We've created a detailed guide below on how to become a travel agent for this luxurious cruise line. But if you prefer quick answers, simply click vacationlab.io/join to chat live with our team and learn firsthand how to become a travel agent for Explora Journeys - plus gain access to all our other travel partners. Best of all, joining is completely free, no dues or fees from us, ever!
Overview
Explora Journeys might be one of the best cruise lines in the world… if you can afford it. This is a luxury cruise line where a single vacation can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $40,000 or more per guest, catering to travelers who want nothing but the best.
They offer top-tier food, all rooms are suites, and Explora Journeys ships feel more like private yachts than traditional cruise ships. The ships are quiet and elegant, built for around 600 to 900 passengers, ensuring plenty of outdoor space and always a crew member ready to help you out.
Did you know you can take it a step further and actually help people plan their next luxurious, unforgettable vacation? Yep, it’s true. The best part is that you can do it from the comfort of your home, your suite onboard Explora II, or even a beach in the Caribbean. Being an Explora Journeys travel agent is all about assisting guests in any way possible — by helping them book restaurants, answering their questions, and making sure they have the best experience possible aboard Explora I or Explora II.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about becoming an Explora Journeys travel agent. We’ll cover:
- Benefits of Becoming an Explora Journeys Travel Agent
- Skills Required to Become an Explora Journeys Travel Agent
- Finding an Explora Journeys Host Agency
- The Best Host Agency for Explora Journeys
- Tips for Those Starting Out
- Training Courses for Explora Journeys
- Getting Paid
- Free Stock Library
- Explora Journeys Travel Agent FAQ
Now let’s get started!
Benefits
A Good Starting Point for Travel Agents
Starting out with Explora Journeys might not be a bad idea if you want to become a travel agent. Explora Journeys is a very niche cruise line, currently operating just two ships — with a third set to launch in 2026. Their two ships, Explora I and Explora II, are also nearly identical, with only minor differences between them. That makes it easier for you to do your research and start selling trips, without feeling overwhelmed by cruise lines that have thousands of itineraries and over twenty ships.
Explora Journeys is a Luxurious Cruise Line
Explora Journeys is amazing… and it’s also expensive. The price per passenger starts at around $8,000 and can go all the way up to $40,000 or more. This is a very different cruise line from your standard ones, catering to a very specific, high-end crowd. You know what that means? Even if you sell just one vacation to a couple, that’s at least $20,000, and let’s say that you earn 16% in commissions, that’s $3,200 for you! I’m not great at math, but that sounds pretty amazing for a single trip.
Explora Journeys is getting bigger
This is a luxury brand that launched in 2023. They currently have two ships - Explora I launched in 2023, Explora II debuted in September 2024, and Explora III is due in 2026. Explora Journeys is also rolling out new itineraries to destinations like Alaska and the Arabian Peninsula in the coming years. The line is only growing, and passenger numbers will surely rise with time. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get a head start: dive into Explora Journeys now and start selling those new trips as soon as they become available.
Good Perks for Travel Agents
Explora Journeys loves travel agents! They offer very competitive commission splits, usually starting at 15 percent and going up to 18 percent. They also have a no NCFs policy, which means you earn even more money when you book a trip. Explora also pays commissions on add-ons you can book for your clients, and sometimes runs challenges that increase commissions to support travel agents.
Skills
Communication Skills
You need strong communication skills when working as a travel agent, and that’s even more important with Explora Journeys. Remember, this is a luxury cruise line, so there’s a good chance you’ll be helping guests in their 50s and older who are looking for a peaceful, quiet, and upscale experience. Since Explora Journeys is still relatively new, clients will likely have lots of questions. Make sure to research the cruise line thoroughly and deliver your answers in a polite, clear, and easy-to-understand manner.
Stay Up to Date with Everything Explora Journeys-Related
Explora Journeys is still new, and that’s a great opportunity for you to get a head start and learn about it, especially since there aren’t nearly as many travel advisors working with them yet. Guests will come to you with lots of questions about this cruise line, and it’s your job to answer them as clearly and confidently as possible.
What’s the overall vibe of their ships? What does it mean when we say Explora Journeys is “all-inclusive”? Is the food any good? Do you get free Wi-Fi onboard? The good news is, you’ll be answering “yes” to most of these questions. But to do that, you need to really understand what you’re selling, which means doing your research on Explora Journeys is absolutely crucial.
Here are a few things you should look into:
- The All-Inclusive cruise fare
- Food onboard Explora Journeys
- Staterooms
- What you need to pay for once onboard
- Shore Excursions
- Differences between Ships
- …and more!
Finding a Host Agency
Lucky you, friend. You’re already checking out one of the best host agencies around! We’ve got tons of information about Explora on our sister site, Famvia, along with plenty of experienced travel agents from North America and Europe who know this luxurious cruise line. We’d love to have you join us, of course, but in the meantime, here are some quick tips for choosing a host agency:
Look for host agencies that:
- Have a good track record
- Offer an interview process
- Share commissions with you fairly (typically starting at 70% for the travel agent)
- Are as fancy and amazing as Explora Journeys!
Best Host Agency
VacationLab is the best host agency if you want to focus on Explora Journeys, other cruise lines, theme parks, and even beach resorts. Here’s why!
- No previous experience? That’s fine! We’re here to help you every step of the way! And since Explora Journeys is rather new, it’s actually a great time to jump in and learn.
- We have a fun interview process, promise!
- We offer SORS - our very own Travel Dashboard to help you manage bookings and travel rewards.
- We provide exclusive courses, like Mastering Travel Social Media, to support travel advisors of all backgrounds.
- We offer a commission split starting at 70%, all the way to 80%!
- We have hundreds of guides and reviews on our sister site, Famvia, covering major cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts. This includes Explora Journeys, where we have multiple guides talking about the ships, dining options, stateroom options, itineraries, activities and more.
- We’re always ready to listen, chat, and lend a helping hand!
Tips for those starting out
Become an Explora Journeys Expert
Hey, if you’re planning to become an Explora Journeys travel agent, you should at least know the basics - who they are, what they offer, and how much a vacation with them typically costs, right?
Explora Journeys is still relatively new. Their first ship started sailing in 2023, followed by another in 2024, with two more set to launch in 2026 and 2027. They’re also gradually introducing new destinations and itineraries. Right now, it feels like every travel agent is starting from scratch when it comes to learning about them.
The good news? VacationLab’s sister site, Famvia, offers free guides about Explora Journeys with detailed information presented in a fun, easy-to-understand way. You can learn a lot there, and the guides and articles cover topics like:
- Planning a Cruise on Explora Journeys
- Explora Journeys Ships & Itineraries
- Explora Journeys Room & Dining Options
There’s a lot of information there, with dozens of pages talking about Explora!
Prepare for your Interview
You need to be prepared for your interview, and that means understanding not only Explora Journeys, but also the host agency you’re applying to. You don’t need to master every single detail about Explora - the agency will help you grow, after all - but you should know the basics, like their overall pricing, destinations, ships, and the all-inclusive cruise fare they offer.
Show your knowledge during the interview, and don’t be afraid to ask questions, not just about the cruise line, but about the host agency as well. This is a good way to show genuine interest and professionalism.
Getting Paid
Commission Payout
Explora Journeys typically pays commission within 21 days of final payment.
Explora Journeys Travel Agent Rates
While specific commission percentages are protected by NDA (“Non Disclosure Agreement”) between all travel partners/travel suppliers and the host agency, you can assume that commission percentages range from 10% up to 20% (depending on the type of booking).
Explora Journeys typically pays travel agents 15% in commissions, while some of their premier travel agents who have been with them for a while earn up to 18%. They also offer about 10% commission on add-ons, and best of all, they have no non-commissionable fees (NCFs), which is awesome.
Now let’s try a simulation:
- A 7-day Mediterranean cruise averages about $20,000 for two guests.
Gross commission amount: 15% of $20,000 = $3,000
Assuming you have a 70% Commission Split with you agency
70% = $2,100 to YOU
30% = $900 to the Agency
Not too shabby, considering this is one of the cheapest vacations onboard Explora Journeys and you could book hundreds of them.
Explora Journeys Travel Agent Salary
It’s difficult to determine exactly how much an Explora Journeys travel agent earns per year since many factors come into play, such as the number of bookings, trip prices, and more. This is even harder to predict for Explora, since it is a relatively new cruise line with variable pricing
That said, we can estimate that Explora Journeys travel agents may earn anywhere from $50,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on whether they work full-time as travel agents or focus solely on Explora.
Training
Explora Journeys Training Program
Explora Journeys cares deeply about its travel advisors, so much so that their travel advisor hub is built right into their main website. There, you’ll find the Travel Advisor Centre, where you can learn about Explora Journeys, earn rewards, grow with the company, and discover how to sell unforgettable luxury vacations.
Inside the Travel Advisor Centre, you’ll find Explora Journeys’ Knowledge Suite - a training program with multiple videos designed to guide you through everything you need to know about the brand, their ships, and what sets them apart. Completing the basic training takes around two to three hours, but Explora regularly adds new content, so be sure to check back often and stay up to date.
Explora Journeys Training Program Requirements
To apply to the Travel Advisor Centre, you must first be part of a host agency. Then, simply head to the link above, fill out the required fields, and select the courses you’re interested in. You don’t need to pay for the training programs or modules.
Free Stock Library
VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from major cruise lines like Explora Journeys and Royal Caribbean, theme parks like Disney World and Disneyland, and beach resorts like Beaches Resorts.
By joining us, you'll also gain access to our exclusive database, making it easy to showcase images and videos to your clients based on what they’re looking for.
Explora Journeys Travel Agent FAQ
Explora Journeys is a luxury cruise line where a single trip for two guests can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Not only that, Explora offers some really amazing commissions, usually between 15 and 18 percent, and no NCFs, which is fantastic. If you can build a client base with them, you will be a happy travel agent.
Explora Journeys is a premier cruise line with a high price tag, so there’s a good chance some people will inquire but ultimately decide not to book a trip. This can present a challenge, especially at first, when it may be difficult to build a steady client base.