Explora III Review: Our Verdict on Explora Journeys’ New Ship
Updated: Sep 24
EXPLORA III is bigger than EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, but after sailing onboard during her inaugural season, we don't think size is actually the most important difference.
What matters more is how Explora Journeys has used that additional space.
We have previously sailed aboard both EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, so stepping onto EXPLORA III gave us the opportunity to look beyond the obvious new-ship excitement and ask a more interesting question:
Has Explora Journeys actually improved the experience?
Our answer is yes, although not by completely reinventing it.
Have you sailed on any Explora Ship
Yes
No
Familiar, But More Refined
If you have sailed with Explora Journeys before, EXPLORA III feels immediately familiar.
The design, atmosphere and overall philosophy remain very much the same. This is still a ship built around spacious accommodation, strong dining, understated service and the freedom to spend your day largely however you want.
But several areas feel more refined.
EXPLORA III is approximately 19 metres longer than her two predecessors, without a dramatic increase in guest numbers. That extra space is noticeable, particularly outdoors and around some of the redesigned public areas.
One of the best examples is the Lobby.
Moving the piano into this area may sound like a small change, but during the evening it helps transform the Lobby into a much stronger social centre. Crema Café, cocktails, live music and people meeting before or after dinner all come together more naturally.
That is typical of many of the changes onboard.
They are not always dramatic.
They simply make sense.
Our EXPLORA III verdict: Explora III doesn't reinvent Explora Journeys. It improves the formula with more space, better flow, new dining experiences and an expanded wellness offering while keeping the relaxed atmosphere we already enjoyed aboard Explora I and II.
Where EXPLORA III Really Feels Different
The extra space is perhaps the biggest everyday improvement.
Rather than creating one enormous central pool deck, EXPLORA III continues the Explora approach of spreading guests between several different environments.
The Conservatory Pool remains an excellent all-weather space beneath its retractable glass roof, while outdoor pools, whirlpools, cabanas and quieter deck areas offer very different places to spend the day.
The new Helios provides an adults-only alternative high on the ship. And it´s such an upgrade, new design, new whirlpool and the bar is now closer to the area
Ocean Wellness and the Fitness Centre have also been redesigned into a more unified wellness environment.
The result is something specifications alone struggle to explain:
EXPLORA III often feels remarkably uncrowded.
And on a luxury ship, space may be one of the most valuable luxuries of all.
Which cruise atmosphere do you prefer?
Quiet and relaxed
A mix of calm and activity
Busy and social
High-energy with lots going on
Dining Remains One of the Biggest Strengths
Food continues to be one of the main reasons we enjoy Explora Journeys.
Fil Rouge remains our personal favourite, and we experienced particularly strong service there during this sailing. Marble & Co. delivered an excellent steak, Sakura remains one of the most distinctive restaurants onboard and Med Yacht Club continues to provide a relaxed Mediterranean alternative.
EXPLORA III also expands the culinary offering with newer concepts including Shore Club on 11, The Cellar and The Chef's Table.
Then there is Emporium Marketplace, which we still think is better described as an international food hall than a conventional cruise buffet.
Instead of repeating everything here, we have created separate guides where you can explore the restaurants, menus and even the individual stations inside Emporium Marketplace in much greater detail.
How important is dining when you choose a cruise?
It’s one of the main reasons I book
Very important, but not everything
Nice to have, but not a deciding factor
I care more about the ship and itinerary
What the Explora Experience Actually Feels Like
Perhaps the most important thing about EXPLORA III is not a restaurant, pool or suite.
It is the pace of life onboard.
There are no constant announcements.
You do not need to organise your day around a large programme of activities.
Look at the daily planners from Explora III
There are no traditional formal nights.
And the evening does not revolve around reaching a large theatre at a specific time.
Instead, your day might begin with coffee at Crema Café, continue with lunch whenever you feel like eating, some time by the pool, afternoon tea in Explora Lounge, dinner and then drinks accompanied by live music in the Lobby.
You can fill your day.
Or you can do almost nothing.
For us, that freedom remains one of the strongest parts of Explora Journeys.
Who Is EXPLORA III For?
EXPLORA III will not be the right ship for everyone.
If your perfect cruise means water slides, huge production shows, organised activities throughout the day and a constantly high-energy atmosphere, there are other ships designed specifically around that experience.
EXPLORA III is doing something very different.
We think it is particularly well suited to travellers who value excellent food, generous personal space, understated service and the ability to create their own rhythm onboard.
It may also appeal to people who normally choose luxury resorts and hotels but have never felt particularly attracted to traditional cruising.
EXPLORA III feels less like a floating attraction and more like a luxury resort that happens to move somewhere new.
Would you consider sailing with Explora Journeys?
Yes, definitely
Maybe, I want to know more
Only if the itinerary is right
Probably not my style
Thank you Jay for this Explora picture in Lisbon
Our Verdict
EXPLORA III does not completely reinvent Explora Journeys.
And we are glad it doesn't.
Instead, it takes many of the things we already enjoyed aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II and develops them further.
More space.
Better flow in several public areas.
New dining experiences.
Expanded wellness facilities.
And the same relaxed philosophy that attracted us to Explora Journeys in the first place.
For us, the experience can still be summarised in four words:
Food. Space. Service. Freedom.
EXPLORA III may simply be the most complete expression of that idea so far.
This Is Only Our Verdict. The Full Ship Guide Goes Much Further.
A review can tell you whether we liked EXPLORA III.
But it cannot tell you everything you might want to know before booking one of its 461 suites.
That is why we created our complete EXPLORA III Ship Guide & Review.
Inside the full guide you can explore:
what has actually changed compared with EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II
the different restaurants and dining experiences
our photographs from around the ship
suites, penthouses and residences
pools and outdoor spaces
Ocean Wellness and the Fitness Centre
entertainment and evening atmosphere
practical details that are difficult to understand from specifications alone
our own video from onboard
If you are simply curious about EXPLORA III, this article gives you our verdict.
If you are seriously considering sailing on her, the complete guide is where we would go next.
Want the Full EXPLORA III Experience?
This article gives you our overall verdict, but our complete EXPLORA III Ship Guide goes much further.
There you can explore the ship through our own experience onboard, including dining, downloadable restaurant menus, suites, pools, public spaces, entertainment, photographs and video — together with the changes we noticed compared with EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II.
If you are seriously considering sailing on EXPLORA III, or simply want to understand the ship beyond the headlines, this is where we would continue.
Prefer a video - Look at our Explora III Review Embarkation video
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