Explora Journeys has signed a letter of intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard to construct luxury river cruise vessels, marking the company’s first venture into river cruising, according to www.travelmarketreport.com. The agreement precedes the brand’s planned expansion onto Europe’s most iconic rivers.
The company has not disclosed the number of ships planned, delivery schedules, or initial itineraries, but noted that sales for the new river cruises are expected to open in 2027. Details on ship design and onboard experiences will be announced at a later stage.
Explora Journeys plans to extend its Ocean State of Mind philosophy, which integrates
the freedom and discovery of sea travel with European hospitality and design, into its river cruise offerings. This approach aims to bring the same luxury and refinement to river cruising as its ocean voyages.
Den Breejen Shipyard, based in the Netherlands, has prior experience building vessels for cruise lines including Avalon, Emerald, and Scenic. Explora’s river cruise ships are anticipated to compete at the high end of the market alongside established operators such as Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Avalon, and newer entrants Celebrity River Cruises and Trafalgar.
New luxury river cruise options from Explora Journeys are expected to become available for
booking starting in 2027. The company has stated that further information regarding ship delivery and itineraries will be revealed in due course.
