Explora II - Red Sea & Arabian Gems: Jeddah to Dubai

9 Nights|4 Ports|4 Sea Days

Explora II opens its debut Red Sea season with this 9-night ocean journey from Jeddah to Dubai, pairing an overnight in Saudi Arabia's historic gateway with the frankincense coast of Oman. Part of the line's first-ever Arabian Peninsula winter program, sailing December 2026.

Luxury TravelersCulture SeekersBucket List Travelers

Price Range

$$$$

Luxury

DepartureJeddah, Saudi Arabia

Dress CodeCountry Club Casual

MealsIncluded

WiFiIncluded

*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Explora Journeys before booking.

Ship Details — Explora II

View full Explora II details

Year Built

2024

Tonnage

63,900 GT

Passengers

922

Crew

640

Decks

Class

Explora Class

Itinerary & Route Map

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Onboard Amenities

461 ocean-front suites, all with private terraces

Four pools including a retractable-roof conservatory pool

64 private cabanas across the pool decks

Ocean Wellness spa and thermal area

Anthology guest-chef fine-dining restaurant

Marble & Co. Grill European steakhouse

Sakura pan-Asian restaurant

Fil Rouge French-inspired restaurant

Emporium Marketplace made-to-order market dining

Med Yacht Club restaurant and lounge

Malt Whisky Bar with rare vintages

Crema Cafe

Astern outdoor pool and bar

Chef's Kitchen cooking studio

Fitness center with open-air sports court

Small casino

Cruise Highlights

Overnight in Jeddah to explore UNESCO-listed Al-Balad old town

Call at Salalah, heart of Oman's ancient frankincense trade

Cruise the fjord-like khors of the Musandam Peninsula from Khasab

Arrive beneath Dubai's skyline after rounding the Strait of Hormuz

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

See the full Explora II ship page — all 16 pros & cons, review & FAQs

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