The EXPLORA I, the first ship to join the Explora Journeys, has begun its maiden voyage with a seven-night sailing that will take guests through the landscapes of Lerwick, Shetland Islands and Kirkwall, Orkney before heading to Reykjavik, Iceland.
This Northern European voyage, the first in a series of itineraries spanning three continents, has been designed to emphasize the brand's "Ocean State of Mind" philosophy with immersive experiences intended to reward guests physically, intellectually, and spiritually. In addition to the onboard experience, activities include kayaking along Copenhagen's waterways, discovering the Shetland Islands through their traditional pony races, and an overnight stay in Iceland exploring sites within the Golden Circle.
Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, stated: “It is an honor for us to welcome the first guests aboard our extraordinary ship and share this special moment with them as we embark on the maiden voyage of EXPLORA I from Copenhagen. Our guests will experience the finest European hospitality at sea and our vibrant, cosmopolitan sense of luxury as they discover some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. With the first departure of EXPLORA I, a new era of luxury travel by sea begins.”
The celebrations held in Copenhagen on August 1, 2023 also included the traditional exchange of plaques, a maritime tradition to celebrate a ship's first visit to a destination, with Serena Melani, the ship's captain; Johan Hoganfalt, deputy harbor master; Sune Christensen, commercial director of the Port of Copenhagen Malmö; Klaus Bondam, director of Cruise Baltic and Cruise Copenhagen; and Michael Ungerer, managing director of Explora Journeys.
The EXPLORA I will also make a stop in the port of Copenhagen at the end of August with a cruise to Hamburg (Germany).
The luxury ship will spend several weeks in Northern Europe offering a range of different itineraries, then cross the Atlantic Ocean and spend the winter in North America and the Caribbean before returning to Europe in the summer of 2024 for voyages in the Mediterranean Sea.
The brand's second ship, EXPLORA II, is currently under construction in Italy and will enter service in August 2024. EXPLORA III will become the first of two LNG (liquefied natural gas) powered ships to join the Explora Journeys fleet: the ship will be delivered in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027.
