Explora Journeys has announced its 2027–2028 Journeys Collection, featuring nearly 100 voyages across 59 countries and almost 200 destinations.

The season, which sails from September 2027 to May 2028, marks two major milestones for MSC Group’s luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand: its inaugural Journeys through Asia and the launch of EXPLORA V, the fifth ship in its fleet.

A new chapter: Asia 

EXPLORA III will embark on the brand’s first Journeys through Asia with 28 immersive itineraries visiting 47 destinations across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Each stop is a maiden call and has been designed to highlight the region’s cultural richness, spiritual heartlands and coastal sanctuaries.

Overnight stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Naha, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Bali give guests time to engage more deeply with local life. Journeys align with seasonal highlights, from autumn’s vibrant maple and ginkgo trees in Kyoto to spring cherry blossoms in Shimizu and Nagoya. Itineraries also coincide with major cultural events such as Chinese Golden Week in Shanghai and Chinese New Year celebrations onboard in January 2028.

EXPLORA V in the Med 

EXPLORA V will launch in December 2027 with voyages through the Mediterranean during its quiet season, when softer light and fewer visitors create a more intimate experience. Destinations include La Valletta in Malta, Cagliari in Sicily and Istanbul. The inaugural Journeys include 27 destinations across nine countries, with a maiden call in Salerno, gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Guests will also visit places like Messina in Italy, Split, Dubrovnik and Kepez in Türkiye. A highlight of the season will be New Year’s Eve in Naples.

Red Sea & Arabian Peninsula 

Following Mediterranean voyages, EXPLORA V will sail to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula where it will join EXPLORA I. Itineraries cover Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain and include UNESCO-listed sites such as Petra, Luxor, the Pyramids of Giza and AlUla. Overnight stays allow for deeper cultural immersion, with Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebrations as a seasonal highlight.

Caribbean, Central America & the Amazon 

Throughout the 2027-2028 season, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA IV will operate across the Caribbean, Central America and South America, visiting 51 destinations in 30 countries and territories. Highlights include maiden calls in Port Antonio, Jamaica, rainforest kayaking in Central America, Mayan ruins exploration and river journeys along the Amazon with overnight stays in Manaus. New Year’s Eve will be celebrated off the coast of San Juan on both ships.

For more information, go to explorajourneys.com.

Source: Travelweek