EXPLORA V

EXPLORA V at a Glance

EXPLORA V is an ocean-house ship sailing under Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise line from the MSC Group. She sails an ambitious programme that stretches from the Norwegian fjords and Arctic waters to the Baltic capitals, the Western Mediterranean, transatlantic routes, and the East Coast of the USA. A snapshot of what defines her:

• Operated by Explora Journeys — a dedicated luxury ocean travel brand
• The Owner's Residence spans 155 m² and sleeps up to four guests, the largest residential suite aboard
• Multiple included restaurants alongside speciality dining venues with à la carte charges
• Pool areas, lounges and bars spread across multiple decks, including an adults-only retreat at Helios Pool Bar
• Sailings from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Reykjavik, Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and Southampton, among others

Departures currently on sale run from late September 2026, with voyages of up to 38 nights available.

Dining on EXPLORA V

EXPLORA V carries an unusually wide dining programme, with several restaurants included in the cruise fare and others carrying an à la carte or cover charge.

Included restaurants form the backbone of daily eating. Fil Rouge is the all-day French-influenced dining room, open from breakfast through dinner. Med Yacht Club brings a casual, sea-view Mediterranean setting — the kind of place to linger over lunch. Emporium Marketplace runs live cooking stations throughout the day in a market-style format, while Shore Club keeps things relaxed poolside with coastal-inspired dishes and light bites. Suite guests also have round-the-clock In Suite Dining available — cuisine delivered to the suite or private terrace at any hour.

Speciality restaurants carry a charge but reward the investment. Anthology brings rotating guest chefs and evolving tasting menus each voyage, so the menu shifts with the sailing. Marble & Co. Grill is a contemporary open-kitchen steakhouse for premium cuts with a theatrical edge. Sakura covers pan-Asian cuisine — Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean — in one restaurant, with reservations recommended. The intimate Chef Table seats a single group for a bespoke à la carte experience crafted entirely around your preferences.

Lighter stops include the Crema Cafe for coffee and refreshments, and the Gelateria Creperie at The Conservatory, where authentic gelato and French crêpes are served poolside à la carte.

Bars and Lounges

EXPLORA V is generously appointed with bars and social spaces, each with its own character.

The Journeys Lounge is the ship's largest gathering space and shifts between mixology sessions, enrichment talks and cabaret throughout the day. The Explora Lounge is a naturally lit retreat for light meals, afternoon tea and ocean-watching. Tucked within it, the Malt Whiskey Bar houses a curated global whisky collection, rare finds, a walk-in humidor and an outdoor terrace for open-air sipping. Nearby, The Cellar is a characterful wine bar exploring Old World classics and New World discoveries.

The Lobby Bar anchors the social heart of the ship — aperitifs, live music and unhurried conversation. The Astern Lounge covers daily events from quiet afternoons to livelier evenings, while the Sky Bar on Deck 14 delivers open-air cocktails with panoramic ocean views. Poolside drinking is catered for at the Astern Pool Bar (infinity pool views, live acoustic music in the evenings), the Atoll Pool Bar, and the Helios Pool Bar — an adults-only forward-facing retreat on Deck 12. The Conservatory Pool Bar offers sheltered daytime lounging, then converts to an open-air cinema after dark.

Cabins and Suites on EXPLORA V

Every accommodation on EXPLORA V is a suite — the line's ocean-house philosophy means private living space and a terrace are standard across the board. At the pinnacle sits the Owner's Residence, a 155 m² residential suite sleeping up to four guests: the most generous space aboard, and more than twice the footprint of the next Residence category. Full details of all grades, layouts and deck positions are on the EXPLORA V cabins and deck plans page.

Where EXPLORA V Sails

EXPLORA V covers a wide arc of destinations across Europe, the North Atlantic and North America.

Norway is the most represented region in the current programme — explore the fjords and coastal towns with sailings you can browse on our Norway cruises page, or search specifically for Norway cruises from Southampton. The Arctic programme reaches further north still; Arctic cruise sailings and Northern Lights cruises from Southampton are both searchable if that is your goal.

The Baltic Sea programme departs primarily from Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm — a natural gateway to the Scandinavian capitals and the Baltic states. Baltic Sea 2027 cruises from Southampton are also listed if you prefer a no-fly start.

In the Mediterranean, EXPLORA V sails both western and broader itineraries. You can search Mediterranean cruises, filter to Western Mediterranean specifically, or look at Mediterranean cruises in 2026 and 2027 from Southampton. Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona are key embarkation ports — sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia) are listed if you want to start there.

Transatlantic crossings connect Europe to North America, with Quebec City among the Canadian turnaround ports. Browse transatlantic cruises or look at transatlantic sailings in 2026 for dates and fares. The East Coast USA programme is also covered — see our East Coast USA cruises page for what is available.

Why Book EXPLORA V with Cruise1st

As one of the UK's leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st brings specialist knowledge of Explora Journeys — not a general travel agent's familiarity with the line. Real cruise experts are on the phone before you book, ready to help you weigh cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary choices side by side.

Most sailings on EXPLORA V depart from European ports — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Lisbon among them. For those, the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip, and Cruise1st can put the flights, hotel nights either side and transfers together as one holiday through a Cruise1st Package.

A handful of sailings — roughly one in fourteen — depart from Southampton. No flight is needed for those departures: most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail, making them a genuinely accessible no-fly option. On any one-way sailing ending abroad, a flight home will be required, though we make no assumption about which airport works for you.

Whatever cabin grade or fare structure suits your trip, we help you put the whole holiday on one booking.

Common Questions About EXPLORA V

Is EXPLORA V an All-Inclusive Ship?

Several restaurants and all social spaces are included in the cruise fare, but EXPLORA V is not fully all-inclusive. Speciality dining venues — including Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill, Sakura and Chef Table — carry à la carte charges or a cover charge. Beverages at most bars are charged separately unless you have purchased a drinks package. Suite guests receive round-the-clock in-suite dining as part of their accommodation.

Which Cabin Should I Book on EXPLORA V?

Every grade is a suite with private living space and a terrace. The Owner's Residence, at 155 m² and sleeping up to four, is the pinnacle if space and privacy are the priority. For guidance on which grade suits your group and budget, our cruise experts are available by phone — or visit the EXPLORA V cabins and deck plans page to compare layouts and positions across the decks.

Can I Sail on EXPLORA V Without Flying?

Yes — a small share of the programme departs from Southampton, which most of Britain can reach by road or rail. These sailings are a genuine no-fly option. The majority of departures leave from ports in Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Spain and Iceland, so a flight will be needed for those; Cruise1st can include flights, hotels and transfers in a single package booking.

What Other Ships Does Explora Journeys Sail?

If you are deciding between ships in the Explora Journeys fleet, Cruise1st also has pages for EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II — both worth comparing if your dates or itinerary are flexible. The full fleet and what sailing with the line is like can be explored on the Explora Journeys cruise line page.

How Long Are the Itineraries on EXPLORA V?

Current sailings on EXPLORA V range from short voyages up to 38 nights, giving genuine flexibility between a focused regional itinerary and an extended ocean journey. Norway, Baltic and Mediterranean routes tend toward shorter to mid-length voyages, while transatlantic crossings and combined programmes extend further. Search by region or departure port above to filter by the length that suits you.