Low Prices On All Explora Cruises

Explora Journeys takes a luxury hotel approach to dining, meaning there are no Main Dining Rooms, no fixed seating times, and almost all specialty restaurants are included in your fare.

Here is the essential breakdown of the dining experience:

The Signature Restaurants (Included)

Most restaurants on board are included in your cruise fare. While you can walk into several, reservations are highly recommended for the most popular spots (especially Marble & Co.).

• Sakura: A Pan-Asian venue offering sushi, sashimi, and Southeast Asian specialties. It features a beautiful cherry blossom canopy and both indoor and outdoor seating.
• Marble & Co. Grill: A high-end European steakhouse. It focuses on premium cuts, including dry-aged beef, and has a sophisticated, clubby atmosphere. (This is typically the hardest reservation to get).
• Fil Rouge: French-inspired international cuisine. It’s elegant and intimate, known for its signature soufflés and high-end breakfast/brunch service.
• Med Yacht Club: A relaxed, la dolce vita style restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes from Italy, Spain, Greece, and North Africa.
• Emporium Marketplace: Far from a standard cruise buffet, this is an upscale food hall with live cooking stations. You’ll find fresh pasta, a rotisserie, seafood, and a boulangerie/pâtisserie.

Casual & 24-Hour Dining

• Crema Café: A European-style café on Deck 4 serving specialty coffees, loose-leaf teas, fresh-pressed juices, and pastries/sandwiches throughout the day.
• In-Suite Dining: Available 24 hours a day. This isn’t just room service—it is a full multi-course dining experience that can be served on your private terrace.
• Gelateria & Creperie: Located at The Conservatory (the main pool area), offering rotating gelato flavors and fresh crepes.

Premium & Specialty Experiences (Extra Cost)

• Anthology: The only restaurant that carries an additional fee. It features a rotating menu curated by world-renowned guest chefs (often Michelin-starred).
• Cost: Typically around $150-$190 per person for the tasting menu, with optional wine pairings.
• Chef’s Kitchen: An immersive culinary class and private dining experience for up to 12 guests. There is a fee for these curated sessions.

Explora Journeys, like most luxury cruise lines, maintains a policy that allows them to implement a fuel surcharge if energy costs spike, though they typically avoid doing so to maintain their all-inclusive brand promise.

Here is the breakdown of the policy based on their latest terms and conditions:

The Price Guarantee

Once you have paid in full, Explora Journeys guarantees that no change to your Journey Fare will be made. The fuel surcharge policy primarily targets bookings that are not yet fully paid or those made after a surcharge has been officially announced.

The Surcharge Trigger

The company reserves the right to modify the contract price specifically for fuel costs. According to their standard terms:

• The Calculation: Any variation is typically calculated as 0.33% of the price of the journey for every dollar of increase in the price of a barrel of fuel (using the NYMEX Index).
• The Cap: Generally, cruise lines (including Explora) limit any such price increase to 8% of the total package travel price.

Notification & Rights

• 20-Day Rule: No changes to the price of your confirmed travel can be made within 20 days prior to departure. If you haven’t been charged by then, you are safe from surcharges for that specific sailing.
• Right to Cancel: If a fuel surcharge (or any price increase) exceeds 8% of your total fare, you typically have the right to:
• Accept the increase and continue with the booking.
• Book a substitute journey of equal or higher quality.
• Cancel the booking with a full refund.

Strategy to Avoid Surcharges

The most effective way to lock in your price and bypass ptential surcharges is to take advantage of the Early Booking Benefit. By paying in full at the time of booking (which often nets you a 5% to 10% discount), you move into the Price Guarantee category, protecting you from future fuel-related price hikes.

Payment Schedule

For most standard bookings, the payment timeline is as follows:

• Deposit: A 25% deposit of the journey fare is required to confirm your booking.
• Limited Time (2026): There are currently promotions (for bookings made by April 28, 2026) that reduce the required deposit to 10%.
• Deposit Deadline:
• 121+ days out: Due within 7 days of booking.
• 120–31 days out: Due within 3 days.
• 30 days or less: Due within 24 hours.

Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 150 days prior to departure for Ocean Residences, and 120 days prior for Ocean Terraces and Penthouses.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Explora has a Reserve with Confidence policy that varies by suite type. For reservations made from 2025 onwards, the fees are generally:

Ocean Terrace & Ocean Penthouses

Ocean Residences (Higher Categories)

The windows are stricter for top-tier suites:

• 201+ days out: $400 Administration Fee (converted to Future Journey Credit).
• 200–151 days out: 25% of Total Fare.
• 150 days or less: Graduated up to 100% loss of fare as the date approaches.

The Early Booking Benefit

If you choose to pay in full at the time of booking (typically at least 180 days out), you receive a 5% to 10% discount.

• Note: If you cancel a Pay in Full booking, the standard cancellation percentages still apply to the discounted amount, and the remainder is refunded to your original payment method.

Future Journey Credits (FJC)

If you cancel in the early window where an administrative fee applies ($200–$400), Explora does not simply take that money. They issue it as a Future Journey Credit, which is typically:

• Valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
• Non-transferable (must be used by the guest named on the original booking).

Explora Journeys maintains a fairly strict smoking policy to align with its focus on wellness and a fresh-air atmosphere. Like most luxury lines, they have very limited designated zones for smokers.

General Policy (Non-Smoking)

The vast majority of the ship is strictly non-smoking. This applies to:

• All Indoor Public Spaces: Restaurants, lounges (except the specific Cigar Lounge), corridors, and elevators.
• All Guest Suites: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all suites.
• Private Balconies/Terraces: You are not permitted to smoke on your suite’s terrace. This is a common point of confusion for some, but it is strictly enforced due to fire safety and the comfort of neighbors.

The same rules apply to electronic cigarettes, vapes, and personal vaporizers. They are only permitted in the designated smoking areas listed below.

Designated Smoking Areas

If you do smoke, you are restricted to these specific locations:

• Malt Whisky Bar (Deck 11): This is the primary indoor spot for cigar and pipe enthusiasts. It features a walk-in humidor and a dedicated outdoor smoking terrace.
• Crema Café Promenade (Deck 5): A section on the Starboard Side of the outdoor promenade.
• Helios Bar (Deck 12): A designated section of the outdoor bar near the forward pool.
• Sky Bar on 14 (Deck 14): A section on the Starboard Side aft.

Violations & Fines

Explora Journeys takes their air quality seriously. If guests are found smoking in their suites or on their private terraces, the line typically assesses a cleaning fee (often around $250–$500 per violation) to cover the deep cleaning of fabrics and carpets. Repeated violations can lead to being asked to disembark the ship without a refund.

Explora Journeys strongly recommends travel protection, and while they do not always hard-sell an internal policy like mass-market lines, they have specific partnerships and requirements—especially for their more adventurous or long-term programs.

The Mandatory Requirement

For most standard cruises, insurance is strongly recommended. However, for Pre- & Post-Journey Immersions (land-based extensions) and certain long-range expeditions, Explora Journeys often makes travel insurance mandatory. You may be required to show proof of coverage for:

• Medical expenses and emergency repatriation.
• Trip cancellation and interruption.
• Personal belongings.

Explora’s Partnership Options

Rather than underwriting their own insurance, Explora typically partners with specialist providers to offer tailored cruise coverage.

• Current Partner: They often direct guests to Just Travel Cover (or similar regional partners like AIG/Allianz) which provides policies with no age limits and coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• The Air Department Protection: If you book your flights through the Explora Journeys Air Department, you gain an extra layer of protection. If your flight is delayed or canceled, they take responsibility for re-routing you or holding the ship (within reason) to ensure you don’t miss embarkation.

Key Coverage to Look For

Because Explora Journeys is an ultra-luxury product with high fare costs, a standard off-the-shelf policy might not be enough. Ensure your protection includes:

• Insolvency Protection: Explora provides an Insolvency Protection Certificate (currently via REVO Insurance S.p.A.) with your invoice, which secures your payments specifically in the event the cruise line faces financial failure.
• High Trip Cancellation Limits: Since an Ocean Residence can cost upwards of $20,000+, ensure your policy’s Trip Cancellation limit actually covers your full suite price.
• Medical Evacuation: Essential if your itinerary includes more remote areas (like the Red Sea or Greenland), as private air evacuation from a ship can exceed $100,000.

Reserve with Confidence vs. Insurance

Don’t confuse the cruise line’s cancellation policy with travel insurance.

• The Policy: If you cancel 151+ days out, you get a Future Journey Credit (FJC) minus a small fee.
• The Insurance: If you have to cancel 30 days out due to a medical emergency, the cruise line’s policy would normally take 100% of your money. This is where travel protection kicks in to reimburse that cash loss.

Explora Journeys operates with a No Tipping Required philosophy. Their goal is to remove the transactional feel of service to create a more seamless luxury experience.

Onboard Gratuities (Included)

Unlike many cruise lines that add a daily service charge (often $18–$25 per person) to your final bill, Explora Journeys includes all onboard gratuities in your initial cruise fare.

• Who it covers: This includes your Suite Host (Butler), housekeeping, restaurant servers, bartenders, and the behind-the-scenes crew.
• No Auto-Tips: You will not see a daily Hotel Service Charge appearing on your onboard account.
• No Added Service Fees: When you order a cocktail at the bar or a bottle of wine at dinner, the price you see (if it’s a premium item not already included) is the final price. There is no 18% or 20% service fee tacked onto the receipt.

Shore Excursions (Excluded)

The all-inclusive tipping policy strictly applies to the onboard experience. It does not extend to the local guides and drivers who lead your Destination Experiences (shore excursions).

• Local Customs: It is standard practice and highly appreciated to provide a small cash tip to local guides (typically $5–$10 per person) and drivers ($2–$5 per person) for their service, as they are independent third-party contractors and not Explora employees.

Can You Tip Extra?

While tipping is never expected or encouraged, it is not forbidden.

• Exceptional Service: If a specific crew member goes significantly above and beyond, you are welcome to offer a personal cash tip at your discretion.
• The General Fund: If you want to recognize the entire crew without picking favorites, you can visit Guest Services (the Guest Essentials desk) to make a contribution to the Crew Welfare Fund, which benefits all staff on board.

All-Inclusive Luxury Without Compromise
Explora Journeys delivers a truly all-inclusive cruise experience, with gourmet dining, premium beverages, gratuities, wellness activities, and oceanfront suites included in the fare—allowing guests to relax without constant add-on costs.

Spacious Oceanfront Suites with Private Terraces
Every suite onboard is ocean-facing and features a private terrace, refined European design, walk-in wardrobes, and elegant furnishings that redefine comfort at sea.

Modern European Elegance
Inspired by continental sophistication, Explora Journeys blends contemporary design with understated luxury, creating a serene onboard atmosphere that feels more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship.

Immersive, Destination-Focused Itineraries
Longer port stays, overnight visits, and thoughtfully paced itineraries allow travelers to explore destinations more deeply and experience local culture beyond the typical cruise schedule.

World-Class Culinary Experiences
Multiple dining venues offer globally inspired cuisine, plant-forward menus, and regionally influenced dishes curated by expert chefs without fixed dining times or assigned seating.

Wellness-Centered Lifestyle at Sea
From holistic spa treatments and fitness programs to open-air relaxation spaces and wellness-focused dining, Explora Journeys places physical and mental well-being at the heart of the voyage.

Refined, Relaxed Onboard Atmosphere
Explora Journeys offers a calm and sophisticated environment, free from crowds, loud announcements, and rigid schedules perfect for travelers seeking tranquility and elegance.

Exceptional Service and High Staff-to-Guest Ratio
Personalized, intuitive service ensures that each guest enjoys a seamless and attentive experience, from embarkation to disembarkation.

Designed for Discerning Travelers
Created for modern luxury travelers who value privacy, space, and authenticity, Explora Journeys appeals to couples, solo travelers, and multigenerational guests alike.

Backed by the Expertise of the MSC Group
As part of the MSC Group, Explora Journeys benefits from decades of maritime expertise, global resources, and a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.

What is included in an Explora Journeys cruise fare?
Cruise fares typically include oceanfront suite accommodations, all dining venues, beverages, gratuities, wellness activities, entertainment, and port charges.

Are gratuities included on Explora Journeys?
Yes, gratuities are included as part of the all-inclusive fare.

Does Explora Journeys offer flexible dining?
Yes, there are no fixed dining times or assigned seating, allowing guests to dine at their convenience.

Are children allowed on Explora Journeys cruises?
Yes, children are welcome on select sailings when accompanied by an adult.

What is the onboard atmosphere like?
The atmosphere is relaxed, refined, and immersive, focusing on wellness, culture, and understated luxury rather than large-scale entertainment.

Are shore excursions included?
Some experiences may be included, while additional curated shore excursions can be purchased to enhance destination exploration.

What type of accommodations are available?
All accommodations are oceanfront suites featuring private terraces and luxury amenities.

Is Explora Journeys suitable for couples?
Yes, the brand is especially popular with couples seeking a tranquil, elegant, and experience-driven cruise.

What destinations does Explora Journeys visit?
Itineraries span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, and other iconic global destinations.

Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory, travel protection is strongly recommended to safeguard your cruise investment.