MSC Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys (ExploraJourneys.com) is a new cruise travel brand and company managed by MSC Cruises. Both companies (Explora Journeys Ltd and MSC Cruises Ltd) are fully owned subsidiaries of MSC Group/Mediterranean Shipping Company - currently the world's second-largest containership company (after Maersk).

Explora Journeys itineraries are designed for expedition-style travel. Its operational regions are worldwide and diverse, including Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, UK, Iceland and Greenland), North America (USA and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii), Central America (Caribbean), South America. Seasonally are offered discounted Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com).

Company History

In January 2018 started to circulate strong rumors about MSC considering the establishment of a new (all-inclusive luxury) cruise brand. There was also the possibility (instead of creating a new brand) MSC to just create a parallel "expedition" fleet, but in 2020 was confirmed that this would be a new "lifestyle hospitality" brand.

The rumors were officially confirmed in mid-March 2021 when was announced the new expedition cruise brand's senior management team.

• Michael Ungerer (CEO), Chris Austin (CSO-Chief Sales Officer)
• Sarah Doyle (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer)
• Norbert Stiekema (CCO-Chief Commercial Officer) - in 2023 he was succeeded by Achille Staiano (with MSC Group since 1994, with MSC Cruises since 2004)
• Vanessa Vollmann (Head of People/HR Operations Manager)
• Thatcher Brown (Commercial and Strategic Advisor), John Stoll (Destination Experience Advisor)
• Sacha Rougier (Itinerary Planning, Shore Experience)
• Jenny Wade
• Koral Lipton (CSO/Chief Sales Officer for the UK & Ireland) previously worked for APT Travel Group as Business Development Manager. The UK team also includes Jenny Wade and Andrew Schweitzer.

The brand Explora Journeys was officially launched by MSC in June 2021. Its mandala-inspired logo was designed by Alexa Aponte-Vago (MSC Group's CFO, MSC Group founder Gianluigi Aponte's daughter, and Pierfrancesco Vago's wife).

In November 2021 MSC announced the new company's Commercial Team - Jason Gelineau (Head of Product), Helen Beck (Head of Global Sales), Saul Fonseca (Head of Sales for The Americas and USA East), Aimee Price (Head of Sales for Canada and USA West), Priti Mehta (Head of Sales for the UK and Ireland), Francisco Sanchez (Head of Sales for Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Leyre Torres Campo (Business Relationships Manager for Southern Europe/Spain, France, Italy).

EXPLORA JOURNEYS' main competitor in the European market (as fleet capacity, amenities, services, destinations/itineraries) is Viking OCEAN.

Ships

EXPLORA JOURNEYS has a separate (from MSC Cruises) fleet of smaller-sized luxury expedition ships. The fleet includes the same-designed sisterships Explora I (2023), Explora II (2024), Explora III (2026), Explora IV (2027), Explora V (2027) and Explora VI (2028).

All EXPLORA JOURNEYS ships were constructed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with MSC Group's investment in this project being estimated at ~EUR 3,5 billion.

Each of the vessels (MSC EXPLORA-class) has max passenger capacity 1473 (922 lower berths) plus 640 staff/crew, 13 floors/decks, 461 staterooms, volume 63900 GT-tons.

The boats are all initially deployed in Europe for 7-night Mediterranean and Baltic and longer Iceland itineraries.

The six units are constructed at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard (near Trieste) and have building cost EUR 495-600 million (USD 600-700 million) per unit.

In late-September 2020, Versonix Seaware announced that MSC's new brand will use the Versonix system for online booking. Annually, Versonix serves 20+ million passengers and 100+ ships. Versonix (1986-founded) is a Silicon Valley company (headquartered in San Jose CA USA) specializing in hotel and resort reservation technologies. The company is run by Victor Velton (President) and Yuri Polissky (CEO).

On June 10, 2021, was the steel-cutting of the first vessel (Explora 1) and the official launch of the brand.

Explora Journeys' commercial operations officially started on August 1st, 2023 (postponed from May and July), with MSC Explora 1's Maiden Voyage.

MSC Group's shipbuilding order with Fincantieri for units 5 and 6 was officially signed on September 21, 2023, by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Group's Executive Chairman) and Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri's CEO). Unlike the sisterships, Explora 5 (2027) and Explora 6 (2028) are by design hydrogen-powered, being fitted with fuel cells (burning liquid hydrogen) to produce the electricity needed for the onboard operations while in-port docked. Their engines can also use as alternative fuels biogas (produced from organic waste), syngas (mixture of H/hydrogen and CO/carbon monoxide) as well as CH3OH/methanol.

Company changes 2024

In late-May was signed a partnership with ITL World (Saudi Arabia-headquartered, UAE travel management company/agency) to manage Explora Journeys’ offerings in Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed by Angelo Capurro Explora Journeys' Executive Director) and Siddeek Ahmed (ITL World's Chairman and Managing Director).

In July 2024, on Explora I was launched a new entertainment program (at Journeys Lounge), and the Digital Activities allowing access (via special QR codes) to daily scheduled onboard activities. Also were introduced poolside fun activities (live musical performances and wellness events with snacks and beverages, daytime sports), interactive events (including the multi-day game Murder Mystery). The evening entertainment was also expanded with lounge and lobby bar performances and late-night wellness events.

In September, Anna Nash was appointed Explora Journeys' President, reporting directly to MSC Group's Executive Chairman.

Company changes 2023

In April was announced that Michael Horn (1966-born in Johannesburg South Africa) is employed as Explora Journeys' Brand Ambassador. Mike Horn is a professional explorer and adventurer famous for his solo expeditions in the Amazon (1997), Latitude Zero (1999-2000 /circled the equator on foot and by sailing), Arktos (2002-2004 /around the Arctic Circle on foot, without using any motorized transportation), North Pole by Night (2006/ 60 days on skis), Pangaea (2008-2012 /by his Young Explorers Program), Driven To Explore (2015 /Mercedes-Benz sponsored, drove through 13 countries), Pole2Pole (2016-2019 /globe circumnavigation), Antarctica Crossing (2016-2017 /57 days on skis) and Arctic Crossing (2019 /full Arctic Ocean crossing with the sailing ship Pangaea).

In May was introduced the shipboard program "Journey Together Gatherings". The program targets multi-generational families and features a dedicated children's lounge (Nautilus Club/ for both kids and teenagers), various destination-themed family experiences, complimentary land-to-ship transfers.

• The Nautilus Club hosts age-appropriate supervised activities (for children aged 6-17) including interactive gaming (on PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox), sports contests, fun workshops and games. Nautilus Club has its own heated swimming pools and a Sports Court.
• Each Explora ship has a total of 78 interconnecting staterooms (for families with children). Family cabins are in three categories (Ocean Suite, Ocean Penthouse, Ocean Residence). In each of those suites, one minor passenger (under-18) cruises for free.

All infants and toddlers (6-23-month-old kids) sail free while 2-17 years-old kids sail at 50% off.

In June was signed an exclusive partnership deal with Rolex SA (1905-founded, Geneva-based watch designer and manufacturer). By the agreement, MSC Explora ships have the first at-sea Rolex Boutique. The Swiss brand-dedicated shop offers an extensive selection of models including from the renowned Rolex Oyster Perpetual series.

In late June was signed a partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School (management university in Lausanne, Switzerland, part of EHL Group/1893-founded as "Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne"/Hotel School) to provide Explora Journeys' shipboard staff with the “Guest Experience Foundations” training program. The deal was signed by Michael Ungerer and Markus Venzin (EHL Group's CEO)

On July 7th was launched Explora I's "Watch and Jewelry" retail store selling the Swiss ultra-premium watch brands Cartier, Panerai, and Piaget.

In October, the company's executive leadership team was expanded with two new appointments - Koray Savas (VP of Hotel Operations) and Alban Gjoka (VP of Food and Beverage).

Company changes 2022

In February 2022 Franck Garanger was appointed as Head of Culinary. He was previously employed by Silversea (as Line Chef, Executive Chef, Fleet Corporate Chef) and by Oceania (as Culinary Director).

In June 2022 the new brand's Senior Leaders joined Alban Gjoka (Culinary Operations), Julanda Marais (SPA Operations), Carmela Paval (Housekeeping Operations), Vitor Alves (Hotel Operations), Drew Gowland (Entertainment and Enrichment), Thibaut Briancon (Food and Beverage Services), Paolo Milordo (Travel Food and Beverages Services).

Previous to their MSC employments, Chris Austin worked for Seabourn (SVP Global Sales and Marketing), Sarah Doyle for Bacardi Europe (Vice President Marketing), Thatcher Brown for GHK Dream Cruises (President) and Crystal Cruises Asia (Managing Director), Sacha Rougier for Cruise Gate Hamburg/Center Steinwerder (Managing Director), John Stoll for Crystal and Silversea (as Director Land Programs).

In mid-March, MSC Group announced a partnership with Travelife Ltd for EXPLORA JOURNEYS' shore excursion program. "Travelife for Tour Operators" allows tour companies and travel agents access to the company's online management system (16x sustainability modules) with excursion checklists, planning tools, travel- and tourism industries' best sustainability practices examples.

On April 4, 2022, was announced Explora Journeys' partnership with Signature Travel Network (El Segundo, CA USA-based company specializing in technology solutions and brand promotion/advertising/marketing). As of 2022, Signature Travel Network had 1300+ preferred partners including cruise lines/brands, tour operators and travel agents, suppliers, flight consolidators/airline brokers, car rental companies, hoteliers.

In July 2022, MSC signed a contract with SES SA (Luxembourg-based owner and operator of medium Earth orbit/MEO satellites and terrestrial telecommunications networks) to provide "O3b mPower" (satellite connectivity) to Explora 1. SES' O3b mPower combines the company's second-generation MEO system (based on satellites positioned ~8000 km / ~5000 mi above the earth) and GEO satellites (geosynchronous equatorial orbit) positioned at altitude~35800 km / 22300 mi.

In July 2022, MSC announced that Explora Journeys will offer a newly-developed "Destination Experiences" (cruise+tour) program grouping 5x different leisure tours/land excursion types for tailored ashore experiences.

Next are listed the cruisetours scheduled for the brand's maiden season (2023).

• Beyond Boundaries (guided tour to Bordeaux' Chateau Margaux/Premier Grand Cru Classe)
• Tailored Experiences (helicopter tour over Medoc Peninsula, sailboat tour around Malta, tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon)
• Enchanting Explorations (forest bathing near Porto City, Portugal)
• Boundless Discoveries (flamenco masterclass in Cadiz, photography class on Mykonos Island)
• In-Country Immersions (history- and culture-themed activities in the visited destinations)

On July 20, 2022, was signed the partnership with Amadeus (online travel booking platform).

In November 2022, to the management team were added 7 new positions - Heike Berdos (General Manager), Simone Canessa (Staff Captain), Antonio Iaccarino (Chief Engineer), Franck Garanger (Head of Culinary), Jerome Toumelin (Corporate Executive Chef), Frederic Godineau (Senior Executive Chef), Christophe Sapy (Corporate Executive Pastry Chef).

In 2023 was inaugurated MSC's ultra-premium expedition travel brand "Explora Journeys". This is also an MSC Group-owned subsidiary company that manages a separate fleet of 6x newbuild ships.

Explora Journeys operates global voyages including in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, UK, Iceland-Greenland), New England USA and Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, Central America (Caribbean), South America.

While sailing in the Caribbean, MSC ships visit the company's private Bahamian island Ocean Cay.

Next is the concise review of Explora 1's 2023-2024 program as regions/destinations and signature port cities.

For May-June 2023 (Mediterranean) were planned visits to ports in Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, France. However, this program was canceled due to delayed delivery of the ship.

August 2023 (Northern Europe) visits to ports in England UK, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Holland, Belgium

August 2023 (the UK) visits to ports in England and Scotland

September 2023 (Iceland and Greenland) also visits to ports in Canada and the USA

September-October 2023 (USA East Coast and Canada) visits NYC New York, Newport, Boston, Saint John, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint Pierre, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Halifax NS

November 2023-March 2024 (Caribbean) visits ports in Florida (also Florida Keys), Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Bahamas, Dominicana, Antigua, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Colombia, Panama, Aruba, Panama Canal crossing

January-February 2024 (South America, USA West Coast and Hawaii) visits French Guiana, Barbados, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada and the USA (California, Hawaii).

Destination Experiences

Destination Experiences are small-capacity shore excursions/land tours designed for groups of 2 to 25 tourists. The Destination Experiences for North America (USA and Canada) scheduled for the brand's inaugural season (2023) included

• New York City (Museum of Modern Art private tour, an exclusive meet with a Broadway star)
• Boston (Fenway Park, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, traditional Afternoon Tea)
• Baie-Comeau (sea kayaking excursion for viewing whales and sea birds)
• Charlottetown/Prince Edward Island (Falconry Tour/hunting of wild animals with a trained falcon, Fair Isle Food Tour)
• Havre-Saint-Pierre (90-min nature walk tour)
• Quebec City (fjord kayaking excursion, sugar shack tour, maple museum)
• Halifax (Shore Club in Hubbards NS/lobster dinner, playing golf at The Links at Brunello).

Explora 1's inaugural itinerary program (2023) is based on deployments in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, UK, Iceland, Greenland), North America (Canada, East Coast USA, Hawaii), Caribbean, and South America. Itineraries vary between 6-night and 44-night (Grand Voyage), visiting 132 ports/islands in 40 countries.

MEDITERRANEAN

MEDITERRANEAN (May-June 2023), call ports Barcelona, St Tropez, Calvi-Corsica, Civitavecchia-Rome, Fiskardo (Kefalonia Island), Istanbul, Piraeus-Athens, Patmos Island, Bodrum, Kastellorizo, Santorini Island, Mykonos Island, Gozo-Malta, Ibiza, Malaga, Cadiz-Sevilla, Portimao, Lisbon, Oporto, St Jean-de-Luz, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo, Honfleur

NORTHERN EUROPE/BALTIC/UK, ICELAND AND GREENLAND

NORTHERN EUROPE/BALTIC (August 2023), call ports Southampton, Lofoten Islands and Norwegian Fjords (Kristiansand, Hellesylt, Alesund, Molde, Trondheim, Narvik, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes-Gravdal, Bronnoysund, Flam, Bergen, Stavanger), Skagen, Copenhagen, Ronne, Helsinki, Sankt-Petersburg, Stockholm, Visby, Riga, Klaipeda, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Goteborg, Oslo, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge-Bruges

UK-ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND (August 2023), call ports Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Oban, Liverpool, Glasgow, Fort William, Portree, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Faroes (Thorshavn), Iceland (Reykjavik)

Transatlantic/ICELAND AND GREENLAND (September 2023), call ports Reykjavik, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Paamiut, Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Canada (Sydney NS, St John NB), USA (NYC New York)

USA AND CANADA

USA AND CANADA (September-October 2023), roundtrip from New York City to, Newport RI, Boston MA, St John NB, Quebec City, La Baie, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Halifax NS

CARIBBEAN

CARIBBEAN (November 2023), call ports Miami, Key West FL, Virgon Gorda BVI, Deshaies (Guadeloupe), Falmouth (Jamaica), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Gustavia (St Barths), Basseterre (St Kitts), Samana (Dominicana), Ocean Cay (Bahamas), St John`s (Antigua), Castries (St Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados), Roseau, Kralendijk, Willemstad, Saint-Pierre, Kingstown, Grand Turk Island, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Colon, Soufriere, Bequia (St Vincent), Oranjestad, Cartagena, Puerto Limon, Panama Canal transit to Panama City

EXPLORA I's schedule (October 2024 to April 2025) lists Caribbean voyages, supporting the brand's growth in North America. The winter 2024-2025 season commences with a Grand Journey/Transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to the Caribbean, visiting Bridgetown, Pointe-a-Pitre, St John’s, and San Juan.

Beginning in November 2024 with the arrival of EXPLORA II and continuing with EXPLORA I in December 2024, guests have the opportunity to explore the Caribbean’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures through carefully selected itineraries. The ships visit renowned and less-traveled destinations across the Caribbean, including Gustavia in St. Barts, Oranjestad in Aruba, and St. John’s in Antigua, as well as Belize City, Bequia in the Grenadines, Cozumel, and Progreso in Mexico. 

Highlighted destination experiences include:

• Willemstad, Curacao: A marine-focused adventure where guests can snorkel among the reefs of Director’s Bay and learn about coral restoration from a marine biologist. The excursion also includes a yacht journey through Curacao’s natural landscapes and a visit to a secluded mangrove reservoir.
• Saint-Pierre, Martinique: A small group experience exploring the Rhum Clement Estate, where guests will delve into the Martinican rum culture. This includes a guided tour of the estate’s rum cellars, tastings of barrel-aged rum paired with gourmet dishes, and a stroll through the estate’s lush gardens.
• Gustavia, Saint Barthelemy: A day of luxury at the 5-star Rosewood Le Guanahani resort, featuring a 3-course meal on a golden sandy beach, with opportunities for beachside relaxation and snorkeling in the clear Caribbean waters.
• Progreso (Merida), Mexico: An exploration of the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal, known for its Puuc-style architecture. Guests will experience a regional lunch at a former hacienda and participate in an authentic Mayan purification ceremony amidst the natural beauty of Xocnaceh.
• Cozumel, Mexico: A 45-minute scenic flight over the Caribbean Sea and Yucatan Jungle, landing near the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza. Guests will enjoy a guided tour of the historical site before the daily crowds arrive, allowing for a more intimate exploration.

From April to November 2025, EXPLORA I is deployed in the Mediterranean. The itinerary visits prestine Eastern Med destinations, Aegean Sea islands and the Dalmatian coast.

During winter 2025-2026, EXPLORA I traverses the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula - a region rich in history and culture, offering fragrant foods, vibrant souks, and the tranquility of desert oases.

EXPLORA II is scheduled to embark on her inaugural journey from Barcelona to Rome, visiting Ibiza; Port-Vendres; Portofino, Italy; Monte Carlo Monaco; and Santo Stefano.

Continuing in the West Mediterranean until November 2024, EXPLORA II then crosses the Atlantic to the Caribbean for a winter deployment. Winter season 2024-2025 (December-March) includes several new for the brand ports - Gustavia St Barts, Oranjestad Aruba, St John’s Antigua, Belize City, Bequia Grenadines, Mexico's Cozumel and Progreso/Merida.

In May 2025, EXPLORA II returns to Europe/Mediterranean to be homeported in Barcelona and Rome/Civitavecchia. Winter 2025-2026 deployment is in the Eastern Caribbean, with itineraries visiting Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe; Roseau Dominica; Little Bay Montserrat; and Marigot St Martin.

ALASKA

Explora Journeys' Alaska 2024 program (May 6-August 28) consisted of 3x roundtrips from Vancouver, BC Canada.

• 11-night "The Remote Wrangell and Spectacular Sitka Inaugural Alaskan Journey" (departure May 6th) sails in Alaska (Inside Passage, Wrangell, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, Misty Fjord) and Canada (Victoria BC).
• 11-night "Sailing the Whale's Highway" itinerary (departure May 17th) visits Ketchikan, Hoonah-Icy Strait Point, Valdez, Juneau, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier.
• 10-night "Journey of the Glaciers" itinerary (departures May thru July 2024) sails the Alaskan Inside Passage.

Explora I's 2024-2025 winter program (September-April) includes 23 voyages visiting 73 ports/destinations (including Brazillian Amazon) in 24 countries. The program features two longer itineraries:

The 28-night "A Grand Journey to Amazonia and Tropical Isles Cruise" (departure November 15, 2024, roundtrip from Miami) visits Key West Florida, Spanish Town/Virgin Gorda BVI), Basseterre St Kitts, Saint-Pierre Martinique, Bridgetown Barbados, Iles du Salut Macapa, Brail Amazon (Alter Do Chao, Manaus), Admiralty Bay Bequia, Barbados, Kingstown St Vincent and the Grenadines, Castries St Lucia, Basseterre, MSC Ocean Cay Bahamas.

TRANSATLANTIC/REPOSITIONING

(Caribbean-Europe relocation) The 32-night "Grand Transatlantic Odyssey Cruise" (departure March 27, 2025, from Miami to Lisbon) visits San Juan Puerto Rico, Spanish Town/Virgin Gorda BVI, St John's Antigua, St-Pierre Martinique, Barbados, Cape Verde (Praia, Sao Vicente), Canary Islands (Arrecife Lanzarote, Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Santo Antonio/Madeira, Ponta Delgada/Azores, Leixoes-Oporto, Lisbon.