Explora V Drops Red Sea Sailings for Winter Mediterranean Season

Explora Journeys will expand its European winter deployment in 2027-28, sending Explora V to the Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands after cancelling its Middle East itineraries for the season. The new ship’s revised programme runs from December 2027 through April 2028, replacing its planned Red Sea sailings.

The deployment includes the brand’s first call at Crotone, Italy, and late-night departures from Salerno, Livorno, Palma de Mallorca, Kotor and Ibiza.

“The Explora V will reveal a quieter, more atmospheric side of the Mediterranean in winter before continuing into the Atlantic Islands,” said Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys.

The opening part of the season will cover the Western Mediterranean and North Africa. Explora V will then sail to the Canary Islands and Madeira before returning to the Mediterranean for the final portion of the programme. Atlantic island calls include Los Cristianos on Tenerife and Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura.

Scheduled to enter service in 2027, the Fincantieri-built, LNG-powered Explora V will join the fleet of MSC Group’s luxury cruise brand. The 72,810-gross-ton ship will carry 922 passengers.

South America replaces Explora I’s Gulf programme

Explora I will move from its planned Arabian Gulf deployment to South America. The ship’s reassignment followed the evolving situation in the Middle East, and bookings for the revised sailings opened on September 9, 2026.

For its first full South American winter season, the company plans 10 itineraries covering 37 destinations, including 20 that will receive their first Explora calls. Seven- and eight-night voyages will visit Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, with departures from Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

The programme includes open-jaw sailings between those two cities, calling at destinations such as Ilhabela, Buzios, Montevideo and Punta del Este. Explora I is also scheduled to become the first cruise ship to anchor at Balneario Camboriu for the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display, according to Explora.

Two January 2028 itineraries will explore Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Those eight-night voyages include calls in the Falkland Islands, scenic cruising around Cape Horn and overnight stays at selected destinations.

Explora I will reach the region after an extended Mediterranean summer, crossing from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro on a 17-night voyage in December 2027. Its return crossing is scheduled to begin in mid-February, with a separate 17-night itinerary ending in Portugal.