Explora Journeys has announced the launch of an exclusive marine photography exhibition by Prince Hussain Aga Khan, entitled Marine Encounters, now available to guests aboard the brand's second ship, EXPLORA II.
The exhibition, located in the ship's Art Gallery, offers a stunning visual journey into the wonders of marine life through the lens and narration of Prince Hussain.
This collection of 28 limited-edition photographs, displayed for an initial period of six months, has been donated to the MSC Foundation by photographer and conservationist Prince Hussain Aga Khan, reflecting a collaboration based on a shared dedication to environmental conservation, education, and public awareness.
On September 14, Explora Journeys President Anna Nash, MSC Foundation Executive Director Daniela Picco, and Prince Hussain Aga Khan met to officially open the exhibition. The collection is for sale, and the proceeds will benefit the MSC Foundation as part of their shared commitment to marine conservation.
The trilateral collaboration also represents a bridge with the MSC Foundation that connects Explora guests with advocates for ocean education through the art of Prince Hussain and offers the opportunity to support scholarships at the University of The Bahamas, complementing the contributions already made by the Foundation to launch the first scholarship.
“I feel very grateful and blessed to be showcasing my work in this space aboard EXPLORA II. My mission is to show people what’s out there—the diversity, the beauty, the fascinating behavior, the intelligence—to try and make them fall in love with wildlife, plants, and habitats,” said Prince Hussain Aga Khan, photographer and founder of Focused on Nature.
This inauguration was part of the naming ceremony celebrations for EXPLORA II, the second ship to join the luxury travel brand in the MSC Group's fleet of six ships. It set sail on its maiden voyage on September 16 from Civitavecchia, Italy, to Spain, Sicily, and Malta, with an initial exhibition at the Galleria d'Arte for six months.
Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, commented: “For more than 30 years, Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s photograph has fostered a deep appreciation for nature and influenced how we interact with our natural resources. Our partnership with the MSC Foundation and Focused on Nature embodies a unified vision for environmental awareness and education. Leveraging our global presence at sea, this inaugural collaboration with Explora Journeys is designed to inspire action in preserving marine life and advancing marine science.”
A walk through Marine Encounters takes cruise guests on a journey from the coral reefs to the ocean depths, focusing on the importance of coral protection, and culminating in the MSC Foundation Area, a space dedicated to the MSC Foundation's onboard awareness and education activities and the seventh center on MSC Cruises ships with Foundation Representatives dedicated to fostering environmental awareness among guests of all ages. EXPLORA II guests can connect and donate to programs that are making a tangible difference around the world. The purchase of one of the limited-edition prints of Prince Hussain Aga Khan from the Marine Encounters exhibit will directly fund a semester's scholarship for a student enrolled in marine science at the University of The Bahamas.
“We are deeply honored to collaborate with Prince Hussain Aga Khan to showcase his exceptional photography on EXPLORA II,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation. “By giving guests the opportunity to support our shared cause, we are also building connections with our partner, the University of The Bahamas, to concretely support marine science education for the next generation of ocean champions.”
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