EXPLORA III is not the kind of cruise ship designed around crowds, queues and endless rows of cabins. At 268 metres long, the latest Explora Journeys vessel combines 463 ocean-front suites with a guest capacity of just 922, creating a remarkably spacious feel for a ship of her size.
For anyone interested in EXPLORA III Southampton sailings, the ship is particularly notable in 2026 as she brings Explora Journeys’ newest Evolution Class to the city’s cruise terminals. From superyacht-inspired suites and all-inclusive dining to LNG propulsion and itineraries heading towards the Norwegian fjords, Scandinavia and across the Atlantic, there is plenty to discover before stepping aboard.
Luxury Suites & Spatial Innovations
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned superyacht architects, the accommodations on EXPLORA III reimagine maritime living through an “Ocean State of Mind” philosophy. Every single one of the 463 suites features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private, ocean-facing terrace, ensuring guests maintain a constant connection to the sea.
The ship’s expanded 268-metre hull allows for larger living spaces, enhanced acoustic insulation, and elevated terrace footprints across all categories. Suites are categorised into four primary luxury tiers:
- Ocean Terrace Suites & Ocean Grand Terrace Suites: Starting at a generous 35 square metres (including private terrace), these refined sanctuaries feature king-sized custom sleep systems, walk-in wardrobes with seated vanity areas, and private refrigerated mini-bars refilled to guest preferences.
- Ocean Penthouses: Ranging from 43 to 61 square metres, penthouses offer distinct dining tables for four, dedicated work areas, and expansive daybed lounges on the private sun terraces.
- Ocean Residences: Spanning 70 to 115 square metres, these palatial residences showcase separate living and dining quarters, private outdoor whirlpool tubs, and dedicated 24-hour butler service delivered by Residence Hosts.
- The Owner’s Residence: The pinnacle of luxury at sea, extending across an extraordinary 280 square metres (155 sq m indoor living space plus a 125 sq m wraparound terrace). It boasts a private outdoor whirlpool, an indoor fireplace, an eight-person dining table, and panoramic views across the ship’s stern.
Average Cost per Person / Night
On average, entry-level accommodations on Explora Journeys start at approximately £500 to £650 ($600–$800 USD) per person, per night based on double occupancy. Longer repositioning itineraries and transatlantic journeys often offer lower per-night rates compared to shorter peak-season regional voyages.
Sample 2026 Starting Fares by Itinerary
Typical starting prices for baseline Ocean Terrace Suites across key 2026 itineraries include:
- 7-Night Southampton to Reykjavik Crossing: Starting from approx. £4,445 / $4,875 per person.
- 8-Night Norwegian Fjords & Nordic Cities: Starting from approx. £5,200 / $6,100 per person.
- 18-Night Southampton to Quebec Transatlantic: Starting from approx. £10,640 / $13,685 per person.
- 23-Night Grand Northern Journey (Round-trip Southampton): Starting from approx. £17,500 / $22,480 per person.
Higher Suite Categories
For elevated luxury accommodations, pricing scales up significantly:
- Ocean Penthouses: Typically priced at 1.4x to 1.6x the baseline Ocean Terrace Suite fare.
- Ocean Residences: Generally range from £12,000 to £25,000+ per person depending on voyage duration and butler inclusions.
- The Owner’s Residence: The premier top-tier suite routinely commands upwards of £35,000 to £60,000+ per suite on multi-week sailings.
What Is Included in the Fare?
Unlike standard cruise lines where onboard extras accumulate quickly, Explora Journeys operates on an all-inclusive pricing model:
- Dining: Unlimited access to 9 distinct culinary experiences, including in-suite dining and speciality venues (excluding ultra-exclusive tasting experiences like Anthology).
- Beverages: Unlimited fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, soft drinks, and daily refreshed in-suite mini-bars.
- Services & Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, thermal spa circuit access, shuttle transfers in select ports, and all onboard crew gratuities.
Culinary Excellence: Dining Venues & New Concepts
EXPLORA III elevates cruise gastronomy with nine distinct culinary experiences included in the voyage fare, alongside exclusive specialty dining choices. Eliminating traditional mega-ship main dining rooms and buffet lines, the vessel relies on sophisticated, open-seating venues.
Inclusive Dining Venues
- Shore Club on 11 at The Conservatory: Exclusive to the new Evolution-Class ships (EXPLORA III & IV), this beach-club-style venue serves fresh, sun-soaked coastal bites and vibrant poolside dishes under a glass canopy.
- Sakura: An immersive Pan-Asian restaurant offering authentic sushi, sashimi, and regional specialties alongside sweeping ocean views.
- Marble & Co. Grill: A redefined European steakhouse celebrating prime aged cuts, sustainable meats, and an open finishing kitchen.
- Med Yacht Club: A relaxed, sophisticated venue celebrating the flavours, wines, and dolce vita ambience of the Mediterranean.
- Fil Rouge: An elegant international restaurant offering French-inspired global tasting dishes in a quiet, intimate setting.
- Emporium Marketplace: An elevated all-day dining marketplace featuring live cooking stations for made-to-order seafood, pasta, and grilled specialties.
Specialty Experiences & Next-Generation LNG Technology
For celebratory evenings, guests can reserve Anthology—the ship’s signature fine-dining venue celebrating regional Italian gastronomy curated by Head of Culinary Franck Garanger—or book hands-on masterclasses at The Chef’s Kitchen.
Beyond luxury interiors, EXPLORA III represents a major environmental leap forward for MSC Group. As the fleet’s first vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), her engines virtually eliminate sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 85%. Furthermore, the ship is fitted with plug-in shore power connectivity and bio-LNG synthetic fuel compatibility, paving the path toward zero-emission port operations.
Key Highlights of the EXPLORA III Experience
What luxury travelers can expect when stepping aboard the line’s newest flagship:
All-Inclusive Luxury: High-speed Wi-Fi, unlimited fine wines, premium spirits, thermal spa access, all gratuities, and in-suite dining are fully included in the cruise fare.
Wellness & Ocean Wellness Spa: Over 1,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor wellness space, including hydrotherapy pools, treatment rooms, and outdoor fitness areas.
Yacht-like Accessibility: Designed to access boutique, lesser-visited ports and hidden harbours that large mega-cruise ships cannot reach.
Inaugural Season & Southampton Journeys
Following her Maiden Voyage and naming ceremonies in the Mediterranean, EXPLORA III transitions to Northern Europe, making Southampton a major hub for her late-summer 2026 operations. The arrival of Explora Journeys’ first LNG-powered vessel highlights the Port of Southampton’s growing role as a premier homeport for ultra-luxury and environmentally advanced cruise ships.
Key Late-Summer 2026 Itineraries Featuring Southampton
Explora Journeys offers flexible, destination-rich itineraries ranging from week-long regional escapes to extended Grand Journeys:
- 8-Night Norwegian Fjords & Nordic Cities (Departing August 17, 2026): Sailing round-trip or one-way from Southampton to Copenhagen, calling at Mandal, Sandnes, Olden, Bergen, and Flåm.
- 23-Night Grand Northern Journey (Departing August 17, 2026): A comprehensive round-trip voyage from Southampton encompassing Norwegian fjords, Baltic capitals (Tallinn, Stockholm, Riga, Visby), and Scandinavian hubs (Oslo, Gothenburg, Hamburg).
- Transatlantic & Arctic Crossings (Departing September 9, 2026): Departing Southampton for North America via Reykjavik (Iceland), Greenland, Quebec City, and New York.
Southampton Cruise Terminal & Port Logistics
Passengers embarking on EXPLORA III in Southampton benefit from streamlined luxury port operations designed to match the ship’s intimate, yacht-like atmosphere:
- Horizon & Ocean Cruise Terminals: Primary berth locations at Western Docks offer state-of-the-art shore power connectivity, allowing EXPLORA III to turn off her engines while docked.
- Dedicated Luggage & Butler Transfers: Guests booked in Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences enjoy priority check-in lounges, direct luggage transfers, and personal host greetings upon arrival at the terminal.
- Transport Connections: Located less than two miles from Southampton Central railway station and 15 minutes from Southampton Airport (SOU), providing seamless access for UK and international fly-cruise guests.
Essential Tips for Embarking EXPLORA III in Southampton
How to make your departure from the UK’s premier cruise port smooth and stress-free:
Arrive within Staggered Check-In Windows: Explora Journeys assigns precise arrival times to ensure zero queues at the terminal lounge.
Pre-Book Hotel Transfers: If staying in Southampton before embarkation, arrange private transfers to Western Docks to ensure effortless arrival with heavy luggage.
Shore Power Operations: Noticeably quieter onboard stays while docked, as the ship draws clean electricity directly from Southampton’s port grid.
Final Thoughts on EXPLORA III & Southampton Sailings
The arrival of EXPLORA III in summer 2026 marks an exciting milestone for ultra-luxury ocean travel and sustainable cruising. As Explora Journeys’ pioneer LNG-powered Evolution-Class vessel, she combines expansive superyacht design, generous space-to-guest ratios, and progressive marine engineering. For travelers departing from Southampton, her maiden Northern European and Transatlantic itineraries offer a refined, seamless gateway to exploring Nordic fjords, historic Baltic ports, and Arctic crossings in absolute comfort.
Whether you are planning a late-summer Scandinavian escape or an extended transatlantic voyage, EXPLORA III sets a new standard for luxury cruises homeporting out of the UK.
Embarking on a Cruise from Southampton?
If you are arriving in the city a day early before your departure on EXPLORA III, check out our guide to restaurants near Southampton Central station to enjoy top local dining options before heading to the cruise terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions About EXPLORA III
When does EXPLORA III enter service?
EXPLORA III officially debuts in July and August 2026 following her naming ceremony in Barcelona, entering service for her inaugural summer season across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and North America.
What makes EXPLORA III different from EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II?
EXPLORA III is extended by 19.2 metres to a total length of 268 metres, increasing her gross tonnage to 72,810 GT. She is also the fleet’s first vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and features new dining venues like Shore Club on 11.
How many guests does EXPLORA III carry?
Despite her expanded length and hull volume, guest capacity remains capped at 922 passengers across 463 ocean-front suites, ensuring an intimate, uncrowded atmosphere.
What is included in the fare on EXPLORA III?
Explora Journeys operates an all-inclusive pricing model encompassing unlimited fine wines, premium spirits, nine dining experiences, high-speed Wi-Fi, thermal spa access, all gratuities, and 24-hour in-suite dining.
Does EXPLORA III offer sailings from Southampton?
Yes, EXPLORA III operates key late-summer 2026 itineraries out of Southampton, featuring routes to the Norwegian fjords, Scandinavian capitals, and Transatlantic crossings to North America.
