Sarah Bretz, ContributorExplora Journeys has announced its summer 2026 schedule, which will take place aboard its two current ships — Explora I and Explora II — as well as its upcoming third vessel Explora III. The season will include voyages in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Iceland, Greenland, and the east coast of the U.S. and Canada.
Debuting in summer 2026, Explora III will embark on her maiden voyage on August 3rd from Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal. In her inaugural season, the vessel will pass along the Atlantic coast of Portugal and France, continuing to the UK, Ireland, and the Baltic Sea before exploring northern Europe. The sailing will continue westward along the coasts of Iceland and Greenland to North America’s east coast and New England.
Meanwhile, Explora I and II will operate in the Mediterranean, taking guests to both celebrate and lesser-traveled destinations.
Northern Experiences on Explora III
Explora III will set sail on an extraordinary journey, beginning in the Mediterranean, where guests will enjoy the vibrant art, culture, and cosmopolitan allure of destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and Marbella, Spain before calling Lisbon, Portugal, Bordeaux and Saint Malo on the French Atlantic Coast, and the UK.
From Southampton, England, the ship will head to northern Europe, exploring the beautiful harbors of the Baltic Sea and Scandinavia, where dramatic coastlines and fjords meet towering spires, while making maiden calls at several celebrated and unique ports, including Flåm in Norway, Riga in Latvia, and Aarhus in Denmark.
As the journey continues through Ireland and Iceland, the vibrant culture comes to life with enchanting fairytales, soulful folk songs, and Celtic melodies, evoking a deep sense of history and tradition. Leaving behind Iceland’s green hills, the adventure takes a breathtaking turn towards Greenland where majestic icecaps stretches endlessly, revealing nature’s most surreal and inspiring landscapes.
Explora III will then make her way to North America’s east coast and New England, calling the historic port of Quebec City, and continuing to New York, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
A Mediterranean Summer on Explora I and II
Explora I and Explora II will return to the Mediterranean, where guests can wander through lively cities and towns, where beautiful architecture stands against a backdrop of azure waters, golden sands, rolling vineyards, and verdant forests.
The ships will visit celebrated destinations such as Santorini and Corfu in Greece, Naples and Sorrento in Italy, Saint-Tropez in France, Split in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, Valletta in Malta, Lisbon in Portugal, and Istanbul in Türkiye. They will also explore lesser-known destinations like Carloforte in Italy, Syros in Greece, Mahón in Spain, and Kepez in Turkey. Additionally, the ships will call at maiden ports, including Çeşme in Türkiye, Capri and La Spezia in Italy, and Nafplio in Greece.
Explora Journeys itineraries offer the perfect blend of celebrated destinations and off-the-beaten-path ports. All journeys are carefully curated to allow guests to immerse themselves deeply in the destinations visited with extended stays and overnights.
The line also provides seamless travel with flexible itineraries, ranging from seven to 21 nights, all departing from easily accessible ports. Guests can enjoy the ultimate ocean escape by combining consecutive sailings of their choice.
Bookings for all three ships in summer 2026 are now open.
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