Explora Journeys, the brand new luxurious line from MSC Cruises that may quickly debut its first vessel, EXPLORA I, has revealed a collection of vacation spot experiences the ship will supply throughout her inaugural Caribbean season, which begins in November 2023 and continues to March 2024.
Excursions exploring nature and native tradition are the hallmarks of the all-inclusive cruise model’s land applications, the cruise line introduced on Could 25.
Small Teams, Undersea Adventures Are Deliberate
Explora Journeys, MSC Cruises’ new luxurious model, is gearing as much as christen its first ship, EXPLORA I, in lower than two months, and is planning forward for the 922-guest ship’s first season within the Caribbean.
The ship, from November 2023 to March 2024, will sail a collection of Caribbean cruises between Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bridgetown, Barbados, and is that includes shore excursions that may take cruisers to locations off the overwhelmed paths.
Featured excursions embody a U-boat submarine expertise in Curacao, the place friends can view shipwrecks and marine life at depths as much as 600 ft, cave and mangrove explorations at Los Haitises Nationwide Park within the Dominican Republic, and diving expeditions on the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve, a marine sanctuary in Guadeloupe.
Some excursions are extra conventional, and never off the overwhelmed path, reminiscent of visits to the well-known rock formations at The Baths Nationwide Park on Virgin Gorda, and the island’s Gorda Peak Nationwide Park.
Tour teams will likely be restricted to 25 friends, the road mentioned, offering a extra intimate tour expertise that may be loved at a slower tempo.
The ship will sail 7- to 14-night cruises throughout her inaugural Caribbean season. Port calls range by cruise, however all itineraries embody a name to MSC Cruises’ non-public island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a 95-acre vacation spot within the Bahamas.
EXPLORA I is below building on the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and just lately accomplished her sea trials. With ultimate touches to the vessel now underway, the ship is scheduled to be christened in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on July 8.
The ship’s godmother will likely be Dr. Sylvia Earle, the famend American oceanographer, explorer, biologist, and conservationist. EXPLORA I will embark on her maiden journey on July 17, 2023 from Southampton, UK, for a 15-night crusing into the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic Circle, with disembarkation in Copenhagen, Denmark.
As the brand new cruise line gears up for its launch, efforts are underway to draw household and multi-generational teams. Earlier this month Explora Journeys detailed its “Journey Collectively Gathering” program, that includes lodging choices for households, leisure areas for kids, actions for youngsters as younger as 3 years outdated, and free cruise fares for friends below age 18 in sure suite classes.
The centerpiece of this system for youngsters and youngsters is Nautilus Membership, a devoted area the place kids ages 6 to 17 can take part in conventional and tech video games, sports activities, and artistic actions reminiscent of artwork.
Ship Returns to Europe For Summer time 2024
The ship will spend her first summer time season in Europe, and can return there for summer time 2024 after finishing her Caribbean itineraries.
In summer time 2024, the ship will sail eight Mediterranean and 4 Northern Europe cruises, calling at ports reminiscent of Saint-Tropez, France; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini, Greece; Paphos, Cyprus, plus a variety of Norwegian locations.
“Our June to September 2024 Mediterranean and Northern European sailings are designed to showcase not solely the wonder however above all of the wealthy range of those areas, offering an unforgettable journey for all who embark on these adventures,” mentioned Explora Journeys’ Head of Itinerary Planning and Vacation spot Experiences Sacha Rougier.
Explora Journeys’ second ship, EXPLORA 2, is below building at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and has a scheduled debut in spring 2024. MSC Group has mentioned that 4 extra ships will likely be constructed for the luxurious model, all debuting by 2028.
