Explora Journeys to Launch River Cruise Ships in Expansion Beyond Ocean Market

Explora Journeys on Thursday revealed that it has signed a letter of intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard to build luxury river cruise ships, marking the brand’s first entry into river cruising. Rumors had swirled about the news since the summer.

Not much else was revealed about the project, except that sales are expected to open in 2027. Explora wouldn’t say how many ships it was planning for, or its delivery schedule or initial itineraries, saying only that they will “be announced in due course.”

“Since launching, Explora Journeys has sought to change the way people experience ocean travel through its Ocean State of Mind philosophy – combining the freedom and discovery of traveling by sea with the elegance and refinement of European hospitality and design. The brand now intends to bring that same approach to Europe’s most iconic rivers,” Explora said in its announcement.

Den Breejen has built ships for Avalon, Emerald, Scenic, and more. Explora’s ships, if its ocean product is any clue, will likely sit at the highest end of the river cruise industry.

Explora will now join a thriving river cruise market that includes industry stalwarts like Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, and Avalon, along with a growing market of new entrants, most notably Celebrity River Cruises, but also including Trafalgar and others.