Explora Journeys Opens Summer 2028 Sailings as Its Fleet Comes Together
The luxury cruise line has opened reservations for its largest deployment yet, including the inaugural season of Explora VI and expanded itineraries across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, and North America.
Photo: Giardini Naxos / Getty Images
Explora Journeys has opened bookings for its summer 2028 collection, a major milestone for the line as it prepares to operate all six vessels in its planned fleet for the first time.
The new season coincides with the debut of Explora VI in August 2028, completing the fleet expansion that has been central to the MSC Group-backed brand’s long-term vision since launch. With all six ships sailing simultaneously, Explora Journeys will offer its broadest geographic reach to date, spanning 178 destinations across 27 countries.
“This new Journeys Collection is a true celebration of all that Explora Journeys stands for, fulfilling our long-held vision of six ships sailing the world’s oceans by 2028,” said Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys. “The completion of our fleet allows us to offer even greater geographic breadth and deeper immersion into each region.”
The collection is heavily weighted toward destinations that have become core to the brand’s positioning: the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, Alaska, and the North American East Coast. Across the portfolio, itineraries emphasize longer stays, overnights, and late-night departures designed to give guests more time ashore.
In the Mediterranean, Explora I and Explora II will operate voyages through the Greek islands, the Adriatic, the Turkish Coast, the Western Mediterranean, and North Africa, with overnight calls in destinations including Istanbul and Lisbon. Explora VI will spend its inaugural season sailing the Mediterranean, beginning with a maiden voyage from Rome to Barcelona before moving deeper into the Adriatic later in the year.
Northern Europe also sees a significant expansion. Explora IV will sail to 51 destinations across 15 countries, including maiden calls in the Faroe Islands and Iceland, while Explora V will combine Norwegian fjords, Iceland, and Greenland with autumn foliage sailings along the North American East Coast. Overnight calls in New York City and Québec City are among the highlights.
Meanwhile, Explora III will return to Alaska, operating voyages between May and September that include scenic cruising through the Inside Passage and calls in both major ports and smaller communities such as Wrangell and Klawock.
The Summer 2028 collection is on sale now, with Explora Journeys continuing its Early Booking Benefit program, which offers preferred pricing and first access to suite inventory, including the inaugural sailings of Explora VI.
