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The top suites on this super-swanky new cruise ship will cost $9,000 a night

Nov. 29, 2022
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4 min read
2EXPLORA I_Exterior View_13_compressed
The top suites on this super-swanky new cruise ship will cost $9,000 a night
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Would you pay $9,000 a night for a cruise on a ship that hasn't even debuted yet? A new luxury line launching in 2023 is betting on it.

Explora Journeys, a new luxury cruise brand, has set the fares for its upcoming sailings, and they are sky-high in some cases. On some voyages, the largest and most lavish suites will set you back nearly $9,000 per night for two people.

Even basic cabins on early sailings will cost around $1,000 per night.

That'll put the ship among the most expensive at sea, with pricing that compares to Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest vessels. (On Regent's newest ships, the top Regent Suite sells for $11,000 a night for two people.)

Explora Journeys' first ship, the 922-passenger Explora I, is set to embark on a 15-night maiden voyage on July 17, 2023, sailing from Southampton, England, to the Norwegian fjords on its way to the Arctic Circle before ending the sailing in Copenhagen. Fares start at a whopping $19,400 per room with some suites selling for $36,100.

So, what else can you expect in terms of itineraries and pricing? I checked both the highest and lowest fares for five random sailings in 2023 and 2024, and this is what I found.

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  • Canada/New England: Oct. 13, 2023, seven-night voyage; balcony from $7,200 ($1,029 per night for two people), Owner's Suite from $52,200 ($7,458 per night for two people).
  • Caribbean: Nov. 3, 2023, seven-night voyage; balcony from $5,900 ($843 per night for two people), Owner's Suite from $42,600 ($6,086 per night for two people).
  • South America: Jan. 31, 2024, 16-night voyage; balcony from $16,400 ($1,025 per night for two people), Owner's Suite from $118,700 ($7,419 per night for two people).
  • Alaska: May 28, 2024, 10-night voyage; balcony from $12,100 ($1,210 per night for two people), Owner's Suite from $87,600 ($8,760 per night for two people).
  • Pacific Coast: Aug. 20, 2024, seven-night voyage; balcony from $7,700 ($1,100 per night for two people), Owner's Suite from $55,700 ($7,958 per night for two people).

While the fares may seem high, this is one line where you'll be getting a lot for your money. The fares include crew gratuities, alcohol, Wi-Fi, a free bottle of Champagne and choice of spirits for in-cabin consumption, free dining at nine onboard venues, fitness classes and shuttle service to the city center in each port (where available).

Explora Journeys, which currently has six vessels on order (including Explora I), will offer cruises to a wide variety of locations in 2023 and 2024, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, Canada/New England, Iceland and Greenland, the Caribbean, South America, the Pacific Coast and Hawaii, and Alaska.

The first four ships on order for the line, set to begin sailing in 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2027, will have 461 all-suite cabins designed to feel like oceanfront penthouses.

Explora I will have 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.

Explora Journeys is operated by the MSC Group, which is also the parent company of MSC Cruises. The move into the luxury space is a natural evolution for most cruise line conglomerates. All of the other major cruise companies have their own luxury brands already, with Carnival Corp. running Seabourn, Royal Caribbean Group owning Silversea Cruises and owning a piece of German luxury line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings operating Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.