Explora Journeys sets course for luxury river cruising
The MSC-owned cruise brand has signed a letter of intent with Den Breejen Shipyard, with sales expected to begin in 2027.
Explora Journeys has announced plans to expand into river cruising. The MSC-owned brand said it signed a letter of intent with Dutch builder Den Breejen Shipyard for its first luxury river vessels.
The company plans to disclose ship designs, onboard offerings, delivery timelines and inaugural itineraries at a later date. Sales are scheduled to open in 2027. The announcement follows the summer launch of Explora III, described as the brand’s third cruise ship.
Explora Journeys would join several cruise and travel companies expanding into European river voyages. Lindblad Expeditions began Rhine sailings aboard Connect, a new vessel with capacity for 120 passengers. Trafalgar also introduced Rhine and Danube cruises using two 128-passenger luxury ships from sister company Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
Celebrity Cruises is also expected to enter the Rhine market and has outlined plans for a 20-ship river fleet by 2031. Its first vessel, Celebrity Compass, floated out at the Zwijnenburg shipyard in Rotterdam earlier in the month covered by the report.