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Explora II: ship guide
Explora’s second ship: 456 ocean-front suites and a Mediterranean winter 2026-2027.
Best for: Couples who want a yacht-style luxury ship with every suite on the ocean, dining and drinks included, and a winter in the Western Mediterranean, North Africa and the Canary Islands from Barcelona, Rome or Lisbon. Sails from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Lisbon in 2026 and 2027.
About Explora II
EXPLORA II entered service in 2024 as the second ship of Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, and the twin of EXPLORA I. Built by Fincantieri, she is about 814 feet long with 14 decks and 456 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace, and Explora quotes a 1.25 to 1 guest-to-host ratio. Her godmother is Rosalba Giugni, founder of the Italian marine conservation group Marevivo, and the ship carries the Davos outdoor furniture collection by Matteo Nunziati and a Galleria d’Arte curated by Clarendon Fine Art.
Dining and drinks are in the fare: Emporium Marketplace, Fil Rouge, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura, the Med Yacht Club, Crema Café, the poolside Gelateria & Crêperie and 24-hour in-suite dining, with only the Anthology tasting menu and the Chef’s Kitchen cooking classes as extras. Five heated pools include the Astern infinity pool, the covered Conservatory Pool and the adults-only Helios Pool, and 12 bars and lounges run from the Lobby Bar to Sky Bar on 14. In October 2026 Explora’s first President’s Journey, hosted by brand president Anna Nash, sails aboard this ship.
After her 2026 summer in the Mediterranean, EXPLORA II stays in Southern Europe for the winter, sailing the Western Mediterranean, North Africa and the Atlantic islands from November 2026 to March 2027 with voyages between Barcelona, Rome and Lisbon, maiden calls at Algiers, Ceuta, La Gomera, Fuerteventura and Palamós and a New Year sailing from Barcelona to Rome. Summer 2027 brings the Mediterranean and Adriatic with new calls at Trogir and Koper, and for winter 2027-2028 she moves to the Caribbean.
- 456 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace
- Six restaurants plus Crema Café and Gelateria & Crêperie included, with Anthology and the Chef’s Kitchen as the only extras
- Five heated pools including the Astern infinity pool, the Conservatory Pool and the adults-only Helios Pool
- Twelve bars and lounges, from the Journeys Lounge to the Malt Whisky Bar and Sky Bar on 14
- Ocean Wellness thermal area included, with a 12-day Path to Inner Discovery program on the February 2027 Barcelona to Lisbon journey
- Shore-to-Table Chef’s Kitchen experiences in Palermo, Marseille and Barcelona on winter 2026-2027 sailings
- Galleria d’Arte by Clarendon Fine Art with works by Dalí and Chagall
- Winter 2026-2027 in the Western Mediterranean with maiden calls at Algiers, Ceuta and the Canary Islands
Staterooms and suites
Ocean Terrace Suite
The lead-in category at about 377 square feet (35 square meters) plus a 75 square foot (7 square meter) terrace with a daybed, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in wardrobe with seated vanity, heated bathroom floor, espresso machine and a mini-bar restocked daily; four OT grades differ by deck and position.
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
About 420 square feet (39 square meters) on Decks 6 and 7 with a larger 118 square foot (11 square meter) terrace for outdoor dining and the same amenities as the Ocean Terrace Suite.
Ocean Penthouses
Penthouse, Deluxe, Premier and Grand Penthouses of 463 to 743 square feet (43 to 69 square meters) with separate living and sleeping spaces, dining for four and extra inclusions such as laundry service.
Ocean Residences
Cove, Retreat, Serenity and Cocoon Residences of 700 to 1,604 square feet (65 to 149 square meters), each with a private outdoor whirlpool on the terrace, a Residence Host and ground transfers.
Owner’s Residence
About 3,014 square feet (280 square meters) across the full beam of the stern with a private plunge pool, dining for eight, a dedicated Residence Manager and a private driver ashore where available.
Explora II deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Deck 14
Sports Court, Whirlpool, Panorama Lounge.
- Sky Bar on 14Refreshing cocktails and infinite views in a sophisticated outdoor setting.
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board Explora II
Dining on Explora II
Emporium MarketplaceIncluded
Lively all-day dining with live cooking stations and flavors from around the world.
Fil RougeIncluded
A global tasting tour of French-inspired international cuisine.
Marble & Co. GrillIncluded
A reimagined European steakhouse with sustainably sourced cuts.
SakuraIncluded
Immersive Pan-Asian dining from sushi and dim sum to slow-cooked dishes.
Med Yacht ClubIncluded
Relaxed Mediterranean dining with a dolce vita feel and walk-in seating.
Crema Café and Gelateria & CrêperieIncluded
European-style café on Deck 5 for coffee, tea, pastries and gelato, plus French and Italian sweets poolside at The Conservatory.
In-Suite DiningIncluded
Served 24 hours in the suite or on the private terrace.
AnthologySpecialty
Signature fine-dining Italian tasting menu by Franck Garanger, with a surcharge and optional wine pairing.
Chef’s KitchenSpecialty
Hands-on cooking experience for 12 guests in an ocean-front private kitchen, including Shore-to-Table market visits on select sailings, at extra cost.
Entertainment and activities
- Journeys Lounge performances with West End talent, the In Concert series with the house orchestra and Showcase variety acts
- Steinway & Sons recitals and Inspiring Voices speakers such as pianist Maxim Lando on winter 2026-2027 sailings
- Luminary Enrichment talks and workshops on destinations, nature and the creative arts
- Five heated pools: Astern infinity pool, Atoll Pool, Conservatory Pool with silent cinema nights, adults-only Helios Pool and Sky Bar on 14 DJ sets
- Explora Lounge with afternoon tea, jazz and piano, and the Malt Whisky Bar with walk-in humidor and outdoor cigar terrace
- Ocean Wellness spa with thermal area, treatment rooms, beauty salon and Technogym fitness center
- Galleria d’Arte by Clarendon Fine Art and boutique shopping
- Sports Court, Shining Star karaoke and clubs for solo travelers, Prism and Club Soda
Families and who it suits
The Nautilus Club hosts ages 6 to 17 daily from 9 a.m. to midnight with video games, VR, foosball, pool, arts and crafts and an MSC Foundation marine conservation program, while ages 3 to 5 join supervised sessions with a parent; the Helios Pool on Deck 12 is adults-only and 82 connecting suites suit multigenerational groups.
Best for: Couples who want a yacht-style luxury ship with every suite on the ocean, dining and drinks included, and a winter in the Western Mediterranean, North Africa and the Canary Islands from Barcelona, Rome or Lisbon.
Sails from: Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Lisbon · Regions: Mediterranean, North Africa & Atlantic Islands, Caribbean
Explora II questions we answer every day
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Facts checked against Explora Journeys: EXPLORA II, Explora Journeys: Lounging, Explora Journeys press release: new experiences for EXPLORA II’s A Serene Mediterranean season, Explora Journeys: Multi-generational journeys on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every Explora II sailing, priced all-in
Every Explora II departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Explora II sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.