MSC Cruises, known for its vast fleet of mega-ships and European flair, surprised the cruise world by launching Explora Journeys—a high-end, small luxury ship line designed to rival the world’s top cruise brands. Explora was initially conceived as an entire ship built around the concept of MSC’s Yacht Club experience: intimate, luxurious, and worlds apart from the gigantic vessels MSC is famed for building. But how does Explora stack up against MSC’s Yacht Club, and what makes the two experiences distinct? Let’s break it down.
The Origins: Explora as the “Yacht Club Ship”
The concept behind Explora Journeys was to take what made the Yacht Club successful—a “ship within a ship” luxury concept—and expand it to create an entire vessel built around the same exclusive philosophy. While the Yacht Club offers a private, all-inclusive experience within MSC’s larger ships, Explora Journeys aims to make every guest on board feel special. Rumour has it that the Aponte family, who owns MSC, envisioned three distinct areas on Explora where passengers could relax all day long, free from the crowds typical of MSC’s larger vessels.
In contrast, on a Yacht Club cruise, only a small section of the ship’s guests are treated to that elite, personalised service. This exclusivity gives Yacht Club passengers a sense of uniqueness that, in some ways, can feel diluted on Explora, where everyone is treated as a VIP.
Embarkation: Smaller Ship, Smoother Process
One of the major draws of Explora Journeys is the smaller, more intimate size of the ship, which brings with it several benefits—especially when it comes to embarkation and disembarkation. Even with the Yacht Club’s dedicated butler escort through embarkation, the sheer size of MSC’s mega-ships means you’re still dealing with thousands of other passengers, making the process slower and more crowded.
On Explora, with fewer passengers and a smaller ship, there are naturally shorter queues and fewer delays during embarkation and disembarkation. This adds to the sense of exclusivity and ease, allowing you to start and end your journey with minimal fuss.
Dining and Service: MSC Yacht Club vs. Explora
One key difference between the two offerings is the dining experience upon embarkation. On MSC Yacht Club cruises, there is usually a dedicated Yacht Club restaurant where you can enjoy a civilised, sit-down meal as soon as you step onboard. It’s a small but significant perk that sets the Yacht Club apart from the hustle and bustle of embarkation day.
In contrast, Explora Journeys doesn’t offer this specific feature, and while the dining experience is premium overall, the lack of a dedicated waiter-service restaurant on embarkation can feel like a missed opportunity for an extra touch of luxury.
Once onboard, Explora shines when it comes to wines and spirits, offering a much more premium selection compared to MSC Yacht Club. On Explora, the entire dining and drinking experience is elevated to a higher standard, with a particular focus on showcasing the finer things. Speciality restaurants, bars, and even the onboard boutiques are noticeably more upscale than those on MSC’s Yacht Club, catering to a clientele seeking something more refined.
Butler Service: A Key Difference in Personal Attention
In the Yacht Club, each guest enjoys the service of both a butler and a cabin attendant, ensuring that your every need is met, whether it’s unpacking your suitcase, making dining reservations, or simply restocking your minibar. This dedicated service is one of the standout features of the Yacht Club, making passengers feel truly special.
However, on Explora, only the higher categories of suites come with a butler. For guests in base-level suites, you’ll have a cabin attendant (host) but not the additional, personalised touch of a butler. This is a notable difference, as it means that Yacht Club guests receive a higher level of personal service across the board, regardless of their suite category.
Deck Areas and Design: Luxury on Both, But with Different Vibes
Both Explora and MSC Yacht Club boast stunning deck areas, but the smaller, more intimate ship design of Explora gives it a distinct edge. The deck spaces on Explora are undeniably beautiful, with carefully curated areas designed to make the most of the ship’s smaller size and exclusive feel. In contrast, while the Yacht Club’s One Pool Deck offers privacy, it’s still part of a much larger ship with busier public areas.
Entertainment is another area where the larger MSC ships may appeal to those seeking more variety. With more venues and activities, the bigger ships open up a wide array of entertainment options, from large theatre productions to lively poolside events. However, the downside is that they are likely to be busy, and you may find yourself competing for space at popular shows or lounges.
Ports of Call: Unique Destinations on Explora
The size of the ship also plays a big role in ports of call. Explora is able to visit smaller, more unique ports that the larger MSC vessels simply can’t access due to their size. This means that Explora passengers often get to experience more off-the-beaten-path destinations, offering a more curated and adventurous itinerary compared to the typical stops on an MSC cruise.
In contrast, MSC’s larger ships—even with the exclusivity of the Yacht Club—tend to visit the usual cruise destinations, which can feel a bit repetitive for seasoned travellers. So, if unique ports are high on your priority list, Explora is likely to offer a more interesting and diverse itinerary.
Conclusion: Yacht Club Exclusivity vs. Explora All-Inclusivity
In many ways, MSC Yacht Club and Explora Journeys offer luxury cruising experiences, but they cater to slightly different needs. The Yacht Club provides an exclusive experience within a larger ship, offering personal service, private spaces, and a clear distinction between Yacht Club guests and the rest of the ship. You’ll have more entertainment options, but you’ll also share the ship with thousands of other passengers.
On the other hand, Explora Journeys makes everyone feel special—an all-inclusive luxury ship that is smaller and more intimate, offering higher-end dining, wines, and spirits, but without the sense of being part of an exclusive group like the Yacht Club. While the smaller ship offers unique destinations and fewer queues, it lacks certain perks like a dedicated butler in base suites or a special embarkation restaurant.
Ultimately, the decision between MSC Yacht Club and Explora Journeys comes down to personal preference. If you love the idea of a private enclave within a mega-ship, with all the additional entertainment and dining options at your fingertips, the Yacht Club might be your ideal choice. But if you’re seeking a fully immersive, luxury cruise experience with smaller crowds and more unique ports, Explora Journeys could be the perfect fit for your next voyage.
