A Journey from Urban Adventure to Tranquil Escapes
EXPLORAEL20261007NYCQUEHOL

A Journey from Urban Adventure to Tranquil Escapes

Departure 7 Oct 2026
Duration 8 Nights
Cruise Line Explora Journeys
Ship EXPLORA III

Featured Cabins

0800 059 0570

Itinerary

New York, New York, United States

Date of arrival 7 Oct 2026
Depart 19:00

From Wall Street’s skyscrapers to the neon of Times Square to Central Park’s leafy paths, New York City pulses with an irrepressible energy. History meets hipness in this global center of entertainment, fashion, media, and finance. World-class museums like MoMA and unforgettable icons like the Statue of Liberty beckon, but discovering the subtler strains of New York’s vast ambition is equally rewarding: ethnic enclaves and shops, historic streets of dignified brownstones, and trendy bars and eateries all add to the urban buzz.

New York, New York, United States

At Sea

Date of arrival 8 Oct 2026
At sea.

Portland, Maine, United States

Date of arrival 9 Oct 2026
Arrive 08:00
Depart 17:00

Portland, Maine The largest city in Maine, Portland was founded in 1632 on the Casco Bay Peninsula. It quickly prospered through shipbuilding and the export of inland pines which made excellent masts. A long line of wooden wharves stretched along the seafront, with the merchants’ houses on the hillside above. From the earliest days it was a cosmopolitan city. When the railroads came, the Canada Trunk Line had its terminal right on Portland’s quayside, bringing the produce of Canada and the Great Plains one hundred miles closer to Europe than any other major U.S. port. Some of the wharves are now occupied by new condominium developments, with the exception of the Customs House Wharf, which remains much as it used to be. Grand Trunk Station was torn down in 1966 and a revitalization program of this historic section was spearheaded by a group of committed residents. The result was the revival of the Old Port Exchange District with its redbrick streets built in the 1860s following a disastrous fire. The area today features a wide variety of restaurants, specialty and antique shops, and makes for a pleasant place for a stroll. Congress Street and its many side streets are an engaging mixture of culture, commerce and history. Art is everywhere, from the Portland Museum of Art to the many statues and monuments throughout the city. Other points of interest include the Portland Observatory, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s childhood home, several colonial mansions and Fort Williams Park, with the adjacent Portland Head Light. Farther afield one can visit the charming yachting and fishing village of Kennebunkport, also noted as the locale of the home and summer White House of former President George Bush. Going Ashore in Portland Pier Information The ship is scheduled to dock at the Portland Ocean Terminal, a very easy walk to the Old Port District located about two blocks away. Taxis are available at the pier. Shopping A wide range of Maine-made clothing, crafts and imported items can be found in shops along the cobblestone streets of the quaint Old Port Exchange. Small boutiques and numerous art galleries feature everything from paintings, crafts and furniture to prints and photographs. Antique lovers will enjoy browsing through area shops. Bargain hunters may want to visit the designer factory outlet shops in Freeport. On Sundays, most shops are open from 12:00 noon to 5:00-6:00 p.m. The local currency is the dollar. Cuisine Portland has the most restaurants per capita, second only to San Francisco. Eating establishments are as diverse as the menus they offer. The fresh catch of the day can be found on most menus, but seafood is only one of many culinary delights. From specialty coffee houses and ethnic restaurants to chowder and lobster houses to elegant dining rooms, Portland makes it easy to please every palate. Other Sights Longfellow’s “City by the Sea” Portland is a walkable city, and a good place to start exploring is at the Old Port with its striking buildings comprising a bevy of architectural styles, ranging from Italianate to Mansard, Queen Anne to Greek Revival. The charming streets house an amazing collection of shops, galleries, bookstores and restaurants. Congress Street and the Arts District reflect the changes of 350 years of history, boasting an engaging mixture of culture and commerce. Portland Museum of Art The museum’s award-winning building is a blend of 1911 Beaux Arts and 1983 post-modernism. It houses one of New England’s finest art collections. Don’t miss the museum’s indoor Sculpture Garden. Portland Observatory Built in 1807, this is a rare example of a signal tower from which signal flags would be flown to identify incoming vessels. Factory Outlets of Freeport About a 25-minute drive north of Portland (approximately $35 one way for a taxi), this shopping mecca is crammed with serious shoppers who come from as far away as New York. Private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be requested through the Tour Office on board.

Portland, Maine, United States

Saint-John, New Brunswick, Canada

Date of arrival 10 Oct 2026
Arrive 09:00
Depart 19:00

Like any seaport worth its salt, Saint John is a welcoming place but, more than that, it is fast transforming into a sophisticated urban destination worthy of the increasing number of cruise ships that dock at its revitalized waterfront. Such is the demand that a second cruise terminal opened in 2012, just two years after the first one, and 2013 will see the two-millionth cruise passenger disembark. All the comings and goings over the centuries have exposed Saint Johners to a wide variety of cultures and ideas, creating a characterful Maritime city with a vibrant artistic community. Visitors will discover rich and diverse cultural products in its urban core, including a plethora of art galleries and antiques shops in uptown.Industry and salt air have combined to give parts of Saint John a weather-beaten quality, but you’ll also find lovingly restored 19th-century wooden and redbrick homes as well as modern office buildings, hotels, and shops.The natives welcomed the French explorers Samuel de Champlain and Sieur de Monts when they landed here on St. John the Baptist Day in 1604. Then, nearly two centuries later, in May 1783, 3,000 British Loyalists fleeing the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War poured off a fleet of ships to make a home amid the rocks and forests. Two years later the city of Saint John became the first in Canada to be incorporated.Although most of the Loyalists were English, there were some Irish among them. After the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, thousands more Irish workers found their way to Saint John. It was the Irish potato famine of 1845 to 1852, though, that spawned the largest influx of Irish immigrants, and today a 20-foot Celtic cross on Partridge Island at the entrance to St. John Harbour stands as a reminder of the hardships and suffering they endured. Their descendants make Saint John Canada’s most Irish city, a fact that’s celebrated in grand style each March with a weeklong St. Patrick’s celebration.The St. John River, its Reversing Rapids, and Saint John Harbour divide the city into eastern and western districts. The historic downtown area (locally known as “uptown”) is on the east side, where an ambitious urban-renewal program started in the early 1980s has transformed the downtown waterfront. Older properties have been converted into trendy restaurants and shops, while glittering new apartment and condo buildings will take full advantage of the spectacular view across the bay. Harbour Passage, a redbrick walking and cycling path with benches and lots of interpretive information, begins downtown at Market Square and winds along the waterfront all the way to the Reversing Rapids. A shuttle boat between Market Square and the falls means you have to walk only one way. On the lower west side, painted-wood homes with flat roofs—characteristic of Atlantic Canadian seaports—slope to the harbor. Industrial activity is prominent on the west side, which has stately older homes on huge lots.Regardless of the weather, Saint John is a delightful city to explore, as so many of its key downtown attractions are linked by enclosed overhead pedways known as the “Inside Connection.”

Saint-John, New Brunswick, Canada

At Sea

Date of arrival 11 Oct 2026
At sea.

Iles des la Madeleine, Canada

Date of arrival 12 Oct 2026
Arrive 08:00
Depart 14:00
No further details for this day.

Havre-Saint-Pierre, Québec, Canada

Date of arrival 13 Oct 2026
Arrive 09:00
Depart 18:00

Havre St. Pierre is a tiny seaside port on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec. It was settled in 1857 by Acadians from the Magdalen Island, and still today locals speak a dialect more similar to Acadian French than to Quebec French. It was originally called Saint-Pierre-de-la-Pointe-aux-Esquimaux until 1927, when it was officially shortened to Havre St Pierre. Until recently the local economy relied mainly on fishing and lumbering, today it is mainly a titanium ore-transhipment port. Nearby is one of the world’s most amazing natural phenomena – the Mingan Archipelago. They are the largest group of erosional monoliths in Canada, and were declared a Nation Park in 1984. These limestone monoliths have formed over thousands of years by wave action, strong winds and seasonal freezing and thawing. The result is a unique set of large limestone sculptures.

Havre-Saint-Pierre, Québec, Canada

Baie Comeau, Québec, Canada

Date of arrival 14 Oct 2026
Arrive 09:00
Depart 18:00
Awaken your senses in Baie-Comeau. Step back in time to discover how glaciers shaped the landscape and when maritime heritage merged with industrial history. Savour delicious regional seafood and locally brewed beer as you admire wild nature at its finest. Visit a valley full of seashells, salt marshes, sand dunes and forests bursting with wild berries in the bird-watching capital of Québec. Marvel at unspoiled views of the Panoramas and immerse in nine different ecosystems in one day – where wholesome surroundings are the perfect invitation to relax.
Baie Comeau, Québec, Canada

Quebec City, Québec, Canada

Date of arrival 15 Oct 2026
Arrive 09:00

Québec City’s alluring setting atop Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant) evokes a past of high adventure, military history, and exploration. This French-speaking capital city is the only walled city north of Mexico. Visitors come for the delicious and inventive cuisine, the remarkable historical continuity, and to share in the seasonal exuberance of the largest Francophone population outside France.The historic heart of this community is the Old City (Vieux-Québec), comprising the part of Upper Town (Haute-Ville) surrounded by walls and Lower Town (Basse-Ville), which spreads out at the base of the hill from Place Royale. Many sets of staircases and the popular funicular link the top of the hill with the bottom. Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and elaborate cathedrals here are charming in all seasons. The Old City earned recognition as an official UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, thanks largely to city planners who managed to update and preserve the 400-year-old buildings and attractions without destroying what made them worth preserving. The most familiar icon of the city, Fairmont Château Frontenac, is set on the highest point in Upper Town, where it holds court over the entire city.Sitting proudly above the confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Charles rivers, the city’s famous military fortification, La Citadelle, built in the early 19th century, remains the largest of its kind in North America. In summer, visitors should try to catch the Changing of the Guard, held every morning at 10 am; you can get much closer to the guards here than at Buckingham Palace in London.Enchanting as it is, the Old City is just a small part of the true Québec City experience. Think outside the walls and explore St-Roch, a downtown hot spot, which has artsy galleries, foodie haunts, and a bustling square. Cruise the Grande-Allée and avenue Cartier to find a livelier part of town dotted with nightclubs and fun eateries. Or while away the hours in St-Jean-Baptiste, a neighborhood with trendy shops and hipster hangouts.

Quebec City, Québec, Canada

Cabin Options

Explora Journeys Explora Iii Ocean Terrace Suite Rendering 1

Ocean Terrace Suite

Welcome to the Ocean Terrace Suite aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 3 persons
Size 420ft² (39m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Grand Penthouse Rendering 2

Grand Penthouse

Welcome to the Grand Penthouse aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 732ft² (68m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Owner's Residence Rendering 1

Owner's Residence

Welcome to the Owner's Residence aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 3014ft² (280m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Owner's Residence By Patricia Urquiola Rendering 1

Owner's Residence by Patricia Urquiola

Welcome to the Owner's Residence by Patricia Urquiola aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 3014ft² (280m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Retreat Residence Rendering 1

Retreat Residence

Welcome to the Retreat Residence aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 1604ft² (149m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Cove Residence With Whirlpool Coj 01

Cove Residence with Whirlpool

Welcome to the Cove Residence with Whirlpool aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 2 persons
Size 1604ft² (149m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Cove Residence Co1 04

Cove Residence

Welcome to the Cove Residence aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 1604ft² (149m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Serenity Residence Sr 06

Serenity Residence

Welcome to the Serenity Residence aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 1601ft² (149m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Cocoon Residence Rendering 1

Cocoon Residence

Welcome to the Cocoon Residence aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 1604ft² (149m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Premier Penthouse Rendering 1

Premier Penthouse

Welcome to the Premier Penthouse aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 732ft² (68m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Deluxe Penthouse Rendering 1

Deluxe Penthouse

Welcome to the Deluxe Penthouse aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 732ft² (68m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Penthouse Rendering 1

Penthouse

Welcome to the Penthouse aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 4 persons
Size 732ft² (68m²)
Explora Journeys Explora Iii Ocean Grand Terrace Suite Rendering 1

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Welcome to the Ocean Grand Terrace Suite aboard the EXPLORA III from Explora Journeys, your home away from home. Your private abode includes a range of amenities for your enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.
Room Type Suite
Occupancy 3 persons
Size 420ft² (39m²)

Ship Facilities

Dining
Enrichment
Entertainment
Health & Fitness
Younger Travellers

About the Ship

Maybe the ocean has a new address

EXPLORA III Sailing Now

Explora iii

Explora iii Information

Launched 2026
Length 879 ft (268m)
Guest Capacity 1473
Cabins 461
Crew Members 640

Deck Plans

Deck 3

  • Medical Centre

Deck 4
  • Journeys Lounge
  • The Casino
  • Guest Services
  • Destination Experiences
  • Future Journeys
  • Chopard
  • Rolex
  • Cartier
  • Lobby & Lobby Bar
  • The Journey
  • Med Yacht Club Restaurant
  • Fil Rouge Restaurant
Deck 5

  • Astern Pool & Bar
  • Sakura Restaurant
  • Astern Lounge
  • Galleria D’Arte
  • MSC Foundation
  • Marble & Co. Grill Restaurant
  • Anthology Restaurant
  • Crema Café
  • The Chef’s Table
  • Chef’s Kitchen
  • The Cellar
  • Ocean Wellness Fitness Centre
  • Ocean Wellness The Spa

Deck 6

  • Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
  • Ocean Terrace Suite
  • Premier Penthouse
  • Penthouse
  • Grand Penthouse
  • Cocoon Residence Penthouse
  • Cove Residence with Private Whirlpool

Deck 7

  • Retreat Residence
  • Ocean Grand Terrace Suite
  • Ocean Terrace Suite
  • Grand Penthouse
  • Cove Residence
  • Penthouse
  • Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola

Deck 8
  • Owner’s Residence
  • Retreat Residence
  • Ocean Terrace Suite
  • Cove Residence with Private Whirlpool
  • Cove Residence
  • Deluxe Penthouse
  • Penthouse
  • Premier Penthouse
  • Grand Penthouse
Deck 9

  • Retreat Residence
  • Cove Residence with Private Whirlpool
  • Cove Residence
  • Grand Penthouse
  • Premier Penthouse
  • Deluxe Penthouse
  • Ocean Terrace Suite
  • Penthouse
  • Serenity Residence

Deck 10
  • Atoll Pool & Bar
  • Grand Penthouse
  • Cove Residence with Private Whirlpool
  • Premier Penthouse 
  • Ocean Terrace Suite
  • Bridge
Deck 11
  • Explora Lounge Outdoor Area
  • Explora Lounge
  • Malt Whiskey Bar
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Nautilus Club Teens
  • Nautilus Club Juniors
  • Outdoor Cigar Lounge
  • The Conservatory Pool
  • Indoor Whirlpools
  • The Conservatory Bar
  • Shore Club On 11 At The Conservatory
  • Emporium Marketplace Restaurant
  • Emporium Marketplace Outdoor Seating Area
Deck 12
  • Helios Pool & Bar (Adults Only)
  • Running Track
  • Infinity Whirlpools
Deck 14

  • Sports Court
  • Whirlpool
  • Sky Bar on 14
  • Ocean Wellness Open Air Fitness

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