Explora Journeys expands Middle East 2027/28 season with Explora V deployment

Explora Journeys has significantly expanded its itineraries in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf for the 2027/28 season, with the region forming a central part of the cruise line’s newly announced Journeys Collection. 

The release of the Journeys Collection itineraries marks the debut of Explora V, the fifth ship in Explora Journey’s luxury lifestyle fleet, and the introduction of Asia to the programme for the first time.

From December 2027, Explora V will join Explora I in operating itineraries through Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, combining cultural heritage with modern urban experiences and highlighting the Middle East’s growing importance as a cruise destination.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore UNESCO-listed landmarks such as the Lost City of Petra, Egypt’s ancient Luxor, the Pyramids of Giza, and Saudi Arabia’s ancient Nabataean tombs in AlUla. 

Additional calls will include Jeddah, Muscat, Dubai, and Mount Sinai, bringing together sites of historical and religious significance with contemporary destinations. Explora Journeys says the itineraries will include extended port stays and multiple overnights, particularly in cultural capitals and coastal hubs.

A seasonal highlight will be New Year’s Eve in Dubai, when passengers aboard Explora I will view the city’s skyline during its annual fireworks display, an event that has become a fixture of the line’s Arabian Gulf programme.

The 2027/28 season, running from September 2027 to May 2028, comprises close to 100 individual voyages visiting 59 countries and nearly 200 destinations. 

While the Middle East expansion provides the anchor for the season, the programme also includes the brand’s first foray into Asia, further Mediterranean deployments, and a continued presence in the Caribbean and South America.

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, said the introduction of Asia alongside the Middle East reflects the line’s ambition to broaden its global reach while deepening regional immersion. 

“The introduction of Asia is a landmark moment for our brand and for our guests,” she said. “Alongside the launch of Explora V, this collection marks a new era that invites travellers to slow down, look deeper and connect more meaningfully with new parts of the world around them.”

Asia debut for Explora III

Explora III will lead the company’s inaugural season in Asia, operating 28 itineraries to 47 destinations, all of them maiden calls. The itineraries will span Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The season has been scheduled to coincide with cultural events such as Chinese Golden Week in Shanghai and Chinese New Year in January 2028, which will be marked onboard with themed entertainment. 

Extended stays in ports such as Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Bali are intended to give guests time to experience local traditions and seasonal highlights, including autumn foliage in Kyoto and cherry blossoms in Shimizu and Nagoya.

Mediterranean, Caribbean, and South America

Before her repositioning to the Middle East, Explora V will begin service in December 2027 with winter voyages in the Mediterranean. The ship’s inaugural itineraries will visit 27 destinations across nine countries, with maiden calls including Salerno on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

The programme has been designed to showcase the Mediterranean during its off-season, with fewer visitors and cooler temperatures. Ports include Valletta, Cagliari, Istanbul, Split, Dubrovnik, and Kepez, with an overnight stay in Istanbul and a New Year’s Eve sailing off Naples.

Elsewhere, Explora II and Explora IV will continue to operate in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Their 2027/28 deployments will span 51 destinations in 30 countries and territories, including a maiden call at Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Highlights include small island destinations such as Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands and Terre-de-Haut in Guadeloupe, rainforest kayaking in Central America, and extended itineraries along the Amazon River. The ships will also mark New Year’s Eve off San Juan, Puerto Rico.