Explora Journeys is launching its first-ever world cruise, using the occasion of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) to reveal details.

Called Endless Worlds, the 128-day ‘inaugural world journey’ will be onboard Explora I, from 6 January to 14 May 2029 with an east-to-west itinerary covering 29 countries and 63 destinations on four continents.

Originating in Dubai, the cruise will be divided into seven segments, or ‘passages’ that can be sold individually or as a full world cruise. The voyage continues through India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, south-east Asia, Bali, Komodo, Oceania, and the Americas, before ending in Barcelona with European calls including Cadiz and the Azores.

Endless Worlds is seen as a key milestone in the expansion of Explora Journeys, which is the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group and currently has two ships and four more to come over the course of the next three years.
 

“We know our guests want to experience ever deeper explorations, and feedback has also shown clear interest in Explora Journeys creating a world cruise, so this is a natural progression for us,” said the line’s president Anna Nash. “It aligns both with guests’ aspirations and with our values as a brand to deliver thoughtful experiences. We have high expectations for how this will be welcomed.”

Nash added there would be a level playing field around access to reservations for the voyage, which will go on sale ‘early in 2026’.

The Endless Worlds voyage will also include Australia, which will be the first time the brand will have visited the continent with any of its ships.

“We’re so excited to take a ship to Australia – we know the market there is a very positive one, and this of course also allows more Australian travel partners to see the brand in their own country too,” said Nash.

ILTM this year has a huge cruise focus, including the development of a standalone pavilion dedicated to water-based travel and hospitality called The Sail.

“It was always our plan to reveal details of the world cruise at ILTM – our brand has been built on the trust of travel advisors, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to share the details at the show,” said Nash. “I really feel we have moved the brand forward significantly in the past year, so this is a perfect complement to that.”

New research by Altiant on the cruise sector will also be revealed at the show. Nash said: “Ocean travel needs to be taken seriously, so it’s great to see that being recognised at ILTM, where there’s a bigger presence than ever before.”

Explora Journeys’ new executive director for UK and Ireland Tate Husband will also be at the show – his first big trade event since taking up the post on 17 November. “We’re delighted to have Tate join the company, bringing his commercial vision and acumen from land-based hospitality, complementing the UK team and helping us widen out our market to non-cruise or travel channels,” said Nash.

Meanwhile, Nash added she was ‘extremely confident’ that Explora III would be ready on time, with July delivery even being bought forward by a week.

A Mediterranean Prelude to Explora III, a preview sailing from 24 to 29 July 2026, is on sale, offering a first glimpse of the ship before her inaugural Journey from Barcelona to Lisbon, 3-10 August.

“Sales demand for Explora III is strong and has been exceeding our expectations; we look forward to another sell-out season across the board in 2026,” said Nash.

“This is also a prime opportunity for UK travel advisors, with Explora III sailing out of Southampton,” she added.

In its inaugural season, Explora III will pass along the Atlantic coast of Portugal and France, continuing to the UK, Ireland and the Baltic Sea, before exploring Northern Europe.

Nash added a general trend to putting itineraries on sale two years in advance was really helpful for travel advisors, “giving them the tools they need to sell” and lots of “time for guests to anticipate a trip”.