Explora Journeys, the new luxury brand from MSC Cruises, presented its first ship, recently delivered and ready to make its maiden voyage: the EXPLORA I
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 66 – September 2023
The Port of Barcelona welcomed it to receive its first visitors at the inauguration ceremony, in which, in addition to traditions such as the exchange of plaques between Serena Milani, captain of the ship, and Lluís Salvadó, president of the port, we had the privilege of attending a guided tour to get to know the ship in depth.
This vessel is 248 meters long and has a gross tonnage of 63,900, with 14 decks housing a total of 461 suites. Its capacity is 922 passengers in double occupancy, served by a crew of 640.
Luxury resides in every corner of Explora I. First of all, the ship only offers outside suites, with different categories, standing out above the rest, the only Owner's Residence, which has an area of 280 square meters.
The Owner's Residence occupies the entire aft width of deck 8, so the feeling is like staying in a large apartment at sea.
He will spend time in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, although he will also visit destinations such as New York or Hawaii.
This suite boasts a spacious living room that includes everything you need to make this space your own personal living room. All of this opens onto the Explora I's largest terrace, measuring 125 square meters, where you can relax in your private jacuzzi while enjoying magnificent panoramic ocean views and a glass of champagne prepared by your personal butler.
In the center of the Owner's Residence is the dining room with a large round table to enjoy the wonderful cuisine prepared exclusively by the ship's staff, with windows overlooking the ocean.
Next, the master bedroom features a generously sized, custom-made sleep system, Frette linens, and a wide selection of pillows. And finally, the luxurious en-suite bathroom offers the ultimate in relaxation and tranquility.
The remaining suites belong to the categories Ocean Residences, Ocean Penthouses, Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace Suites, all of them equipped for guests to enjoy the luxury of Explora Journeys.
The Explora I offers many more attractions for passengers who have embarked to enjoy maximum pleasure and relaxation on board.
The “Ocean Wellness” SPA
is the new concept encompassing Explora Journeys' offering of wellness at sea. It addresses aspects such as relaxation, personal care, sleep, and wellness. To this end, the ship features approximately 1,000 square meters dedicated to a large spa, indoor and outdoor wellness areas with pools and jacuzzis, and new facilities for sports enthusiasts.
The Explora I has all currently available technologies for reducing environmental impact.
The spa features 11 treatment rooms, including two private relaxation suites, a beauty studio for pampering in a tranquil setting, and a sensory therapy circuit with a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice waterfall, and heated marble loungers. Access to the spa's thermal facilities is included in the price.
Gastronomy
As for gastronomy, Explora I also offers a spectacular culinary experience thanks to the nine options found on board, including in-suite service.
All restaurants are included in the price, except Anthology, which offers menus designed by guest chefs, and The Chef's Kitchen, where 12 passengers can take cooking classes to discover new ingredients, flavors and smells, and end up dining in a charming dining room to celebrate their new knowledge.
Among the main restaurants are: the grand Emporium Marketplace buffet, available all day and inspired by the gastronomy of local destinations; Sakura, which offers Pan-Asian cuisine, to enjoy dishes from Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine; the Marble & Co. Grill steakhouse, inspired by the best beef with sustainably sourced cuts; Med Yacht Club, inspired by Mediterranean food; and finally Fil Rouge, focused on international cuisine with French inspiration.
Other public spaces
: In addition, the ship has twelve bars and lounges both inside and outside to sample sophisticated cocktails and premium drinks during the Explore experience.
When it comes to shopping, Explora I features boutiques from leading brands such as Piaget, Cartier, Panerai, and Rolex. The latter is the brand's first store at sea.
Luxury resides in every corner of Explora I.
At the bow of deck 4 is the large Journeys Lounge, where there are various activities during the day and shows in a relaxed atmosphere at night, and very close by, the Casino, with the most traditional games such as blackjack or poker, as well as slot machines.
A more intimate lounge is the Astern Lounge, which hosts both live performances and DJ sets, thus acting as the Explora I's nightclub. This lounge connects to the aft pool, a place full of glamour and excellent views over the ship's wake.
The other pool, the main one, is in the center of the building, and has a retractable roof, so its name, The Conservatory, fits it like a glove for a space that is also well supplied with ornamental plants.
Finally, the company aims to provide opportunities for guests of all ages. The ship includes a club for travelers between the ages of 6 and 17 where they can enjoy playing video games, foosball, billiards, virtual reality games, painting, arts and crafts, and more.
In short, the Explora I has arrived offering the utmost luxury and pleasure to all travelers seeking relaxation, comfort, exclusivity, and, occasionally, entertainment. A ship with spaces available and attractive to all.
Routes:
With an inaugural season in Northern Europe, the Explora I will cross the Atlantic to New York in September, and then set sail for Miami, arriving on November 3. It will be based in Miami for Caribbean cruises until mid-March, although some departures will be from Bridgetown, Barbados.
After crossing the Panama Canal in March and stopping in Los Angeles, it will visit Hawaii before beginning its return journey to Europe in May. In June, it will arrive in Barcelona to begin a summer season of Mediterranean cruises with departures from Lisbon, Athens, and Venice, before crossing the Atlantic again to New York and restarting the cycle.
Sustainability:
The Explora I features all the latest advances in environmentally friendly technologies:
• SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction, a system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 84%.
• Shore power connection.
• Waste sorting system for recycling and solid waste management
. • RINA-certified underwater noise reduction.
• High-efficiency LED lighting.
• AWTS – Advanced Wastewater Treatment System that meets the Baltic standard.
• Ballast water treatment system that complies with USCD regulations.
• Anti-fouling paint.
• Hull design optimized for reduced fuel consumption.
• Intelligent air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems.
Growth Plan
• 2024: Explora II
• 2026: Explora III (LNG)
• 2027: Explora IV (LNG) & Explora V (LNG + Hydrogen)
• 2028: Explora VI (LNG + Hydrogen)
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