Hilton is pushing its loyalty program well beyond the boundaries of its 9,000 hotels.
The company announced an exclusive collaboration with Explora Journeys that will allow Hilton Honors members to book, earn and redeem points on luxury ocean sailings starting summer 2026. The partnership also serves as the debut of Hilton Honors Adventures, a new experiential travel platform focused on immersive, adventure-driven trips.
The move reflects a broader industry shift. Hotel companies are increasingly looking to build revenue and loyalty outside the traditional hotel footprint, while cruise lines see substantial upside in courting land-based travelers who want deeper destination access without sacrificing service standards. The Hilton–Explora tie-up blends both ambitions by giving more than 235 million Hilton Honors members entry into one of the cruise industry’s fastest-growing luxury brands.
“This partnership unites two brands committed to thoughtful travel, meaningful connection, and deep discovery,” Anna Nash, president, Explora Journeys, said in a statement. “At Explora Journeys, we believe in giving our guests the time and space to slow down, choose intentionally, and feel truly in tune with their surroundings; this is what we call ‘The Ocean State of Mind’. Together, we’re offering Hilton Honors members a stay at sea that blends the freedom of the ocean with the warmth of genuine hospitality. Our goal is simple: to create moments that are effortless, personal, and crafted with care, always guided by our commitment to the wellbeing of our guests.”
“Explora Journeys defines the pinnacle of luxury ocean travel and unparalleled experiences,” added Chris Silcock, Hilton’s president of global brands and commercial services. “This exciting new partnership creates the perfect moment to launch Hilton Honors Adventures, introducing new ways for our members to experience iconic destinations and hidden gems around the world.”
Hilton Honors Adventures is inviting travelers to immerse themselves in bucket-list-worthy travel, elevating loyalty benefits across land and at sea. This will also include Hilton’s exclusive partnership with premier outdoor hospitality provider AutoCamp. Hilton Honors Adventures expands the possibilities of loyalty-driven travel. Hilton Honors members can also continue to enjoy flexibility, personalization and loyalty benefits across 9,000 Hilton properties—including a portfolio of more than 1,000 luxury and lifestyle hotels.
What Members Get
Beginning in 2026, Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem points on Explora Journeys’ global itineraries, including sailings in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Red Sea and, starting in 2027, Japan-focused Asia sailings. Members will also receive exclusive onboard perks, though full details have not yet been released.
A preview offer is available now through June 7, 2026, with benefits designed to introduce Hilton loyalists to Explora’s ocean experience. Highlights include:
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100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points per suite
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Up to $/€400 in Journey Experience Credits on 16 curated Hilton x Explora itineraries and $/€200 on all others
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An exclusive in-suite welcome amenity
Journey Experience Credits can be used for onboard dining, wine tastings, Destination Experiences, spa services, curated shopping and suite upgrades.
A Potential Shake-Up for Advisors
Loyalty is officially going seaborne — and that could be a meaningful disruptor.
Luxury cruise lines have long thrived on travel advisor bookings rather than pure direct-to-consumer demand, and Hilton’s 235 million–member pipeline introduces a massive new audience that may shift how future guests first enter the cruise funnel. While Explora Journeys continues to emphasize its advisor-first strategy, this type of loyalty integration has the potential to reshape how premium guests discover, sample and ultimately book luxury ocean travel.
Why It Matters
Luxury cruise demand continues to surge as travelers gravitate toward slower, more immersive, time-rich itineraries — trends hotel companies have been looking to tap through branded tours, residential-style extensions and adventure partnerships. Explora Journeys, backed by MSC Group, has been one of the most closely watched entrants in the luxury ocean space thanks to its design-forward fleet and emphasis on what it calls the “Ocean State of Mind,” a philosophy rooted in unhurried discovery.
For Hilton, the partnership expands loyalty engagement beyond rooms and resorts and sits alongside other “beyond the hotel” offerings, including its partnership with AutoCamp. For Explora, the deal introduces a massive new pool of potential guests who already demonstrate high loyalty engagement and a willingness to spend on premium experiences.
Hilton Honors Adventures, positioned as an umbrella for these expanded experiences, signals Hilton’s intent to compete more aggressively in the experiential travel arena — a space luxury cruise lines have long dominated thanks to controlled environments, highly curated itineraries and high-touch service.
With loyalty emerging as one of the strongest demand drivers in luxury hospitality, the land-and-sea crossover is becoming a compelling area of growth.
Hilton and Explora’s partnership may be among the largest loyalty integrations yet, but it won’t be the last.
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