. The MSC Group and the Aponte family revealed the luxury brand’s launch in June 2021, with the Swiss-Italian seafaring dynasty declaring it a life-long dream to create an exquisite, modern luxury cruise experience.

Explora Journeys reviews

We tried Explora Journeys ship EXPLORA I for ourselves – read our review here.

Author

Harriet Mallinson

Sailawaze Editor Harriet has been a travel writer for nine years and specialised in cruising for nearly four. She recently won Specialist Travel Writer of the Year at the Travel Media Awards 2024 for her coverage of the cruise industry. Globetrotting highlights include flyboarding in Malaga, exploring waterfalls in Belize, ziplining in Costa Rica, truffle-hunting in Tuscany and whale-watching in Iceland. Next on her cruise bucket list is Antarctica – or any opportunity to see the Northern Lights!

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Published 22.09.23