Is EXPLORA III a Good Luxury Alaska Cruise for 2027?
Updated: Oct 21
Information checked October 19, 2026.
Yes. I believe Explora Journeys is the strongest small-ship match for my Gen X clients who love contemporary luxury hotels and want a ship with some personality. EXPLORA III brings that experience to Alaska for the first time from May through September 2027.
I flew to New York on October 7, 2026, to tour EXPLORA III. I've sailed EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II multiple times, and Explora Journeys has become my personal favorite luxury cruise line. Walking through III gave me a chance to see how the experience I know has evolved, and which details I'd pay attention to when helping a client book.
1. What makes EXPLORA III appealing for an Alaska vacation?
EXPLORA III gives travelers an Alaska option with the less formal service and lively gathering places I've enjoyed aboard EXPLORA I and II.
I've spent plenty of time on luxury ships where travelers in their 50s can feel like the youngest people aboard. Explora Journeys feels different. On my sailings, the service has been attentive and personal without the formality some traditional luxury cruisers prefer.
The lobby bar on I and II became the place everyone gravitated toward before dinner. Live music, cocktails, people actually striking up conversations. Some evenings, everyone was having such a good time that they stayed and forgot the rest of their plans.
I want to enjoy the time aboard as much as the days ashore.
2. What Alaska experiences can you plan around on EXPLORA III?
EXPLORA III's published 2027 Alaska itineraries offer glacier scenic cruising and coastal ports, with the combination depending on the departure.
For a concrete example, the published May 21-June 1 Vancouver roundtrip includes Hubbard Glacier and Endicott Arm scenic cruising, plus calls including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Juneau, Wrangell and Prince Rupert.
Hubbard is my recommendation for travelers who want to see an enormous tidewater glacier. If Glacier Bay National Park is the experience you have in mind, it is a different destination and is not on that example itinerary.
This is where the Alaska decision becomes more specific than choosing a beautiful ship. Decide which glacier experience matters to you, then choose a departure that includes it.
3. Are Alaska shore excursions included in the fare?
EXPLORA III's Alaska shore excursions cost extra; Explora Journeys' standard cruise fare covers the onboard inclusions, rather than those outings ashore.
The onboard package includes dining across its included venues, in-suite dining, specified beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities and access to the thermal spa area. Spa treatments, selected culinary experiences and premium beverage selections can still cost extra.
For Alaska, that means distinguishing the glacier scenic cruising on your itinerary from a separately booked excursion. Explora Journeys advertises experiences such as a Juneau helicopter flight to Mendenhall Glacier and a catamaran outing near Hubbard Glacier. Those are additional choices, not experiences to assume are included in your fare.
4. What did I notice aboard EXPLORA III that matters when booking?
My EXPLORA III tour revealed more seating in popular gathering areas, a bolder design and a suite-location detail I wouldn't overlook. Explora Journeys confirms that III is 63 feet longer than I and II; the changes I appreciated most were in the places where people actually spend time.
The Conservatory has a redesigned layout and considerably more seating. Finding a chair could sometimes be a challenge on I and II, so I appreciated that change. I particularly liked Shore Club on 11, the new casual dining venue at the Conservatory.
The lobby has changed, too. Its large central bar has been replaced by a smaller circular bar, with more seating around the room. Some returning guests have questioned the redesign. Having seen it, I think the reaction is overblown.
I and II have warmer wood tones and natural stone; III feels shinier and more boldly cosmopolitan. Different personalities for different tastes.
The OT1 Ocean Terrace and Premier Penthouse suites I inspected looked remarkably familiar. But I also noticed an outdoor cigar lounge near guest suites. That is a reason to look at the exact suite location before reserving, not just the category. I also preferred the water views from the gyms on I and II to III's new gym location.
Would I recommend EXPLORA III for Alaska in 2027? Yes, especially for my clients who want the ship to be as much a part of the vacation as Alaska itself. My time aboard reinforced what I already enjoy about Explora Journeys, and the additional seating is a welcome improvement.
Before booking, I'd look closely at two things: whether the departure includes the glacier experience you want, and exactly where your suite sits. Those choices deserve as much attention as choosing the ship.
Planning Alaska for 2027? Tell me what you're hoping to experience, and I'll help you choose the departure and suite that fit.
Amy Kilbreath is the founder of Port and Passport, a Seattle-area, Virtuoso-affiliated luxury travel advisor and certified Explora Journeys specialist. She has sailed EXPLORA I and II multiple times, toured EXPLORA III and booked more than 200 Alaska cruises. More about Amy.
Source basis: Amy's October 13, 2026, EXPLORA III newsletter, her October 7 ship tour and prior I/II sailings. Published itinerary and inclusion information checked against Explora Journeys on October 19, 2026.
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