It’s not every day that the cruise line launches a new loyalty program, but today is one of those days.
Explora Journeys President Anna Nash announced Wednesday at the Seatrade Cruise Industry Conference in Miami that the line would precede the Explora Club’s loyalty program with both registration and ability for status matches starting this month.
Earlier this week, Nash spoke exclusively to TPG so we could get all the details in front of his press conference at Seatrade.
“We want this loyalty program to celebrate our guests’ journey with us and their loyalty … where they feel,” Nash told us when asked why Explora Journeys decided to start a loyalty program now.
“Explora Journeys are a brand built on the art of listening,” Nash added, stating that the line reviewed more than 20,000 current customers and potential about what they were looking for in the loyalty program.
“Explora Club is a valid program built around the needs of the guests,” Nash continues, “and what they ask us to feel recognized and appreciated as a customer.”
This is what we know about the Explora Club so far.
What is Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is a luxury cruise line launched by the owner MSC Cruises. It now operates two ships, Explore i and Explora II, with Four more ordered and is expected to join the fleet between 2026 and 2028.
Both Explora I and Explora II measured 63,900 tonnes and had a total of 922 passenger capacity.
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With the travel schedule that includes sailing in Caribbean and Mediterranean, the focus of the line is to recreate the sea sailing experience to feel more like visiting the exclusive luxury resort from your regular cruise holiday.
From standard ships facilities such as large pool areas and dining or major buffets, Explora vessels have gourmet-specific restaurants (mostly included in fare), several pool areas and luxury spas.
Although there are several short travel schedules, most sailing is usually seven days or longer, and fares start around $ 500 each, daily.
Sign up at the Explora Club
According to Nash, the past passengers and prospective Explora Journeys should receive information about new programs through newsletters and other communications and will be invited to register.
By July, members should see a private area called “My Explora” in their account on Explorajourneys.com where their status and interest benefits will be displayed.
This line will also recognize and credit customers for past sailing.
“We already have guests who have sailed with us several times and we will recognize and retroactively apply for past sailing to their account,” Nash said.
Income points with Explora Journeys
So, how does the New Explora Club Loyalty Program work, right?
Cruisers will earn a number of points based on three factors:
- The length of their sailing
- The category of suites booked
- Expenses on board
Passengers will earn 100 points per night sailing in the Admission Level Sea Suite. Those at the Penthouse Suites will earn 200 points per night, while Ocean residential passengers will earn 300 points per night and those who book up the top owner will earn 1,000 points per night.
In addition, guests will earn 100 points for every $ 1,000 or 1,000 euros (depending on the currency where guests are paid) are spent on additions such as items purchased on travel boutique ships, specialized experience such as chef’s kitchen, spa treatment, laundry and pre-Journey purchased visits or on board.
Like most others A cruise loyalty program – But unlike most flight and hotel programs operating – Explora Club members will not redeem points for cruises or other trips. Instead, these points are intended to lead to their elite status stages with the line.
Explora Journeys Status Elite, Qualifications and Benefits
Explora Club has five status levels that you can unlock based on the following eligibility requirements:
- Classic: This is a basic level just to sign up.
- Silver: You reached this after your first night on board, up to 5,000 points.
- Gold: Get 5,001 to 20,000 points.
- Platinum: Get 20,001 to 50,000 points.
- Diamond: Get 50,001 points or more.
So the status of gold, for example, requires a explorer to sail at least 50 nights in a standard suite category or less than 50 nights in a higher category suite. If you raise some large expenses during your cruise, you can go a little bit of a cruise to reach this threshold.
Even with classic status, you will have priority access to new travel schedules when they come online, and with silver status, you can expect benefits such as invitations to a cocktail festival with ship officials while on board and savings for future travel as well as purchases at travel boutiques and priority assistance at the Explora Experience Center.
At higher levels, more benefits come, such as visits behind bridges and engine rooms and credit towards spa visits and treatment on platinum. Those who achieve diamond status can expect some of the values that are really Outsize adds including a free-week cruise for two, private airport transfer and enhancement suites and free cooking experience such as caviar or dinner at anthology, onboard restaurants that serve high Italian cuisine.
In short, Nash said, “The more you sail with us, the more you receive.”
Nash also told us that guests who have status in other cruise programs, including competitors such as Silversea Cruises Venetian Society and the Seabourne Clubwill be able to contact the Explora Journeys and request a status match based on their current level; and those who have status in the sister brand MSC Voyagers Club will also be able to match and from various levels.
Bottom Line
With only two ships currently sailing and only four more on the way, for now, the Explora Journeys are not necessarily the largest cruise line entering the ocean, but it is definitely one of the most unique thanks to unique accommodation and performances.
The line does not make a secret about going after a younger demographic than some of its luxury competitors, focusing on what its executives “work luxury” (not retirees) used to set jets to various world -class resorts instead of living for sea sailing.
But that may be part of what makes the Explora Club Central launch on a cruise strategy. These are high -value tourists with years, or decades, the dollar trips in front of them and used for recognition and loyalty in their journey, so why not incentive them to choose Explora Journeys on competitors?
“Cruising needs two commodities: one money – there are many spending the future … and two, time,” Nash said. “We expect our guests to sail with us for about seven nights, but they are two of the huge investments we know as a brand and we need to make sure that every moment spent with us beyond our customers’ expectations.”
But it goes beyond simple recognition.
“For me, this is about emotional relationships and ensures that our staff is truly recognizing our guests … and the bond between our customers and our host aboard,” Nash said. “That’s what will bring our customers back time and time.”
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