Explora Journeys: Redefining Luxury Cruises
for LGBTQ+ Travelers
Explora Journeys brings a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and relaxed take on European luxury to the very top of the market. Created by the Aponte family, the group behind MSC Cruises, it's built around all-suite, ocean-front living, itineraries that favor longer stays and overnight port calls over a rushed pace, and a nearly all-inclusive fare that covers premium wines and spirits, nine culinary experiences, gratuities, and Starlink Wi-Fi. It's a line I know firsthand, and one I love matching the right traveler to.
DISCOVER THE OCEAN STATE OF MIND
Explora calls its philosophy the Ocean State of Mind, and it shapes everything on board. The ships are designed to keep you connected to the sea, with ocean-front suites, open decks, and quiet corners where the horizon is always in view.
The pace is unhurried by design. Itineraries favor longer stays and overnight port calls, so you have time to explore a destination properly and still come back to a ship that feels calm, with a spa thermal area and wellbeing programs to help you slow down.
It's a different kind of cruising, one that leaves room to relax, reconnect with the people you're traveling with, and explore at your own speed.
All Suite Ships
Every suite, penthouse, and residence on board is ocean-front, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private sun terrace. The spaces are generous, the service is intuitive, and a chilled bottle of champagne is waiting when you arrive, so you can settle in and start relaxing right away.
Ocean Suites
Explora's Ocean Suites, among the largest in their category, are all ocean-front with private sun terraces, combining space and light to bring you closer to the sea.
Ocean Penthouses
The Ocean Penthouses offer a luxurious, spacious retreat with ocean-front floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terraces to unwind and relax.
Ocean Residences
For a true sense of being at home at sea, the Ocean Residences offer sweeping terraces and elegant, spacious living areas.
Owner's Residence
The iconic Owner’s Residence creates the largest living space on board, with multiple harmonious spaces in which to relax, entertain, and unwind.
All-inclusive Journeys
-
Welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival
-
A selection of fine wines and spirits of your choice
-
Authentic, intuitive service from a world-class hospitality team
-
Nine distinct culinary experiences, including in-suite dining
-
Unlimited beverages available anytime, including premium wines, spirits, specialty coffees, teas, and soft drinks, plus your in-suite mini-bar
-
Full access to the spa thermal area
-
Wellbeing and fitness programs both onboard and ashore
-
All onboard gratuities included
-
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship
-
Shuttle service between port and city center (where available)
Why Sail Explora with Rainbow Getaways
Explora rewards knowing it well, and I do. I'm an Explora Journeys Brand Expert, and I've sailed it myself, from the ocean-front suites to the unhurried rhythm of the itineraries, so the guidance you get is grounded in the ship as it really is. I'll point you to the right ship and suite category for how you travel, flag the sailings and ports worth building a trip around, and handle the details a direct booking tends to leave on the table.
If you already sail with MSC, there's value most travelers never claim: your MSC Voyagers Club standing can convert to Explora Journeys Club status, and I'll set that up so you come aboard recognized from your first sailing. For a fuller sense of it, read my firsthand account of what it's really like on board.
There's no Travel Research and Planning Fee when you book your Explora Journey with Rainbow Getaways.
Join Us in Alaska Aboard Explora III
In the summer of 2027, I'm hosting a group sailing aboard Explora III, a round trip from Vancouver through Alaska's Inside Passage, with calls in Ketchikan, Sitka, and Wrangell. Sailing with our group adds a hosted cocktail party, a complimentary excursion in Ketchikan, and the comfort of having me aboard to look after the details. Space is limited, and suites for hosted departures like this tend to go early.
