Explora Journeys Plans Luxury River Ships, With Sales Opening in 2027
Explora Journeys has signed a letter of intent for its first luxury river ships. Sales are planned for 2027, but routes and launch dates remain unannounced.
Explora Journeys plans to enter European river cruising, extending the MSC Group luxury brand beyond its ocean fleet. The company has announced a letter of intent with Dutch builder Den Breejen Shipyard for its first luxury river ships, with sales planned to open in 2027.
The announcement establishes the brand’s direction but leaves most practical details undisclosed. Explora has not specified how many ships it intends to build, their passenger capacities, delivery dates or the rivers they will sail. The 2027 sales target is therefore a booking milestone, not a confirmed date for the first voyage.
Explora says it intends to adapt its Ocean State of Mind philosophy to river travel, carrying over an emphasis on European hospitality, design and discovery. Ship layouts, dining, wellness facilities and other onboard experiences have yet to be revealed, so travelers will need to wait before comparing the product with established luxury river operators.
The move follows the introduction of Explora III this summer and adds another dimension to a brand that began operating in 2023. Its ocean expansion remains underway, with a six-ship fleet planned through 2028. River cruising would give the company a separate way to reach travelers interested in inland destinations and smaller vessels.
Explora joins several recognizable travel brands expanding into the sector. Celebrity Cruises is preparing for its river debut in 2027, and Celebrity Compass recently completed its float-out. Celebrity has outlined plans for 20 river ships by 2031, illustrating the scale of investment arriving from companies already established in ocean cruising.
Other newcomers are approaching the market from different backgrounds. Trafalgar introduced river sailings this year, while National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has begun European river operations and announced a second ship for 2027. Together, these developments are widening the range of brands available to travelers considering a river vacation.
For travel advisors, Explora’s plans create a potential future option for clients who already know its ocean product. However, the announcement does not establish whether river fares will follow the same inclusions, booking conditions or onboard service model. Those details will matter when assessing value and matching the ships to different travelers. Pricing will also be a key consideration once reservations become available.
The next announcements should make the proposition more concrete: vessel designs, delivery schedules and initial itineraries are all still to come. For now, the letter of intent signals Explora’s ambition to become an ocean and river brand, with the first opportunity to book expected next year.
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