Comparing Explora I, II and III: A Guide to the Explora Journeys Fleet

"The most compelling hotel experiences may not be found on land at all," says Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys.

That's the idea behind the brand's growing fleet: ships built to feel less like traditional cruise ships and more like private yachts and five-star, floating hotels where the limits of land-based luxury are overshadowed. Explora I and Explora II brought that vision to life, and Explora III builds on it with a few notable additions of her own, giving guests the finest of everything, wherever they happen to be.

Whether you're comparing suite layouts, dining venues, or onboard design, here's how the three sisters stack up.

Explora Journeys Fleet Comparison at a Glance

Please note: Explora Journeys continues expanding beyond these three ships, with Explora IV, Explora V and Explora VI joining the fleet. This guide will be updated as new Explora III details are confirmed. Questions before then? Our Cruise Experts are just a call away.

A Shared Foundation

All three ships share the same underlying design, and the numbers support it. Explora I, Explora II and Explora III each maintain a 1.25:1 guest-to-host ratio, a throughline Explora Journeys has carried across every ship in the fleet. Each ship also offers five heated pools and 12 bars and lounges, giving guests space to relax across days at sea, whether they're sailing the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, or beyond.

The same approach shows up in the suites. Explora Journeys calls its accommodations "Homes at Sea," and that language extends all the way to the top. The Owner's Residence aboard each ship comes with the same core amenities, including:

• A dedicated Residence Manager
• An in-suite welcome bottle of Dom Pérignon
• A private bar restocked to guest preferences
• A Technogym Bench & Case Kit for in-suite workouts

Art plays a similar unifying role. Each ship's Galleria d'Arte is curated by Clarendon Fine Art, and Explora I and Explora II both showcase works from artists including Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Damien Hirst and Mr. Brainwash.

Then there's the godmother tradition, one of Explora Journeys' more meaningful throughlines. Every ship has been named by a woman whose career centers on ocean conservation or education:

• Dr. Sylvia Earle, the oceanographer & explorer, for Explora I.
• Rosalba Giugni, founder of the Marevivo Foundation, for Explora II.
• Cristina Ozores, marine educator & co-founder of Vellmarí, for Explora III.

It's a pattern that says as much about the brand's values as any spec sheet does.

Suites & Residences

Suite counts stay close across the fleet, though not identical. Explora I and Explora II each offer 456 ocean-front suites, while Explora III comes in slightly larger at 461. With the extra handful of suites, Explora III devotes a larger share of her inventory to Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, giving guests more options above the entry-level suite tier.

That extra suite capacity comes from Explora III's own 19.2-meter extension over her sisters, and the added length pays off in public space too. At 19.5 sqm (210 sq ft) per guest, Explora III offers more room to spread out than either Explora I or Explora II.

Owner's Residences

Nowhere is that extra space more apparent than at the top of the suite hierarchy. Explora I and Explora II each carry one Owner's Residence, spanning the ship's full aft width with an infinity whirlpool, a dining table for eight and a private steam room. Explora III keeps that same residence on board and adds a second: a new interpretation of the Owner's Residence, designed by Patricia Urquiola and positioned on Deck 7.

It's the first time any Explora Journeys ship has offered two Owner's Residences, giving guests an additional, distinctly designed option at the ship's highest suite category.

Dining Aboard Each Ship

The Cellar by Explora Journeys onboard the Explora 3.

Every Explora Journeys ship shares the same culinary foundation, but Explora III adds a few venues her sisters don't have.

Restaurants

Explora I and Explora II each offer six restaurants, while Explora III rounds out to seven with three additional concepts:

1. Shore Club on 11: a poolside restaurant beside the Conservatory Pool
2. The Chef's Table by Explora Journeys: where menus are shaped entirely around each guest's preferences
3. The Cellar by Explora Journeys: a wine-focused dining experience built around nearly 350 labels spanning both established & emerging wine regions

Returning favorites carry over across the fleet, including Anthology, the brand's Italian fine-dining venue, and Fil Rouge, a French-inspired restaurant serving an international tasting menu. Both are getting refreshed menus aboard Explora III first, with the updates set to roll out across the rest of the fleet over time.

Bars & Lounges

All three ships offer 12 bars and lounges. An Outdoor Cigar Lounge alongside the Malt Whisky Bar, a pairing not called out on Explora I or Explora II, will be onboard Explora III and onward.

Design & Public Spaces

Every Explora Journeys ship is built around light, space and an unhurried connection to the sea. Explora III carries that idea further, thanks to the extra length she gained over her sisters, most visibly in her redesigned lobby.

The Lobby

Explora III's lobby unfolds as a sculptural, double-height atrium, with an asymmetrical staircase carved from Perlato di Sicilia and Sahara Noir marble. Mesmerizing Venini chandeliers, hand-blown in Murano using centuries-old techniques, hang above seating from Paolo Castelli and Molteni. A fireplace, artworks by Yves Dana and Nena, and a Steinway piano round out the space designed to feel less like a ship's entryway and more like a drawing room built for lingering.

The Conservatory Pool & Bar

On Deck 11, Explora III's Conservatory Pool spans 14.7 meters (48.2 ft) beneath a retractable glass roof, letting the space shift between open-air and sheltered depending on the weather. By day, it functions as an all-weather pool deck. By night, it hosts a silent cinema experience under the stars.

Ocean Wellness

Ocean Wellness, the brand's spa and fitness concept, gets a fresh layout aboard Explora III, bringing spa and fitness together in a single space on Deck 5. It's anchored by the Sava Sound Pod, a sound and vibration therapy experience, alongside the Technogym Sand Stone collection and Reform Pilates equipment. There's a private training studio that supports personalized sessions, as well as an expanded Sports Court and an extended running track that allow you to bring the fitness outdoors.

Meeting Spaces

Explora III also introduces three modular meeting rooms on Deck 11, a first for the fleet, giving guests a dedicated space for private meetings, video calls or small seminars while at sea.

Shopping Onboard

Retail has grown steadily across the fleet, and Explora III carries the fullest boutique lineup of the three ships to date.

Cartier, Piaget and Panerai are available fleet-wide. Rolex is exclusive to Explora I and Explora III, where it operates as an Official Rolex Retailer. It debuted aboard Explora I, and its return on Explora III builds on that original boutique's success.

Buccellati is only found on Explora II, while Explora III adds two of her own exclusives: Chopard and Mandala by Ocean Atelier, Explora Journeys' in-house jewelry boutique.

Sustainability & Technology

Every ship in the fleet shares a baseline environmental commitment. Each vessel holds RINA DOLPHIN certification for reduced underwater noise, as well as shoreside power capability, allowing her to connect to onshore electricity and switch off her engines while docked in ports. On top of that, there is a fleet-wide no-single-use-plastics policy.

Explora III stands apart as the first and only LNG-powered ship in the fleet. Her dual-fuel engines run on liquefied natural gas today, with the flexibility to shift toward renewable alternatives like bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as they become more widely available.

Across the fleet, Explora Journeys has tied these efforts to a broader target: net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for its maritime operations by 2050. Whether navigating the wilderness of Alaska or the natural beauty of Asia, this technology works to reduce the ship's footprint in port and at sea.

From suites to sustainability, each ship in the fleet has its own story to tell, and its own reasons to book.

Planning Your Explora Journeys Adventure

We'll keep this guide updated as Explora Journeys shares more about Explora III, so it's worth bookmarking and checking back. In the meantime, our Cruise Experts are ready to help.

Whether you're drawn to Explora I's original yacht-inspired design, Explora II's cosmopolitan elegance, or Explora III's expanded suites and dining, all three ships share the same commitment to space, service, and the Ocean State of Mind. Choosing between them comes down to which details matter most to you.

A Cruise Expert at The Cruise Web can help you:

• Match your priorities, whether that's suite size, dining variety or a specific itinerary, to the right ship.
• Access exclusive offers & promotions you won't find booking direct.
• Research pre- and post-cruise stays, transfers & shore excursions around your Journey.
• Stay updated as Explora Journeys announces new deployments and ship features.

Call The Cruise Web at 1-800-377-9383 or visit CruiseWeb.com to start planning your Explora Journey.

Please note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Explora Journey's ships, inclusions, and amenities are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between Explora I, Explora II, and Explora III?

Explora III is the largest of the three, with 461 ocean-front suites compared to 456 aboard Explora I and Explora II, and offers one additional restaurant along with a second Owner's Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola. Explora III is also the first ship in the fleet powered by LNG. All three ships share the same 1.25:1 guest-to-host ratio, five heated pools, and 12 bars and lounges. 

What is the Owner's Residence by Patricia Urquiola?

The second Owner's Residence aboard Explora III, located on Deck 7, designed by architect Patricia Urquiola; the first time any Explora Journeys ship has offered two Owner's Residences.

Is Explora III LNG-powered?

Yes. Explora III is the first ship in the Explora Journeys fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), with dual-fuel engines capable of running on renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as they become more widely available.

Which Explora Journeys ship has the most restaurants?

Explora III has seven restaurants, one more than Explora I and Explora II, which each offer six.

Does every Explora Journeys ship have an Owner's Residence?

Yes. Explora I and Explora II each have one Owner's Residence. Explora III has two, including a second residence designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Why book Explora Journeys with The Cruise Web?

The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts specialize in matching travelers to the right Explora Journeys ship and suite category, with access to current offers and onboard credit promotions. Call 1-800-377-9383 or visit CruiseWeb.com to start planning your Journey.