Explora Journeys Plans for Its First Luxury River Ships
Explora has signed a letter of intent for its first river ships, with itineraries still to come and sales planned for 2027.
Photo: Courtesy of Explora
After months of speculation, Explora Journeys has confirmed that it intends to enter the European river cruise market. The MSC Group’s luxury travel brand said Thursday it has signed a letter of intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard to construct its first river ships.
For now, the announcement establishes a direction rather than a sailing schedule. Explora has not said how many ships it plans to build, which rivers they will sail, or when the first voyage will depart. Ship designs, onboard experiences and initial itineraries will be revealed later, with sales expected to open in 2027.
The news follows reports in July that MSC was studying a river cruise venture for Explora. At the time, a company spokesperson declined to comment on what it called speculation. Thursday’s announcement is the first formal confirmation that the brand plans to move beyond ocean cruising.
Explora says it wants to bring its “Ocean State of Mind” philosophy to Europe’s rivers, pairing destination discovery with European hospitality and design. Its ocean ships are known for spacious suites, multiple dining venues, and a relaxed pace. River vessels, which must navigate bridges and locks, present a different design challenge. How Explora adapts its existing experience to those smaller ships will be a key detail when it releases its plans.
The company would enter a busy market: Celebrity River Cruises is preparing to begin sailing the Rhine and Danube in 2027, while established operators including Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, and Scenic already offer extensive European programs. Explora’s ocean product suggests it will aim for the luxury end of that field, though the company has yet to announce the river ships’ accommodations, inclusions, or pricing.
Explora’s ocean fleet is expanding at the same time. Explora I debuted in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024 and Explora III this year. The company plans three additional ocean ships through 2028.
