- Launched
- 2024
- Gross tonnage
- 63,900 GT
- Passengers
- 922 guests
- Crew
- 640
- Length
- 248 m
- Home port
- Civitavecchia / Barbados
EXPLORA II entered service in 2024 as the second of six planned ships, carrying the identical all-ocean-front-suite platform with first-in-class refinements.
The spa is reworked with additional treatment rooms and an enlarged thermal area, and the dining estate is refined based on the lead ship's first year.
The nine venues, four pools and all-inclusive fare structure carry over without change.
She works the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in summer with the Caribbean and transatlantic journeys in winter.
Highlights
Enlarged spa
Additional treatment rooms and a larger thermal area over the lead ship.
Same all-suite ladder
461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences with private terraces.
No formal nights
No dress code, no fixed sittings and no scheduled programme at any point.
Available on this ship
Onboard experiences
Accommodation
Cabin types and classes
Ocean Terrace Suite
The entry grade at around 35 sq m including a private ocean-front terrace — there is no inside or window-only accommodation.
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
A wider footprint with a larger terrace and a separate lounge area.
Ocean Penthouse
One-bedroom accommodation with a full living room, dining table and walk-in wardrobe.
Ocean Residence
Multi-room residences from around 70 sq m with wraparound terraces and dedicated host service.
Owner's Residence
Up to 280 sq m across three bedrooms with an outdoor whirlpool and dining for eight.
Accessible suites
Available at Ocean Terrace and Grand Terrace grades with level terrace access and roll-in showers.
Food and drink
Dining options
Included in your fare
Fil Rouge
The all-day European brasserie, open seating with no fixed times or assigned tables.
Sakura
Pan-Asian dining with a Japanese and Southeast Asian menu, included with reservation.
Marble & Co. Grill
A dry-aged steak and seafood grill, included at no cover charge.
Med Yacht Club
Poolside Mediterranean plates by day, converting to a relaxed dinner venue.
Emporium Marketplace
A market-hall format with live cooking stations rather than a conventional buffet.
Anthology
A rotating guest-chef residency, included in the fare for the duration of each residency.
Crema Café and Astern Lounge
Speciality coffee, patisserie and afternoon tea through the day.
In-suite dining
24 hours from any venue's menu at no charge.
Speciality restaurants (charged)
Chef's Kitchen
A hands-on tasting and cooking experience for a small group, the only venue carrying a charge.
Eight of nine venues are included with no cover charge, and there are no fixed sittings, dress codes or formal nights.
Venue line-up reflects the Explora Journeys standard; the exact restaurants aboard EXPLORA II vary with the ship's class and most recent refit.
On board
Entertainment
Astern Lounge
Live music and DJ sets over a full-width stern view — no theatre or production shows.
Journeys Ashore briefings
Destination talks and cultural programming tied to each port.
Nautilus Club
A supervised children's and teens' programme with age-banded activity spaces.
Four pools
Including an indoor pool under a retractable roof, usable in any weather.
Bars
Drinks packages
Included throughout
A curated list of premium wines, spirits, cocktails, beers, speciality coffee and soft drinks at every bar.
In-suite refreshments
Minibar and coffee provision replenished daily at no charge.
Rare list
A small collection of rare vintages and reserve spirits is available for purchase.
Ashore
Excursions
Destination Experiences are charged separately and are designed as small-group programmes rather than coach touring.
Destination Essentials
Core guided touring covering the principal sights of each port.
Destination Discovery
Small-group cultural and culinary experiences with local hosts.
Private arrangements
Bespoke cars, guides and access booked through the shoreside team.
Value
What the fare includes — and what it doesn't
Included
- Eight of nine dining venues with no cover charge
- Premium wines, spirits and speciality coffee throughout
- Gratuities across the ship
- Unlimited high-bandwidth Wi-Fi
- In-suite refreshments replenished daily
- Access to all four pools and the thermal area of the spa
Not included
- Flights and transfers
- Destination Experiences ashore
- The Chef's Kitchen experience
- Spa treatments beyond the thermal area
- Rare wine and reserve spirits list
Connectivity
Wi-Fi at sea
Technology
Starlink low-earth-orbit satellite
Included in the fare?
Unlimited high-bandwidth Wi-Fi is included for every guest on multiple devices.
Included unlimited
Streaming and video-call grade bandwidth with no data cap and no upgrade to buy.
Explora specified the service to support video calling from the outset rather than selling tiers.
Same class
Sister ships
Cruise line
Explore the brand
Explora Journeys
MSC Group's luxury brand — all-suite European-flavoured ships with ocean-front terraces on every accommodation and no fixed dining times.
MSC Group (parent group)
MSC Group is a privately-held Swiss-Italian shipping conglomerate controlled by the Aponte family, owner of MSC Cruises and the ultra-luxury Explora Journeys.