Explora Journeys will operate its first winter season in South America in 2027-28, with a series of itineraries to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay onboard the Explora I.
Previously scheduled to sail in the Middle East, the ship was redeployed due to the evolving situation in the region.
The new itineraries in South America were released on September 9, 2026, and are currently available for booking on Explora’s website.
After completing an extended summer season in the Mediterranean, the Explora I is now scheduled to cross the Atlantic in December 2027.
Sailing from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro, the 17-night cruise will sail to destinations in Morocco, Spain and Brazil, including Málaga, Tangier, Recife and Maceió.
The Explora I is then scheduled to offer a series of open-jaw cruises that sail between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.
The seven-night itineraries will feature calls in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, such as Ilhabela, Búzios, Porto Belo, Paranaguá, São Francisco do Sul, Montevideo and Punta del Este.
Highlights of the season include visits to Paraty and Ilha Grande, which form a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their cultural and biodiversity assets.
The Explora I is also scheduled to become the first cruise ship to attend the New Year’s fireworks display in Balneário Camboriú.
Similar itineraries will be offered through mid-February, when the vessel is scheduled to kick off a trans-Atlantic crossing to Portugal.
The season will also include two itineraries to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, sailing from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
Scheduled for January 2028, the eight-night cruises will visit ports in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and the Falkland Islands, including Puerto Madryn, Punta Arenas, Puerto Williams and Port Stanley.
The two itineraries will also feature scenic cruising in Cape Horn, in addition to overnight visits to key destinations.
For its repositioning voyage back to Europe, the Explora I offers a 17-night itinerary that sails to ports in Brazil, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
Before kicking off the company’s first complete season in South America, the 922-passenger ship will also mark Explora’s debut in the region.
In early 2027, the vessel is scheduled to offer 12-night cruises to the Amazon Rainforest sailing between Brazil and Puerto Rico.
