Dear Travel Partners,
As part of our ongoing support, we will be contacting any of your clients in the next 24 hours who have a reservation with Explora Journeys for an upcoming journey in the Middle East.
We kindly ask that you check in with your clients directly to ensure they have received this update.
Understandably, you and your clients may have questions about their travel plans in light of the current events. Please be assured that the wellbeing and safety of our guests and hosts remains our utmost priority, and any decisions regarding our itineraries will always be guided by this principle.
At present, all itineraries in the Middle East, starting with EXPLORA II in December 2026, remain as scheduled. However, we wanted to take this opportunity to share a brief update.
As a brand that places great value on the care and confidence of both our guests and our travel advisor partners, we are introducing an additional measure of flexibility. As an exception, we are extending the cancellation period for all our Middle East Journeys by an additional 45 days*. This means your clients will have a further 45 days beyond the original deadline to review and consider their plans with complete flexibility.
This extension is intended to give you and your clients the space to reflect without feeling the need to react quickly to current events. Of course, we remain hopeful to continue welcoming your clients on their planned Journey with us, and we hope this approach reinforces our commitment to open communication and thoughtful support for both you and your clients.
It also allows us time to continue monitoring the situation closely and, should it become necessary, to communicate any carefully planned itinerary adjustments with clarity and advance notice. The flexibility of ocean travel enables us to thoughtfully adapt routes where appropriate while continuing to deliver enriching journeys for our guests.
We will continue to monitor the situation in the region and will share a further update by the end of March 2026.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Should you have any questions, please reach out to our Explora Experience Centre Ambassadors.
Where possible, we would kindly ask that calls are reserved for more urgent enquiries, as our teams are currently supporting a high volume of requests.
We hope this measure reflects how much we value the trust you and your clients place in Explora Journeys.
At this time, all itineraries in the Middle East—beginning with EXPLORA II in December 2026—currently remain on schedule. To offer additional reassurance, we have extended the cancellation period for all Middle East Winter 2026/2027 Journeys by an additional 45 days. This means your clients will have a further 45 days beyond the original deadline to review and consider their plans with complete flexibility. It also allows us time to continue monitoring the situation closely and, should it become necessary, to communicate any carefully planned itinerary adjustments with clarity and advance notice. A further update will be given at the end of March 2026.
Please be assured that the matter has the full attention of our Journey planning team, and we are confident in the thoughtful and diligent way it is being managed by our colleagues. If an itinerary change becomes necessary, we will ensure it remains enriching, inspiring, and safe. Any changes will be communicated clearly and promptly, and at the latest by the end of March 2026. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Explora Journeys fully understands that your clients may have questions due to recent events. Please reassure them that guest wellbeing and safety is always our highest priority. We are continuously monitoring the situation with global security partners and local authorities.
If needed, yes. One of the great benefits of journeying with Explora Journeys is the flexibility our ships offer. Unlike land‑based hotels, we can adjust our routes while maintaining a deeply curated, immersive experience. If an itinerary change becomes necessary, we will ensure it remains enriching, inspiring, and safe. Any changes will be communicated clearly and promptly, and at the latest by the end of March 2026.
We will provide further updates by the end of March 2026 or earlier, if required. Guests and Travel Advisors will both be informed simultaneously.
If adjustments become necessary, we will curate alternatives that maintain the spirit and quality of the original Journey. Travel Advisors and guests will be supported with clear options and guidance.
In the event of a cancellation, the agreed commission is protected on the portion of the cancellation penalty withheld. For Middle East Winter 2026/2027 itineraries, the cancellation penalty period is extended by 45 days. Cancellations made within this extended free cancellation window will not incur penalties; therefore, no commission will apply in line with standard T&Cs.
