EXPLORA III: Where Luxury meets the Ocean

EXPLORA III: Taking Luxury Ocean Travel to Another Level

Some ships impress you with their size. Others with endless activities and attractions. EXPLORA III impresses you with something quite different: space, style, exceptional food and a feeling of understated luxury from the moment you step aboard.

I was delighted to be invited by Explora Journeys to spend the day aboard the brand new EXPLORA III during her visit to Greencastle in County Donegal.

Explora Journeys currently has three ships sailing, and I have now been fortunate enough to experience two of them: EXPLORA I and EXPLORA III.

I sailed aboard EXPLORA I in 2025 and absolutely loved the experience, so I was particularly interested to see how the newest addition to the fleet would compare.

First impressions of EXPLORA III

My first impression was the incredible sense of space.

EXPLORA III is fractionally larger than EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, but only two additional suites have been added. She has 463 suites compared with 461 on the first two ships.

The extra space has instead been given to the public areas. EXPLORA III is 19.2 metres longer and offers an impressive 19.5 square metres of public space per guest.

You can feel that difference as you walk around.

The stairwells are wide, the public spaces are beautifully open and there is a wonderful flow throughout the ship. Nothing feels cramped or crowded. There are plenty of quiet corners where you can sit with a coffee, enjoy a drink, read a book or simply watch the ocean.

Even with other guests around you, there is still a feeling of privacy.

This is not luxury that needs to shout for attention. The décor is elegant, modern and refined, with beautiful furnishings, carefully chosen artwork and thoughtful finishing touches throughout. It feels more like an exclusive five star resort or private yacht than a traditional cruise ship.

A home at sea

Explora Journeys refers to its ships as a “Home at Sea”, and after spending time aboard, I can understand exactly why.

There is a relaxed, residential feel to the surroundings. The spaces are luxurious but comfortable, polished without feeling overly formal and sophisticated without feeling intimidating.

You can dress beautifully for dinner and enjoy an elegant evening, but the atmosphere remains warm and easy. It is relaxed European luxury at its best.

Every suite is ocean facing and has its own private terrace, bringing the sea into the experience wherever you are. The suites offer genuine living space rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

There is also a strong connection to the ocean throughout the ship, with expansive windows, open decks, pools, whirlpools and over 60 private cabanas. EXPLORA III has five heated indoor and outdoor pools, alongside an excellent selection of restaurants, bars and lounges.

The hosts make the experience

One of the real highlights of my visit was the wonderful hospitality.

The team aboard are known as hosts, and that description suits the experience perfectly.

The hosts are warm, attentive and completely focused on looking after their guests. The service feels personal and intuitive without being intrusive. They seem to notice what you need before you have even asked.

I had lunch in Emporium Marketplace, and the hosts simply could not do enough for us. They offered to carry our plates to the table and made sure we had everything we needed, always with a genuine smile.

It may sound like a small detail, but it is those little moments that elevate the overall experience.

There is a difference between receiving good service and feeling genuinely looked after. Aboard EXPLORA III, you feel looked after.

Dining is part of the journey

Food is a very important part of the Explora Journeys experience, with a selection of very different restaurants and dining venues to enjoy.

Anthology offers an elegant fine dining experience with beautifully created menus and carefully selected wine pairings.

Sakura is inspired by the flavours of Asia, with Japanese influences, ocean views and dishes designed for sharing.

Marble & Co. Grill is a sophisticated European steakhouse, serving carefully sourced meats alongside an impressive wine selection.

Med Yacht Club celebrates the flavours and relaxed lifestyle of the Mediterranean, with dishes influenced by Italy, Spain, Greece and the South of France.

Fil Rouge offers French inspired international cuisine in an elegant and intimate setting.

Emporium Marketplace provides relaxed dining throughout the day, but it is very different from the traditional cruise ship buffet that many people may imagine.

The space is bright, modern and beautifully presented, with individual cooking stations offering dishes prepared fresh for you. There are 18 different stations, with choices including sushi, seafood, quality meats, freshly prepared pasta and pizza, charcuterie, cheeses, salads, pastries, smoothies and plenty more.

EXPLORA III has also introduced Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, a new relaxed poolside restaurant beside the Conservatory Pool.

The venue has the feeling of an elegant beach club, with fresh Mediterranean inspired dishes, crêpes, gelato and beautifully prepared drinks. It is set within a wonderfully bright area where the Conservatory Pool can be covered by a retractable glass roof, creating a comfortable, heated space when the weather is cooler.

Standing there, I could only imagine how special this area will be when EXPLORA III sails in Alaska in summer 2027.

Imagine enjoying the warmth of the pool area, perhaps with lunch or a drink, while surrounded by Alaska’s glaciers, mountains and extraordinary scenery. It will bring the outdoors in while still allowing guests to remain warm and comfortable.

There is also The Chef’s Table by Explora Journeys, an intimate private dining experience created in collaboration with the chefs. The menus, wine pairings and themes can be tailored around the guests, their preferences and even their own travel memories.

The Cellar by Explora Journeys is designed for wine lovers, offering an opportunity to discover rare vintages, interesting grape varieties and carefully chosen pairings with guidance from the onboard experts.

For something lighter, guests can visit Crema Café for speciality coffees and sweet treats or enjoy food and refreshments in the Explora Lounge. There is also 24 hour dining available in the privacy of your suite or on your terrace.

The choice feels less like dining aboard a traditional cruise ship and more like having a collection of excellent restaurants within a luxury resort.

More is included

Explora Journeys offers a very inclusive style of luxury ocean travel.

The experience includes a wide selection of dining, unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks, complimentary WiFi, access to the spa thermal area, group wellbeing and fitness activities, onboard gratuities and a shuttle into the city centre where available.

There is also 24 hour in suite dining, allowing guests to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on their private terrace.

Having so much included means you can relax into the experience without continually considering the cost of every drink, dining choice or gratuity.

Who would enjoy EXPLORA III?

EXPLORA III will appeal to several different types of traveller.

It is a wonderful option for experienced cruisers who have enjoyed the larger mainstream cruise lines but now feel ready for something quieter, more spacious and more elevated.

You may still love cruising but no longer need water slides, large production shows or a packed daily programme. Perhaps your priorities have changed, and excellent food, personal service, interesting destinations and beautiful surroundings now matter more.

It will also suit clients who usually stay in five star hotels and luxury resorts. If you appreciate high quality dining, thoughtful service, beautiful design and a relaxed resort atmosphere, Explora Journeys brings all of those elements together, with the added benefit of waking up somewhere new.

For someone who has never cruised, this could be a very appealing introduction to ocean travel.

Some luxury travellers are hesitant about cruising because they imagine crowds, queues, busy buffets and rigid schedules. EXPLORA III feels very different. There is room to breathe, freedom to create your own day and an intimacy that you might not expect to find at sea.

It could also be ideal for couples celebrating a special occasion, honeymooners, solo travellers who appreciate refined surroundings and anyone looking to slow down and properly switch off.

Families are welcome too, but Explora Journeys limits the number of younger guests on each journey to help preserve the calm atmosphere aboard.

One of the world’s newest luxury fleets

EXPLORA III is not simply the newest ship in the Explora Journeys fleet. She is also one of the newest luxury ships sailing anywhere in the world.

What makes this cruise line particularly exciting is how young and modern the entire fleet is.

EXPLORA I entered service in 2023, followed by EXPLORA II in 2024 and EXPLORA III in 2026. Even the oldest ship in the fleet is only three years old.

Everything feels fresh, contemporary and designed around the way today’s luxury traveller wants to holiday.

And there is much more to come.

Three additional ships are already on the way. EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V are scheduled to enter service in 2027, followed by EXPLORA VI in 2028. That will bring Explora Journeys to a fleet of six luxury ships.

These are genuinely exciting times for Explora Journeys. In just a few years, the cruise line will have grown from one ship to six, bringing its relaxed style of European luxury to even more destinations around the world.

My honest impression

Having now experienced both EXPLORA I and EXPLORA III, I can confidently say that this is a cruise experience that brings luxury ocean travel to another level.

EXPLORA III has retained everything I loved about EXPLORA I while creating even more space for guests to relax and enjoy their surroundings.

The ship is beautiful, but it was the complete experience that stood out to me: the wide open spaces, the calm atmosphere, the quality and choice of food and, most importantly, the wonderful hosts who make you feel so well cared for.

This is not simply about sailing on a smaller ship. It is about travelling differently.

It is about having more space, more choice, more personal service and more time to appreciate the journey.

Choosing the right cruise is never simply about selecting a ship or an itinerary. It is about matching the entire experience to you, your travel style, your expectations and your budget.

If you already love cruising and feel ready to elevate your experience, or if you usually choose luxury hotels and have wondered whether ocean travel could be for you, EXPLORA III may be exactly what you have been looking for.

Perhaps it is time to discover your own Ocean State of Mind.

With me, Sinéad, your Cruise Specialist, helping you navigate the world of cruising.