Explora Journeys’ Explora I embarked on her maiden voyage on August 1, 2023. Explora I is the first ship to sail for the new luxury brand of MSC Group.
Explora I began her inaugural seven-night voyage from Copenhagen after the traditional maritime ceremony was held. On her way to Reykjavik, Iceland she will call at the Lerwick, Shetland Islands and Kirkwall, Orkney.
The festivities in Copenhagen included the traditional crest exchange which celebrates a ship’s inaugural visit to a destination. The ship’s master Captain Serena Melani, Johan Hoganfalt, deputy port captain, Sune Christensen, chief commercial officer Copenhagen Malmö Port, Klaus Bondam, director of Cruise Baltic and Cruise Copenhagen and Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys were all onboard for the ceremony.
Ungerer said, “It is our absolute honor to welcome the very first guests onboard our extraordinary ship and share this special moment with them as we embark on the maiden journey of Explora I from Copenhagen. Our guests will be able to experience the very best European hospitality at sea and our vibrant, cosmopolitan sense of luxury, while discovering some of the world’s most remarkable destinations. A new era of transformative luxury ocean travel begins now with the first sailing of Explora.”
Guests onboard for Explora I’s maiden voyage have the opportunity to explore the waterways of Copenhagen by kayak, discover the Shetland Islands and its pony breed, as well as enjoy an overnight stay in Iceland.
Explora I will offer itineraries throughout Northern Europe and then spend her winter in North America and the Caribbean. She will return to Europe and offer Mediterranean sailings for the summer season in 2024.
Explora Journeys currently has a second ship, Explora II, under construction in Italy. She is expected to enter service in August 2024.