Explora Journeys officially took delivery today of EXPLORA I, the first luxury ship to join the brand's fleet, from the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The investment in the new ship totaled more than €500 million, with a total investment plan of €2.5 billion for the first four vessels.
The EXPLORA I delivery ceremony marks a new chapter for the company, offering today's discerning luxury travelers the opportunity to have a truly transformative and meaningful ocean voyage experience like no other.
The traditional maritime event was attended by Gianluigi Aponte, founder and president of the MSC Group; Pierfrancesco Vago, executive president of the MSC Group's cruise division; the ship's godmother, Zoe Africa Vago; Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri; as well as representatives of the MSC Group's construction team along with shipyard managers and workers.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Group's Cruises division, stated: “Today is a historic day and represents a decisive step in our growth journey, marking MSC Group's entry into the luxury travel sector. This segment has strong growth prospects, in which we firmly believe and whose standards we seek to redefine, always focusing on excellence and luxury.”
Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, added: “This traditional maritime moment marks the most important milestone for Explora Journeys, as we are finally able to showcase our highly anticipated and extraordinary new ship. With the delivery of EXPLORA I, our vision of providing unparalleled luxury experiences has become an incredible reality. We invite our guests to embark on transformative journeys, offering an opportunity for inner and outer discovery inspired by the ocean, resulting in physical, intellectual, and spiritual rejuvenation. We call this the Ocean State of Mind.”
EXPLORA I will set sail on its maiden voyage from Copenhagen, Denmark, on August 1, 2023. This remarkable seven-night journey will take guests through the majestic landscapes of Lerwick, Shetland Islands, and Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, before heading to Reykjavik, Iceland.
The luxury ship will spend several weeks in Northern Europe, offering a variety of itineraries. It will then cross the Atlantic Ocean via Greenland to spend the fall in North America, the winter in the Caribbean, and the spring on the US West Coast and in Hawaii. Following this, it will return to Europe in the summer of 2024 for a series of voyages in the Mediterranean Sea.
With voyages ranging from seven to eleven nights, which can be combined, a first-class guest experience ensures relaxed mornings and exciting evenings. Unconventional arrival and departure times, combined with overnight stays in port, allow Explora Journeys to offer guests exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a more leisurely pace of travel.
EXPLORA I will perfectly combine elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship. The yacht has been meticulously designed in collaboration with the world’s leading superyacht and hospitality designers to stimulate the senses and foster an “Ocean State of Mind.” The brand philosophy is rooted in the family’s European heritage, their sense of style, and their intuitive approach to design and luxury.
EXPLORA II is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente, Italy, and will enter service in August 2024. EXPLORA III will become the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessels to join the Explora Journeys fleet, with delivery planned for 2026, and EXPLORA IV in 2027.
All Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, port power connectivity, underwater noise management systems to protect marine life, and a wide range of energy-efficient equipment on board to optimize engine use and further reduce emissions.
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