MSC Explora 4

The 2027-built MSC Explora 4 cruise ship (officially "Explora IV") is the fourth in a series of six MSC EXPLORA-class expedition ships, with fleetmates Explora 1 (2023), Explora 2 (2024), Explora 3 (2026/sistership), Explora 5 (2027), and Explora 6 (2028). These vessels are owned by the MSC Group and operated as a separate fleet under MSC’s luxury brand EXPLORA JOURNEYS.

The vessel (IMO number 9869904) will be Malta-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Valletta. Delivery is currently scheduled for April 2026.

Compared to the original/initial design, Explora IV is longer (by 19 m) and bigger (by 8900 GT tons). This extra volume allows expanded public spaces, redesigned venues, additional amenities, larger staterooms, and space for advanced systems (including LNG propulsion/fuel infrastructure).

History – construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) – the world’s second-largest container shipping company. MSC is also the world’s largest privately owned cruise company.

By annual passenger volumes, MSC ranks as the world’s third-largest cruise shipowner, following Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group.

MSC’s EXPLORA ships offer extensive indoor public spaces and more than 2500 m2 (~27,000 ft2) of outdoor deck areas. Facilities include a spacious Sundeck with 64 private cabanas, three outdoor swimming pools (two aft and one forward), plus a midship pool covered by a retractable glass roof (two-deck sunbathing area, LED screen used for movies and real-time sea views); multiple Jacuzzies (indoor and outdoor spa pools/whirlpools, including one crew pool); and numerous open-air dining and lounging areas. Guests enjoy nine dining venues (restaurants and food bars) plus 24-hour in-suite dining.

Explora IV’s wellness complex exceeds 700 m2 (7500+ ft2) and includes an indoor-outdoor Spa (nine treatment rooms, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon) and a 270+ m2 (2900+ ft2) Gym equipped with the latest fitness technology, along with a separate Fitness Studio for group classes and personal training. A Running Track encircles the Deck 12 sunbathing area.

The public space per guest is calculated at 19,5 m2, which is among the industry's highest.

The 1,25 passenger-to-crew ratio ensures highly attentive service from a dedicated staff.

For additional details on the EXPLORA-class vessels, refer to the ship’s Wiki section.

Decks and cabins

All MSC Explora IV staterooms (463 total) are outside suites with private balconies.

Each suite features floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a step-out terrace. Standard suites range from 35–39 m2 / 375–420 ft2 (OCEAN TERRACE SUITE), with 28 m2 (300 ft2) indoors and 7–11 m2 (75–120 ft2) of balcony space.

The largest accommodation is the OWNER’S RESIDENCE (280 m2 / 3015 ft2), comprising 155 m2 (1670 ft2) of indoor space and a 125 m2 (1345 ft2) aft-facing wraparound balcony with an infinity whirlpool.

Cabin categories include the Owner’s Residences (2), Ocean Residences (39; including 2x COCOON, 2x SERENITY, 6x RETREAT, 29x COVE), Penthouses (100; including 11x GRAND, 65x PREMIER, 27x DELUXE, 6x PENTHOUSE), and Ocean Suites (296; including 70x Ocean GRAND TERRACE and 226x Ocean TERRACE).

The ship has 82 interconnecting staterooms (Family Suites) designed to accommodate families and small groups.

Complimentary “MSC Yacht Club” 24-hour butler services are provided to all Ocean Residences and Ocean Penthouses, including packing/unpacking, pressing and laundry assistance, room service coordination, itinerary and transportation planning, event planning, and reservation support onboard and ashore.

The ship has 13 decks, of which 11 are accessible to passengers and 5 contain accommodations.

MSC Explora Journeys fares include accommodations; dining at nine venues plus 24-hour room service; unlimited beverages (fine wines, premium liquors, specialty coffees/teas, soft drinks); complimentary in-suite mini-bar; access to Spa, Fitness, and training programs; gratuities; unlimited Wi-Fi; Welcome Aboard Gifts (flowers, chocolates, Champagne); premium shuttle transport (port–city); concierge service; twice-daily housekeeping (including turndown); and shoeshine service.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All public venues (restaurants, lounges, bars) feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic sea views. Sundecks are wind-protected with wraparound glass walls, furnished with premium outdoor furniture (three-seat sofas, padded loungers, double daybeds, deckchairs), and decorated with abundant live plants.

The onboard dining program is fully all-inclusive, offering flexible dining times and gourmet cuisine prepared with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients.

The ship offers 18 food and beverage venues, including 10 dining options (6 restaurants plus Chef’s Kitchen) and 12 bars and lounges (8 indoor, 4 outdoor). Wine selections vary by itinerary, with certified sommeliers providing pairing recommendations and boutique wine service.

The ship has 12x lifts (6x forward and 6x aft elevators), with additional floor access via indoor and outdoor staircases.

In-suite dining is available 24 hours a day.

Deck 3 houses the Aft Marina Deck (for launching watersports activities), the Marina Lounge & Bar, and two Tender Areas (port and starboard). Forward-starboard is the Infirmary/Medical Centre. The Marina Lounge & Bar is positioned at the stern of the vessel and serves as one of the public social spaces on that deck, offering drinks and seating near the Marina/tender facilities.

Deck 4 houses the Forward Lounge/Journeys Lounge (with a large stage and amphitheatrical seating), the Casino (gaming lounge fitted with table games and slot machines), the midship Lobby Hall (24-hour Guest Services/Reception Desk for assistance, Destination Experiences for information on and organizing of land tours and excursions), Lobby Bar, Boutiques (duty-free shops), and two restaurants - Med Yacht Club (Mediterranean-style) and Fil Rouge (International-style), with an adjacent Galley (kitchen and storage rooms for food and beverages).

The onboard shops include the first at-sea Rolex Boutique, opened through a partnership signed in June 2023. The boutique offers an extensive selection of Rolex models, including the Oyster Perpetual collection. Another premium retail venue is the “Watch and Jewelry Shop,” introduced in July 2023, offering Cartier, Panerai, and Piaget timepieces.

Deck 5 houses the Ocean Wellness complex (sized 700+ m2 / 7500+ ft2, an indoor-outdoor Spa consisting of 9x Treatment Rooms for massages, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon for manicures, pedicures, hairdresser and barber services), Chef's Kitchen and Anthology Restaurant, Crema Cafe (coffee lounge/patisserie), Marble & Co. Grill (steakhouse restaurant with a wine cellar), Art Gallery (original artworks on display, also hosts art auctions), MSC Foundation (Aponte family's not-for-profit organization that manages MSC Group's conservation and humanitarian activities), Sakura Restaurant (Pan-Asian/Japanese cuisine), the Astern Pool & Bar (Aft Lounge & Bar/live music entertainment daily, doubles as nightclub with a DJ programming), the Lower Aft Plunge Pool & Lounge (poolside bar lounge with nightly live music, with an outdoor swimming pool and sundeck).

Deck 6 forward is crew-only, with staff accommodations, Messhall (crew dining and lounge), and the crew sundeck (bow-facing, with a large Jacuzzi).

Deck 10 houses the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse (with adjacent Captain’s Suite and officers' quarters), the Fitness Center (270+ m2 / 2900+ ft2, Gym Room with Technogym equipment, a separate Fitness Studio for group classes and personal training sessions), the Atoll Pool & Bar (Upper Aft Pool & Lounge with a sundeck, an open-air Atoll Bar, an outdoor swimming pool, sunbathing area with daybeds and padded loungers).

Deck 11 (Lido Deck) houses the bow-facing Explora Lounge, Malt Whiskey & Cigar Bar (smoking-allowed venue with an Outdoor Cigar Lounge/terrace), Meeting Rooms, children's facilities (Nautilus Club Juniors and Nautilus Club Teens), the midship Conservatory Pool & Bar (main indoor swimming pool covered by a retractable glass roof, surrounding sunbathing area, two large Indoor Whirlpools/spa pools; the pool deck is served by the poolside bar Gelateria & Creperie/snacks and beverages, and the Emporium Marketplace/indoor Lido buffet with an aft terrace/outdoor seating). In the evenings, the Conservatory Pool & Bar/pool deck transforms into a Cinema for watching movies under the stars.

Deck 14 houses the aft "Sky Bar on 14" (fka Panorama Lounge/outdoor venue with a Whirlpool/Jacuzzi and sundeck), the Ocean Wellness Open Air Fitness & Sports Court (outdoor facility for playing basketball, volleyball, football, tennis), the Funnels (smokestacks), and the Retractable Glass-Roof (covering the main swimming pool on Deck 11). Deck 14 is accessed only via outdoor stairs.

Journey Together Gatherings (family program)

Introduced in May 2023, Explora Journeys’ “Journey Together Gatherings” is a multi-generational family program.

It includes a dedicated children’s lounge (Nautilus Club for kids and teens), destination-themed family experiences, and complimentary land-to-ship transfers.

The Nautilus Club offers supervised, age-specific activities for children aged 6–17, including interactive gaming (PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox), sports tournaments, workshops, and games. The club has its own heated pools and Sports Court.

Each EXPLORA ship offers 82 interconnecting staterooms (for families with children) across three categories: Ocean Suite, Ocean Penthouse, and Ocean Residence. One minor (under 18) per family cabin sails free.

Infants and toddlers (6–23 months) cruise free, while children aged 2–17 receive a 50% fare reduction.

Itineraries

MSC Explora Journeys’ itinerary program (from 2027) is centered on 7-night / 8-day European voyages (Mediterranean, Baltic/Norway, Iceland), featuring lesser-visited ports, extended port stays (non-standard arrival/departure times), and numerous overnights to enhance shore-side experiences.

The Maiden Voyage is scheduled for April 15, 2027, departing from Genoa. The inaugural itinerary (“A Journey of Cultural Gems and Golden Shores”) visits Marseille, Barcelona, Malaga, Tangier (Morocco), Cadiz-Seville, and ends in Lisbon.

The inaugural season includes the following itineraries:

• “A Journey of Coastal Charm and Enchanting Horizons” (Lisbon to Southampton)
• “A Journey through Striking Shorelines and Fjordland Wonders” (Southampton to Copenhagen)
• “A Journey through Nordic Charms and Baltic Treasures” (Copenhagen roundtrip)
• “A Journey of Coastal Allure and Artistic Marvels” (Copenhagen to Southampton)
• “A Journey through Nordic Discoveries and Geothermal Wonders” (Southampton to Reykjavik)
• “A Journey through Serene Shores and Natural Marvels” (Reykjavik to Southampton)
• “A Journey of Breathtaking Arctic Wilderness and Mystical Norwegian Scenery” (Southampton roundtrip to Norway)
• “A Journey of Lace Streets, Glacial Fjords and Wild Coastline” (Southampton to Copenhagen)
• “A Journey of Charming Villages and Glorious Waterside Scenery” (Copenhagen to Southampton)
• “A Journey through Scenic Fjords and Enriching Discovery” (Southampton to Copenhagen)
• “A Journey of Nordic Sensory Wonders and Wild Mountain Ranges” (Copenhagen roundtrip to Norway)
• “A Journey of Enchanting Capitals and Natural Havens” (Copenhagen roundtrip to Scandinavia)
• “A Journey through Vibrant Cultural Treasures and Historic Marvels” (Copenhagen to Southampton)
• “A Journey of Beguiling Landscapes and Endless Enchantment” (Southampton to Copenhagen)
• “A Journey through Canalside Allure and Scenic Coastal Delights” (Copenhagen to Southampton)
• “A Journey of Enthralling Natural Beauty and Icelandic Wonders” (Southampton to Reykjavik)
• (Sep 4) “A Journey through Spectacular Waters and Nordic Coastal Contours” (Transatlantic: Reykjavik to Quebec City)
• “A Journey from Coastal Mystique to Dynamic Cityscapes” (Quebec City to New York City)
• “A Journey through Ocean Mists and Radiant Island Tranquillity” (New York City to Quebec City)
• (Oct 25) “A Journey from Forested Shores to Glittering Horizons” (Quebec City to Miami)