A 128-Day World Cruise Is Redefining Ultra-Luxury at Sea
By
Smruti Thakkar
|
Feb 17, 2026
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Travel
Long-form travel is making a quiet return in luxury circles. As high-net-worth travellers increasingly prioritise depth over speed, extended ocean journeys are emerging as the ultimate expression of time-rich travel. Now, Explora Journeys is scaling that idea with a 128-day global voyage set for 2029.
Spanning more than 60 destinations across four continents, the sailing is positioned as a continuous circumnavigation rather than a segmented cruise. Departing from Dubai in January and concluding in Barcelona in May, the journey is designed to unfold as a single narrative, moving across Asia-Pacific, Oceania, and the Americas before returning to Europe.
Built Around Slow Travel
Instead of rapid port turnover, the itinerary leans into immersion. The route has been divided into themed segments that reflect regional transitions, with longer stays and overnight calls intended to encourage deeper engagement with destinations.
The voyage moves through South and Southeast Asia, into Australia and the South Pacific, before crossing into South America and travelling north via Central America and the Caribbean. A transatlantic return closes the loop in Europe after more than four months at sea.
A Residential Approach to Cruising
At the centre of the experience is Explora I, the brand’s flagship vessel launched in 2023. Designed as a floating boutique hotel rather than a traditional cruise liner, the ship reflects the broader repositioning of luxury cruising toward space, privacy, and slower onboard living.
All suites are ocean-facing with private terraces, while dining, wellness, and lounge concepts are structured to mirror land-based luxury hospitality.
The Rise of Time-Rich Travel
The announcement reflects a wider shift within luxury travel. Extended voyages are increasingly attracting entrepreneurs, semi-retired travellers, and multi-generational families seeking continuity rather than compressed itineraries.
While the full 128-day sailing anchors the launch, shorter versions of the journey are also being introduced, offering more flexible entry points into long-form cruising.
A Shift in Luxury Travel
As experiential travel evolves, the emphasis is moving from access to duration. Journeys like these are less about ticking off destinations and more about redefining how travel unfolds over time.
In the emerging hierarchy of ultra-luxury experiences, time itself is becoming the ultimate indulgence. And few formats capture that shift more clearly than a four-month voyage across oceans.
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Smruti Thakkar
Smruti Thakkar is a Paris-based luxury retail specialist & writer with over five years immersed in the heart of the French fashion capital. Having worked with iconic maisons such as Balenciaga, Chloé, and Gucci, she brings a refined understanding of craftsmanship, heritage, and the evolving language of luxury. With a deep appreciation for French culture and craftsmanship, she brings an insider’s understanding of the heritage and artistry that define these iconic brands.
