Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of MSC Group, is currently offering an attractive Mediterranean sailing from Athens to Bari. Setting sail on November 9, 2026, for 6 nights aboard the Explora II, you can book an expansive Grand Terrace Suite (Category GT) starting at €2,060 per person (including Greek port taxes). Best of all: the single supplement is completely waived (0% surcharge), allowing solo travelers to book from the exact same starting rate.
You can also combine this voyage with its subsequent departures to create an 11-night or 16-night grand voyage with an additional discount.
Do you have questions about the offer, need help, or are you looking for a cruise that suits you even better? Feel free to contact us via our inquiry form. We’re glad to help.
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This voyage offers an enchanting blend of neoclassical Cycladic charm, unique geological wonders, and spectacular coastal fjords, calling at ports across Greece and Montenegro.
If you are an Explora Club member holding Silver tier status or higher, you are entitled to an additional 5% discount on the cruise fare. Please provide your membership number when submitting your inquiry or completing your booking.
The Route
The journey embarks in Piraeus outside Athens, casting off in the evening toward Syros. As the administrative capital of the Cyclades, Syros stands out from its neighbors with grand 19th-century neoclassical architecture rather than typical whitewashed cubic houses. Highlights include the magnificent Town Hall in Ermoupoli (designed by German architect Ernst Ziller) and the Apollo Theater, crafted as a miniature replica of Milan’s La Scala.
The next day brings Paros, offering quintessential Cycladic atmosphere with bougainvillea-framed alleys, the picturesque fishing port of Naoussa, and Kolymbithres Beach, known for its smooth granite rock formations.
Following a relaxing sea day, the Explora II docks in Argostoli on Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. In addition to the historic De Bosset stone bridge, travelers can take excursions to Melissani Cave, where sunlight streams through a collapsed roof into an electric-blue subterranean lake.
The final port of call is Kotor in Montenegro. Sailing through the Bay of Kotor—often called Europe’s southernmost fjord—is celebrated as one of the world’s most dramatic cruise arrivals. The UNESCO-listed medieval walled town features winding cobblestone alleys beneath steep limestone cliffs. The cruise concludes after 6 nights across the Adriatic in Bari, Italy.
The Ship
Built in 2024 by Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard, Explora II measures 248 meters in length and 32 meters in width, carrying up to 900 guests served by 640 crew members. This exceptional 1.25:1 guest-to-crew ratio guarantees personalized, European-style luxury service throughout your voyage.
The ship’s 461 oceanfront suites and residences start at a spacious 35 m² (377 sq ft)—among the largest entry-level accommodations in the ultra-luxury cruise sector. Every suite boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a private teak terrace with daybeds, and walk-in closets with a seated vanity area.
Culinary diversity is a hallmark of the experience, offering six distinct open-seating restaurants serving international gastronomy, 12 bars and lounges with unlimited premium wines and spirits, an extensive 700 m² spa with complimentary thermal area access, and three outdoor heated pools complete with private daybed cabanas.
The primary onboard language is English, and onboard purchases can be settled in Euro or US Dollar depending on the itinerary using major credit cards.
Below are a few impressions of the ship and suites:
