Explora Journeys, the new ultra-luxury cruise brand of MSC Group, is yet to set in stone when it plans to commence sailing to Australia and New Zealand, with executives intent on laying the foundations for the brand in traditional markets.

Explora Journeys this evening celebrated the naming ceremony of its first of six ultra-luxury ships, EXPLORA I, in New York City. Among the festivities, Godmother Dr Sylvia Earle christened the ships and was welcomed into the wide MSC Group family by the company.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Australia’s leading public relations agency, PEPR, which specialises in luxury, cruise, destination, and lifestyle communications.

Explora Journeys has celebrated dual maritime milestones at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Italy – the float out of EXPLORA II and the steel cutting of EXPLORA III, representing the second and third ships out of a total of four firm orders by Explora Journeys.

Explora Journeys has tapped Achille Staiano as its Chief Commercial Officer based at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

EXPLORA I, the first ship to join the fleet of Explora Journeys, commenced her maiden journey on 1 August 2o23, a seven-night sailing that will take guests through the majestic landscapes of Lerwick, Shetland Islands and Kirkwall, Orkney before heading to Reykjavik, Iceland.

The Port of Barcelona, Spain has welcomed Explora Journeys’ first ship, EXPLORA I, ahead of the new ship receiving her first guests in Copenhagen on 1 August 2023. The stop provided a pre-inaugural “Insider First Look” at the ultra-luxury vessel.

Explora Journeys took delivery of EXPLORA I, the first luxury ship to join the new ultra-luxury brand’s fleet from the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The delivery of EXPLORA I took place where the construction of the 63,900 gross tonne vessel began on 10 June 2021.

Explora Journeys is protecting 100% of travel advisor commissions on bookings made for the postponed launch of the luxury operator’s first vessel, EXPLORA I. The 922-guest ship was due to be delivered by shipbuilder Fincantieri late last week, ahead of the inaugural sailing on 17 July from Southampton to Northern Europe. That 15-night voyage has now been scrapped, with EXPLORA I set to launch instead on 1 August 2023 from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Explora Journey has aligned with EHL Hospitality Business School, a leading hospitality management school with campuses in Switzerland and Singapore.

Explora Journeys has unveiled further details of its retail offering aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, including all-new luxury watch and jewellery retail shops. This builds on the partnership between Explora Journeys and luxury watchmaker Rolex, who will make its on-sea debut on EXPLORA I from next month too.