From a crossing of the North Atlantic to the rare cruise dedicated to the most anticipated solar eclipse of the century, the ship Explora III is ready to sail for the summer with immersive and memorable experiences both at sea and in the destinations it will visit along its itineraries dedicated to northern destinations.
On board the first LNG-powered vessel of the Explora Journeys fleet, guests will thus come into contact with Nordic and North American cultural heritage: here are the exclusive stops of these summer luxury cruises (and how much they cost).
The Summer Stops of the Luxury Cruise
The inaugural voyages of Explora III depart on 3 August 2026 and weave together many destinations into a comprehensive itinerary that traverses Northern Europe, the Atlantic via Greenland, and reaches North America: an elegant northern arc between extraordinary landscapes and culturally fascinating destinations, with no itinerary repetition and with extended durations that ensure a deeper connection with the places explored. The embarkation points have also been strategically chosen near major regional hubs, such as Southampton and Hamburg, to depart conveniently.
Thus one can start from Barcelona and stop in Lisbon, to reach the majesty of the Norwegian fjords. Here guests can explore the charm of small towns like Mandal aboard quiet electric boats, or visit family-run orchards overlooking the Fisterfjord, or go up the Loen Skylift near the brilliant Briksdal Glacier to admire breathtaking panoramas of one of Europe’s most spectacular glacial landscapes.
The cruises also call at Ireland, offering the chance to marvel at the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway and the scenic sites along the Wild Atlantic Way. The North Europe itineraries bring new ports of call for the summer, including Bergen, Flåm, Riga, and Tallinn.
Thus we touch the most beautiful cities of Scandinavia, before crossing the Atlantic towards Iceland, Greenland with its remote and spectacular landscapes carved by ice, the Maritime Provinces of Canada, and the white beaches of Prince Edward Island. But not only that, along the Canadian coasts guests will experience many adventures between kayaking and hikes along the Cabot Trail, visit the windy Maddalena Islands and the pristine Mingan Archipelago.
Continuing south, the season will conclude along the picturesque Atlantic coast, transformed by the vibrant autumn colors. Guests will discover the forested shores and river canyons of New England, along with unmissable stops like New York City before the ship’s grand arrival against the tropical backdrop of Miami.
The August 12 Solar Eclipse
One of the rarest and most incredible stops of the Explora III voyage is the chance to witness the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, the first visible from Europe in 27 years.
An experience accompanied by an exceptional program of illustrious guests and cultural experiences: on August 10 the onboard will be the science communicator, adventurer and content creator Huw James, to share exclusive insights ahead of the event; the following day, Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, will give a talk on the wonders of the cosmos and her pioneering experience in space; from August 22 to 25 (during the Bergen to Copenhagen leg) Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Oceans, will be present to recount his feats as an extreme swimmer and advocate for marine conservation.
Prices and How to Book
Prices for Explora III cruises vary depending on the chosen destinations and the duration of the voyage: starting from about €3,840 per person for a 7-day trip between Copenhagen and Southampton in early September, or about €5,000 for a 9-night journey between Quebec and New York. The trips are bookable online on the company’s official page.
