Explora Journeys Plans First Luxury River Ships in Europe
Sales are expected to open in 2027, but Explora has not said when sailings will begin or disclosed the number of ships, rivers or ports.
Explora Journeys announced on September 24, 2026, that it has signed a letter of intent with Dutch builder Den Breejen Shipyard for its first luxury river ships, setting out MSC Group’s planned entry into European river cruising. The agreement follows reports in July that MSC Group was evaluating a river operation through Explora. Sales are expected to open in 2027, but the brand has not announced when passenger operations will begin.
Explora has not disclosed the number of vessels covered by the agreement or identified any rivers, ports or destinations. Vessel dimensions, passenger capacity, accommodation and onboard facilities also remain unannounced. Designs, delivery dates and opening itineraries will be released later.
The company said it intends to apply its approach to European hospitality and design to the river ships. The announcement did not set out specific onboard experiences or explain how the river product would differ from its ocean offering.
Den Breejen has built river vessels for Avalon Waterways, Scenic and Emerald. The yard is also constructing ships for Transcend Cruises’ group and conference business.
Three ocean ships in service, three more to come
Explora took delivery of Explora III in July. It joins Explora I and Explora II, introduced in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Fincantieri is building the six-ship ocean program in Italy. Explora IV and Explora V are both due in 2027, with Explora IV arriving early in the year. Explora VI completes the program in August 2028.
Other entrants establish European river operations
Celebrity Cruises has 20 river ships on order, with its first two due in 2027 and the balance expected by 2031. Its initial program includes the Rhine and Danube, and voyages for 2027 and 2028 are already on sale. Celebrity’s first river vessel, Celebrity Compass, floated out at the Zwijnenburg shipyard in Rotterdam earlier in September and is scheduled to begin Rhine operations in August 2027.
Lindblad Expeditions began European river sailings this year on the Rhine aboard the 120-passenger Connect. Land-tour operator Trafalgar also started Rhine and Danube cruises in the spring, using two 128-passenger ships from sister company Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
The European river market comprised 386 ships and carried 1.49 million passengers in 2025, according to trade association IG RiverCruise. Germany and the United States were its largest passenger source markets.
