Seatrade article on Explora Journeys 2025-2026 itineraries

[Stickman1990]

Interesting how things are positioned in this Seatrade article 

 

To me it’s all a bit of a mess and there is a distinct lack of clarity on their mid to later 2025, let alone 2026 plans 

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ports-destinations/explora-i-and-ii-sailings-through-april-2026-announced?

[CruiseCrew123]

Brave person that books an Explorer cruise that far out

[Stickman1990]

1 hour ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Brave person that books an Explorer cruise that far out

Not really - you can’t even book air or hotels that far out so it’s very low risk in terms of only 10% deposit with (for us) a 40% discount - for me that’s a good deal worth doing 

[frankhi]

1 hour ago, Stickman1990 said:

Not really - you can’t even book air or hotels that far out so it’s very low risk in terms of only 10% deposit with (for us) a 40% discount - for me that’s a good deal worth doing 

I agree, and hotel reservations have always been easy to cancel. For several years now, airline reservations have been refundable too. Even Explora's $200 cancelation fee is available to use as a future cruise credit. The sale is just too good to pass up. I hope the extended schedule becomes available at sale prices.

[CruiseCrew123]

Well I’m on my third revised cruise so far and it’s not till next September- I’ll pass !

[SummmerInKefalonia]

Can actually anyone see the itineraries for summer 2025 and after?

The only cruises I see they go until May 2025.

[Stickman1990]

12 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

Can actually anyone see the itineraries for summer 2025 and after?

The only cruises I see they go until May 2025.

No - same here - I couldn’t reconcile the headline of the article with reality (now there’s something new - not!)

 

Hopefully the 2025/2026 itineraries are put soon - now just how solid they are is another matter altogether

[frankhi]

Today I see dates through March 2026 and on sale too!

[CruiseCrew123]

Only till Dec 25 in the uk 

[Stickman1990]

19 minutes ago, frankhi said:

Today I see dates through March 2026 and on sale too!

 

Thanks - I can see out to a cruising ending 10 April 2026 from here in Australia

 

The listings right now ( I think they've just been loaded) are a bit of a dogs breakfast with many having the same route map (of a Med tour) as opposed to the correct one

 

 

I'm afraid the Explora website is vying for the title of one of the worst to navigate and find information out from - fingers crossed it improves as I have to ask my TA for a lot of the basic info to try and make comparisons and understand just what is on offer

Edited December 6, 2023 by Stickman1990

[PaulMCO]

Talk about boring itineraries.  Probably have to wait until Explora III and IV before they venture away form same old boring Med and Caribbean.   Even repeating the same Middle East cruises which will likely change if 2024 sailings don't do well.

Edited December 6, 2023 by PaulMCO

[Waltershipman]

17 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

No - same here - I couldn’t reconcile the headline of the article with reality (now there’s something new - not!)

 

Hopefully the 2025/2026 itineraries are put soon - now just how solid they are is another matter altogether

Spoke with my TA yesterday and he was only able to see as you report

[joseph123]

I recieved an email a few days ago that there will be an itinerary change for the Caribbean cruise I booked for Feb 14-21, 2025 on the Explora II. Not sure what that will mean. It said information will be forthcoming?

[peder]

They're already changing the Feb 14th sailing? Didn't they just announce it?

Edited December 7, 2023 by peder

[joseph123]

Yes. I just booked it on Black Friday. The same itinerary is still listed on the website, so not sure what will be changed.

[Lord Haw Haw]

I struggle to see how they will manage to obtain enough bookings on Explora 1 to justify four months in the middle east from November 2025 to February 2026, maybe I'm wrong but I think in the current climate many travellers would be hesitant. 

[Nunagoras]

1 hour ago, Lord Haw Haw said:

I struggle to see how they will manage to obtain enough bookings on Explora 1 to justify four months in the middle east from November 2025 to February 2026, maybe I'm wrong but I think in the current climate many travellers would be hesitant. 

It is for the 2025-26 winter season with tons of Russians still with access to the UAE. They'll perhaps to do great with that client base. If things would be set to degrade at the region they'll likely to redeploy again.