Explora II - Arabian Crossings: Dubai to Jeddah
Explora II's 8-night February 2027 crossing from Dubai to Jeddah links the Gulf's glass towers with the Red Sea, calling at Muscat and Salalah before four restorative ocean days past the Horn of Africa and up the Saudi coast.
Price Range
$$$$
Luxury
*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Explora Journeys before booking.
Ship Details — Explora II
View full Explora II detailsYear Built
2024
Tonnage
63,900 GT
Passengers
922
Crew
640
Decks
14
Class
Explora Class
Itinerary & Route Map
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Onboard Amenities
Cruise Highlights
About the Ship
What Travelers Say About Explora II
Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Explora II sailing. Based on 70 discussions.
Explora II is the second ship from Explora Journeys, MSC Group's luxury start-up, and it doubles down on the brand's 'ocean state of mind' pitch: all-suite, all-ocean-front accommodation, four pools, no formal nights and a deliberately unhurried atmosphere. In service since August 2024, it has accumulated enough reviews to show a clear pattern - near-universal praise for the hardware and design, with a more contested verdict on whether the operation consistently delivers luxury-line service.
What People Love
- All 461 suites face the ocean with private terraces, and entry-level suites start around 377 sq ft - bigger than most lines' top balconies
- Emporium Marketplace reinvents the buffet: nearly everything is cooked a la minute at chef stations rather than sitting in trays
- Four pools for 922 guests - including a glass-roofed conservatory pool - mean a lounger is never in question
Common Complaints
- Service polish is inconsistent for the price - reviewers report brilliant crew in some venues and untrained, slow service in others
- Food quality divides guests: some meals rate as exceptional, others as surprisingly ordinary for a line built around dining
- Entertainment is minimal by design - a lounge singer or duo most nights - which some guests find too quiet even for luxury