Compare cruise lines · Ultra-luxury ocean
Explora vs Regent: hotel at sea, or one price for everything?
Both fares include drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and dining. The real split is shore excursions, and whether you want a calm design hotel at sea or a destination-led ship with tours built in.
The short verdict
Pick Explora if you're a hotel person who swore you'd never cruise and you want a new, design-led ship with a wellness lean. Pick Regent if you go ashore most days and want one price that also covers unlimited included shore excursions.
| Compare | Explora I / II / III | Regent Grandeur / Splendor |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Contemporary ultra-luxury. A stylish small hotel at sea, with calm decks and a spa-and-wellness lean. | Quiet and destination-led. Country-club rather than showbiz. |
| Size | 456 ocean-front suites on Explora I and II, 461 on Explora III. Every cabin is a suite with a terrace. | 746 guests on Grandeur and 748 on Splendor. All-balcony suites. |
| Owner | MSC Group (Explora is its luxury brand) | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (sister brand to Oceania) |
| Drinks | Included: unlimited beverages including fine wines, champagne and premium spirits | Included: unlimited beverages, fine wines and craft cocktails, plus an in-suite mini bar |
| Gratuities | Included | Included (pre-paid) |
| Wi-Fi | Included | Unlimited Wi-Fi included |
| Dining | Nine culinary experiences included, including in-suite dining. Some food and beverage experiences cost extra. | All specialty restaurants included, plus 24-hour in-suite dining |
| Shore excursions | Not in the fare. Destination Experiences are paid extras; a port-to-town shuttle is included where needed. | Unlimited included shore excursions. Regent Choice small-group tours cost extra. |
| Flights | Optional air packages at extra cost | Optional Air Concierge at market airfares (replaced the Ultimate All-Inclusive fare for US and Canada guests from 1 April 2026) |
| Evenings | Intentionally light entertainment | Evening entertainment and open bars, with a quieter, earlier-to-bed crowd than big ships |
Who should pick Explora
Design-aware couples who have done big premium ships and now want calm decks, a strong spa and a newer luxury feel. It also suits travellers who would rather choose their own shore days than follow a programme, because tours are booked and paid for separately.
Who should pick Regent
Travellers who leave the ship in most ports and dislike surprise bills. Regent's included excursions change the maths against lines that look cheaper until tours are added. See our Regent guide for the ships and suite categories.
The catch
- Explora: it's expensive, entertainment is light, and it's wrong if you want ballroom formality. Excursions add to the bill, so price your shore days in.
- Regent: the fare is high, the crowd is older and dresses up, and much of the value is lost if you rarely go ashore. Flights are no longer bundled into a fare for US and Canada guests, so ask for air separately.
How to price the two fairly
Because both lines now include drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi, the honest comparison is Explora's fare plus the excursions you would actually book, against Regent's fare for a similar suite. Add flights to both in the same way. Our guide to comparing cruise fares walks through the method.
Questions we get asked
Is Explora Journeys all-inclusive?
Largely. Explora says every Journey fare includes unlimited beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi and its included restaurants. Destination Experiences (shore excursions) and some food and beverage experiences cost extra.
Is Regent Seven Seas really all-inclusive?
The fare covers drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, valet laundry and unlimited included shore excursions. Regent Choice excursions cost extra. Since 1 April 2026, flights for US and Canada guests are arranged through the optional Air Concierge service at market fares rather than bundled into an Ultimate fare.
What is the biggest difference between Explora and Regent?
Shore excursions. Regent includes unlimited excursions in the fare, while Explora sells its Destination Experiences separately. Onboard, Explora feels like a contemporary design hotel and Regent feels quieter and more traditional.
Which is better for a first luxury cruise?
Explora if you think of yourself as a hotel person. Regent if shore time is half the point of the trip.
Keep reading
Is Explora Journeys worth it? · Oceania vs Regent · Seabourn vs Explora vs Silversea · Silversea vs Regent vs Cunard · Regent guide · The Anti-BrochureReady for a shortlist?
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Facts checked against explorajourneys.com, rssc.com and oceaniacruises.com on 2 October 2026. Cruise inclusions and policies vary by ship, market and sailing. We confirm the live fare and inclusions before recommending or booking. Compare all lines.