Welcome Aboard the Explora II: Redefining Luxury Ocean Travel
Launched in the summer of 2024, the Explora II is the second highly anticipated luxury vessel from Explora Journeys (the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group). Designed to look and feel more like a private super-yacht than a traditional cruise ship, the Explora II abandons the crowded megaship model in favor of the "Ocean State of Mind"—a philosophy focused on space, privacy, and deep relaxation.
With no main dining rooms, no inside cabins, and a guest-to-crew ratio of nearly 1.25 to 1, the Explora II represents a masterclass in modern luxury cruising.
Technical Specifications
Whether you are booking a luxury getaway or looking out for her from the port, here are the essential technical specifications for the Explora II:
63,900 GT
Gross Tonnage
2024
Year Built
922 Maximum
Passenger Capacity
640
Crew Size
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Home Port
"Homes at Sea": Explora II Suite Categories
There are no interior or oceanview (window-only) cabins on the Explora II. Every single one of the 461 staterooms is an Ocean Terrace Suite or higher, meaning every guest enjoys a private, spacious balcony. The accommodations are designed with Swiss precision and European elegance, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in wardrobes, and underfloor heating in the bathrooms.
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Ocean Terrace Suites (Entry Level): Starting at a generous 377 sq ft (including the terrace), these are among the largest entry-level suites in the cruise industry. They feature comfortable daybeds on the balcony and a dedicated lounge area inside.
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Ocean Penthouses: Offering more square footage, these suites include a separate dining area for four and an expansive living space, perfect for entertaining or enjoying private, in-suite dining.
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Ocean Residences: For true residential-style living, these suites offer separate living, dining, and sleeping quarters. They also feature panoramic ocean-front terraces equipped with private infinity whirlpools and come with dedicated butler service.
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The Owner's Residence: The ultimate luxury experience onboard, spanning the entire width of the ship with multiple harmonious spaces, an oversized infinity whirlpool, and priority access to all ship amenities.
Culinary Riches: Dining Venues on Explora II
Explora Journeys completely abandons the traditional "Main Dining Room" and set dining times. Instead, the Explora II offers a collection of distinct, globally inspired restaurants. With the exception of one venue, all dining is included in your cruise fare.
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Emporium Marketplace: Forget the traditional cruise buffet. This is an upscale, all-day food hall bathed in natural light, featuring 18 separate cooking stations including made-to-order pasta, fresh sushi, a daily rotisserie, and an artisanal fromagerie.
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Marble & Co. Grill: A redefined European steakhouse serving exceptional, sustainably farmed cuts of beef. The venue features an in-house dry ager and a cellar boasting a superb selection of fine wines.
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Sakura: An immersive Pan-Asian dining experience offering Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian dishes. Enjoy fresh sushi and teppanyaki-style dishes with expansive ocean views.
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Med Yacht Club: A relaxed, beachside-inspired venue celebrating the varied cuisines of the Mediterranean, infusing tastes and textures from Italy, Spain, Greece, and France.
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Fil Rouge: A sophisticated, intimate restaurant offering a global tasting tour of French-inspired international cuisine, complete with an elegant tableside dessert cart.
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Anthology (Additional Fee): The only restaurant on board requiring an extra charge. Anthology features rotating tasting menus curated by some of the world's most celebrated guest chefs.
Onboard Lifestyle: Pools, Lounges, and Wellness
The Explora II is designed to seamlessly connect guests with the sea. The ship features four distinct pools, including the magnificent Conservatory Pool (covered by a retractable glass roof for all-weather swimming) and the Astern Pool, an infinity-style pool at the aft of the ship offering a chic beach club vibe.
For relaxation, the Ocean Wellness complex spans over 7,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, offering bespoke spa treatments, a thermal suite, and a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring outdoor cycling and Pilates.
The Walking Cruiser Spotting Tip: If you are ship spotting at the port, look for the Explora II’s distinctive navy-blue hull and sleek, yacht-like profile. Unlike the towering, boxy megaships, her superstructure is streamlined and swept back, giving her a highly elegant silhouette even while docked.
The Best Bars & Lounges on Explora II
Explora Journeys deliberately avoids the massive, booming theater productions found on mainstream lines. Instead, the evening vibe revolves around sophisticated lounges, exceptional mixology, and live acoustic music. These are the venues your readers will care about most:
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The Malt Whisky Bar: A dream for spirits enthusiasts. This dark, wood-accented lounge features an incredible list of rare, global whiskies. It boasts a walk-in humidor, an onboard cigar expert to guide your selections, and a dedicated outdoor smoking terrace.
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Sky Bar on 14: Perched high on the aft of Deck 14, this is the ultimate spot for sailaway. It features 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean, a laid-back cocktail menu, and an elegant outdoor setup where the ship's resident DJ spins chill lounge tracks as the ship departs the port.
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The Explora Lounge: The ship’s primary forward-facing observation lounge. Bathed in natural light with 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows, it serves barista-made coffees by day, a traditional British afternoon tea, and transitions into a smooth jazz bar anchored by a gorgeous Steinway piano at sunset.
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Astern Lounge: Located right next to the aft infinity pool, this lounge is the heartbeat of the ship's social life. Every evening features a "Golden Hour" aperitivo ritual that transitions effortlessly into a lively night spot with acoustic musicians and late-night DJ sets.
Explora I vs. Explora II: Spotting the Subtle Differences
While they are structurally identical sister ships, Explora Journeys used a full year of guest feedback from Explora I to tweak and perfect Explora II. If your readers are trying to decide between the two, or if you are trying to identify them from the pier, here are the exact changes to look out for:
The White Blossom Canopy in Sakura
The stunning Pan-Asian restaurant, Sakura, features a massive, immersive ceiling canopy of artificial cherry blossoms. On Explora I, these blossoms are a vibrant pink. On Explora II, they have been changed to a crisp, elegant white. The layout was also slightly adjusted to remove a few bulky booths, creating a more open layout with flexible seating.
Rolex vs. Buccellati
Explora I made waves in the maritime world by hosting the only official Rolex boutique at sea. For Explora II, the cruise line switched directions, replacing the Rolex space with the first-ever Buccellati luxury jewelry boutique at sea (though luxury mainstays like Cartier and Piaget remain on both ships).
Upgraded Pool Deck Shade & Cabanas
One of the chief complaints on the first ship was a lack of shade during hot days at sea. Explora II fixed this by installing permanent, enhanced awnings over the large lounger beds at both the aft Astern Pool and the forward Helios Pool. Furthermore, the private daybeds now feature adjustable, semi-transparent fabric privacy panels.
More Flow at Crema Café & Public Spaces
To cut down on morning lines, the popular Crema Café on Deck 5 was upgraded with a second high-end espresso machine and reconfigured with intimate, conversational sofa seating rather than single chairs.
Here is a curated list of true insider tips and hidden strategies for Explora II:
1. The 6:30 PM "Seafood & Champagne" Pre-Dinner Hack
The Emporium Marketplace opens for dinner at 6:30 PM. While most guests hold out for late specialty dining reservations around 8:30 PM, smart travelers head to the Marketplace early.
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The Move: Pop in right at opening for a luxury pre-dinner appetizer. They serve unlimited fresh oysters, crab legs, lobster tails, and chilled mussels. Grab a plate, ask a server for a glass of the complimentary premium champagne, and enjoy a high-end seafood starter before heading to your formal reservation later.
2. Locate the Underutilized Outdoor Deck Spaces
Because the ship is so spacious, several premium outdoor areas are completely overlooked by the average guest:
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The Emporium Back Terrace: Directly behind the Emporium Marketplace is a stunning, heavily shaded outdoor seating area. Most guests eat inside near the stations, leaving this panoramic aft-view terrace completely empty. It has its own dedicated drink servers who will bring you whatever you need.
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Sakura’s Side Deck: Sakura isn’t just for dinner. They open for lunch offering fresh, made-to-order Tuna Poke Bowls and gourmet Bento boxes. Take your plate out to the adjacent outdoor side deck for a quiet, ocean-breeze lunch away from the main pool crowds.
3. The Port Day Thermal Spa Loophole
Unlike mainstream cruise lines that charge up to $70 a day for a thermal pass, access to the Ocean Wellness Thermal Suite is 100% complimentary for all guests on Explora II. This includes the hydrotherapy pool, salt room, steam room, Finnish sauna, and heated marble loungers.
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The Strategy: To have this ultra-luxury facility entirely to yourself, book your spa time between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on a port day. While everyone else is off the ship on excursions, the thermal suite transforms into a completely private, silent sanctuary.
4. The "Tip-as-You-Go" Reality
Because Explora II completely abandons the traditional "Main Dining Room" model, you do not keep the same waiter throughout your cruise. You will likely see different crew members every single night at dinner and at the various bars.
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The Tip: Your room steward is the only crew member you will build a consistent, daily relationship with. Because gratuities are prepaid and built into the cruise fare, the crew does not expect extra money—but if a bartender or waiter gives you spectacular service, slip them a cash tip right then and there, as you may not see them again at the end of the voyage.
5. Secret Menu Items & "Must-Orders"
Train your readers to ask for these specific, standout items that get rave reviews from past passengers:
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At the Malt Whisky Bar: Order a Smoked Manhattan. The bartenders here don't just stir it; they use a literal smoke-infusion dome cloche at the bar, turning the cocktail into a theatrical visual experience (perfect for an Instagram Reel or YouTube Short).
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At the Med Yacht Club: Skip the heavier desserts and order the Semifreddo. It is widely considered by ship regulars to be the absolute finest dessert across the entire fleet.
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At the Explora Lounge: Between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, they host a flawless traditional high tea with a live pianist. Ask the server for the Salmon Poke Bowl if you missed lunch—they keep a hidden supply of fresh, light savory bowls behind the counter during afternoon service.
6. Watch the Hot Tub Curfew
The forward-facing whirlpools on Deck 12 offer some of the most spectacular, uninterrupted infinite views of the ocean. However, unlike the main pools, the ship's security team typically locks down and covers the hot tubs by 8:00 PM. Advise your readers to plan their luxury soaking sessions during the late afternoon "Golden Hour" or right at sunset to avoid missing out.
EXPLORA II Suites
EXPLORA II Emporium Marketplace
EXPLORA II Sakura
EXPLORA II Pools
EXPLORA II Astern Lounge
EXPLORA II
