Crystal Cruises vs Explora Journeys

The core difference

Crystal and Explora Journeys represent two fundamentally different answers to the same question: what does ultra-luxury cruising look like in the 2020s?

Crystal answers with heritage. The line went through bankruptcy in 2022 and emerged under new ownership by A&K Travel Group — a partnership between Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio (the man who built Silversea into a luxury icon) and Geoffrey Kent (founder of Abercrombie & Kent). Over 80 per cent of the original crew returned, bringing with them a service culture that cannot be hired from scratch. The ships are older, the entry-level cabins are smaller than competitors, but the dining is rated the highest in the ultra-luxury segment and the enrichment programming has genuine depth.

Explora answers with ambition. Launched in 2023 by the MSC Group, it was conceived as a ground-up luxury brand — deliberately avoiding the word “cruise” in its name. The ships are brand-new, the suites are among the largest at entry level in the industry, the design is contemporary European, and there are no formal nights. The target guest is someone who stays at Four Seasons and Aman but has never considered a cruise holiday.

For Australian travellers weighing these two, the practical question is straightforward: do you value what is inside the ship (Crystal’s food, service, and enrichment) or the ship itself (Explora’s hardware, space, and design)?

What is actually included

Both lines call themselves all-inclusive, and both deliver a comprehensive package — but neither matches Regent’s level of inclusion, and both fall short of including flights or shore excursions.

Crystal includes: all dining at most venues (with reservation limits on speciality restaurants), premium spirits and wines, butler service in every suite category, complimentary standard Wi-Fi with Starlink connectivity, gratuities, 24-hour in-suite dining, and all enrichment programming. Crystal does not include shore excursions (though some promotional sailings offer one complimentary excursion per port), flights, or transfers. The Vintage Room carries a surcharge of USD $220–$1,200 per person, and additional visits to Umi Uma or Osteria d’Ovidio beyond the complimentary allocation cost USD $50 each.

Explora includes: all dining except Anthology (EUR 165 surcharge) and Chef’s Kitchen, premium spirits and wines, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi (Starlink, with speeds of 60–70 Mbps), gratuities, 24-hour in-suite dining, a daily-replenished minibar, complimentary thermal spa access (hydrotherapy pool, salt cave, Finnish sauna, steam room, heated marble loungers), and port-to-city-centre shuttle services. Butler service is reserved for Residence suites and above. Shore excursions and flights are not included.

The meaningful difference: Crystal gives you a butler regardless of suite category and caps speciality dining visits. Explora gives you unrestricted dining at all but one venue and full thermal spa access, but reserves butler service for the top suite tiers. Neither line includes caviar service — a notable gap versus Silversea and Seabourn.

Dining and culinary experience

This is where Crystal has its strongest claim. Multiple independent reviewers — including those who have sailed Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn extensively — rate Crystal’s post-relaunch dining as the best in the ultra-luxury segment.

Crystal offers nine dining options across both ships. The standout is Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa — the only Nobu restaurant at sea, serving Japanese-Peruvian fusion with signature dishes including yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and miso black cod. Osteria d’Ovidio is a collaboration with the Michelin-starred Alajmo brothers, offering modern Italian. Beefbar brings the Monte Carlo steakhouse concept to sea (standard menu included; Wagyu and Kobe cuts carry USD $90–$220 surcharges). Waterside is the main dining room with open seating and rotating menus. Scoops serves artisan gelato from Badiani of Florence. The reservation allocation system — one to three complimentary visits per speciality restaurant depending on voyage length — is the main friction point, though guests in Crystal Penthouse suites receive unlimited dining.

Explora offers nine culinary venues across Explora I and II, expanding further on Explora III. Anthology is the signature — a degustation restaurant with rotating guest chef menus curated by three-Michelin-star chef Mauro Uliassi, with one of his own chefs from his Senigallia restaurant working in the galley. Fil Rouge delivers French-inspired international cuisine. Sakura offers pan-Asian dining. Marble & Co. Grill is a European steakhouse. Med Yacht Club channels Riviera coastal dining. Notably, Explora has dispensed entirely with the traditional main dining room — there is no single large restaurant with assigned seatings. Instead, all dining is open-seating across multiple venues, more like a resort restaurant collection.

Both lines deliver exceptional dining. Crystal’s edge is in the calibre of its chef partnerships (Nobu at sea is genuinely unique) and the consistency of its main dining room, which benefits from decades of refined recipes and returning kitchen staff. Explora’s edge is in the flexibility of its approach — no reservation restrictions at any included venue, no assigned dining times, and a more contemporary culinary identity.

Suites and accommodation

This is Explora’s most decisive advantage, particularly at entry level.

Explora’s entry-level Ocean Terrace Suite is 377 square feet including a private terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in wardrobe, marble bathroom with separate rain shower, and a daily-replenished minibar. Every single one of Explora’s 461 suites has a private outdoor terrace — there are no interior or ocean-view-only rooms on any ship. The Owner’s Residence at the top spans 3,015 square feet with a private hot tub, full dining room, and dedicated Residence Manager.

Crystal’s entry-level Guest Room is 215 square feet without a balcony — roughly 57 per cent the size of Explora’s entry level, and without outdoor space. Crystal’s Guest Room with Veranda adds a 57-square-foot balcony but the interior remains 230 square feet. The competitive gap narrows from the Aquamarine Veranda Suite upward (333 square feet plus veranda), and Crystal’s Crystal Penthouse at 909 square feet is competitive with Explora’s mid-range suites. But at the price point most guests book — entry and mid-tier — Explora delivers substantially more space.

Crystal’s compensating advantage is butler service in every category. Even the smallest Guest Room comes with a dedicated butler who unpacks luggage, manages reservations, serves in-suite breakfast, and is available by phone 24 hours. On Explora, this level of service is reserved for Residence suites and above — meaning roughly 23 of 461 suites.

The incoming Crystal Grace (May 2028) will address Crystal’s accommodation gap with all-veranda suites throughout and an Owner’s Suite spanning 1,950 square feet with a 1,965-square-foot private veranda. Until then, Explora has the clear hardware advantage.

Pricing and value

Both lines sit at similar price points, which makes the space-per-dollar comparison stark.

Crystal’s per-diem for entry-level Mediterranean sailings runs roughly USD $685–$750 per person per night on a seven-night voyage, dropping to approximately USD $500–$630 for longer sailings and Caribbean itineraries. World Cruise pricing starts from around USD $493 per night (USD $69,000 for 140 nights). Crystal frequently runs suite upgrade promotions as it rebuilds its customer base, making it possible to book a Veranda Suite at near-entry-level pricing.

Explora’s per-diem ranges from approximately USD $457–$714 per person per night for a seven-night Mediterranean sailing in an Ocean Terrace Suite during shoulder season, rising to USD $714–$1,071 during peak summer. Fourteen-night Mediterranean sailings bring the per-diem down to roughly USD $586–$964.

The value equation for Australians: Neither line includes flights. Return business-class flights from Australian east coast gateways to Mediterranean embarkation ports (Barcelona, Rome) run AUD $8,000–$18,000 per person depending on airline and season. This cost is identical for both lines, so the comparison reduces to what you get on board for a similar fare. At comparable pricing, Explora delivers a suite 75 per cent larger with a private terrace and complimentary thermal spa access. Crystal delivers a smaller cabin but with butler service, arguably the best dining at sea, and richer enrichment programming.

For Australian travellers accustomed to comparing against Regent (which includes business-class air from Australian gateways), both Crystal and Explora require more careful budgeting. The total cost for a 14-night Mediterranean voyage including flights will run AUD $50,000–$80,000+ per couple on either line — comparable to Regent, but without the convenience of bundled flights and unlimited excursions.

Spa and wellness

Explora has a decisive advantage here, both in scale and in what is included.

Explora’s Ocean Wellness Spa spans over 7,500 square feet with 11 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, salt cave, Finnish sauna, steam room, experience showers, ice fountain, and heated marble loungers. Critically, the entire thermal suite is complimentary for all guests — no treatment booking required, no time limit. The ship also features four swimming pools (including one adults-only and one with a retractable glass roof), 64 private cabanas, and an outdoor fitness area. The spa won the World Spa Awards 2024 for World’s Best Cruise Spa.

Crystal’s Aurora Spa offers 10–12 treatment rooms depending on the ship, plus gender-separated steam rooms and saunas, a relaxation room, and a comprehensive fitness centre. Sauna and steam room access is complimentary. Crystal also runs dedicated Wellness at Sea Retreat Voyages each August — week-long sailings with wellness cuisine workshops, nutrition consultations, and daily wellness-focused menus. High-tech treatments include LED light therapy and cryotherapy alongside traditional massage and facial services.

Treatment pricing is comparable on both lines — signature massages run USD $200–$400 for 75–100 minute sessions. Neither line includes hands-on treatments in the fare.

The gap is primarily in the physical facilities and the complimentary access policy. Explora’s four pools, salt cave, hydrotherapy pool, and 64 cabanas represent a different scale of wellness offering. Crystal’s spa is well-appointed but conventional by comparison.

Entertainment and enrichment

Neither line will impress you with Broadway-scale production shows — and neither is trying to. But the emphasis differs significantly.

Crystal retains a more traditional entertainment programme. The ships feature a full-sized show lounge with Broadway-themed production shows, comedy acts, and variety performers. The Creative Learning Institute is Crystal’s genuine differentiator — offering Berlitz language classes, Yamaha keyboard lessons, Cleveland Clinic wellness lectures, professional bridge instruction, PGA golf training with Callaway equipment, and ballroom dance lessons with gentleman hosts available for solo travellers. Crystal Visions brings guest lecturers including authors, diplomats, scientists, and destination specialists. The entertainment skews towards an older demographic — tribute acts and classic-era music — but the enrichment programming has a depth that newer lines have not yet matched.

Explora takes a more contemporary approach. The Journeys Lounge hosts nightly performances including the Explora Music Series, the Songbook Series (honouring artists like Billy Joel and Carole King), and guest artistes from the West End and recording studios. The Sky Bar on Deck 14 features DJ and saxophone sets under the stars — an energy you will not find on Crystal. The Luminaries enrichment programme brings destination experts, creative arts workshops, and special interest speakers aboard. Chef’s Kitchen offers intimate hands-on cooking experiences for 12 guests (at a surcharge). The entertainment is more intimate and contemporary than Crystal’s, though some reviewers have noted inconsistency in quality.

The fundamental difference: Crystal enriches; Explora entertains. If you want to learn Conversational Italian, take a cooking class, and attend a lecture on the history of the Venetian Republic before arriving in Venice, Crystal is the stronger choice. If you want cocktails at the Sky Bar with a DJ set at sunset, Explora delivers an atmosphere Crystal does not attempt.

Fleet and destination coverage

Crystal operates two ships — Crystal Serenity (740 guests, 68,870 GT) and Crystal Symphony (606 guests, 51,044 GT). Both were built in the 1990s and 2000s and refurbished in 2023. Crystal Grace, the line’s first new build in 25 years, is expected in May 2028, with two further sister ships planned for 2030 and 2032. The fleet is small, which means limited itinerary choice in any given season.

Explora operates two ships — Explora I and Explora II (both 922 guests, 63,900 GT, built 2023–2024) — with Explora III arriving July 2026 (72,810 GT, LNG-powered), Explora IV in 2027, and two further hydrogen-capable ships planned through 2028. By the end of 2028, Explora expects to operate five or six ships — a pace of fleet expansion unprecedented in the ultra-luxury segment.

Destination coverage differs meaningfully. Crystal deploys globally: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska (returning 2026 after a seven-year absence), Caribbean, Asia, and annual World Cruises that touch every continent. Crystal won Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best Itineraries award. Explora’s deployment is more concentrated: Mediterranean and Caribbean are the core, with Northern Europe and the Red Sea/Arabian Peninsula expanding for 2026–2027, and an Asia debut planned for 2027–2028. Explora’s first World Cruise departs in January 2029.

Crystal’s advantage is breadth and heritage — decades of refining itineraries in regions like Southeast Asia and Alaska. Explora’s advantage is fleet growth — by 2028, it will offer substantially more choice than Crystal’s three-ship fleet.

Where each line excels

Crystal excels in:

• Dining. The combination of Nobu at sea, the Alajmo brothers’ Italian, and Beefbar’s Monte Carlo steakhouse concept is unmatched in ultra-luxury cruising. The main dining room (Waterside) benefits from returning chefs who have refined these menus over decades.
• Enrichment depth. The Creative Learning Institute offers structured programmes — language classes, music lessons, professional golf instruction, bridge — that go well beyond the guest lecturer format used by most competitors.
• Service culture. Eighty per cent of the pre-bankruptcy crew returned. This continuity creates a warmth and anticipatory service that a new brand simply cannot replicate. Guests report being remembered by name by dining room staff after a single encounter.
• World Cruises. Crystal’s annual grand voyages are beautifully curated and benefit from the Abercrombie & Kent partnership for overland experiences. The 2027 World Cruise, Stories of the South Seas, spans 140 nights from San Diego to Vancouver via French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
• Asia. Crystal Symphony deploys regularly to Southeast Asia, and the World Cruise programme covers Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Pacific extensively.

Explora excels in:

• Physical product. Brand-new ships with industry-leading suite sizes, four pools, 64 private cabanas, and 67,000+ square feet of outdoor space. The hardware advantage is overwhelming.
• Wellness facilities. The complimentary thermal spa — hydrotherapy pool, salt cave, Finnish sauna, heated marble loungers — is included for all guests. Four pools across the ship versus Crystal’s one.
• Contemporary atmosphere. No formal nights, no assigned dining, no traditional cruise formality. The atmosphere resembles a Mediterranean resort rather than a cruise ship.
• Connectivity. Starlink Wi-Fi delivering 60–70 Mbps download speeds — exceptional for a cruise ship and meaningfully faster than Crystal’s standard offering.
• Fleet growth trajectory. Five or six ships by 2028, backed by the MSC Group’s financial muscle. This gives Explora the ability to deploy to more regions and offer more itinerary choice year on year.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Neither line is as accessible from Australia as Silversea (which deploys to Australian waters and the Kimberley) or Regent (which includes business-class air from Australian gateways). But both offer compelling options for Australians willing to fly.

Crystal

World Cruise: Auckland to Melbourne segment (February–March 2026, approximately 37 nights on Crystal Serenity) — The most accessible Crystal sailing for Australians. Join the World Cruise in Auckland (direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne) and sail through New Zealand’s fiords, across to Melbourne, Sydney, and onward to Bali. No long-haul flight required to embark.

World Cruise: Auckland to Brisbane segment (March 2027 on Crystal Serenity) — The 2027 World Cruise Stories of the South Seas visits Milford Sound, Rotorua, Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, and Tasmania. Another excellent embarkation point for Australians.

Alaska from Vancouver (July–September 2026 on Crystal Symphony) — Nine-night roundtrip Vancouver sailings with seven back-to-back itineraries — Crystal’s first Alaska season since 2019. Fly Sydney or Melbourne to Vancouver (direct on Qantas or via Los Angeles, approximately 14–16 hours).

A&K x Crystal: Italy, Greece & the Balkans (August–September 2026) — A 12-day cultural voyage from Rome to Venice with curated Abercrombie & Kent shore experiences included. From USD $22,200 per person. For Australian travellers who value the land programme as much as the cruise.

Explora

Explora III inaugural season: Northern Europe, Iceland & Greenland (August–September 2026) — The maiden voyages of the newest ship, departing Southampton for the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. Off-the-beaten-path ports on a brand-new vessel. Fly Sydney or Melbourne to London (approximately 22–24 hours).

Mediterranean summer (May–October 2026 on Explora I or II) — Extensive Western and Eastern Mediterranean programmes from Barcelona and Rome. Accessible from Australian gateways via Dubai, Singapore, or direct to Rome. The no-formal-dress-code and flexible dining format make these ideal for Australian couples trying ultra-luxury cruising for the first time.

Red Sea & Arabian Peninsula (December 2026–March 2027 on Explora II) — An emerging luxury cruise region: Jeddah, Salalah, Khasab, Dubai. New Year’s Eve in Dubai. Fly direct from east coast Australia to Dubai (approximately 14 hours on Emirates or Qantas) — one of the shortest flight connections from Australia to any Explora embarkation port.

Asia debut (2027–2028 on Explora III) — Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore across 28 departures. Includes overnight stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Bali. Fly Sydney to Singapore (7.5 hours) or Tokyo (9–10 hours) and join the ship.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Crystal

Crystal Serenity (740 guests, 2003, refurbished 2023) — The larger of Crystal’s two ships and the one deployed for World Cruises and Mediterranean seasons. Serenity is where you will find the most refined iteration of Crystal’s dining and service. Nine dining venues, the full Aurora Spa, and a two-pool deck with retractable glass roof. The better choice for first-time Crystal guests.

Crystal Symphony (606 guests, 1995, refurbished 2023) — Smaller and more intimate. Deployed to Alaska (summer 2026) and the Caribbean (winter). Symphony is 30+ years old, and while the 2023 refit addressed public spaces and suites, some secondary areas show their age. Best for travellers who specifically want Alaska or who value the intimacy of a smaller ship. Avoid if modern hardware matters to you — wait for Crystal Grace.

Crystal Grace (arriving May 2028) — Crystal’s first new build in 25 years. All-veranda suites, 650 guests, an Owner’s Suite with a 1,965-square-foot private veranda. This ship will finally give Crystal a vessel that matches its service and dining quality with contemporary hardware. Worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry.

My advice: Book at least an Aquamarine Veranda Suite on the current ships. Crystal’s entry-level Guest Room at 215 square feet without a balcony is simply too small by today’s ultra-luxury standards. From the Aquamarine Suite upward, the experience is genuinely excellent.

Explora

Explora I or Explora II (both 922 guests, 63,900 GT, 2023–2024) — Functionally identical sister ships. Either delivers the full Explora experience: 461 all-terrace suites, four pools, Ocean Wellness Spa, nine dining venues. Choose based on itinerary rather than ship preference.

Explora III (arriving July 2026, 72,810 GT) — The first LNG-powered ship in the fleet, 19 metres longer than Explora I/II with expanded public spaces, a 48-foot glass-enclosed pool, 60 private cabanas, and new dining venues including Shore Club and a Chef’s Table. This will be the flagship. The inaugural Prelude Journey departs 24 July 2026, with a naming ceremony in Barcelona on 1 August. Maiden season covers Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and New England.

Should you wait for Explora IV or V? Explora IV arrives in 2027 and Explora V in 2027–2028, both with hydrogen fuel cell technology. Unless you specifically want cutting-edge environmental credentials, there is no need to wait — Explora I and II are brand-new ships that deliver the full experience now.

For Australian travellers specifically

Neither Crystal nor Explora has established a strong Australian presence — both require Australians to fly internationally to embark, and neither includes flights in the fare.

Crystal’s Australian access comes through World Cruise segments. The 2026 World Cruise includes an Auckland-to-Melbourne leg (37 nights, February–March 2026), and the 2027 World Cruise visits Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef. Crystal offers air credits on select sailings (up to USD $6,500 per person on World Cruises) which help offset long-haul flights. Crystal has an Ensemble Travel Group partnership that includes Australian agencies. No dedicated Australian office.

Explora’s Australian access is currently limited. The brand has an Australian-based team (including a Brisbane-based Business Relationship Lead) and an Australian website, but no ships visit Australian waters until the 2029 World Cruise. For 2026–2027, the most accessible Explora embarkation for Australians is Dubai (14 hours direct from east coast capitals), followed by Singapore and Mediterranean ports via Middle Eastern hubs.

Loyalty pathways for Australians: If you hold status with Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, or another luxury line, Explora’s Club programme offers status matching from nine competitors. Crystal’s Welcome Aboard Loyalty Offer provides fare savings for guests with sailing history on other lines. Both lines are actively courting experienced cruisers from rival brands.

The practical comparison for Australians: If you want to sail in Australian or Asia-Pacific waters, Crystal has the edge through its World Cruise programme and established Southeast Asian deployments. If you want a modern ultra-luxury experience in the Mediterranean or Caribbean and are comfortable flying to embarkation, Explora’s newer hardware and expanding fleet offer more choice. For dedicated Australian departures and included flights, neither line competes with Silversea or Regent.

The onboard atmosphere

This is where the two lines diverge most sharply, and it comes down to personal preference rather than quality.

Crystal’s atmosphere is traditional luxury cruising done beautifully. The passenger base averages around 61 for new guests and 68 for returning loyalists — overwhelmingly American, with British and European guests in the mix. Black-tie optional evenings appear on most sailings (one per seven-night cruise, two per 11–13 nights). Afternoon tea with live music is a daily tradition. The signature farewell — Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” played during port departures — captures the sentimental, nostalgic quality that Crystal loyalists adore. Gentleman hosts are available for solo female travellers who enjoy ballroom dancing.

Explora’s atmosphere is contemporary resort at sea. The demographic skews younger — the “working affluent” aged 40–60, many of whom have never cruised before. The guest mix is more internationally diverse, with significant European representation alongside Americans, Australians, and British travellers. There are no formal nights — “elegant resort wear” is the guidance, which means Monaco or Amalfi Coast evening style rather than gowns and tuxedos. The Sky Bar on Deck 14 comes alive at night with DJ sets and cocktails. Families with children are welcome (a dedicated Nautilus Club operates for ages 6–17), which is unusual in the ultra-luxury segment.

If you are the kind of traveller who appreciates tradition, dresses for dinner, and values the social rituals of a classic luxury cruise, Crystal will feel like home. If you prefer the atmosphere of a Four Seasons beach club — polished but unstudied, stylish but never stuffy — Explora is designed precisely for you.

The bottom line

Crystal and Explora are both excellent, but they are excellent at different things.

Choose Crystal if what matters most to you is the quality of what happens inside the ship — the food, the service, the enrichment, the warmth of a crew that remembers your name. Accept that the ships are older and the entry-level cabins are smaller than any competitor, and book at least an Aquamarine Veranda Suite. If you can wait until 2028, Crystal Grace will finally pair Crystal’s legendary service with a modern vessel.

Choose Explora if what matters most to you is the ship itself — the suite you sleep in, the pool deck you lounge on, the spa you unwind in, and the design that surrounds you. The hardware is the best in the ultra-luxury segment, the atmosphere is contemporary and relaxed, and the MSC Group’s financial commitment to rapid fleet growth means more destinations and more choice every year.

For Australians specifically, neither line offers the accessibility of Silversea or Regent — both require self-arranged long-haul flights with no included air programme. Crystal has better Asia-Pacific access through its World Cruise segments and Southeast Asian deployments. Explora’s Dubai and Singapore embarkation ports offer the shortest connections from Australian gateways. Both lines welcome status matching from rival loyalty programmes, making them easy to trial without starting from scratch.