Explora Journeys is the MSC Group's new luxury cruise brand, designed to cater to the most discerning. Its focus is on specializing in experiences that connect passengers with destinations inaccessible to other ships, offering longer cruises to maximize time for discovery and exploration.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 65 – June 2023
Explora I, the brand's first ship, begins its maiden voyage on July 17th of this year in Southampton. The company will launch the second ship in the fleet in the summer of 2024 and will offer an impressive array of destinations, which are already available for viewing.
The new ship's offerings combine Western destinations such as the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe with Eastern destinations such as India, the Arabian Peninsula (Near East) and the Indian Ocean (Middle East), providing the opportunity to thoroughly explore the original culture of each, the typical gastronomy and the most characteristic places and customs.
Mediterráneo
Explora II offers a series of inaugural voyages to discover the pleasures of the Mediterranean on itineraries such as the comprehensive Barcelona-Athens cruise. This itinerary combines the incomparable Barcelona and the island of Menorca with must-see destinations in historic Italy, such as Rome and Palermo, and some of Greece's treasures, including Mykonos and Corfu, before arriving in the capital, Athens, as the final destination. All of this is an 11-night cruise from August 12 to 23, 2024. This voyage will be offered again in September, from the 13th to the 23rd, sailing from Athens to Barcelona and including the islands of Sicily and Malta in its route.
To continue exploring the Greek capital, another highlight is the Athens-Venice itinerary, a 10-night cruise from August 23 to September 2, 2024. This journey takes you from the heart of ancient Greece to the mythological town of Paphos, which leads to the entrance of ancient Ephesus, Kusadasi. The ship then continues its voyage to Santorini, where you'll admire the distinctive aesthetic of the city with its blue domes and white houses. Finally, to bid farewell to Greece, Kalamata offers its spectacular castle hillsides, and the cruise arrives at the quintessential port of the Ionian Islands: Fiskardo. Guests of the Explora II will then return to Venice. This itinerary will also be offered on the return trip, Venice-Athens, an 11-night cruise from September 2 to 13, with a different route that includes stops in Croatia and other Greek destinations.
Another of the star itineraries in the Mediterranean is the Barcelona-Malaga route, along the Iberian Peninsula. This 7-night cruise will travel from Barcelona to Cadiz and then on to Portugal, sailing along the entire coast. Finally, from Lisbon, it will cross the Strait of Gibraltar to reach its final destination: Malaga. It will depart from September 23rd to 30th.
These are some of the highlights of Explora II's inaugural voyage through the Mediterranean.
The Red Sea, the Arabian Peninsula, and India:
Among the destinations that Explora Journeys will visit in the 2024/2025 season, Explora Journeys will also offer a series of itineraries exploring India, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Red Sea. These are places where you can discover the beautiful balance between time-honored traditions and a modern perspective.
The first featured itinerary is to Jeddah, with departure and return to the same port. This 9-night cruise, from November 12 to 21, 2024, begins in Jordan, giving guests the opportunity to experience the unique beauty of Petra and spend the night in Aqaba. The Explora II will then visit Egypt, the city of Luxor on the banks of the Nile, the site of ancient Thebes. From there, it will return to Saudi Arabia, to the city of Al-Ula in the Medina region, historically located on the Incense Route, before returning to its starting point, Jeddah, after an overnight stay.
The company's itineraries around these destinations will allow passengers to explore a wide variety of countries. These include the United Arab Emirates, located along the Persian Gulf, with visits to the capital, Abu Dhabi, and the renowned city of Dubai. The cruise will also reach Oman and, of course, India, with Goa, Kochi, and Mumbai among the most prominent Indian destinations. The Explora II will make its maiden voyage crossing the Suez Canal to reach Israel and the island of Cyprus, where it will visit Paphos, a city renowned for its archaeological sites related to the cult of Aphrodite.
Africa and the Indian Ocean:
The Explora II will sail during the 2025 season along the southern equatorial current on a journey to discover the authentic African nature, by sea and by land, from elephants to humpback whales.
A 14-night cruise from Mumbai to Mombasa will be offered, from January 18 to February 1, 2025. Departing from Mumbai, the country's largest city, home to the famous stone archway of India's Gateway, the cruise will continue for two days to the southwestern Indian city of Kochi. The itinerary also includes a visit to the stunning Maldives and its capital, Malé, known for its colorful buildings and mosques. Two days of sailing will then take you to Port Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, where you will spend two days and an overnight stay. After this break, the ship will continue its journey to Tanzania and the archipelago of Zanzibar. Finally, guests will arrive at their final destination, Mombasa, Kenya.
In another featured itinerary, guests will depart from this same city, Mombasa, on February 1, 2025, and embark on a 14-night voyage aboard Explora Journeys' second ship in the fleet to Durban, South Africa, arriving on February 15.
This time, the Explora II will visit Nosy Be Island, off the northwest coast of Madagascar, where you'll have the opportunity to see characteristic wildlife such as chameleons, geckos, and frogs, as well as the island's typical covered market. In Madagascar, you'll also visit Antsiranana, in the northwest of the country. After this stop, there will be a day of sailing and relaxation in the Indian Ocean, before arriving in Mauritius, specifically its capital, Port Louis, known for its architecture. Finally, the voyage will conclude with a trip to Réunion Island, followed by two days of sailing before reaching the much-anticipated Durban, South Africa, famous for its large theme park with an aquarium and a botanical garden showcasing African plants.
After arriving in Durban, the Explora II will begin another 14-night itinerary, embarking on February 15, 2025, for a voyage to Cape Town, South Africa. On this journey, guests will enjoy Mozambique and its fantastic beaches, thanks to two stops in the country: the famous Portuguese Island and the capital, Maputo.
The second highlight of this itinerary is South Africa. The Explora II will dock overnight in Richards Bay, a town boasting one of the country's largest harbors, as well as the largest natural harbor in Africa. It will then continue its journey to Port Elizabeth, a city located on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, renowned for its numerous and varied beaches. The following day, it will embark on a day's sail to its final destination, Cape Town, a port city on South Africa's west coast.
Explora Journeys also offers another 13-night itinerary from Cape Town to Mombasa, from March 1 to 14, 2025. A comprehensive itinerary that will sail along the east coast of Africa through the Indian Ocean, visiting countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya, the final destination.
It will also include an itinerary that extends to Oman and Saudi Arabia. The 15-day voyage, from March 14 to 29, 2025, will take place from Mombasa to Jeddah, on the shores of the Red Sea, the starting point for pilgrimages to holy cities such as Mecca and Medina.
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