Explora Journeys, from the MSC Group, has chosen the Port of Malaga to present its summer 2024 program.
The MSC Group, leader in port calls at the Port of Malaga, consolidates its leading position for another year with the announcement of the four calls that EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II will make in the province during 2024.
Explora Journeys will have its two ships EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II operating in the Mediterranean from June to October 2024:
- The EXPLORA I will primarily operate itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean, using Istanbul, Athens, and Venice as its ports of embarkation, with unique itineraries and stops at ports such as Mykonos, Venice, Alexandria, and Dubrovnik. It will also offer overnight stays in ports such as Mykonos, Istanbul, and Haifa.
- The EXPLORA II, the new luxury cruise ship, will sail the Western Mediterranean from August to October, with Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) as its ports of embarkation and disembarkation. It is important to note that during October, the EXPLORA II will be based in Barcelona on three occasions, calling at destinations such as Malta, Portofino, Trapani, and Saint-Tropez.
These new itineraries demonstrate that Spain is one of the MSC Group's key markets in the cruise sector. For this reason, Explora Journeys will use Barcelona as its home port for its newest ship, the EXPLORA II.
Present at this event were both the management team of Explora Journeys, including Fernando Pacheco, general manager of Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises in Spain; and the president of the Port Authority, Carlos Rubio Basabe.
Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises in Spain, commented: “I am grateful to the Port of Malaga for the opportunity to present the Explora Journeys program in their city. This is a particularly exciting moment for us, as the Explora Journeys project, which began its journey in the luxury market this August, will start using Spanish ports as a key part of our itineraries from summer 2024 onwards, including Malaga.”
For his part, Carlos Rubio Basabe, president of the Port Authority of Malaga, added that “it is a pleasure for the port to host this presentation of Explora Journeys, a new member of the family that represents the great cruise line MSC Cruises.” He also expressed his gratitude for “the commitment of all the company's brands to the Port of Malaga. Currently, it is the cruise line with the most port calls and continues to schedule more for the coming years, which is beneficial for both parties.”
Explora Journeys, for its part, has carefully designed its ships to stimulate the senses and reflect the brand's philosophy of inducing an "Ocean State of Mind." The EXPLORA I offers the advantages of a luxury hotel at sea.
On the culinary front, guests can enjoy a wide range of European and international cuisine at the hotel's six exclusive restaurants and twelve bars and lounges featuring high-quality, locally sourced products. Finally, the Ocean Wellness spa offers 1,000 square metersof indoor and outdoor wellness and fitness facilities, nine treatment rooms, and a beauty salon.
Explora Journeys aims to meet the needs of today's travelers who seek to extend their everyday lifestyle to a more premium onboard experience, while discovering new destinations outside the usual hospitality circuits.
Strategy and sustainability
Explora Journeys plans to build its fleet of 6 ships by 2026. While EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III are already underway, construction of EXPLORA IV will begin in January 2024.
Recently, the brand was able to successfully celebrate the launch of the EXPLORA II, which has already entered the final stages of construction; and the traditional steel-cutting ceremony of the EXPLORA III, which will enter service in the summer of 2026 and will be the first in the Explora fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
All Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, plug-in connectivity to the electrical grid, underwater noise management systems to help 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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