Several years in the planning, the company said Explora Journeys has been “created for the next generation of discerning luxury travellers” and marks MSC’s debut in the luxury cruise sector.
The move will see the launch of four ships, the first of which is being built by Fincantieri and will set sail in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024, Explora III in 2025 and Explora IV in 2026. Explora Journeys hosted a steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard on Thursday 10 June and the line claimed the ships will be “like no other, with the highest level of service and amenities”.
“Building a luxury brand that will redefine the cruise experience and create a category of its own has been a long-held vision of me and my family,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise business and broader passenger division. “Inspired by our personal travel wishes, Explora Journeys will be an ocean escape like no other, allowing guests to relax, make memories and cherish the time at sea with their loved ones. After all, time is the ultimate luxury.”
Explora I will have 461 suites and residences, starting at 35 square metres each, with floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. The ship will feature 14 decks of accommodation, dining and outdoor public spaces, including three pools with 64 private cabanas and a fourth pool with a retractable glass roof.
The ships will also feature spacious indoor/outdoor spa and state-of-the-art fitness equipment. A guest-to-crew ratio of 1.25 to 1 will be assured, along with flexible dining at nine restaurants for “unrivalled variety at sea”.
“Explora Journeys was designed for guests who want to stay longer, leave later and travel deeper,” said Michael Ungerer, chief executive of Explora Journeys. “Customer centricity is at the core of everything we do. We’ve commissioned research, organised focus groups and hosted roundtable discussions with global specialists in luxury to design the perfect ship for our guests. Explora Journeys will bring a new perspective to the travel industry, reinventing the classic cruise experience for the next generation of luxury travellers.”
With an eye on sustainable cruising for the future, the ships’ design incorporates provision for battery storage allowing future hybrid power generation, as well as the latest selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, enabling a reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 90%.
Built with ship-to-shore power capabilities to avoid CO2 emissions while at berth and powered by marine gas oil, all four ships will be RINA DOLPHIN certified for reduced underwater noise. Single-use plastics will not be used onboard, nor will they be offered during land-based experiences.
“The MSC family knows the sea like few others, and with that knowledge comes passion, love and most of all, a deep respect,” added Vago. “Our ships will utilise state-of-the-art technology to ensure we are leading the movement towards a more sustainable future. Together with our partners, we’re currently developing ground-breaking technologies that will elevate the status quo, not just for this generation but also beyond.”
Bookings for the 2023 Inaugural Collection will open in the autumn, with journeys starting at seven nights, and “non-conventional arrival and departure times combined with overnight stays” to allow Explora Journeys “to offer guests exclusive access to once in a lifetime experiences” the line said.
Itineraries in the inaugural collection will include destinations such as St Tropez, Bordeaux and Reykjavik, and “hidden gems” such as Kastellorizo, Bozcaada and the Lofoten Islands.
