Explora Journeys · All Explora Journeys ships · Explora Class (LNG)
Explora IV: ship guide
Explora’s second LNG ship, sister to EXPLORA III, setting sail in summer 2027.
Best for: Travelers who want to be among the first aboard a brand-new Explora ship in 2027, with the EXPLORA III layout and a Caribbean winter 2027-2028 already announced.
About Explora IV
EXPLORA IV is the fourth ship of Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, and is under construction at Fincantieri for a summer 2027 debut. She is the sister of EXPLORA III and the second LNG-powered ship in the fleet, sharing the lengthened Explora design with 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, seven restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and five heated pools. Explora quotes the same 1.25 to 1 guest-to-host ratio as the rest of the fleet.
Explora has confirmed the EXPLORA III innovations will carry over: Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, The Chef’s Table private dining, The Cellar wine lounge, an Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola alongside the original, a reimagined Ocean Wellness and fitness space and an enhanced Nautilus Club for children and teens. The fare follows the Explora model, with dining, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and the thermal area included.
Explora says many of its summer 2027 journeys will be aboard EXPLORA III and IV, which it describes as exploring new shores, but the ship’s maiden voyage date and first-season region had not been published at the time of writing. For winter 2027-2028 Explora has placed EXPLORA IV in the Caribbean alongside EXPLORA II. Check the live sailing list below as itineraries open.
- Second LNG-powered Explora ship, sister to EXPLORA III
- 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, all with private terraces
- Shore Club on 11 beach-club restaurant at The Conservatory
- The Chef’s Table private dining and The Cellar wine lounge
- Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola
- Reimagined Ocean Wellness and fitness space
- Seven restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and five heated pools
- Enhanced Nautilus Club for children and teens
Staterooms and suites
Ocean Terrace Suite
The lead-in category in four OT grades, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private terrace of about 75 square feet (7 square meters) with a daybed, a walk-in wardrobe with seated vanity, heated bathroom floor and espresso machine.
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
On Decks 6 and 7 with a larger terrace of about 118 square feet (11 square meters) for outdoor dining and the same amenities as the Ocean Terrace Suite.
Ocean Penthouses
Penthouse, Deluxe, Premier and Grand Penthouses with separate living and sleeping spaces, dining for four and extra inclusions such as laundry service.
Ocean Residences
Cove Residences with and without whirlpool, Retreat, Serenity and Cocoon Residences, most with a private outdoor whirlpool, a Residence Host and ground transfers.
Owner’s Residences
The original full-beam stern Owner’s Residence and a second two-bedroom Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola with a terrace whirlpool, each with a dedicated Residence Manager.
Explora IV 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, Ocean Wellness Fitness, Sky Bar.
- Open Air FitnessFitness deck overlooking the ocean - equipped with flexible solutions, such as Technogym Skillrow, Group Cycle and Technogym Case Kit, offering variety in an outdoor location.
- Sky Bar On 14Set on the ship’s highest point, on deck 14, this panoramic outdoor lounge setting is ideal for soothing cocktails and infinite views.
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 IV
Dining on Explora IV
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.
Shore Club on 11Included
Relaxed beach-club-style poolside restaurant at The Conservatory.
Crema Café and In-Suite DiningIncluded
European-style café for coffee, pastries and gelato, plus 24-hour dining in the suite or on the terrace.
AnthologySpecialty
Signature fine-dining Italian tasting menu, with a surcharge and optional wine pairing.
The Chef’s TableSpecialty
Private dining with a bespoke menu created with the chefs, at extra cost.
The CellarSpecialty
Relaxed wine lounge with Old World, New World and rare vintages by the glass, charged per glass.
Entertainment and activities
- Journeys Lounge performances, the In Concert series with the house orchestra and Showcase variety acts
- Luminary Enrichment talks and Steinway & Sons recitals on select sailings
- Five heated pools including the Astern infinity pool, the Conservatory Pool with silent cinema nights, the adults-only Helios Pool and Sky Bar on 14
- Lobby Bar live music and the Explora Lounge with afternoon tea, jazz and piano
- Malt Whisky Bar with walk-in humidor and open-air cigar lounge
- Reimagined Ocean Wellness with thermal area, treatment rooms, beauty salon and fitness in one space
- Boutique shopping and clubs for solo travelers, Prism and Club Soda
Families and who it suits
An enhanced Nautilus Club hosts ages 6 to 17 with gaming, VR, sports sessions and crafts, while ages 3 to 5 join supervised sessions with a parent; the Helios Pool is adults-only and connecting suites suit multigenerational groups.
Best for: Travelers who want to be among the first aboard a brand-new Explora ship in 2027, with the EXPLORA III layout and a Caribbean winter 2027-2028 already announced.
Sails from: · Regions: Caribbean
Explora IV questions we answer every day
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How is Explora IV different from Explora I and II?
Facts checked against Explora Journeys: EXPLORA IV, Explora Journeys: Our ships, Explora Journeys press release: new itineraries for summer 2027, Explora Journeys press release: new 2027-2028 Journeys Collection on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every Explora IV sailing, priced all-in
Every Explora IV 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.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Explora IV 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.