Explora I & II vs. Explora III: What is the Real Difference?
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Fleet Overview: Original Duo vs. The Evolution Class
In just three years, Explora Journeys has expanded from a single-ship debut to soon to be three-ship fleet. (with two more due in 2027 as well Explora IV and Explora V) While the design language remains consistent across the brand, 2026 marks a significant shift in the fleet’s architecture.
To understand the differences, you have to look at the ships in two distinct groups:
- The Original Sisters (Explora I & II): These are nearly identical boutique-style ships designed for high-end intimacy.
- The Next Step (Explora III): Launching in Summer 2026, this ship is physically larger, utilizes a different propulsion system, and has a reorganized interior layout With an added cabin surprise we get into below.
The most striking fact about the new Explora III is the “Stretch.” While the ship has grown by 20 meters in length and over 9,000 tons in volume, the passenger capacity has stayed exactly the same at 922 guests.
This results in one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the entire luxury cruise industry, giving travelers more room in public lounges, wider decks, and a less crowded feel throughout the vessel.
Explora I vs. Explora II: The Subtle Sisterhood
If you are deciding between Explora I and Explora II, you are choosing between nearly identical twins. However, Explora II was refined using direct feedback from the first year of Ship 1’s operations.
The “Sakura Tell”
The most reliable way to know which ship you are on, unless you are peering over the stern of course, is to look at the ceiling in Sakura, the brand’s signature pan-Asian restaurant.
- Explora I: Features a canopy of pink cherry blossoms.
- Explora II: Features a canopy of white cherry blossoms.
If you want to know how the food stacks up beyond the decor, check out our ranking of all 6 Explora Journeys restaurants based on our time on Explora I
Shade & Pool Deck Refinements
One of the most significant changes on Explora II involves guest comfort on the outer decks. Ship 2 introduced:
- Enhanced Awnings: More permanent shade structures around the Astern Pool (aft) and the Helios Pool (forward).
- Optimized Seating: A reorganized layout of the sofas and daybeds to better handle high-capacity sea days.
The Retail Swap
While Explora I made headlines for hosting the only Rolex boutique at sea, (we were so tempted!) Explora II replaced this space with the first-ever Buccellati jewelry boutique at sea. Both ships continue to feature a Cartier presence.
Explora III: The 20-Meter “Stretch” Deep Dive
While Explora I and II are identical in size, Explora III marks the first major evolution of the fleet. If you see the ships side-by-side, the 20-meter difference in length is a defining feature.
The Technical Specs
The “stretch” was not a move to add more passengers, but rather a deliberate choice to increase the space-per-guest ratio and accommodate new power systems.
| Feature | Explora I & II | Explora III (2026) |
| Gross Tonnage | ~63,900 GT | ~72,810 GT |
| Length | 248 Meters | 268 Meters (+20m) |
| Passenger Count | 922 | 922 (Unchanged) |
| Space Ratio | 18.7 sqm / guest | ~19.5 sqm / guest |
Why the extra 20 meters? (The LNG Factor)
The primary technical reason for the longer hull is the installation of massive tanks for LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
- Environmental Impact: LNG reduces CO2 emissions and virtually eliminates sulfur oxides and particulate matter.
- Future-Proofing: Many ports, particularly in Northern Europe, are tightening emissions rules for 2026 and beyond. Explora III’s LNG power ensures it can dock in these “green zones” where older ships may eventually face restrictions.
Suite Inventory: More Luxury, Same Capacity
Explora Journeys analyzed booking data from the first two ships and realized their highest-category rooms sold out first. Consequently, they shifted the room mix on Explora III:
- Ocean Penthouses: Now make up 24% of the inventory (109 suites).
- Ocean Residences: Increased to 9% of the inventory (39 suites).
- Two Owner’s Residences: While Ships 1 and 2 have only one, Explora III features two of these massive suites, located aft on Decks 7 and 8.
- Total Cabins: 463 (compared to 461 on the earlier ships).
Layout Revisions: How Explora 3 Uses the Extra Space
The 20-meter hull extension isn’t just a technical necessity for the LNG tanks; it allowed Explora’s designers to radically rethink the “flow” of the ship’s most popular public areas. While Explora 1 and 2 feel like a series of beautiful, intimate rooms, Explora 3 uses its extra volume to create larger, more integrated “Hubs.”
The Unified Ocean Wellness Hub
One of the most frequent critiques of the first two ships was that the Spa and the Gym felt disconnected, located on separate decks. On Explora III, they have used the extra mid-ship space to merge these into a single, seamless Ocean Wellness Hub on Deck 10.
- The Flow: You can now move from a high-intensity workout directly into thermal recovery without changing decks or navigating public stairwells.
- Expanded Footprint: The thermal suite and treatment rooms have been expanded, offering more capacity during sea days when these areas typically bottleneck on the smaller ships.
The Nautilus Club: A Game Changer for Families
Explora III is the first ship in the fleet to properly address the age gap in their younger guests. On Ships 1 and 2, the Nautilus Club is a multi-use space that can sometimes feel “too young” for teenagers or “too busy” for toddlers.
- The Physical Split: Exploiting the extra length, the club is now physically divided into two distinct zones: Nautilus Club Juniors (ages 3–5) and Nautilus Club Teens (ages 6–17).
- Dedicated Programming: By separating the space, the “Evolution class” ships can offer simultaneous, age-appropriate programming—meaning your 16-year-old isn’t playing video games three feet away from a toddler’s puppet show.
New Venues: The Outdoor Cigar Lounge
A brand new addition for the 2026 season is the Outdoor Cigar Lounge.
- Refined Placement: Unlike the indoor lounges found on many luxury ships, this is a dedicated, high-end outdoor space located on the upper decks.
- Design Logic: It has been engineered with specific airflow patterns to ensure that enthusiasts can enjoy a premium cigar with a sea view, without the smoke drifting into the main pool areas or the outdoor wellness spaces.
Increased Deck Space and Flow
Beyond specific rooms, the extra 20 meters has been funneled into the “in-between” spaces. You’ll notice wider promenades and expanded poolside footprints.
Even with the same 922 passengers on board, the density of people in the main “living room” areas and the Lobby Bar is significantly lower, pushing that “private yacht” feeling even further than the original sisters.
Since Explora III will spend its first season in Europe, from July you can use our DIY guides for ports like Bodrum and Rhodes to save on shore excursions.
The Future Fleet: Explora IV, V, and VI
The launch of Explora III is just the beginning of a rapid expansion. Explora Journeys has already committed to a six-ship fleet, with a new vessel arriving every year through 2028. As the fleet grows, the technology becomes increasingly sophisticated.
The Fleet Roadmap
| Ship | Expected Delivery | Technical Class | Primary Propulsion |
| Explora IV | 2027 | Evolution Class | LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) |
| Explora V | 2027 | Hydrogen Class | LNG + Hydrogen Fuel Cells |
| Explora VI | 2028 | Hydrogen Class | LNG + Hydrogen Fuel Cells |
Explora IV: The Sister Ship (2027)
If you enjoy the layout of Explora III, you’ll be right at home on Explora IV. It is the direct sister ship to Ship 3, sharing the same 268-meter “stretched” hull and LNG-powered engines. It will maintain the same focus on increased Penthouse and Residence inventory.
Explora V & VI: The Hydrogen Leap (2027–2028)
The final two ships in the current order represent the “Hydrogen Class.” While they will likely keep the larger 268-meter frame, the internal technology takes a massive leap forward:
- Zero-Emission Port Stays: These ships will be equipped with containment systems for liquid hydrogen. This allows them to use hydrogen fuel cells to power all hotel operations (lights, kitchens, air conditioning) while the ship is at anchor or docked.
- Silent Stays: Because the ships can run on fuel cells in port, they can turn off their main engines entirely. This means zero noise, zero vibration, and zero emissions while they are sitting in fragile environments like the Caribbean bays or the Greek Isles.
- Shore Power Ready: All ships from Explora III through VI are built with “cold ironing” capabilities, meaning they can plug into a port’s electrical grid wherever that infrastructure is available.
You can check out check the latest Explora Journeys 2026/2027 Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries
Summary: Which Explora Ship Should You Book?
Choosing between the ships now comes down to your personal travel style rather than just the destination:
- Book Explora I or II if: You prefer a slightly more “boutique” and intimate feel. The shorter hull (248m) feels a bit more like a traditional private yacht, and you want specific venues like the Rolex boutique (EX1) or the pink-hued Sakura restaurant.
- Book Explora III or IV if: You are traveling with a family (benefiting from the split Nautilus Club) or you want the best choice of top-tier Penthouse and Residence suites. These ships also offer the quietest sailing experience due to the LNG engines.
- Watch for Explora V & VI if: You are an eco-conscious traveler who wants to experience the cutting edge of maritime technology with zero-emission or next to it port calls.
Is the luxury price tag actually worth it? We compared the Explora experience directly against MSC to see where the value really lies.
