Explora III: Why This Modern Luxury Ship Feels More Like a Hotel at Sea Than a Traditional Cruise

When it comes to refined, destination-focused travel, the newest generation of modern luxury ships is rewriting the playbook. In this episode of Luxury Cruising, host Krystal Sodaitis welcomes back Matt, CEO and co-founder of The Cruise Globe and The Cruise Maps, to share his experience on the brand-new Explora III. Fresh from the ship’s second-ever sailing (Lisbon to Southampton), Matt breaks down what makes Explora Journeys stand apart.

Luxury here is defined by subtlety and anticipation. Staff notice what you need before you ask. Gratuities are included, so service feels genuine rather than transactional. It’s the small, effortless touches that linger: a forgotten shaving kit appearing in the cabin an hour after a casual mention, or a bartender remembering and preparing your preferred drink on the next visit without being asked.

Listen to the full episode here:

What Defines Explora’s Modern Luxury Style

Think of Explora III as a contemporary luxury hotel at sea. With roughly 920 guests, the ship feels far more spacious than its size suggests, no queues for elevators, no crowding, and a design that prioritizes calm and flow. Everything is a suite with a private balcony. The interiors lean modern luxury rather than classic ocean-liner grandeur, and the overall vibe deliberately avoids feeling like a conventional cruise ship.

Explora has clearly listened to feedback from the first two ships and refined the product. With more vessels on the way, the line is iterating quickly while staying true to its hotel-at-sea positioning.

Head-to-Head: Key Luxury Metrics That Matter

1. Ship Size & Ambiance

   • Capacity around 920 guests, intimate enough to feel uncrowded, yet large enough for variety.

   • Grand Ocean Terrace suites offer generous space, walk-in showers, walk-in wardrobes, comfortable seating, and extended terraces with daybeds.

   • Motion-activated underfloor lighting, high-end hair tools, binoculars for sightseeing, and a fully stocked, complimentary minibar that can be customized.

   • New on Explora III: a glass-enclosed paddle court on the top deck with spectacular views.

   • Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout make the ship especially well-suited to scenic itineraries.

2. Dining & Inclusions

   • Approximately nine restaurants, impressive for the ship’s size with no traditional main dining room or classic buffet.

   • Emporium Marketplace offers served food stations rather than a free-for-all buffet.

   • Standouts include Sakura (Pan-Asian), a classic French restaurant, the Med Yacht Club, and a strong steakhouse.

   • Exceptional 24-hour in-cabin dining with an elevated menu far beyond standard room-service fare.

   • Overall food quality was consistently excellent, with a slight European/Mediterranean sensibility that suited the itinerary.

3. Itinerary & Onboard Experience

   • Some ports required longer transfers or bus rides; the tender into Saint-Jean-de-Luz was a highlight.

   • Entertainment is intentionally low-key and hotel-like: live music, a magician duo, comedy, and lounge performances rather than large-scale production shows. The calmer evening atmosphere appealed to those who find mainstream daily programs overwhelming.

   • Many guests found the ship so appealing they chose to spend more time onboard rather than rushing ashore every day.

4. Service Philosophy

   • Staff primarily drawn from luxury hospitality rather than traditional cruise backgrounds.

   • Anticipatory, understated service that feels natural rather than performative.

   • Included gratuities reinforce the sense that excellent service is simply the standard.

Which Explora Experience Is Right for You?

Choose Explora Journeys if you want:

• A modern luxury “hotel at sea” rather than a classic cruise-ship atmosphere

• Spacious all-suite, all-balcony accommodations with thoughtful details

• Outstanding food variety and elevated in-cabin dining

• Subtle, anticipatory service without theatrics

• A calmer onboard pace with fewer high-energy production shows

• Scenic itineraries that take advantage of the ship’s expansive windows and outdoor spaces (Alaska, for example, would be a natural fit)

Choose a more traditional or mainstream ship if you prefer:

• Large-scale theater productions, ice shows, or constant high-energy entertainment

• A classic main dining room and buffet experience

• More structured, activity-packed daily programs

• The “ship as destination” model with extensive kids’ facilities or mega-ship amenities

The Bottom Line

Explora III proves luxury cruising can feel different. With hotel-trained staff, refined design, excellent dining, and uncrowded spaces, it prioritizes ease and quality over spectacle, appealing to travelers seeking calm.

For travelers who document journeys, Matt’s Cruise Globe app logs cruises with satellite data, and Cruise Maps creates custom keepsakes. Their new UK and US agency uses your history for personalized recommendations.

Pro Tip*: If you love tracking your itineraries or displaying your cruise memories, check out the maps, cards and albums from The Cruise Maps. Their designs make incredible décor for your office, hallway, or travel wall — and you can get 10% off with my link: TheCruiseMaps.com/Luxury

Join the Conversation

Have you sailed Explora, or is one of the ships on your wish list? Which modern luxury line are you most curious about right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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