Explora Journeys Plans European River Cruise Debut With Den Breejen
Den Breejen Shipyard has previously served Scenic, Emerald and Avalon Waterways, while Explora has not disclosed vessel numbers or a first-service date.
Explora Journeys has signed a letter of intent with Dutch builder Den Breejen Shipyard for its first luxury river cruise vessels for the European market. The MSC Group brand announced the agreement on September 24, 2026, and plans to open sales in 2027.
The proposed river operation would expand the Geneva-based company beyond ocean cruising, which it entered in 2023. Explora has not disclosed how many ships the agreement covers or when the first vessel will enter service.
Den Breejen’s previous river-cruise customers include Scenic, Emerald and Avalon Waterways. Explora has not released ship dimensions, passenger capacities or accommodation details for the proposed vessels.
The company intends to carry elements of its ocean luxury offering into the river operation. Explora has indicated that the vessels will sail on well-known European rivers but has not named individual waterways or destinations. Ship designs, onboard facilities, handover schedules and initial itineraries are to be announced later.
The letter of intent follows reports in July that MSC Group was evaluating a European river cruise business through Explora. At that point, the company had not officially confirmed the plans or announced a shipbuilding agreement.
Celebrity Cruises is further along with its own entry into river cruising. Celebrity River Cruises is scheduled to launch in August 2027, with the Rhine and Danube among its initial destinations. Voyages for both 2027 and 2028 are on sale.
Celebrity has 20 river ships on order. The first two are scheduled for delivery in 2027, with the remainder expected by 2031. Explora has not indicated whether it intends to pursue a comparable fleet size.
Explora’s ocean fleet currently comprises Explora I, Explora II and Explora III, the latest of which arrived in 2026. Three further ocean vessels are scheduled to join through 2028. Explora IV is due in early 2027, followed by Explora V and Explora VI.
