Hilton Honors Adventures: A New Luxury Travel Offering with Explora Journeys, All You Need To Know

Published on December 9, 2025

Hilton and Explora Journeys have launched an exciting new partnership that blends luxurious ocean travel with Hilton’s renowned loyalty programme. Hilton Honors Adventures, unveiled in December 2025, marks the beginning of a new era where hotel loyalty points can be used for ocean voyages. Starting in the summer of 2026, Hilton Honors members can now earn and redeem their points on exclusive Explora Journeys voyages, offering a seamless connection between land and sea travel.

This collaboration is the first of its kind, integrating two major travel sectors, hotels and cruises, to create a comprehensive travel experience. It allows Hilton Honors members to enjoy curated itineraries across 16 luxury sailings and gain access to a suite of benefits previously unavailable to cruise passengers.

A Seamless Fusion of Luxury Travel and Loyalty Benefits

The partnership’s core offering is the ability for Hilton Honors members to earn and redeem points on Explora Journeys’ luxury ocean cruises. As part of this initiative, members can book and enjoy exclusive savings on a collection of 16 curated itineraries, starting in the summer of 2026. The luxury cruise itineraries span key global destinations, ranging from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe and the Caribbean, offering the chance to explore both iconic cities and hidden gems.

A special preview offer will run until June 7, 2026, featuring bonus points and onboard credits, including 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per suite, up to USD 400 in onboard credits for the exclusive itineraries, and USD 200 credits for all other voyages. Additionally, a premium in-suite welcome gift will be presented to all participating guests, adding to the allure of this new travel experience.

Explora Journeys: A New Era in Luxury Ocean Travel

Explora Journeys, an offshoot of the MSC Group, aims to redefine the luxury cruise sector with its focus on exclusive, thoughtfully curated ocean voyages. The brand has already gained significant attention for its innovative approach to travel, offering a combination of cultural immersion, personalised experiences, and world-class amenities.

Explora’s fleet includes the EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, with future expansions expected as the brand seeks to grow its presence. Known for its private yacht-like experiences, Explora’s ships feature spacious suites, exclusive dining options, wellness facilities, and immersive excursions designed to make every voyage unique.

Why This Partnership Matters for Travellers

The introduction of Hilton Honors Adventures represents a monumental shift in the way loyalty programmes operate within the travel industry. For frequent travellers, particularly Hilton Honors members, the ability to use accumulated points for luxury ocean cruises is a game-changer. This partnership allows guests to seamlessly combine their hotel stays with immersive travel experiences at sea, offering unmatched flexibility in travel planning.

Travel advisors, who now have access to this exclusive offering, can create bespoke itineraries that integrate land and sea experiences. This will appeal to a wide range of travellers, from those seeking luxury experiences to those looking for adventure and cultural discovery.

For the luxury cruise industry, this alliance provides a gateway to a vast, new market of loyal Hilton customers who may not have considered ocean travel previously. By linking Hilton Honors with Explora Journeys, both brands enhance their value propositions, making travel more accessible and seamless for loyal customers.

Exploring the Benefits for Travel Advisors and Operators

Travel advisors and tour operators can capitalise on this new collaboration by offering customised travel packages that blend stays at Hilton properties with ocean journeys on Explora Journeys. The Ambassador Training Program, launched as part of the Hilton Honors Adventures initiative, will further equip travel professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively sell these combined itineraries.

The program not only helps agents understand Explora’s destinations but also provides insights into luxury cruise offerings that match client needs, whether for wellness retreats, family adventures, or romantic getaways. This program will empower advisors to offer value-added services and craft personalised travel experiences, strengthening their relationship with clients and expanding their reach within the high-end travel market.

A Game-Changer for Loyalty Programs in Luxury Travel

As the first hotel loyalty program to expand into ocean travel, Hilton Honors Adventures is setting a new precedent for the industry. The ability to redeem loyalty points for cruises allows Hilton Honors members to enjoy additional perks and exclusivity when embarking on luxury voyages. This concept of connecting land-based hospitality with ocean-based experiences could pave the way for future loyalty partnerships in the travel sector.

For Hilton and Explora Journeys, this partnership enhances their ability to attract a broader audience, combining the world of luxury hotels with that of luxury ocean travel. With new ways to engage customers through loyalty points, both brands are positioning themselves as leaders in the evolving luxury travel market.

Expanding Horizons for Luxury Travel

The collaboration between Hilton and Explora Journeys represents an exciting development in luxury travel, offering travellers more flexibility and opportunities to explore the world in style. With the Hilton Honors Adventures program, Hilton members can now enjoy the best of both worlds, luxury hotels and ocean voyages, all under one loyalty umbrella. For travel professionals, this partnership provides new ways to design custom, high-value itineraries that cater to the growing demand for authentic experiences and seamless travel. As both brands continue to innovate, they promise to set new benchmarks for the future of luxury travel.