Explora Journeys has announced details of the upcoming EXPLORA III, setting sail for her inaugural journeys in northern summer 2026.

Designed to offer a refined home-away-from-home, the EXPLORA III features 463 spacious Ocean Suites, Penthouses, and Residences, complemented by award-winning culinary offerings and ocean-inspired wellness experiences.

During her inaugural season, EXPLORA III takes guests on scenic journeys through Northern Europe’s coastlines, the landscapes of Iceland and Greenland, and the vibrant scenery of Northern America’s East Coast, before positioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2026/27. Throughout, guests will be invited to embrace the Ocean State of Mind while experiencing a redefined meaning of luxury ocean travel.

“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,” Explora Journeys president Anna Nash said.

“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.”

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 18.7sqm of public space per guest, one of the highest ratios in the industry. With 463 spacious suites, slightly more than EXPLORA I and II despite the ship’s increased size, EXPLORA III ensures a relaxed and airy atmosphere for all who step aboard.

The ship’s layout includes a focus on higher suite categories, offering more luxurious, inclusive, and spacious accommodation. Among these are the Ocean Penthouses, which now account for 24 per cent of the suite inventory, and the Ocean Residences, which have increased to 9 per cent 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 Journey’s 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 thoughtfully 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 thoughtfully enhanced with dedicated spaces and curated experiences designed for children and teens. A dedicated team of expert hosts ensure unforgettable moments for younger guests, fostering creativity, fun, and engagement.

• Nautilus Club Juniors: Tailored for children aged 3 to 5 years. This area includes six hours of daily infant care services. For children 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 spaces

EXPLORA III 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 perfect for corporate gatherings or private functions while enjoying the luxurious surroundings of the ship.

Unforgettable itineraries

EXPLORA III is set to take guests on extraordinary journeys to some of the world’s most breathtaking and dramatic landscapes. From the icy beauty of Iceland and Greenland to the vibrant East Coast and New England regions of the United States and Canada, every journey promises to create unforgettable memories, all in the utmost comfort and style.

In summer 2026, the ship will start sailing through Western Europe with a visit to Bordeaux, France, before heading to Northern Europe. Starting in Southampton on 17 August 2026, the ship visits destinations such as the Netherlands, Norway, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany, before making its way to Iceland and Greenland. Along the way, guests have the chance to explore off-the-beaten-path ports such as Ronne in Denmark, Nanortalik and Paamiut in Greenland, and Seydisfjordur in Iceland.

On 27 September, EXPLORA III arrives in Quebec City, Canada, before continuing her journey towards the US and Canda’s East Coast, including New York City and the Magdalen Islands. The ship arrives in Miami on 25 October 2026 before setting sail to the Caribbean for the winter season, offering an exceptional escape to tropical destinations.

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 per cent.

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. This 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.