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Explora Journeys has announced that Explora II will remain deployed in the Mediterranean throughout the 2026-2027 winter season, marking the first time the luxury cruise brand has dedicated one of its vessels exclusively to the region during the winter months.
Operating under the theme A Mediterranean Winter, the programme will run from November 2026 through March 2027 and encompass 46 destinations across 10 countries in Southern Europe and North Africa. The itineraries are designed to showcase a quieter seasonal perspective of the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on extended stays, overnight calls and less-frequented ports.
The deployment will include calls in Spain, Morocco, Portugal, France, Italy, Malta, Greece and Gibraltar, combining established cruise destinations with several maiden ports for the brand. New additions to the network include Ceuta, Algiers, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Fuerteventura and Palamós. The visit to Algiers will represent Explora Journeys' first call in Algeria.
The company indicated that the programme had been developed to highlight the Mediterranean beyond the peak summer period, when destinations experience a slower pace and a more local atmosphere. The winter itineraries are intended to encourage longer stays ashore and deeper engagement with regional culture, heritage and seasonal traditions.
Several ports will feature overnight stays, including Casablanca, Lisbon, Madeira and Málaga, while late-evening departures are scheduled from Málaga, Cannes, Siracusa and Gibraltar. These extended calls are intended to provide guests with additional opportunities to explore destinations beyond standard daytime visits.
A series of destination-focused experiences has also been incorporated into the programme. Planned activities include a private Christmas concert in Gibraltar's St Michael's Cave, an exclusive after-hours visit to the Alhambra in Málaga, a private cultural event in Funchal, and an overnight land programme linking Casablanca with Marrakech.
The itineraries place particular emphasis on destinations that receive comparatively fewer cruise calls than the Mediterranean's larger gateway ports. Among these are several locations in the Canary Islands, including Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura and Santa Cruz de La Palma, alongside other smaller regional destinations.
Throughout the season, Explora II will continue to operate as a luxury vessel focused on destination immersion, with onboard offerings centred on wellness, regional gastronomy and seasonal culinary experiences reflecting the areas visited during the voyages.
The deployment will also create a dual-regional winter strategy for Explora Journeys. While Explora II remains in the Mediterranean, sister ship Explora I will be positioned in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, serving guests seeking warm-weather itineraries during the Northern Hemisphere winter season.
Fuente: Cruise Mapper
