Is Explora Journeys the Same as MSC Cruises? Here Is the Real Difference

Who Owns Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys is the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group.

The MSC Group is privately owned by the Aponte family and has more than 300 years of maritime heritage. It operates one of the largest shipping and logistics businesses in the world, as well as MSC Cruises.

In 2021, the company officially announced that it was entering the luxury cruise market with an entirely new brand called Explora Journeys.

This was not simply a decision to add a luxury section to an existing MSC ship. The company invested in an entirely new fleet of ships, a separate brand identity and a very different approach to life at sea.

Explora Journeys was designed from the beginning to compete in the luxury cruise market, but even the word “cruise” does not completely describe what the company is trying to create.

Explora refers to its ships as homes at sea and its sailings as journeys. It talks about an “Ocean State of Mind” rather than the traditional cruise experience.

Some people may see this as marketing language, but once you are onboard, you begin to understand what the company means.

Is Explora Journeys Part of MSC Cruises?

Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises are both part of the MSC Group, but Explora Journeys is not simply a category within MSC Cruises.

It is a separate luxury brand with its own ships, onboard experience, restaurants, service style and atmosphere.

Think about the relationship between Lexus and Toyota or Ritz Carlton and Marriott. They may share a parent company and benefit from the strength of that organization, but the experience delivered to the customer is intentionally different.

In fact, being backed by the MSC Group is one of Explora’s greatest strengths.

Launching a new luxury cruise brand requires an enormous investment. It requires ships, technology, ports, crew recruitment, worldwide operations and the financial ability to build for the future. Explora has the advantage of being a new brand while also being supported by one of the most experienced maritime companies in the world.

It has the creativity of a new luxury brand with the infrastructure of a global shipping company behind it.

Does Explora Feel Like MSC Cruises?

No. Explora does not feel like a traditional MSC Cruises ship.

MSC Cruises is known for large, lively ships carrying thousands of passengers. Many of its ships include extensive entertainment, water parks, children’s areas, theaters, casinos, multiple cabin categories and a wide selection of restaurants and activities.

MSC can be a wonderful choice for families, groups and travelers who enjoy a busy ship with plenty happening throughout the day and evening.

Explora is almost the opposite.

The atmosphere is peaceful, spacious and unhurried. You do not receive a long list of announcements telling you where to go and what to do. There is not a constant schedule of pool games, competitions and large production activities.

You can sit by one of the pools, enjoy a quiet lunch, read in a beautiful lounge or simply watch the sea without feeling as though you are missing something.

The ship has energy, but it is not manufactured energy. The experience feels natural and relaxed.

That is one of the things I appreciate most about Explora. It gives you permission to slow down.

The Ships Feel More Like Luxury Resorts

Explora’s ships were designed to feel like luxury hotels and resorts rather than conventional cruise ships.

The spaces are elegant without being overly formal. The design is contemporary and European, with beautiful artwork, residential furnishings and a sense of warmth.

There are multiple pools and outdoor spaces, so guests are not all gathered around one central pool deck. You can usually find a quiet place to sit, whether you prefer sunshine, shade or a view of the water.

The ships also have several smaller lounges rather than one enormous central gathering space. This makes the experience feel more intimate, even though the ships are large enough to offer a wonderful variety of restaurants and amenities.

You never feel as though everyone onboard is being directed into the same space at the same time.

Every Guest Stays in a Suite

There are no traditional inside cabins or small oceanview cabins on Explora Journeys.

Every guest stays in a suite with an ocean view and a private terrace.

Even the entry level Ocean Terrace Suites feel spacious and thoughtfully designed. They include a separate sitting area, generous storage, a large bathroom, a walk in wardrobe and a private terrace.

The larger Penthouses and Residences provide even more space, with separate living areas and enhanced services.

This all suite approach immediately changes the feeling onboard. You are not simply using your room as a place to sleep. Your suite becomes part of the experience.

It really can feel like your own home at sea.

The Dining Is Completely Different

Food is one of the most important parts of any luxury cruise, and Explora has created a dining experience that feels very different from a large mainstream cruise ship.

There is no enormous main dining room where everyone is expected to eat at an assigned time. Instead, there are several distinct restaurants, each with its own identity and style.

You might have Mediterranean inspired cuisine at Med Yacht Club, pan Asian dishes at Sakura, French influenced dining at Fil Rouge or steaks and seafood at Marble and Co. Grill.

There is also Emporium Marketplace, but it is not a traditional cruise ship buffet. The food is prepared at individual cooking stations, with an emphasis on freshness and presentation.

Most dining venues are included. Anthology, which offers a more specialized culinary experience, carries an additional charge.

The overall experience is flexible. You choose where and when you would like to eat without having to follow a rigid schedule.

What Is Included on Explora Journeys?

Explora is far more inclusive than a typical MSC cruise.

Your journey generally includes your suite, dining in most onboard restaurants, beverages, premium wines and spirits, specialty coffees, gratuities, WiFi, wellness facilities and much of the onboard entertainment.

You are not constantly being asked to sign a receipt every time you order a drink or visit a restaurant.

There are still additional costs for certain experiences. These can include destination experiences, spa treatments, boutique purchases, Anthology, rare wines and spirits and some special programs.

This is important because Explora is highly inclusive, but it is not accurate to say that absolutely everything is included.

Even so, the onboard experience feels much more seamless than a traditional cruise where specialty dining, beverage packages, WiFi and gratuities are added separately.

Is Explora Journeys the Same as the MSC Yacht Club?

This is another common point of confusion.

MSC Yacht Club is the premium ship within a ship experience offered aboard selected MSC Cruises ships. Yacht Club guests receive access to private areas, dedicated dining, a private lounge, a private pool deck and enhanced service.

It is an excellent option for travelers who want an elevated experience while still having access to all the entertainment, restaurants and activities of a large MSC ship.

Explora Journeys is different because the entire ship is designed as a luxury experience.

You do not have to stay within one private section of the ship to receive luxury service or escape the crowds. The restaurants, pools, lounges and public spaces are designed for every guest aboard.

If you enjoy the excitement of a large ship but want a private retreat, MSC Yacht Club may be the better choice.

If you want the entire ship to feel spacious, refined and relaxed, Explora Journeys is likely the better fit.

What Is the Service Like?

Explora describes its service as warm and intuitive, and I think that is a good way to explain it.

The service is polished, but it does not feel stiff or overly formal. Crew members are friendly, attentive and personable.

You are not expected to dress formally every evening, and there is not the traditional sense of ceremony found on some older luxury cruise lines.

The atmosphere is sophisticated but comfortable.

Explora is trying to create a modern version of luxury. It is less about formality and more about space, time, choice and personalized attention.

For many travelers, particularly those coming from beautiful land based hotels and resorts, this style feels very natural.

Is Explora Good for Families?

Explora welcomes families and offers programs for children and teenagers, but it is not a traditional family cruise ship.

You will not find giant waterslides, amusement park attractions or costumed characters.

Families who enjoy luxury travel, good food, cultural experiences and spending time together may love Explora. It can be especially appealing for multigenerational families who want a sophisticated experience that still welcomes younger travelers.

However, if your children need nonstop activities, large water parks and high energy entertainment, an MSC Cruises ship may be a better match.

This is why choosing the right brand matters. One is not automatically better than the other. They simply serve different travel styles.

Who Will Love Explora Journeys?

Explora Journeys is a particularly good choice for travelers who love luxury resorts but are unsure whether they love traditional cruising.

It also appeals to guests who want more space, flexible dining, beautiful design and a relaxed atmosphere.

Travelers who have enjoyed brands such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea or Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection may also want to consider Explora. However, Explora has its own personality. It feels contemporary, international and slightly less formal than some traditional luxury cruise brands.

It is also an excellent choice for travelers who enjoy Europe and want to visit several destinations without packing and unpacking at every stop.

You return to the same beautiful suite each evening while your hotel quietly moves to the next destination.

Who Might Prefer MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises may be the better choice if price is a major consideration, if you are traveling with children who want large attractions or if you prefer a full schedule of entertainment and activities.

MSC also offers a much wider selection of ships, itineraries and cabin categories at different price points.

Explora is intentionally more exclusive and therefore carries a higher fare. The value comes from the included amenities, suite accommodations, space, service and overall luxury experience.

The right decision depends on what you want from your vacation.

The Biggest Misconception About Explora Journeys

The biggest misconception is that Explora Journeys is simply an MSC ship with nicer cabins and higher prices.

It is not.

Explora was created as a separate luxury ocean travel brand with purpose built ships and a completely different philosophy.

Yes, the MSC connection is real, and the company is very transparent about it. But that connection should not be interpreted as meaning the two experiences are interchangeable.

Explora benefits from the MSC Group’s maritime knowledge, financial strength and global infrastructure. At the same time, it has developed its own identity, its own style and its own vision of luxury travel.

My Final Thoughts

So, is Explora Journeys the same as MSC Cruises?

No.

Explora Journeys is owned by the MSC Group, but it was created for a completely different traveler.

MSC Cruises delivers a large ship cruise experience with extensive entertainment, activities and choices for a broad range of guests.

Explora Journeys delivers a quieter, more spacious and more inclusive luxury experience. It feels like a European resort at sea, with beautiful suites, excellent dining and the freedom to enjoy your journey at your own pace.

If you dismissed Explora because you previously sailed with MSC Cruises and did not enjoy the experience, I would encourage you to look again.

The ownership may be connected, but the experience is not the same.

And for the right traveler, Explora Journeys may be exactly what they never realized they were looking for.

Explora’s official announcement confirms it was created as the MSC Group’s separate luxury brand. Read the official brand history.