Explora Journeys has revealed new details for its third of six ultra-luxury ships, including additional high-end Penthouse suites, and – as foreshadowed previously by LATTE – a second top-of-the-line Owner’s Residence. Scheduled to debut in the (northern) Summer of 2026, the LNG-powered 463-suite EXPLORA III will have two additional suites compared to fleet-mates, EXPLORA I and II, despite its larger overall footprint.
Launching from Southampton, UK on 17 August 2026, EXPLORA III’s inaugural season will sail through Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America’s East Coast, before positioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2026/2027.
In summer 2026 the ship will start sailing through Western Europe with a visit to Bordeaux, France, before heading to Northern Europe. Destinations include the Netherlands, Norway, Estonia, Sweden and Germany, before EXPLORA III makes its way to Iceland and Greenland. Guests on these journeys will have the chance to explore off-the-beaten-path ports such as Rønne in Denmark, Nanortalik and Paamiut in Greenland and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland.
Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.On 27 September, EXPLORA III will arrive in Quebec City, Canada, before continuing her journey towards the US and Canada’s East Coast, including New York City, USA, and the Magdalen Islands, Canada. The ship will arrive in Miami on 25 October 2026 before setting sail to the Caribbean for the winter season.
Throughout, guests will be invited to embrace Explora Journeys’ “Ocean State of Mind” while experiencing a redefined meaning of luxury ocean travel.
Anna Nash, President, Explora Journeys said: “With EXPLORA III, we are thrilled to reach the halfway point in the launch of our fleet of six luxury ships, each designed to redefine the standards of ocean travel.
“This milestone represents more than just growth; it underscores our dedication to offering guests unparalleled access to some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
“By expanding our fleet, we are able to offer a greater variety of itineraries, immersing travellers in diverse cultures, landscapes, and unique moments across the globe,” Nash said.
EXPLORA III nitty gritty
A Spacious Haven at Sea
EXPLORA III has been designed with the guest experience in mind, offering more space than ever before. The ship features one of the highest ratios of total public space per guest, as well as expanded outdoor public spaces. The ship offers 18.7 square-metres of public space per guest, one of the highest ratios in the industry.
The ship’s layout includes a focus on higher suite categories, offering more luxurious, inclusive and spacious accommodations. 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 2 Owner’s Residences.
Unmatched 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 indulge 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. Culinary exploration will continue to be a highlight, with guests enjoying both casual and fine dining in a variety of inspiring venues.
Wellness and Fitness, Redefined
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 serene 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 this 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, providing a variety of activities to energise and inspire.
Family and Young Guests
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 ensures unforgettable moments for younger guests, fostering creativity, fun and engagement.
Nautilus Club Juniors: Tailored for children aged 3 to 5 years, this area will also include six hours of daily baby care services. For children under 3 years old, parents can enjoy time together or take advantage of supervised care without their children.
Nautilus Club Teens: Created for children aged 6 to 17, this space offers activities and experiences designed to inspire and entertain older children and teenagers.
Flexible Meeting and Event SpacesEXPLORA III also offers sophisticated meeting rooms on Deck 11, ideal for seamless business events, functions and video conferences. These versatile spaces can be divided into three separate rooms, making them ideal for corporate gatherings or private functions while enjoying the luxurious surroundings of the ship.
Sustainability and Innovation
EXPLORA III is the first LNG-powered ship in the fleet and reflects the brand’s efforts to decarbonise its marine operations to reduce the environmental impact.
Explora Journeys considers LNG a fuel that facilitates a direct transition towards drop-in bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, which have the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80%.
The brand’s ongoing efforts to decarbonise marine operations and minimise its impact on air quality are focused on the development of new and improved technologies, innovative ship designs, the implementation of energy efficiency practices, and the transition to renewable fuels.
EXPLORA III has been designed in alignment with this strategy. The ship is equipped with shore power capabilities, advanced energy efficiency features, and is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Explora Journeys fleet, enabling the direct transition to drop-in bio- and synthetic LNG.
Sister-ship EXPLORA IV is slated to launch in 2027, while EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will enter service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
