For a relatively small cruise line, Explora Journeys, spun off from MSC Cruises, will have no shortage of activities and entertainment onboard its fleet of 461-suite vessels. And we now know where the emerging luxury brand’s first two ships will head for their maiden seasons, too.
Here are a few of the latest details released by the line.
Onboard Experiences
“We’ve adopted a new, thoughtful and personalized approach to entertainment, enrichment and experiences at sea,” said Drew Gowland, senior lead of entertainment, experience and enrichment for Explora. “The discerning luxury traveler looking for something that authentically reflects their mood, as well as their journey, will find a subtle, layered, intimate and yet exciting choice of experiences and diversions onboard our ships.”
With a particular emphasis on live music — including that inspired by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox — Explora will host multiple offerings in seven venues, not just a singular main event. Simultaneous choices without restrictive starting times will allow guests to come and go as they please for a wide variety of experiences.
Example activities will include “Ombre Sunsets” for practicing golden-hour photography, “The Spirit of Whiskey” for mixology demonstrations in the Malt Whiskey Bar and a “Melodic Master Class” where resident artists will chat about songwriting, improvisation and composition.
Other interactive events are set to encompass “Captain’s Log … Secrets of the Sail,” during which the captain and bridge officers will explain traditional and modern technological seafaring; “Bal Mythos,” inviting guests to don god and goddess masks and dance to the tunes of the Bacchus Band and vocalists; “Midnight Wayfinder” for more navigational narratives and music under the stars; and “Inferno,” a dancing ode to Studio 54 and Soul Train.
Entertaining experiences will further extend to “An Evening by Candlelight,” showcasing guest musicians and singers in the main lounges performing classical music, film soundtracks and more. “Decadence” will be a lounge-hopping live performance event in an elevated style. A Parisian jazz club experience will be found at “Le Jazz,” complete with canapes, while New Orleans jazz will take up residency at “Let the Good Times Roll,” along with French Creole bites.
Meanwhile, rituals — marking daily, weekly, monthly or annual rituals from sunrise to moonrise — will be celebrated onboard in the form of “Ocean State of Mind” guided meditations, “Sundial Salutation” movement-based wellness, “Midday Melodies” acoustic music in the atrium, “Sunset Aperitivo” beverages and canapes and “Moonrise,” honoring the full moon every 28 days.
Rounding out the already extensive list of experiences will be enrichment programs such as “The Book Club” for destination-centric reads, “Single Origin” barista-led journeys and tastings through coffee culture, “Artisanal” regional crafts, “Dance the Day Away” local dancing and “The Creative’s Journey,” delving into the creative process of acclaimed international artists. Lastly, “Club Soda” will support and entertain guests who practice nonalcoholic lifestyles, while “Prism” events will celebrate guest diversity and the “Solivagant Society” will bring together solo travelers.
Explora Journeys’ First Itineraries
When Explora I is launched on July 17, 2023, it will first sail from Southampton in the U.K. on a 15-night voyage in Northern Europe. Dubbed “A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle,” the itinerary will call on 12 ports in four countries, navigating to Zeebrugge, Belgium, as well as Geiranger, Trondheim, Molde, Leknes, Bronnoysund, Flam, Bergen and Stavanger in Norway, before visiting Skagen and Copenhagen in Denmark.
Then, in summer 2024, Explora II will embark on its maiden season (from August until April), including 82 ports in 26 countries, such as Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Croatia. Arrivals and departures will allow guests to maximize their time in each destination thanks to frequent overnight visits.
Of particular interest will be visits to the holy lands of Israel and Egypt before reaching Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea with passage through the Suez Canal, as well as visits to India and other exciting destinations.
"This is a new chapter for the brand, and we are extremely proud to unveil Explora II and these new itineraries,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Our portfolio of destinations is constantly expanding, and we look forward to welcoming guests onboard our ships to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences in incredible countries where they will be able to reconnect with themselves, while connecting with the people they meet, the surroundings and the local communities.”
Explora I and Explora II are the first of six planned sister ships scheduled to come online through 2028. Explora III and Explora IV will utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel, while Explora V and Explora VI will add hydrogen as a power source.
