Image: Ocean Terrace Suite imagery supplied by Explora Journeys. Exact layout and finishes vary by suite and ship.
An Explora Penthouse can be a worthwhile upgrade when you will use the extra living space. It is a less compelling purchase if the main attraction is the word “Penthouse” and you expect to spend most of the journey ashore or around the ship.
The decision starts with three things: the exact layout, the indoor-versus-outdoor space and the total upgrade price. This is a comparison of published specifications and benefits, not a firsthand review of every category.
Quick answer I would keep an Ocean Terrace for a trip focused on exploring ashore and consider a Penthouse for more private downtime or in-suite dining. If a separate bedroom is essential, inspect the specific floor plan rather than assuming every Penthouse provides one.
Send me the ship or sailing you are considering, guest count and the layout features that matter to you. I can compare the available suites and the actual upgrade cost.
Compare Ocean Terrace and Penthouse prices →
Ocean Terrace and the Penthouse categories compared
Explora’s Ocean Suites overview lists Ocean Terrace at approximately 377 sq ft (35 m²). Its Penthouse overview publishes the category ranges below. These are total suite-size figures, including outdoor space, rather than interior-room measurements; dimensions and layouts vary by ship and suite. Use the table to shortlist, then verify the exact plan.
| Category | Approximate total space, including terrace | What to inspect before upgrading |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Terrace, OT1–OT4 | 377 sq ft / 35 m² | Exact location and terrace arrangement |
| Penthouse, PH | 463–517 sq ft / 43–48 m² | Lounge and dining space; bedroom privacy |
| Deluxe Penthouse, DP | 463–657 sq ft / 43–61 m² | How much of the size difference is outdoors |
| Premier Penthouse, PP | 517–570 sq ft / 48–53 m² | Separate-bedroom floor plan |
| Grand Penthouse, GP | 646–743 sq ft / 60–69 m² | Living, sleeping and working zones |
Conversions are rounded. The broad ranges span different ships and configurations; they are not a promise that every listed size is available on your sailing. Explora also lists a Grand Penthouse with Whirlpool specifically for EXPLORA V and VI. Check the category overview and ship-specific details.
Do not confuse Ocean Grand Terrace, category GT, with Grand Penthouse, category GP. Our Ocean Suites guide covers OT1–OT4 and GT in detail; this article focuses on moving into the Penthouse tier.
Compare interior space separately from the terrace
A useful illustration appears in Explora’s current EXPLORA V ship guide: its standard PH has about 366 sq ft (34 m²) indoors plus a 97 sq ft (9 m²) terrace, totaling 463 sq ft (43 m²). The guide also distinguishes larger terraces from larger interiors in other categories. This is an EXPLORA V example, not a floor-plan guarantee for EXPLORA I, II, III or IV.
That distinction changes the value calculation. If you want room to read indoors while your partner rests, more terrace area will not solve the same problem as a separate lounge or bedroom. If private outdoor breakfasts are your priority, the terrace may be precisely the improvement you want.
For every shortlisted suite, ask for four separate figures: indoor area, terrace area, total area and upgrade price. Then identify which additional space you would use each day. A large total number alone is not a reason to pay more.
Does every Penthouse have a separate bedroom?
No single assumption works across the tier. Explora’s EXPLORA III PH description describes a spacious lounge and separate dining area for four. Its Premier Penthouse description explicitly identifies a separate bedroom. Read the actual plan if privacy is your reason for upgrading.
I would ask whether the sleeping area closes off, where the television and dining table sit, and whether someone can use the bathroom without walking through the other person’s resting space. These questions are more useful than treating every Penthouse as the same kind of apartment.
What additional benefits do Penthouses receive?
The current official inclusions chart gives Ocean Suites dining-reservation access 75 days before sailing and Penthouses 90 days before. Penthouse additions include an extra in-suite wine or spirit bottle, selected wine savings, garment pressing within 24 hours of check-in, one bag of laundry subject to timing conditions, and priority check-in/embarkation where available.
Both tiers already share the core inclusions: dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities and access to the spa thermal area. The same chart places a dedicated Residence Manager in the Residence tiers. A Penthouse should not be purchased on the assumption that its title alone includes Residence-level service. Compare the full benefits chart.
My recommendation is to value benefits realistically. Earlier dining access can matter if you have strong preferences, but it is not a guarantee of every preferred time. A laundry allowance is convenient, but I would not use it to justify a large fare difference. The suite itself should carry most of the value argument.
How much is the upgrade worth per night?
Hypothetical example, not a live fare: suppose an Ocean Terrace costs $8,000 total for two and the preferred Penthouse costs $10,100 on the same seven-night sailing under equivalent fare conditions.
| Measure | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total suite upgrade | $10,100 − $8,000 | $2,100 |
| Extra per suite per night | $2,100 ÷ 7 | $300 |
| Extra per guest per night, two guests | $2,100 ÷ 7 ÷ 2 | $150 |
The decision is whether that particular layout and its benefits are worth $300 per suite each night to you. I would be more inclined to pay it for a journey with plenty of private downtime than for a schedule where I planned to be out all day.
Compare equivalent fare conditions as well as suites. A lower Penthouse quote tied to a nonrefundable payment option is not directly equivalent to a more flexible Ocean Terrace quote. The Full Payment vs. Flexible Fare guide explains that separate choice.
When I would keep the Ocean Terrace
I would start with Ocean Terrace when the itinerary matters more than private living space, when a well-positioned suite meets your needs, or when the upgrade would displace something else you value more. Write down the best alternative use of the price difference before treating it as spare money.
When I would consider a Penthouse
I would look more closely at a Penthouse for a longer journey, frequent in-suite meals, different sleep schedules or a strong desire for private relaxation. The right category depends on the feature you need: more dining space, a larger terrace and bedroom separation are different purchasing decisions.
For mobility, bedding or occupancy requirements, request confirmation for the exact suite. Start with the official EXPLORA III deck plan if that is your ship, or obtain the corresponding plan for another vessel. I would check adjacent venues and the decks above and below before selecting a room number.
Compare the suites actually available for your journey
Tell me your dates, guest count, preferred budget and must-have layout features through my JourneyFuse form. I can compare the available Ocean Terrace and Penthouse options and check eligible rates or amenities through our agency’s consortium. Benefits and combinations vary by sailing; I will confirm the complete offer before you book.
Find the right Explora suite for me →
Frequently asked questions
Is a Penthouse always worth the upgrade?
No. Judge the exact layout and benefits against the total price difference. A Penthouse is most useful when you expect to spend meaningful time in its additional space.
Do all Penthouses have a separate bedroom?
Do not assume so. Compare the exact ship and suite plan. Explora explicitly describes a separate bedroom for EXPLORA III Premier Penthouses; standard PH descriptions emphasize larger living and dining areas.
Are the published square-foot figures all indoor space?
No. Published total suite areas include terrace space. Ask for the indoor and terrace measurements separately, using the guide for your specific ship.
Can solo travelers book a Penthouse with a reduced supplement?
Explora lists Ocean Penthouses among the categories eligible for Journey of One on selected journeys. Availability and the actual one-person total must be checked for your sailing.
Solo offer details: Journey of One terms and eligible categories.
Sources and review date
Researched November 2, 2026 using Explora’s Ocean Suites, Ocean Penthouses, inclusions chart, EXPLORA V ship guide and the linked ship-specific pages. Total-size ranges summarize published category information; exact layouts, dimensions and amenities must be verified for your ship and suite. Upgrade examples and recommendations are editorial analysis, not available fares.