President of Explora Journeys Anna Nash on why the Arabian Gulf is ready for ultra-luxury cruising as the line prepares to homeport in Dubai for 2026/27.
Luxury cruising is evolving. Travellers are no longer content with surface-level itineraries or generic onboard opulence — they seek deeper meaning, authenticity, and cultural connection. For Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s luxury cruise brand, the Middle East offers the ideal stage for this new chapter in high-end travel.
In a significant move that underlines the region’s rising profile, Explora Journeys will homeport Explora II in Dubai for the 2026/27 season. It’s a strategic deployment that reflects not only regional potential, but also the brand’s global ambitions.
According to Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, Dubai is a homeport that aligns with the cruise lines brand values, echoing a sentiment expressed by the line’s parent company MSC Cruises, calling the region one with the greatest potential globally.
“The Middle East plays an important and increasingly inspiring role in Explora Journeys’ global vision,” says Nash. “Our decision to homeport Explora II in Dubai for the 2026/27 season reflects both the region’s growing appetite for immersive, elevated travel and our deep commitment to curating transformative journeys in the world’s most captivating destinations.”
“Dubai, in particular, offers an ideal homeport. Its global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and spirit of innovation align beautifully with our brand values. It allows us to link cosmopolitan cities, like Doha or Abu Dhabi, with lesser-known gems, weaving stories of tradition and modernity into every journey.”
With Dubai International Airport welcoming nearly 87 million passengers in 2024, Explora sees the region as prepared, both in terms of advanced logistics and cultural depth, for a wave of new-to-cruise luxury travellers.
“We are seeing an exciting shift across the GCC,” Nash notes, “where discerning guests are seeking more intentional and emotionally resonant ways to explore – experiences that blend cultural depth, well-being, and authentic discovery.”
Explora’s itineraries are designed around this philosophy, combining immersive ports of call with elegant onboard experiences. From the ancient coastal towns of Muscat and Khasab in Oman to the modern marvels of Doha in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, the Arabian Gulf offers a diversity of destinations that complement the brand’s vision for refined, culturally grounded exploration.
As part of its winter 2026/27 deployment, Explora II will visit Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Salalah, Khasab, and Sur (Oman), and Dubai. Guests can experience ancient coastal cities, breathtaking desert landscapes, and bustling souks, while enjoying bucket list experiences like New Year’s Eve fireworks in Dubai.
Explora Journeys has also made local collaboration a priority to ensure guests benefit from cultural enrichment on every shore excursion. “Cultural enrichment is one of the pillars of Explora Journeys,” Nash explains, “and our collaborations with local partners are absolutely essential in delivering that promise with authenticity and depth.”
“We believe that the most memorable travel experiences are those that foster meaningful human connection, where guests feel a genuine sense of place through encounters with local people, traditions, and artistry.”
In the Arabian Gulf, Explora Journeys is working closely with cultural institutions, local guides, and expert curators to create shore experiences and pre- or post-journey extensions that go beyond the expected.
“Whether it’s a private tour of a contemporary art space in Doha, a guided stroll through Dubai’s Al Fahidi district with a local storyteller, or a behind-the-scenes culinary experience in Muscat, each journey is crafted to offer privileged access and heartfelt discovery,” says Nash. “By blending deep local knowledge with Explora’s signature elegance, we’re able to offer journeys that feel both exclusive and deeply rooted in place.”
Wellness at Sea: A Natural Extension
This depth of experience continues onboard through Explora’s Ocean Wellness Retreats — one- and two-day programmes offered aboard Explora I and II. Guests can participate in sunrise breathwork, chakra healing meditation, gong baths under the stars, and seminars on sleep, energy, and mindful living.
“Our Ocean Wellness Retreats are crafted to reflect the ocean’s natural rhythm,” says Julanda Marais, Senior Lead Spa at Explora Journeys. “Through movement, meditation, and immersive wellbeing experiences, we invite them to embrace the ocean’s flow—emerging refreshed, rebalanced, and revitalised.”
Led by wellness expert Carlie Barlow, these retreats combine ancient healing practices with modern techniques, aligning with Arabian Gulf travellers’ growing interest in intentional wellbeing.
Potential in the Red Sea
Explora Journeys also sees promise beyond the Arabian Gulf, particularly along the Red Sea coast. “The Red Sea and Arabian Gulf hold remarkable long-term potential as emerging destinations for luxury ocean travel,” says Nash. “They offer a compelling combination of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural vibrancy – elements that perfectly complement Explora Journeys’ ethos of mindful exploration.”
“The recent surge in tourism across the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where international arrivals grew by 73% in early 2024, is a powerful indicator of this momentum,” adds Nash. “With ambitious sustainable tourism developments along the Red Sea coast and increasing global interest in lesser-explored destinations, we see these waters as offering a truly unique canvas for transformational travel.”
Explora Journeys is not merely launching new itineraries — it’s rolling out a new lifestyle vision. With a fleet of six luxury ships entering service between 2023 and 2028, each designed with 461 oceanfront suites, nine dining experiences, and wellness-led programming, the brand is redefining cruising for a new generation of luxury passengers.
With its advanced infrastructure and growing interet and demand, the Arabian Gulf — and potentially the Red Sea once the current security concerns and resolved— is taking its place among the world’s leading destinations for mindful, elegant ocean travel.
“For me,” Nash reflects, “it’s a personal privilege to help bring a new chapter of luxury ocean travel to this dynamic and culturally rich region.”
