Explora Journeys · All Explora Journeys ships · Explora Class (LNG with hydrogen fuel cells)

Explora V: ship guide

Explora’s fifth ship debuts December 2027 in the Mediterranean, then Asia in 2028.

Best for: Guests who want a brand-new Explora ship for a winter 2027-2028 Mediterranean and Atlantic islands season, with Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve off Naples, or who are watching for her 2028 Asia debut.

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Explora V
Explora V
2027entered service
457staterooms

About Explora V

EXPLORA V is the fifth ship of Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, under construction at Fincantieri and listed by Explora as setting sail in December 2027. She is the first of a new pair with EXPLORA VI that Explora and Fincantieri announced in 2022 as LNG ships fitted with hydrogen fuel cells to run hotel services with zero emissions in port. The published plan shows 457 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, seven restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and five heated pools plus a new Atoll Pool, with the 1.25 to 1 guest-to-host ratio of the fleet.

Explora describes EXPLORA V as a ship of intimate atmosphere and close connection to the ocean, with a reimagined Ocean Wellness and fitness space, an enhanced Nautilus Club with dedicated areas for children and teens, redefined entertainment programs and signature culinary concepts complemented by new offerings. Private whirlpools appear in more categories, including a new Grand Penthouse with Whirlpool alongside the Cove Residences with Whirlpool. The fare keeps the Explora inclusions of dining, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and the thermal area.

Her inaugural season of 21 journeys runs from December 2027 to April 2028 across the Western and Central Mediterranean, North Africa and the Atlantic islands, with Christmas at sea, New Year’s Eve off Naples, a maiden call at Crotone in Calabria, overnights in Casablanca and Lisbon, calls at Tenerife, the Canary Islands and Madeira and late departures in Salerno, Livorno, Palma, Kotor and Ibiza. Explora has said EXPLORA V then debuts in Asia in 2028.

  • First of the LNG and hydrogen fuel-cell pair with EXPLORA VI, for zero-emission hotel power in port
  • 457 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, all with private terraces
  • Five heated pools plus the new Atoll Pool and numerous whirlpools on the promenade decks
  • Seven restaurants and 12 bars and lounges with signature Explora concepts and new offerings
  • Grand Penthouse with Whirlpool and Cove Residence with Whirlpool categories
  • Reimagined Ocean Wellness and fitness space
  • Enhanced Nautilus Club with dedicated spaces for children and teens
  • Inaugural season December 2027 to April 2028 in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Atlantic islands

Staterooms and suites

Ocean Terrace Suite

The lead-in category in four OT grades, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private terrace, 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 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 and dining for four, plus a new Grand Penthouse with Whirlpool on the terrace.

Ocean Residences

Cove Residences with and without whirlpool, Retreat, Serenity and Cocoon Residences with private outdoor whirlpools, a Residence Host and ground transfers.

Owner’s Residence

The full-beam stern residence with dining for eight, a private pool and a dedicated Residence Manager.

Explora V 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.

  • Wellness AreaExperiences, programmes and spaces to enhance the influence of the ocean on wellbeing, helping achieve a state of inner and outer calm and balance.
  • 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 V

Yoga
Yoga
Wellness Spa
Wellness Spa
Wellness Area
Wellness Area
Treatment Rooms
Treatment Rooms
The Conservatory Pool and Bar
The Conservatory Pool and Bar
Sky Bar On 14
Sky Bar On 14
Sakura
Sakura
Running Track
Running Track
Relaxation Area
Relaxation Area
Open Air Fitness
Open Air Fitness
Nautilus Club
Nautilus Club
Med Yacht Club
Med Yacht Club

Dining on Explora V

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.

Shore Club on 11Included

Relaxed beach-club-style poolside restaurant at The Conservatory, listed by Explora for ships III through VI.

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.

Chef’s KitchenSpecialty

Hands-on cooking experience in an ocean-front private kitchen, at extra cost.

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 plus the Atoll Pool, the adults-only Helios Pool and Sky Bar on 14
  • Explora Lounge with afternoon tea, jazz and piano, and the Malt Whisky Bar with cigar terrace
  • Reimagined Ocean Wellness with thermal area, treatment rooms, beauty salon and fitness
  • Redefined entertainment programming announced for the ship
  • Boutique shopping and clubs for solo travelers, Prism and Club Soda

Families and who it suits

An enhanced Nautilus Club with dedicated spaces for children and teens hosts ages 6 to 17, while ages 3 to 5 join supervised sessions with a parent; the Helios Pool is adults-only.

Best for: Guests who want a brand-new Explora ship for a winter 2027-2028 Mediterranean and Atlantic islands season, with Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve off Naples, or who are watching for her 2028 Asia debut.

Sails from: · Regions: Mediterranean, North Africa & Atlantic Islands, Asia

Explora V questions we answer every day

When does Explora V enter service?
Explora Journeys lists EXPLORA V as setting sail in December 2027, with an inaugural collection of 21 journeys from December 2027 to April 2028 in the Western and Central Mediterranean, North Africa and the Atlantic islands. She is under construction at Fincantieri and follows EXPLORA IV, due in summer 2027. Explora has said she then debuts in Asia in 2028.
How big is Explora V?
Explora has published 457 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, seven restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and five heated pools plus an Atoll Pool for EXPLORA V, with the fleet’s 1.25 to 1 guest-to-host ratio. Exact tonnage, length and deck count had not been released when this guide was written; the deck plan runs from Deck 3 to Deck 14.
What is different about Explora V?
She is the first of the two ships Explora and Fincantieri announced in 2022 as LNG vessels with hydrogen fuel cells, designed to run hotel services with zero emissions in port. On board, Explora highlights a reimagined Ocean Wellness and fitness space, an enhanced Nautilus Club, redefined entertainment, new culinary offerings alongside the signature restaurants, the Atoll Pool and more categories with private whirlpools, including a Grand Penthouse with Whirlpool.
Where does Explora V sail in her first season?
From December 2027 she sails the Western and Central Mediterranean and the North African coast with a maiden call at Crotone, Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve off Naples. In January 2028 she heads into the Atlantic to Tenerife, the Canary Islands and Madeira with overnights in Casablanca and Lisbon, returning to the Mediterranean in March with late departures in Salerno, Livorno, Palma, Kotor and Ibiza and calls at Istanbul and Pauillac for Bordeaux.
What is included in the fare on Explora V?
The standard Explora Journeys inclusions apply: nine culinary experiences including in-suite dining, unlimited beverages from fine wines and champagne to specialty coffee, a welcome bottle of champagne plus wine and spirits in the suite, high-speed Wi-Fi, gratuities, the Ocean Wellness thermal area, group fitness sessions and port shuttles where available. Anthology, the Chef’s Kitchen and spa treatments are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where Explora Journeys allows it, not available booking direct.

Facts checked against Explora Journeys: EXPLORA V, Explora Journeys: Our ships, Explora Journeys press release: new 2027-2028 Journeys Collection, Explora Journeys press release: delivery of EXPLORA III on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every Explora V sailing, priced all-in

Every Explora V 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.

Every Explora V sailing

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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.