Top 10 Reasons Why Many Luxury Travelers Love Explora Journeys

New, “Right-Sized” Ships

Explora Journeys currently sails the globe with two luxurious, 922-passenger vessels — Explora I launched in 2023 and Explora II in 2024. The fleet is growing, with Explora III starting service in summer 2026, Explora IV expected in 2027, and plans for Explora V and VI on the horizon.

For many guests, the ships are exactly the right size. They’re small enough to not feel crowded, yet large enough to sport multiple venues that many smaller vessels simply can’t accommodate. That balance — intimate scale with resort-style amenities — is genuinely rare in modern ocean cruising.

Comfortable, Spacious Suites

Explora Journeys’ ships each offer 461 suites, all with private terraces. The crown jewel accommodations are the sumptuous, 3,014-square-foot Owner’s Residences — approximately half that space inside, the rest on a sprawling private terrace. On new vessels sailing 2026–2028, the line is shifting toward fewer lower-category accommodations and more high-end suites based on guest feedback.

Inside all the well-appointed suites, guests discover what’s often described as a residential look and feel. Sailing in suite #8008 on Explora I, Pavlus Travel’s president Shelby Steudle says the suite was “elegant in design — not overly nautical. It felt like a beautifully curated hotel room.” She appreciated the comfortable, lounger-like sofa on the terrace, a proper balcony dining table, and the abundance of hangers and thoughtful storage throughout.

“It felt like staying in a beautifully appointed boutique hotel room — one that happened to have a private terrace facing the open sea.”
— Shelby Steudle, President, Pavlus Travel

Highly Inclusive Fares with Many Perks

Many luxury guests simply hate being “nickeled and dimed” while on vacation. The more inclusions covered in the fare, the better. Explora Journeys fares include:

• Nine culinary experiences — from steakhouse to casual buffet, all included
• Thermal spa access throughout your voyage
• Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi for all guests
• Wellbeing & fitness programming, including group classes
• All onboard gratuities — no tipping required
• Shuttle services from ports to city centers
• Free-flowing beverages — waters, sodas, beers, wines, cocktails, and mocktails throughout the ship

But there’s more. Guests also receive a bottle of wine and spirit of their choice upon arrival, plus an in-suite welcome bottle of champagne and refreshments. Guests staying in Ocean Grand Terrace Suites and above enjoy additional exclusive perks.

Multiple Lounges & Bars, Many Wine Region Sailings

Ships have multiple lounges and bars including the beloved Explora Lounge, which hosts live music performances, special parties, solo traveler meet-ups, and “Club Soda,” a non-alcoholic guest gathering. Another favorite is the stunning Lobby Bar — a dramatic, double-height space where guests gather for cocktails beneath soaring chandeliers and an illuminated display wall of fine spirits.

Many Explora Journeys itineraries call at destinations nestled in top wine-producing regions. One standout example is Explora III’s “Journey of Rich Culture and Full-Bodied Flavors” voyage through Portugal and Spain, where the ports pair naturally with exceptional local vintages.

When it’s time to explore itineraries, give Pavlus Travel & Cruise a call. The agency offers Explora Journeys discounts, unadvertised fares, and unpublished special pricing on every sailing — so why pay retail?

Superb Diversity in Dining

Explora Journeys offers an amazing array of restaurants serving dishes crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You won’t find a typical “main restaurant” — but rather these multiple distinct culinary venues, all included in your fare:

• Marble & Co. Grill — premium steakhouse
• Fil Rouge — French bistro
• Sakura — Pan-Asian cuisine (Steudle dined here twice with her daughter — excellent food and exceptional service)
• Anthology — refined Italian cuisine
• Med Yacht Club — flavors of Italy, Spain, Greece, France, and North Africa
• Emporium Marketplace — casual buffet-style restaurant
• Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory — relaxed beach-club-style dining
• Chef’s Table by Explora Journeys — exclusive private dining for up to 12 guests
• Chef’s Kitchen — hands-on culinary experience
• 24-Hour Room Service — anytime, at no extra charge

New Multi-Level Loyalty Program

Luxury travelers will reap rewards through the new multi-tiered Explora Club loyalty program. Five levels — Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond — each deliver a curated collection of benefits. Those at higher tiers enjoy complimentary upgrades, exclusive experiences, and savings on future voyages.

Loyalty levels are determined by weighted nights at sea, multiplied by the guest’s suite category. The higher the category, the greater the status earned. That matters: with the savings Pavlus secures for you, you might opt for a higher suite category that simultaneously accelerates your loyalty status for the next trip.

Guests can also accumulate points through Destination Experiences, onboard Ocean Wellness spending, specialty dining, and more. Another compelling strategy: ask Pavlus to book you on a longer journey to maximize points in a single voyage.

More Port Time & Overnight Calls

Pavlus Travel will ensure you get the best prices to the best places — and on Explora Journeys, you’ll often have more time at port destinations and even overnight stays in remarkable cities. That means a truly authentic experience: mingling with locals, attending an evening cultural event, show, or concert ashore.

Overnight calls appeal especially to younger travelers and those who prefer not to feel rushed. Imagine going ashore in the evening during an overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden — one highlight of Explora Journeys’ eight-night “Cultural Riches & Stunning Scenery” itinerary. Or exploring a historic coastal city after dinner, when the tourists have gone and the locals come out.

Award-Winning Wellness Focus

Wellness-minded guests will enjoy treatments and services from Explora Journeys’ full-service Ocean Wellness Spa — a multi-award winner that fosters an “Ocean State of Mind.” The spa features 11 private treatment rooms and an ever-evolving menu of treatments. Explora III introduces an exclusive Sava Sound Pod treatment: think low-frequency vibration and sculpted sound designed to deliver “calm, clarity, and deep restoration.”

Fitness areas total more than 3,750 square feet — one indoors, one outdoors. Guests work out on Technogym Skillrow rowing machines, Group Cycle bikes, and the Technogym Bench, among other premium equipment. Group fitness classes are complimentary, with personalized training available for an added charge.

No Formal Nights, No Strict Dress Code

For those who prefer no formal nights and no strict dress code onboard, Explora Journeys delivers. That flexibility appeals to many younger travelers and those of all ages who value an easy, relaxed atmosphere. Most travelers are “smart casual” in the evenings — think stylish but comfortable.

Some guests do, of course, prefer to dress up — and they’re absolutely free to do so. That said, this luxury line may not be the best choice if you love designated formal nights. If that’s a priority for you, talk with a Pavlus personal travel planner about lines that still offer that experience.

Pools and a Pool Table Too!

On Explora Journeys, guests can pick a pool experience to match their every mood. The line’s ships offer multiple distinct pool environments, each with a different character and atmosphere.

Desire a serene aura? Head to the Serenity Pool & Bar. The Helios Pool & Bar offers spectacular ocean views with a more private, exclusive feel. The Conservatory Pool — an indoor-outdoor space beneath a retractable roof — is ideal in cooler weather. And the dramatic stern pool, with its glass-walled infinity edge, is a true “hidden gem.”

A pool of a whole different nature — a billiards table — is a “fantastic addition” to the ship, according to Steudle. “I saw it getting lots of use, and we played the nightly trivia every night — it was so much fun!”