Sarah Bretz, ContributorExplora Journeys has announced details on its third vessel Explora III, which is set to debut in summer 2026.
During her inaugural season, Explora III will explore northern Europe’s scenic coastlines, the landscapes of Iceland and Greenland, and the scenery of North America’s east coast. The vessel will then spend winter 2026-2027 in the Caribbean.
“With EXPLORA III, we are thrilled to reach the halfway point in the launch of our fleet of six luxury ships, each designed to redefine the standards of ocean travel,” said president of Explora Journeys Anna Nash. “This milestone represents more than just growth; it underscores our dedication to offering guests unparalleled access to some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. By expanding our fleet, we are able to offer a greater variety of itineraries, immersing travelers in diverse cultures, landscapes, and unique moments across the globe.”
Suites
Explora III has been designed with the guest experience in mind, offering more space than ever before. The ship features one of the highest ratios of total public space per guest, as well as expanded outdoor public areas.
The all-suite ship will feature 463 suites — slightly more than Explora I and II — with an overall increase in the size of the ship as well.
The layout will include a focus on higher suite categories. Among these are the Ocean Penthouses, which will account for 24 percent of the suite inventory, as well as the Ocean Residences, which have increased to nine percent of the total inventory.
Explora III will also introduce an additional Owner’s Residence on deck 7, as well as redefined Cove Residences.
The ship will feature 313 Ocean Suites, 109 Ocean Penthouses, 39 Ocean Residences, and two Owner’s Residences.
Dining
Explora Journeys’ signature dining concepts will return on Explora III, along with some new concepts.
Guests will be able to indulge in a wide variety of gourmet dining options including favorite such as Anthology, Sakura, Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Marble & Co. Grill, and Emporium Marketplace.
Wellness and Fitness
Ocean Wellness and Fitness, the line’s ocean-inspired wellbeing concept, has been reimagined to offer a unified space dedicated to wellness. The enhanced area includes Ocean Wellness – The Spa, a sanctuary offering experiences inspired by the power of the sea. The Fitness Center and Fitness Studio, created in partnership with Technogym, will also be found on board. It will feature the latest state-of-the-art training equipment.
Further enhancing the wellness experience will be the open-air fitness area on deck 14, where guests can train outdoors while enjoying beautiful ocean views. There will also be an extended running track on deck 12.
The expanded Sports Court will now offer pickleball, paddleball, and basketball.
Families and Kids
The Nautilus Club on Explora III has been enhanced with dedicated spaces and curated experiences for kids and teens.
Nautilus Club Juniors is tailored for children ages three to five. The space will also include six hours of daily baby care services. For babies and toddlers under three, parents can enjoy time together or take advantage of supervised care without their children.
Nautilus Club Teens has been created for kids and teens ages six to 17. It offers activities and experiences designed to inspire and entertain older children and teenagers.
Explora III Itineraries
Explora III is set to take passengers on journeys to some of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic landscapes. From the icy beauty of Iceland and Greenland to the vibrant East Coast and New England regions of the United States and Canada, every journey promises to create unforgettable memories, all in the utmost comfort and style.
n summer 2026, the ship will begin sailing through western Europe with a visit to Bordeaux, France, before heading to northern Europe. Starting in Southampton on August 17, 2026, the ship will visit destinations in the Netherlands, Norway, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany, before making its way to Iceland and Greenland. Along the way, guests have the chance to explore off-the-beaten-path ports such as Rønne in Denmark, Nanortalik and Paamiut in Greenland, and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland.
On September 27, 2026, Explora III is scheduled to arrive in Quebec City, Canada, before continuing her journey towards the U.S. and Canada’s east coast including New York City and the Magdalen Islands in Canada. The ship is slated to arrive in Miami on October 25th before setting sail to the Caribbean for the winter season.
Sustainability and Innovation
Explora III is the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet and reflects the brand’s efforts to decarbonize its marine operations to reduce its environmental impact. Explora considers LNG to be a fuel that facilitates a direct transition towards drop-in bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, which have the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent.
The brand’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize marine operations and minimize its impact on air quality are focused on the development of new and improved technologies, innovative ship designs, and the implementation of energy efficiency practices, and the transition to renewable fuels. Explora III has been designed in alignment with this strategy.
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