Explora Journeys will venture into Asia for the first time in 2027 with the launch of its inaugural Journeys through Asia program – with VP International Sales, Antonio Paradiso identifying the new offering as one of the highlights of its 2027-28 Journeys Collection.
The cruise line, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, unveiled the new Asia offering today as it launched its new Journeys Collection which features voyages across five continents.
“This will be the first time we sail into this fascinating region and the program is extremely rich: 28 journeys across nine countries and 47 destinations, with 15 overnight stays in cities such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Bali,” Paradiso, who is also Managing Director UK, Ireland & Australia, told LATTE.
“It is also very seasonal, allowing guests to experience Japan’s autumn foliage, the magic of cherry blossom season and the Chinese New Year celebrations at sea. It is a program that balances iconic metropolises with authentic, lesser-known ports, creating a true sense of discovery.”
While Paradiso expects the new Asia program to resonate strongly with Western markets including Australia and New Zealand, he confirmed that the cruise line expects a “significant proportion” of guests to hail from Asia – specifically China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong.
“We have aligned our itineraries with cultural touchpoints such as Golden Week in Shanghai and Chinese New Year, and we will tailor the onboard experience with authentic cuisine, bilingual services and entertainment that reflects local traditions,” he shared.
The new Asia program will see EXPLORA III visit 47 destinations over 28 journeys – all new for the cruise line. These will include ports across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Overnight stays will be part of the offering in ports such as Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Naha (Japan), Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City and Bali. These aim to give guests the time to discover each destination in greater depth, according to the cruise line.
The season will also welcome the debut of EXPLORA V, the fifth ship in the fleet, which will set sail in December 2027 with an inaugural series of “Quiet Mediterranean” itineraries before heading east to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula to join EXPLORA I.
“This is a region most people associate with summer, yet there is extraordinary beauty in its quiet season – cooler temperatures, softer light, and a slower, more intimate pace,” Paradiso said of the new vessel’s Mediterranean itineraries. “Guests will be able to enjoy Dubrovnik or Istanbul without the summer crowds, and a real highlight will be experiencing Naples’ legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks from the sea.”
Meanwhile, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA IV will operate across the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The pair will visit 51 destinations in 30 countries and territories.
Between September 2027 and May 2028, Explora Journeys will sail close to 100 journeys worldwide, visiting nearly 200 destinations across 59 countries.
Although Australia and New Zealand do not feature in the new collection, Paradiso assured LATTE that both destinations are “very much on our radar”.
“Our long-term deployment plan is progressive and deliberate, and while I cannot give an exact date yet, the region will absolutely become part of the Explora Journeys story in the future,” he said.
