EXPLORA III

EXPLORA III at a Glance

EXPLORA III is an Explora Journeys ship designed around the concept of unhurried, resort-style ocean travel — a pace that sets the tone for everything from its dining rooms to its pool decks. She sails a wide-ranging itinerary programme spanning the Caribbean, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, Transpacific, East Asia, Central America and the West Coast of the USA, with sailings stretching to 26 nights.

• Cruise line: Explora Journeys
• Key regions: Caribbean, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia
• Longest sailing available: 26 nights
• Home ports include: Miami, Vancouver, San Juan, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai
• Cabins and deck plans: View EXPLORA III's cabins and deck plans

Dining on EXPLORA III

EXPLORA III carries one of the most varied dining line-ups at sea, mixing inclusive all-day restaurants with reservable speciality venues that carry a cover charge.

Fil Rouge is the ship's all-day dining room, serving French-influenced international cuisine from breakfast through dinner — included in your fare. Med Yacht Club brings a casual Mediterranean atmosphere with sea views, also included. Emporium Marketplace operates as an all-day market-style space with live cooking stations serving global dishes, again included in your cruise fare. For a relaxed, poolside lunch or an afternoon meal, Shore Club serves coastal-inspired dishes in a sun-filled setting, included for all guests.

Those who want something more immersive will find several speciality venues worth booking ahead. Anthology rotates guest chefs each voyage to bring evolving culinary concepts to the table — à la carte pricing and a cover charge apply. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary steakhouse where skilled chefs work over an open kitchen, preparing premium cuts; an à la carte charge applies. Sakura covers pan-Asian cuisine — Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean — with reservations recommended and à la carte pricing. Chef Table seats a single table for a personalised, intimate meal crafted to your palate; advance reservation is needed and a cover charge applies. Suite guests can also call on In Suite Dining around the clock, with a full range of cuisines deliverable to your suite or private terrace.

Lighter options include the Gelateria Crêperie at The Conservatory, offering authentic French and Italian treats — gelato, crêpes and more — charged à la carte.

Bars and Lounges on EXPLORA III

The bar and lounge programme on EXPLORA III is designed so there is always somewhere fitting the mood — from a refined whisky flight to a sundowner above the waterline.

Crema Cafe is the casual daytime hub for quality coffee and light refreshments. The Lobby Bar sits at the heart of the ship, picking up live music and serving as a natural gathering point. The Explora Lounge is a naturally lit space for light meals, afternoon tea and ocean views, and within it sits the Malt Whiskey Bar — a refined haven of global whiskies, rare finds, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace. The Cellar is a relaxed wine bar with Old World classics and New World favourites charged separately.

For entertainment and programming, the Journeys Lounge is the ship's largest lounge, hosting mixology sessions, enrichment events and cabaret; the Astern Lounge is the social heart of the ship, running daily gatherings from quiet afternoons to lively evenings. Up top, Sky Bar On 14 sits on Deck 14 with panoramic open-air vistas, ideal for an unhurried cocktail as the horizon stretches around you. Helios Pool Bar on Deck 12 is an adults-only forward-facing retreat with all-day sun. The Astern Pool Bar runs beach-club energy by day and live acoustic music into the evening beside the infinity pool. Atoll Pool Bar and The Conservatory Pool Bar complete the poolside options — the Conservatory doubles as an open-air cinema under the stars each evening.

Across the lounges and bars, drinks are generally charged separately unless you hold a beverage package; entry itself is complimentary throughout.

Cabins and Suites on EXPLORA III

The flagship accommodation aboard EXPLORA III is the Owner's Residence (OR1) — a two-bedroom residence spanning 183 m² of interior living space with a 132 m² outdoor terrace, sleeping up to four guests. It is the largest unit on board.

Full details of every cabin grade, from entry-level ocean-view suites through to the Owner's Residence, are on the EXPLORA III cabins and deck plans page, where you can also view the ship's layout by deck.

Where EXPLORA III Sails

EXPLORA III's itinerary programme reaches across the Caribbean, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, Transpacific, East Asia, Central America and the West Coast USA, with departures from Miami, Vancouver, San Juan, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seward, Bridgetown and Panama City.

In the Caribbean, she departs from Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, calling at islands across the region. Browse Caribbean cruises from Miami, explore Caribbean cruise deals, or look at Caribbean cruise-and-stay options for 2027. The Caribbean destination page shows everything we sail there year-round, and 14-night Caribbean sailings are well represented in the programme.

For Alaska, she departs from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska. Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska are among the most popular sailings in the programme. Everything we offer in the region is on the Alaska cruises page.

Japan sailings depart from Tokyo, with options for 2026 and 2027. The Japan cruises page covers all sailings we offer there, and Japan cruises 2027 shows the full year's programme.

In Southeast Asia and East Asia, she departs from Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The Southeast Asia and East Asia destination pages show what else is on offer across those regions. Transpacific repositioning sailings also feature — the Reposition Cruises 2027 page covers the full range.

Barbados features as a departure port too — the Barbados page lists every sailing we offer from there.

Why Book EXPLORA III with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK's leading cruise specialists, which means real expertise on Explora Journeys sailings specifically — not the general knowledge of a high-street travel agent. Our cruise experts are available on the phone before you book, to help you weigh cabin grades, fare inclusions and departure dates against what actually suits your plans.

Because every EXPLORA III sailing currently departs from an overseas port — Miami, Tokyo, Singapore, Vancouver and others — the cruise is the middle of a longer trip. Our Cruise1st Package option puts flights, hotel nights either side and transfers together on a single booking, so nothing falls between the gaps.

Alternatives to EXPLORA III

If you are comparing ships before deciding, two others cover much of the same itinerary territory and are worth considering alongside EXPLORA III.

Seven Seas Grandeur (Regent Seven Seas Cruises) departs from several of the same ports and calls at a significant overlap of the same destinations. Prices start from £3,867pp*. View Seven Seas Grandeur sailings.

Seabourn Quest (Seabourn) similarly departs from overlapping ports and covers much of the same geography. Prices start from £3,408pp*. View Seabourn Quest sailings.

Both are offered here without a flight requirement, just as EXPLORA III sailings are — though your chosen itinerary will still require you to travel to the departure port. If you are also weighing up other ships within the Explora Journeys fleet, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II are both available to browse.

Common Questions About EXPLORA III

Which Regions Does EXPLORA III Sail in 2026 and 2027?

EXPLORA III sails the Caribbean, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Transpacific, Central America and the West Coast USA. The widest choice of sailings is in the Caribbean, followed by Alaska and Japan. Departures begin from late September 2026, with sailings running through 2027.

Do I Need to Fly to Join EXPLORA III?

Yes — all current sailings depart from overseas ports, including Miami, Vancouver, San Juan, Tokyo and Singapore. None depart from a UK port. A Cruise1st Package can include your flights, hotel nights and transfers as part of a single booking, so the whole journey is handled in one place.

Which Dining Venues on EXPLORA III Are Included in the Fare?

Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Emporium Marketplace and Shore Club are all included in your cruise fare and open to all guests. In Suite Dining is also included for suite guests around the clock. Speciality venues — Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and Chef Table — carry à la carte charges or cover charges and generally require advance reservation.

Which Cabin Grade Is the Largest on EXPLORA III?

The Owner's Residence (OR1) is the largest accommodation on board, offering a two-bedroom layout with 183 m² of interior space and a 132 m² outdoor terrace, sleeping up to four guests. Full details of all cabin grades are on the EXPLORA III cabins and deck plans page.

How Long Are the Sailings on EXPLORA III?

Current sailings range up to 26 nights in length. The programme spans a variety of durations, so whether you are looking for a focused two-week itinerary or a longer ocean voyage, there are options across all the main regions EXPLORA III serves.