Explora Journeys, the luxury small ship brand from the MSC Group, has unveiled its brand-new loyalty program. Named after the company and the ship Explora Club is a compelling entrant in the premium cruise loyalty space. This program brings together like-minded guests who share a vision of discovery, cultural enrichment, and a sense of connection. The program is new and somewhat unique, taking pages from other cruise programs.
For frequent cruisers accustomed to the perks of programs like Seabourn Club, Oceania’s Oceania Club, or Regent’s Seven Seas Society, Explora Club offers something familiar yet refreshingly elevated. Let’s take a closer look and see why this program may keep guests coming back time and time again.
A Tiered Program with Substance
Like most programs, the Explora Club will offer tiers. The more you sail and spend the higher your category. As you move up, you will receive new benefits too. Each level unveiling a curated collection of benefits, from priority access and bespoke events to personalized gifts and exclusive savings. With more journeys, Explora Club Members unlock an array of incremental privileges, thoughtfully designed to enhance their time both on board and ashore.
Explora Club offers five membership tiers:
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Classic (0 points)
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Silver (1–5,000 points)
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Gold (5,001–20,000 points)
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Platinum (20,001–50,000 points)
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Diamond (50,001+ points)
Membership levels are determined by weighted nights at sea, multiplied by suite category, with additional points earned through eligible onboard spending and the purchase of Destination Experiences. Keep reading to see how you can upgrade your status
How to Earn Points
Explora Club encourages not just loyalty but full brand immersion. Here’s how you can accumulate points:
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Earn 100 points per night at sea
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Suite multipliers: 2x for Ocean Penthouses, 3x for Ocean Residences, 10x for Owner’s Residences.
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Additional points: Earned through eligible onboard spending and the purchase of Destination Experiences. Go shopping, buy a rolex, excursions and more! The more you spend, the more you earn.
For example, a night in an Ocean Penthouse earns 200 points (100 points x 2), while a night in an Owner’s Residence yields 1,000 points (100 points x 10)! If you were to travel on a 7 night trip in an ocean terrace you’d earn 700 points. Yet a penthouse would earn 1,400 points for the same trip. Explora is looking to rewards high value clients with this program. As someone staying in an ocean terrace would have to spend 50 nights on board to move from Silver to Gold. Yet the same guest in an Ocean residence would only need 16 nights!
If you compare this to other programs, Explora requires more nights at sea for the entry level rooms than say Seabourn. Yet, Explora believes they are offering more in their program too…
The Perks: What’s in It for You?
As you ascend through the tiers, the rewards become increasingly luxurious and personalized. Afterall, most of us are doing this for the perks!
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Classic Members receive a personalized welcome on board and exclusive access to Explora Club Member offers. Basically expect email perks lol
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Silver Members enjoy all Classic benefits plus an exclusive welcome gift, signature loyalty delight, birthday surprise, and savings on Explora Journeys merchandise at The Journey boutique. Members also can receive a 5% discount on future bookings. Even when you book via your favorite travel agent (cough cough me!)
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Gold Members gain all Silver benefits along with a surprise ritual or signature gift. Enjoy priority access to new journey collections (aka pre-sell of cruises). Plus enjoy priority assistance at the Explora Experience Centre, and an additional complimentary laundry bag per journey.
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Platinum Members receive all Gold benefits plus Journey Experience Credits for Ocean Wellness and Destination Experiences! This level is where the benefits get real! $100 off the Spa & another $100 off excursions. Traveling from Europe? Then that $100 USD becomes €100! This is on top of the Scott and Thomas Special of €150 per person onboard credit! Platinum members also enjoy priority reservations for onboard services, daily complimentary laundry service, and behind-the-scenes access. Behind the scene access means bridge and engine room tours!!!
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Diamond Members are honored all the other benefits, as well as a complimentary week-long journey for two, private airport transfer, complimentary suite upgrade, exclusive culinary experiences, and private shopping outside boutique opening hours. WOWSER! That is a killer! Although they also do require at least 400 nights sailed for many of these benefits. I think what stands out the most for Diamond members is the complimentary Private airport transfer and upgrades.
Exclusive Events are different base on tier. Yet guests can expect to enjoy iIntimate hosted gatherings designed to connect like-minded guests in inspiring ways. Enjoy invitation to exclusive cocktail party with ship leadership, President Journey experience and even complimentary culinary experience as you tier up. Such as Chef’s Kitchen, Anthology dinner or caviar tasting experiences for Diamond members.
Phased Rollout Timeline
The implementation of Explora Club will be carried out in three phases:
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April 9, 2025 – Explora Club enrollment and Status Match open.
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July 2025 – Points and level status are displayed; onboard experience enhancements and rewards commence. Be sure to check accounts for past cruises. US guests are automatically enrolled in the program. Yet it’s always good to ensure past cruises are credited properly.
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September 2025 – Launch of the Explora Club Referral Program. Be rewarded for inviting friends to Explora. I imagine additional discounts or onboard credit. As this is what is standard across the industry.
Status Match Is Live (and Generous)
Explora Journeys recognizes the value of your loyalty with other cruise lines. With Explora Club Status Match, guests holding loyalty status with other cruise programs are invited to enjoy equivalent level benefits from their very first journey with Explora Journeys. If you sail other cruise lines and you are ready to experience Explora. Match your status, and contact me for booking! I can help you through the process. I previously shared why I love Explora journey’s. It’s sophisticated luxury. The ship has tos of personal space. It’s comfortable and hands down, the best pasta and other food at sea!
This initiative allows you to step aboard and experience the privileges, benefits, and refined touches that reflect your travel legacy—right from the start. Explora is going after their competition. If you have status with Crystal Cruises, Regent Silver Seas, Scenic cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Seadream Yacht club, or a few others, you’re in luck! Before you Explora cruise, match your status and you can enjoy more luxuries on your vacation! The only non luxury line Seabourn is matching is MSC. Yet, MSC does offer the Yacht club, so they know they have some MSC converts.
Match your status by sending prof of your current status to contact@explorajourneys.com
Final Thoughts
Explora Club isn’t just a points-for-nights program; it’s designed to complement a brand that caters to travelers seeking refined, immersive, and culturally enriching cruise experiences. The tier perks are well thought out. The earning structure rewards engagement. Those who spend more level up quickest. Yet for those who are past cruisers elsewhere, the status match initiative lowers the barrier for newcomers to give Explora Journeys a try with bonus perks.
In a cruise world where loyalty often feels transactional, Explora Club stands out by blending personalization, luxury, and aspirational travel. If you’re already a top-tier guest with another line, this could be your golden (or Diamond) ticket to something new! I hope I can work with you to book your next Explora Cruise. Contact me for a bonus €150 per person onboard credit per guest on your next Explora Journey. Just one perk of using a good travel advisor. Plus we often have a bonus 5% savings on trips and other perks too.
Looking for other luxury cruise deals, check out my Facebook group with private deals!!
