In many ways, luxury cruises parallel what the superyacht community values: exploration and cultural immersion beyond the obvious and service beyond the standard. For superyacht owners and charterers, Explora Journeys provides ocean-going vessels that deliver yacht-like service, visiting destinations rich in culture and variety while offering the convenience and all-inclusive comfort of a luxury cruise brand.
When Explora Journeys announced its 2027-2028 Journeys collection, it not only added new itineraries to its portfolio but also opened the door to Asia.
This next chapter takes the luxury ocean travel brand’s yacht-style sensibility and lifts it into one of the most fascinating and layered parts of the world, where ancient traditions and 21st-century skylines coexist, where food becomes ceremony and where coastlines are kaleidoscopes of nature.
The 2027-28 Asia Journeys
Guests can explore this wondrous region on board the brand’s EXPLORA III ship. While there are 463 ocean-facing suites, multiple restaurants and bars and a guest-to-host ratio of around 1.25:1, the experience delivers a boutique-yacht ambience.
On board, the all-inclusive trips feature unlimited fine beverages, signature culinary experiences, thermal spa access, wellbeing and fitness programmes, shuttle services from each port to the city centre and a welcome bottle of champagne on arrival.
From September 2027 to May 2028, guests can choose from 28 immersive voyages on board EXPLORA III, featuring 49 destinations across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, all of which are maiden calls for the brand. Overnight stays include Hong Kong, Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bali (Indonesia), Naha (Japan) and Osaka (Japan).
This means that guests can enjoy the very best the region has to offer, including the autumn foliage in Miyako Island or Ishigaki Island, Japan's spring cherry-blossom season in Shimizu, Tokyo or Toba, and onboard Chinese New Year celebrations in January 2028.
As Explora Journeys’ president, Anna Nash, states: “The introduction of Asia is a landmark moment for our brand and for our guests. It reflects not only our ambition to continually expand our horizons but also our deep respect for the cultural richness and natural beauty of this remarkable region.”
What makes the region sing
Asia sits between two vast oceans, the Indian to the west and the Pacific to the east, and between those waters rises a geography rich in island nations, mainland cultures and millennia-old traditions. In this region, you’ll find mists drifting through Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, the dramatic karsts of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, the rice terraces of Bali, the pop-culture pulse of Tokyo and the artisan heritage of Kyoto.
For guests accustomed to luxury, the question is no longer simply where, but how deeply and how meaningfully. Choosing Asia, Explora Journeys signals an ambition to offer not just “another cruise”, but experiences that reflect the beauty and complexity of the continent.
From wok-driven street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants, sashimi in Tokyo to pho in Vietnam and bibimbap in Busan, Asia is a foodie’s heaven. Think fresh tuna, soup dumplings, satay, sake in Kyoto and marbled beef in Singapore.
The landscapes of Asia are equally hypnotic. Thailand’s islands reveal caves, coral gardens and karsts sculpted over millennia, while Japan’s tropical Miyako Islands feature serene temples and powder-soft shorelines. These natural wonders complement some of the world's most influential civilisations, where ancient traditions like tea ceremonies, geisha customs and artisan crafts continue to thrive in modern society. This rhythm of life beautifully reflects Explora Journeys’ ethos of achieving an "Ocean State of Mind” - a sense of calm inspired by the sea.
Life on board EXPLORA III
Imagine arriving at your suite on board EXPLORA III, greeted with a welcome bottle of champagne and a personal host. From the deck, you watch Asia’s skylines glide by, knowing you’ll dock in a port where you’ll have not just a few rushed hours, but an overnight stay to truly engage.
In Tokyo, you savour the contrast of ultra-modern architecture with the calm of a temple garden. In Japan’s Miyako Islands, you seek serenity in tropical island temples. On Jeju, you contemplate volcanic landscapes, and then in Singapore, you dive into vibrant food halls and urban nightlife.
Each overnight stay means you have the time to wander, sit at street-side markets with locals, join a tea ceremony, pause at reflection pools and simply absorb the culture. And back on board, you return to concierge-level service, fine dining, spas, fitness, heated pools, bars and lounges.
For the discerning guest who craves comfort, culture and conscious travel experiences, these trips deliver. And for those who value superyacht-level service, the opportunity to board EXPLORA III and explore Asia may feel very much like coming home.
To book your Asia trip with Explora Journeys on board EXPLORA III, visit www.explorajourneys.com.
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