At lunchtime, we boarded Explora III. After checking our luggage and completing the boarding process, we received a digital ID card with our photo that allowed us to enter and leave the ship. Champagne and strawberries in hand, we were escorted to a luxury suite on the ninth deck. For a moment, we forgot we were staying in a floating hotel on the ocean.
We watched the famous girl group Sister Sledge perform and danced by the large outdoor pool to music by renowned French DJ Bob Sinclar.
Unlike the massive luxury ships that dominate the cruise industry, carrying thousands of passengers, Explora III accommodates significantly fewer guests, giving it more of a boutique feel. It carries an average of about 800 passengers and 640 crew members, which works out to one crew member for every 1.25 passengers.
The ship has 461 luxury suites and penthouses facing the sea, seven dining venues, 12 bars and lounges, five heated swimming pools and an expanded spa. It is also the brand's first ship powered by liquefied natural gas, or LNG, with the potential to transition to renewable fuels in the future. Prices reflect the level of luxury, ranging from $4,000 to about $67,000 per person.
"The Explora Journeys brand has won the award for the world's best luxury cruise brand for the past two years and is seeing strong demand worldwide, including among Israeli travelers. Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in demand for luxury cruises, with more and more Israelis looking for an experiential vacation that combines high-level service, privacy and exceptional hospitality."
Make yourself at home. A suite aboard Explora III
(Photo: Explora Journeys)
What characterizes the Israeli consumer?
"Israeli consumers today are much more familiar with the cruise industry and understand that this is an immersive vacation experience combining cuisine, wellness, entertainment and travel to multiple destinations. We are seeing growing interest in the brand's premium cruises, which have become particularly sought after. The luxury cruise market is currently experiencing rapid growth, and its potential is still far from being fully realized."
Attias said research published by international consulting firm McKinsey & Company shows that the luxury cruise market is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, at a rate of about 5% annually, faster than both the global tourism market as a whole and the luxury goods market.
"One of the main reasons is the shift from consuming luxury goods to consuming experiences, as more and more consumers prefer to invest in unique journeys, cuisine, wellness and unforgettable experiences," Attias said. "The data shows that the number of luxury cruise passengers worldwide has tripled within a decade, from about 400,000 passengers in 2015 to about 1.2 million in 2025. At the same time, the supply of ships has also increased significantly, and the industry's passenger capacity has tripled over the same period.
You won't have trouble finding a free spot
(Photo: Explora Journeys)
"According to forecasts, the number of luxury cruise passengers is expected to reach about 2.7 million annually by 2035, alongside the addition of about 20 new ships to the global fleet.
"The study also points to a shift in the customer profile. Alongside veteran travelers, more millennials and Gen Zers are seeking authentic experiences, multigenerational trips and journeys with meaning and substance. According to McKinsey, people who have never taken a cruise may actually be the industry's main growth engine over the coming decade."
Padel, casino and wine
Explora III set out on its maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon. With its launch, the brand's fleet now includes three active ships, out of six expected to be in operation by 2028.
The highlight of the launch event was the traditional ceremony in which a bottle of champagne was smashed against the ship during a countdown before the assembled guests, with members of the Aponte family, owners of MSC Cruises, taking part.
Interesting stops along the way
(Photo: Iris Lifshitz-Kliger)
Accommodations aboard the ship range from 35 square meters, or about 377 square feet, to 280 square meters, or about 3,014 square feet, making them among the most spacious in the luxury cruise category. Explora III features ocean-facing suites, including a wide selection of penthouses and Ocean Residences.
All suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private sun terraces with dining areas and lounge beds, heated bathroom floors and individual climate and lighting controls.
Delicious and high-quality
(Photo: Iris Lifshitz-Kliger)
Explora III is about 19 meters, or 62 feet, longer than its predecessors. The ship's interiors were designed by Patricia Urquiola, the Spanish-Italian architect and designer known for her eclectic style, innovative use of materials and work designing furniture and luxury hotels around the world.
"I imagined the Owner's Residence suite as a space experienced through the body no less than through the eyes, a place where textures and materials create a sense of protection while remaining constantly open to the movement of the sea," she said. "For me, it is about creating a sense of belonging on the water."
During the coming season, the new ship will sail in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, Greenland and North America. In 2027, it will also sail to Alaska for the first time.
Explora III
(Photo: Explora Journeys)
The ship's launch voyage departed from the port of Rome and ended four days later in Barcelona. Explora III is commanded by Capt. Serena Melani, a veteran of the company. Melani also oversaw the launches of the company's previous ships.
On the culinary side, the ship has an exclusive private venue where the chef works with guests to design the meal and its components according to their tastes, inspirations and preferences. The celebratory experience pairs premium boutique wines with the meal, while the chef interacts with guests, discussing the dishes and how they are prepared using fresh, local ingredients.
The Cellar, the ship's wine cellar, offers guests the opportunity to discover rare wines and local varieties with guidance from expert sommeliers. The ship has no fewer than 12 bars and lounges.
Fitness is also an integral part of the experience. Among the notable new offerings are sound treatments, advanced Pilates equipment and a private training studio. Outdoors, there is a padel court alongside pickleball and basketball courts, as well as a running and walking track that circles the ship.
The padel courts were among the busiest areas throughout the voyage, drawing passengers from countries around the world.
In addition to duty-free shopping, the ship has boutiques as well as luxury watch and jewelry stores. Brands include Rolex and Cartier, along with luxury jewelry brand Chopard, which is appearing aboard the ship for the first time.
There is also a casino with 18 slot machines and three gaming tables. It was impossible not to give it a try: A personal investment of 40 euros produced winnings of 190 euros. Hallelujah. That's where I stopped, although it was very tempting to keep going.
How much does it cost?
We checked how much it costs to sail aboard Explora III at the very top end of the luxury cruise market.
Seven nights from Canada to New England and New York, Oct. 15-22
• Ocean Terrace Suite — from $3,850 per person
• Ocean Penthouse — from $5,565 per person
• Ocean Residence — from $7,315 per person
• Owner's Residence — $38,430 per person
Seven nights from Vancouver to Alaska, July 30-Aug. 6, 2027
• Ocean Terrace Suite — from $4,910 per person
• Ocean Penthouse — from $6,330 per person
• Ocean Residence — from $9,905 per person
• Owner's Residence — $52,150 per person
Eight nights from Tokyo around Japan, March 21-29, 2028
• Ocean Terrace Suite — from $6,115 per person
• Ocean Penthouse — from $8,575 per person
• Ocean Residence — from $11,635 per person
• Owner's Residence — $67,295 per person
The writer was a guest of Explora Journeys.