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Explora Journeys

Explora I

Luxury Cruise Ship

EXPLORA I

Refined Ocean Living Aboard an All-Suite Luxury Cruise Ship

EXPLORA I set sail in 2023 as the first ship from Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise line of the MSC Group. Its designers drew on European elegance to create a true home at sea, offering the space and calm of a private residence on the open ocean.

As an all-suite luxury cruise ship, EXPLORA I gives every guest an ocean-front suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace. Soft natural tones and warm light run through the interiors, and the sea stays in view from the first coffee of the morning to the last glass of the evening.

Guests set the rhythm of each day, from quiet hours by the pool to long dinners in elegant restaurants.

Guest swimming in the Conservatory Pool on EXPLORA II
Explora Journeys Logo

EXPLORA I

Routes

World map highlighting regions for Explore Journeys, including South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Alaska, Asia, and the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.
World map highlighting regions for Explore Journeys, including South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Alaska, Asia, and the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.
  • Exterior of the Explora Journeys

    Cruise Overview

    The Ship That Began Explora Journeys

    EXPLORA I opened Explora Journeys in 2023, the first of six ships planned through 2028. Dr Sylvia Earle, the oceanographer who founded Mission Blue, named the ship in New York that October. The MSC Foundation, the group's charitable arm, keeps its own space on Deck 5.

EXPLORA I

Ship Details

461

Suites

14

Decks

248m

Length

1.25:1

Guests per host

Gross tonnage
63,900GT
Beam
32 m (~105 ft)
Height above waterline
56 m (~184 ft)
Speed
18 knots, 20.2 knots max
Lifts
14, incl. 8 for guests
Suite sizes incl. terrace
35–280 sqm (377–3,014 sq ft)
Suites with accessibility features
10
Pools and whirlpools
5 pools, 5 whirlpools
Total public space
~16,600 sqm (~178,680 sq ft)
Outdoor public space
~6,250 sqm (~67,275 sq ft)
Outdoor public space per guest
~6.5 sqm (~70 sq ft)
Voltage in suites
110/220 V
Sailing since
2023

EXPLORA I

Inclusions & Facilities

  • Service around the clock

    Authentic, intuitive service from a team of hospitality experts, with an industry-leading guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to 1. Concierge services are on hand 24 hours a day.

  • Nine culinary experiences

    Nine distinct culinary experiences, including In-Suite Dining 24 hours a day. Sakura, Marble & Co. Grill, Med Yacht Club, Fil Rouge and Emporium Marketplace are part of the inclusive dining; Anthology and Chef’s Kitchen are not.

  • Unlimited drinks

    Unlimited beverages at all times: fine wines, premium spirits, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks, including the in-suite mini-bar.

  • Welcome bottles

    A chilled bottle of champagne waits in your suite on arrival, with your luggage already delivered, plus a bottle of wine and a bottle of spirit of your choice.

  • Wi-Fi by Starlink

    High-speed complimentary Wi-Fi in every suite and public space. In some navigation areas it may be slower or unavailable.

  • Ocean Wellness

    Access to the thermal area of Ocean Wellness – The Spa on deck 5: steam room, hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall and heated marble loungers. Group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities and rituals are included too.

  • Housekeeping

    Twice-daily housekeeping, including evening turndown, and a shoeshine service.

  • Shuttles into town

    Shuttle services from port to city centre, where required and available.

  • Gratuities

    All on-board gratuities are included.

  • Every suite

    All 461 suites face the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows and open onto a private sun terrace with a dining area. Terrace included, they measure 35 to 280 sqm (377 to 3,014 sq ft). Each has a walk-in wardrobe with seated vanity, heated bathroom floors, a Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer, an espresso machine, wireless charging by the bed and a pair of binoculars for the journey.

  • Pools and whirlpools

    Five pools: three heated outdoor pools (Astern on deck 5, Atoll on deck 10 and the adults-only Helios on deck 12), The Conservatory under a retractable glass roof on deck 11, and the indoor hydrotherapy pool in the spa. Two indoor and three outdoor whirlpools sit on decks 11, 12 and 14.

  • Fitness

    The Fitness Centre and Fitness Studio on deck 10, a 250 m running track on deck 12, and Open Air Fitness and a 14.2 × 11 m sports court on deck 14. In-suite fitness is available too.

  • Boutiques

    Five boutiques share 262 sqm on deck 4: The Journey, Cartier, Panerai, Piaget and Rolex. Explora Journeys says its Rolex boutiques are the first official ones on a ship.

  • Accessible suites

    Ten suites have accessibility features: one Grand Penthouse on deck 9 and nine Ocean Terrace Suites on decks 8 to 10, all close to the lifts. Features vary by suite, so share your needs when you book.

  • Families and friends

    80 multi-generation-friendly connecting suites and 49 suites with a bathtub. Some suites also have twin beds, and your travel advisor confirms which with Explora Journeys.

  • Services on board

    A Medical Centre on deck 3, Guest Services and Destination Experiences on deck 4, Future Journeys Ambassadors on deck 5, and guest launderettes on decks 9 and 10.

  • Ocean Grand Terrace Suites add

    Priority dinner reservations at select restaurants, complimentary pressing of garments within 24 hours of check-in, and one bag of laundry per suite, each once per journey.

  • Ocean Penthouses add

    Everything above, plus priority check-in and embarkation where available, and one more bottle of wine or spirit of your choice: three bottles in all.

  • Ocean Residences add

    Everything above, plus private butler service by Residence Hosts, an enhanced In-Suite Dining menu and in-suite breakfast, a full in-suite bar, unlimited laundry and pressing, priority Destination Experiences reservations, a VIP embarkation lounge where available, and round-trip airport transfers up to 80 km (50 miles) each way.

  • The Owner’s Residence adds

    Everything above, plus a dedicated Residence Manager as butler, Dom Pérignon on arrival, unlimited priority reservations at every restaurant, priority spa access and one treatment per guest, a private driver ashore once per journey, a hotel night before or after where available, and home-to-airport transfers up to 80 km (50 miles) each way.

EXPLORA I

Ship Map & Sections

Suites
461, all ocean-front
Guest-to-host ratio
1.25 : 1
Length
248 m · 813 ft
Decks
14
Gross tonnage
63,900 GT
Pools
5, plus 5 whirlpools

Choose a deck on the ship to see what is on it.

9 / 11
Deck plan · Deck 5Forward
  • Public rooms
  • Pools & whirlpools
  • Open deck
  • Lifts & stairs
  • Crew & services
Ocean Wellness, The Spa on deck 5 of Explora I

Ocean Wellness · The Spa

Deck 5 · Restaurants, art & The Spa

Deck 5: Ocean Wellness Spa, restaurants and the Astern Pool

Deck 5 runs from Ocean Wellness, The Spa, at the forward end to the Astern Pool & Bar at the stern. In between are three restaurants, Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill and Sakura, along with Crema Café, the Astern Lounge, the Galleria d’Arte and the MSC Foundation.

On this deck

  • Ocean Wellness, The Spa713 m² · thermal area · 11 treatment rooms, 2 of them private spa suites
  • Future Journeys Ambassadors
  • AnthologyRestaurant · 70 seats, 22 of them outside · 294 m²
  • Crema CaféCafé · 70 seats · 415 m²
  • Marble & Co. GrillIncluded · 90 seats · 330 m²
  • Galleria d’ArteArt gallery · 304 m²
  • MSC Foundation
  • SakuraIncluded · 106 seats · 255 m²
  • Astern LoungeLounge · 69 seats · 302 m²
  • Astern Pool & BarPool and bar · 84 outdoor seats

EXPLORA I

Room Types

OWNER’S RESIDENCE

OWNER’S RESIDENCE

  • Deck 8
  • Total 280 sqm
  • 1 Suite

The full width of the stern, with a whirlpool terrace, dining for eight and your own Residence Manager.

COCOON RESIDENCE

COCOON RESIDENCE

  • Deck 6
  • Total 149 sqm
  • 2 Suites

The largest Residence after the Owner's, with a vast stern terrace and a whirlpool at its best view.

SERENITY RESIDENCE

SERENITY RESIDENCE

  • Deck 7 & 9
  • 4 Suites
  • Total 113 sqm

At the stern, with a wraparound terrace about as big as the rooms inside, a whirlpool and a daybed.

RETREAT RESIDENCE

RETREAT RESIDENCE

  • Deck 7,8,9
  • 6 Suites
  • Total 77 sqm

Right at the front of the ship, with views over the bow, a terrace whirlpool and a 2-metre king bed.

COVE RESIDENCE

COVE RESIDENCE

  • Deck 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • 10 Suites
  • Total 70 sqm

Your first step into the Residences: separate rooms and private butler service from Residence Hosts.

GRAND PENTHOUSE

GRAND PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Total 60 sqm
  • 10 Suites

Separate spaces to dine, relax, work and sleep, and a double sofa bed so the children can stay with you.

PREMIER PENTHOUSE

PREMIER PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 8, 9, 10
  • Total 52 sqm
  • 40 Suites

An entrance hall, separate rooms to live, dine and sleep, and glass doors onto a terrace with a daybed.

DELUXE PENTHOUSE

DELUXE PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6,7,9,10
  • Total 48 sqm
  • 10 Suites

A Penthouse zoned for living, with a large lounge, dining for four and, in some suites, a bathtub.

PENTHOUSE

PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6,7,8,9
  • Total 43 sqm
  • 7 Suites

The first Ocean Penthouse: a proper lounge, a dining table for four and a sun terrace with a daybed.

OCEAN GRAND TERRACE SUITE

OCEAN GRAND TERRACE SUITE

  • Deck 6,7
  • Total 39 sqm
  • 70 Suites

The Ocean Terrace Suite layout with a bigger terrace, on decks 6 and 7, plus priority dinner bookings.

OCEAN TERRACE SUITE

OCEAN TERRACE SUITE

  • Deck 6,7,8,9,10
  • Total 35 sqm
  • 301 Suites

Explora's entry suite, with floor-to-ceiling glass, a walk-in wardrobe and a terrace with a daybed.

EXPLORA I

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