Explora Journeys, the new ultra-luxury cruise line of MSC Group, held a ceremony for the float out of EXPLORA I at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri in Italy yesterday [Monday 30 May 2022]. It was the first time the 14-passenger deck ship touched water since construction began in June 2021.

Explora Journeys has unveiled its new group programs for travel advisors entitled ‘Journey Together’ and ‘Journey Together +’ , while also providing details of ‘By Appointment +’, a new development of its industry-leading ‘By Appointment’ service.

Explora Journeys conducted a coin ceremony for its first ship, EXPLORA I, last week at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantierri ahead of the luxury vessel’s maiden journey, scheduled for May 2023.

Explora Journeys has appointed Franck Garanger as Head of Culinary for the nine culinary experiences to be offered aboard EXPLORA I.

According to the explorajourneys.com website and a 54-page digital brochure, LATTE can reveal the launch destinations in 2023/24 include the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, British Isles, Iceland & Greenland, Canada & America, the Caribbean, South America and Hawaii. The South Pacific and Asia are not included.

MSC Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago; Explora Journeys CEO, Michael Ungerer and Fincantieri GM Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo were on hand for the first steel cutting of Explora Journeys’ second of four new luxury ships in Naples this week.

MSC Group has named its highly-anticipated entry into the luxury market as Explora Journeys, revealing details of the new brand designed for the “next generation of discerning luxury travellers”.