Explora Journeys vs Oceania Cruises

The core difference

Explora Journeys and Oceania Cruises compete more directly than most pairings in this segment. Both target the discerning luxury traveller who prefers casual elegance over formal cruise traditions. Both offer premium drinks and culinary-forward dining. Both operate mid-size ships that feel intimate without being tiny. And both attract a demographic that values substance over spectacle.

The difference is philosophy — and vintage.

Explora is the newcomer with a point to prove. Launched in July 2023 by the MSC Group, it was designed from scratch to challenge conventions. The “ocean living” concept rejects traditional cruise culture in favour of a European residential aesthetic — natural materials, muted earth tones, open social spaces, and a 7,500-square-foot thermal spa included for all guests. Two ships operate now (922 guests each), with four more arriving by 2028. The dining programme features nine venues including Anthology, which changes its entire menu daily based on the ship’s destination. The atmosphere is contemporary, cosmopolitan, and deliberately un-cruise-like.

Oceania is the establishment with a reputation to defend. Operating since 1998, the line’s identity rests on a single claim: “The Finest Cuisine at Sea.” Jacques Pépin — former personal chef to three French heads of state and Oceania’s Executive Culinary Director since 2003 — oversees up to ten dining venues per ship. The Culinary Center on O-class ships is a professional teaching kitchen with eighteen workstations. Under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings alongside Regent and Norwegian, Oceania carries 684 to 1,250 guests in a Country Club Casual atmosphere that has not changed in over two decades. The ships are older but the product is proven.

For Australian travellers, the practical difference is immediate. Oceania sails from Sydney. Explora does not — and will not until 2029 at the earliest. That single fact shapes every other consideration.

What is actually included

Both lines include premium drinks and gratuities — but the specifics diverge in ways that affect total cost.

Oceania’s Your World Included programme covers all speciality restaurant dining without surcharges (ten venues on O-class ships), shipboard gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, speciality coffees and non-alcoholic beverages, laundry services, and group fitness classes. Guests choose one amenity: either complimentary wine and beer by the glass during meals or a shore excursion credit. La Reserve by Wine Spectator and Privée carry surcharges.

Explora’s fare includes premium spirits, wines, and cocktails, Starlink Wi-Fi, all gratuities, complimentary thermal spa access (sauna, steam room, vitality pool, snow room), and 24-hour in-suite dining. Most dining venues are included. Anthology (approximately EUR $120) and the Chef’s Kitchen (approximately EUR $180) carry surcharges. Flights, shore excursions, and transfers are not included.

The comparison: Oceania includes more dining without surcharges — ten restaurants versus Explora’s seven included venues. Explora includes the thermal spa, which Oceania does not offer at a comparable scale. Oceania includes laundry; Explora charges for it. Explora includes premium spirits at all hours; Oceania’s base fare offers the beverage amenity choice. Neither includes shore excursions at the base fare.

For total inclusion value, Oceania’s dining breadth gives it an edge for food-focused travellers. Explora’s thermal spa gives it an edge for wellness-focused travellers.

Dining and culinary experience

This is the comparison that matters most — and both lines have legitimate claims.

Oceania is the restaurant ship. On O-class vessels, guests choose nightly from Jacques (French bistro), Polo Grill (steakhouse), Red Ginger (pan-Asian), Toscana (Italian), Aquamar Kitchen (wellness), The Grand Dining Room (270 rotating recipes), Terrace Café (themed evening buffet), and Waves Grill (casual poolside). The Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking classes at eighteen workstations — a genuine professional kitchen. Every restaurant except La Reserve and Privée is included without surcharges, caps, or reservations. The variety is unmatched in the luxury segment. Over twenty years of refinement have produced a dining programme that is both broad and deep.

Explora challenges with innovation. Nine dining venues include Emporium Marketplace (show kitchens and international menus), Fil Rouge (refined European), Sakura (Japanese-inspired), Med Yacht Club (poolside Mediterranean), and the standout Anthology — a 42-seat restaurant that changes its entire menu daily based on the ship’s current destination. A Mediterranean port yields Ligurian pesto trofie; a Northern European call produces gravlax and juniper-cured reindeer. The concept creates genuine anticipation and novelty. The Chef’s Kitchen adds interactive culinary theatre. Both Anthology and Chef’s Kitchen carry surcharges.

The verdict depends on what you value. Oceania offers more included restaurants, more cuisines, and a professional cooking school — the widest complimentary dining programme in luxury cruising. Explora’s Anthology is arguably the most creatively ambitious single dining concept afloat — but it costs extra. For unrestricted culinary exploration over a full voyage, Oceania delivers more meals without friction. For a single outstanding dining experience that changes daily, Anthology is exceptional.

Suites and accommodation

Explora has the modern advantage; Oceania has the size advantage at upper categories.

Explora’s entry-level Ocean Terrace Suite is 377 square feet with a private terrace — contemporary residential design with warm wood tones and Italian bed linens. The Owner’s Residence spans approximately 2,798 square feet. Butler service from Prestige Suites upward.

Oceania’s O-class Veranda staterooms start at 282 to 291 square feet with a private veranda. Penthouse Suites reach 440 square feet. On R-class ships, entry-level staterooms are tighter at 165 to 216 square feet. All feature Prestige Tranquility Beds and Bulgari bath amenities. Butler service from Penthouse level upward.

Explora wins at the entry level — 377 versus 282 square feet is meaningful. The design is more contemporary. For the most modern base-category accommodation, Explora is the clear choice.

Pricing and value

Headline fares are deceptive — total cost for Australians consistently favours Oceania.

Explora’s per-diem runs approximately USD $450 to $750 per person per night. A seven-night Mediterranean sailing costs roughly AUD $7,000 to $11,000 per couple for the cruise fare.

Oceania’s per-diem runs approximately AUD $600 to $800 per person per night for entry-level O-class Veranda staterooms. A 14-night Mediterranean voyage costs roughly AUD $12,000 to $16,000 per person including gratuities, all dining, and Wi-Fi.

Total cost for an Australian couple on a 14-night Mediterranean voyage: Oceania totals approximately AUD $30,000 to $44,000 (cruise, economy flights, beverage amenity). Explora totals approximately AUD $21,500 to $38,800 (cruise, flights, excursions, Anthology). Explora can be cheaper — but Oceania’s Sydney departures eliminate flights entirely on Australian itineraries, changing the equation dramatically.

Spa and wellness

Explora has a genuine structural advantage here. The Helios Spa spans approximately 7,500 square feet with a complimentary thermal area — sauna, steam room, vitality pool, snow room — available to all guests without booking. Four pools and an outdoor wellness platform with ocean-view yoga complete the offering.

Oceania’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub on O-class ships spans approximately 5,000 square feet with a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, and relaxation lounge. The Aquamar Kitchen extends the wellness concept into dining — a unique integration Explora does not match.

Explora’s complimentary thermal area for all guests is the stronger included wellness proposition. Oceania’s Aquamar dining-wellness connection is unique. For spa-focused travellers, Explora has the edge.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines take understated approaches — neither features Broadway shows or Vegas-style entertainment.

Explora offers intimate musical performances, DJ sets, cultural storytelling, and destination-focused talks. No theatre, no cruise director. Oceania centres on the Culinary Center — hands-on cooking classes at eighteen workstations, a professional kitchen unique in the segment. Guest lecturers, live piano in the Martini Bar, and conversational evenings.

Oceania’s Culinary Center has no Explora equivalent. Explora’s cultural programming is broader. For food-motivated enrichment, Oceania. For contemporary cultural programming, Explora.

Fleet and destination coverage

Oceania has the fleet size and itinerary breadth; Explora has the fleet modernity.

Explora operates two ships (922 guests each), with four more by 2028. Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, transatlantic. No Australian sailings until 2029. Oceania operates four ships (five with Allura in 2025) carrying 684 to 1,250 guests. Over 230 Mediterranean cruises per season. Australian deployment from Sydney. Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, and world voyages.

Oceania’s advantage is coverage — more ships in more regions including Australia. Explora’s advantage is fleet uniformity — every ship modern and identical, with no risk of a 25-year-old vessel.

Where each line excels

Explora excels in:

• Design and modernity. Purpose-built ships from 2023 with a consistent contemporary aesthetic.
• Wellness. The complimentary thermal spa is the best in luxury ocean cruising.
• Entry-level suites. 377 square feet with a terrace — larger than Oceania’s entry level.
• Atmosphere. For travellers who find traditional cruise culture dated, Explora feels genuinely different.

Oceania excels in:

• Culinary depth. Ten included restaurants, the Culinary Center, and Jacques Pépin’s programme.
• Australian accessibility. Sydney departures for 2025–2026 season. No flights needed.
• Value per dollar. The best dining in luxury cruising at a competitive per-diem.
• Itinerary breadth. Over 230 Mediterranean cruises plus global deployment.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Explora Journeys

Mediterranean Discovery (10 nights on Explora I or II) — Barcelona, French Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Greek Islands. The contemporary design suits Mediterranean waters. Thermal spa and four pools for warm-climate sailing.

Northern Europe (12–14 nights on Explora I) — Fjords and Baltic capitals with Scandinavian-influenced design. The wellness facilities suit extended sea days.

Oceania Cruises

Riviera: Sydney to Bali (14 nights, February 2026) — Australian debut. No international flights needed. Ten dining venues and the Pépin culinary programme throughout. The most accessible Oceania experience for Australians.

Riviera: Mediterranean Grand Voyage (28–42 nights) — The definitive Oceania food-focused voyage. Sea days allow exploration of all ten restaurants.

Regatta: South Pacific (15 nights, Honolulu to Papeete) — Intimate R-class format in French Polynesia.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Explora Journeys

Explora I (922 guests, 2023) — The established ship with resolved teething issues. Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Explora II (922 guests, 2024) — Near-identical with minor refinements. Choose on itinerary.

Oceania Cruises

Riviera (1,250 guests, 2012) — The flagship deployed to Australian waters. All ten dining venues and the Culinary Center.

Marina (1,250 guests, 2011) — Near-identical to Riviera. Choose on itinerary.

Regatta (684 guests, 1998) — The most intimate Oceania ship. Fewer venues but devoted following.

Allura (approximately 1,200 guests, 2025) — The newest. Worth watching for introductory pricing.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian equation overwhelmingly favours Oceania — and the reason is simple: proximity.

Oceania’s Australian proposition includes Riviera’s Sydney deployment for 2025–2026 with sailings to New Zealand, Bali, and the South Pacific. NCLH Sydney office (1300 355 200). Loyalty integration with Regent and Norwegian. For Australian travellers, Oceania eliminates the single largest cost variable in international cruising — the flight to the ship.

Explora’s Australian proposition is non-existent until 2029 at the earliest. No Australian sailings. No Australian air programme. Every departure requires international flights from Australian cities. MSC Group has Australian infrastructure through MSC Cruises, but Explora-specific support is limited.

The practical recommendation: If you want to sail within the next three years from Australia, Oceania is the only viable option from this pairing. If you are willing to fly to Europe and value modern design and wellness above all else, Explora rewards the effort — but the flight cost and logistics add significantly to the total investment.

The onboard atmosphere

Both lines attract similar demographics but create distinctly different social environments.

Explora’s atmosphere is contemporary European — approximately 50 to 60 average age, European-majority with growing international representation. No casino, no production shows. Elegant resort dress at all times. Lounge DJs, acoustic sets, curated music. The feeling is more boutique hotel than cruise ship.

Oceania’s atmosphere is the American Country Club — approximately 55 to 70, predominantly American and Canadian with growing Australian representation. Country Club Casual at all times — no formal nights. Jazz trios, cocktails in the Martini Bar, lingering multi-course dinners. The feeling is warm, food-obsessed, and companionable.

Explora appeals to travellers who want luxury without cruise conventions. Oceania appeals to travellers who enjoy the rhythms of refined cruising at a relaxed tempo. Both are comfortable and unpretentious — the question is whether you want a floating boutique hotel or a floating restaurant.

The bottom line

Explora Journeys and Oceania Cruises target similar travellers through different lenses — and for Australians, the practical choice is clearer than the philosophical one.

Choose Explora for the newest ships in luxury cruising, a contemporary European atmosphere, the best complimentary thermal spa at sea, and a design aesthetic that rejects traditional cruise culture. Accept that flights, excursions, and Anthology dining cost extra, that no Australian departures exist until 2029, and that the line is still building its reputation.

Choose Oceania for the finest restaurant choice at sea — ten included venues, a professional cooking school, and Jacques Pépin’s programme. Choose it for Sydney departures, proven consistency over two decades, and the best dining value per dollar in luxury cruising. Accept that the ships are older and the evening atmosphere is deliberately understated.

For most Australians today, Oceania wins on accessibility. Explora wins on modernity. For many, it will be Oceania now and Explora later, when Australian deployments eventually arrive.