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Explora III: ship guide

Explora’s first LNG ship, 63 feet longer, with 461 suites and seven restaurants.

Best for: Guests who want the newest and roomiest Explora ship for a Caribbean winter from San Juan or Miami in 2026-2027, or who want to be on the first Explora Alaska season from Vancouver in summer 2027. Sails from Barcelona, Québec City, San Juan, Miami, Vancouver in 2026 and 2027.

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Explora III
Explora III
72,810gross tons
14decks
2026entered service
879 ftlong
461staterooms

About Explora III

EXPLORA III was delivered by Fincantieri in Genoa on July 23, 2026, named in Barcelona on August 1 by marine educator Cristina Ozores and began her seven-night Maiden Journey to Lisbon on August 3. She is the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, with shore-power connection and Polar Code C certification, and she is 19.2 meters (63 feet) longer than EXPLORA I and II at about 879 feet and 72,810 gross tons. The extra length went to space rather than guests: 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences carry a similar number of guests to her sisters with more public room per person.

New on this ship are three dining venues: the beach-club-style Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, The Chef’s Table private dining and The Cellar wine lounge on Deck 5. There is a second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola, more Ocean Penthouses and Residences, a reimagined Ocean Wellness area that combines spa and fitness in one space, a fully open-air cigar lounge, an enhanced Nautilus Club and the first Chopard boutique at sea alongside Cartier and Rolex. Seven restaurants, 13 bars and lounges and five heated pools round out the ship.

Her inaugural season runs north from Lisbon through the Baltic capitals, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and Greenland to the Canadian Maritimes and New England, departing Québec City on October 15, 2026, and reaching San Juan on November 1 for a Caribbean winter between San Juan and Miami through March 2027, with New Year’s Eve fireworks over San Juan. In summer 2027 EXPLORA III opens Explora’s first Alaska season from Vancouver, and she sails Asia for winter 2027-2028.

  • First LNG-powered Explora ship, with shore power and Polar Code C certification
  • Lengthened by 63 feet for 461 suites and the most public space per guest in the fleet
  • Shore Club on 11, a beach-club restaurant at The Conservatory, included in the fare
  • The Chef’s Table private dining and The Cellar wine lounge, new on this ship
  • Second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola, with two bedrooms and a terrace whirlpool
  • Reimagined Ocean Wellness combining spa, thermal area and fitness in one space
  • Seven restaurants, 13 bars and lounges and five heated pools including the adults-only Helios Pool
  • Explora’s first Alaska season from Vancouver in summer 2027

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 daily-restocked mini-bar; 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.

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; EXPLORA III carries more of them than her sisters.

Ocean Residences

Cove Residences with and without whirlpool, Retreat, Serenity and Cocoon Residences of 700 to 1,604 square feet (65 to 149 square meters), most with a private outdoor whirlpool, a Residence Host and ground transfers.

Owner’s Residences

Two Owner’s Residences: the original full-beam stern residence of about 3,014 square feet (280 square meters) with private pool and dining for eight, and a new two-bedroom interpretation by Patricia Urquiola with a private terrace whirlpool, each with a dedicated Residence Manager.

Explora III 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 plan

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 III

Yoga
Yoga
Wellbeing
Wellbeing
The Spa
The Spa
The Journey
The Journey
The Conservatory Pool and Bar
The Conservatory Pool and Bar
The Chef's Table
The Chef's Table
The Cellar
The Cellar
Sky Bar on 14
Sky Bar on 14
Shore Club On 11
Shore Club On 11
Sakura
Sakura
Running Track
Running Track
Rolex
Rolex

Dining on Explora III

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, new on EXPLORA III.

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 by Franck Garanger, 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 on Deck 5 with Old World, New World and rare vintages by the glass, charged per glass.

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 Luminary Enrichment talks on destinations, nature and the arts
  • Five heated pools: Astern infinity pool, Atoll Pool, a larger Conservatory Pool with silent cinema nights, adults-only Helios Pool and Sky Bar on 14
  • Redesigned Lobby and Lobby Bar with live music, and the Explora Lounge with afternoon tea, jazz and piano
  • Malt Whisky Bar with walk-in humidor and a fully open-air cigar lounge
  • Reimagined Ocean Wellness with thermal area, treatment rooms, beauty salon and Technogym fitness in one space
  • Chopard, Cartier and Rolex boutiques
  • Sports Court, karaoke nights and clubs for solo travelers, Prism and Club Soda

Families and who it suits

An enhanced Nautilus Club hosts ages 6 to 17 daily with gaming, VR, sports sessions, crafts and an MSC Foundation marine conservation program, while ages 3 to 5 join supervised sessions with a parent; the Helios Pool is adults-only, and the Alaska season from 2027 adds family-friendly destination experiences.

Best for: Guests who want the newest and roomiest Explora ship for a Caribbean winter from San Juan or Miami in 2026-2027, or who want to be on the first Explora Alaska season from Vancouver in summer 2027.

Sails from: Barcelona, Québec City, San Juan, Miami, Vancouver · Regions: Northern Europe, Iceland & Greenland, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Alaska

Explora III questions we answer every day

How big is Explora III?
EXPLORA III is about 879 feet (268 meters) long and 72,810 gross tons, 19.2 meters longer than EXPLORA I and II, with 14 decks and 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences. She carries a similar number of guests to her sisters, so the extra length became more public space per guest, seven restaurants, 13 bars and lounges and five heated pools.
What is new on Explora III?
Three dining venues: Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory, The Chef’s Table and The Cellar wine lounge. A second Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola, more Ocean Penthouses and Residences, a single reimagined Ocean Wellness space for spa and fitness, a redesigned Lobby, a larger Conservatory Pool, a fully open-air cigar lounge, an enhanced Nautilus Club and the first Chopard boutique at sea. She is also the first LNG-powered Explora ship with shore-power capability.
Where does Explora III sail in 2026 and 2027?
Her inaugural season sailed from Barcelona to Lisbon on August 3, 2026, then through the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland and Greenland to Canada and New England. From Québec City on October 15, 2026, she heads south to San Juan for a Caribbean season between San Juan and Miami through March 2027. Summer 2027 is Explora’s first Alaska season from Vancouver, including 11-night and 14-night round trips in May and July, and she sails Asia for winter 2027-2028.
What is included in the fare on Explora III?
Nine culinary experiences including Shore Club on 11 and in-suite dining, unlimited beverages including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, specialty coffees and soft drinks, a welcome bottle of champagne plus a bottle of wine and spirits, high-speed Wi-Fi, gratuities, the Ocean Wellness thermal area, group fitness sessions and port shuttles where available. Anthology, The Chef’s Table, The Cellar pours and spa treatments are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where Explora Journeys allows it, not available booking direct.
Which suite should I choose on Explora III?
The Ocean Terrace Suite at about 377 square feet with a terrace suits most couples, and the Ocean Grand Terrace Suite on Decks 6 and 7 adds a larger terrace. EXPLORA III has more Ocean Penthouses, which add a separate living area and laundry, and more Ocean Residences with private outdoor whirlpools and a Residence Host. The two Owner’s Residences, including the new two-bedroom Patricia Urquiola design, are the top of the ship.
What will the Alaska season be like?
EXPLORA III sails Explora’s first Alaska program from Vancouver in summer 2027, with voyages such as an 11-night round trip from May 10 to 21 visiting Sitka, Prince Rupert and Endicott Arm and a 14-night round trip from July 2 to 16 with Hubbard Glacier, Kodiak and Alert Bay, plus calls at Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Wrangell and Seward. Pre- and post-journey land programs run from Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Canadian Rockies.

Facts checked against Explora Journeys: EXPLORA III, Explora Journeys press release: delivery of EXPLORA III, Explora Journeys press release: an unforgettable Caribbean season, Explora Journeys press release: new itineraries for summer 2027 on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

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Prices 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.