The MSC-owned cruise line launched last July with inaugural ship Explora I making its maiden voyage to Northern Europe on a 15-night itinerary. 

Built by Fincantieri, the 63,900 GT vessel with 461 suites comes as a contrast to its parent company’s ships, the largest of which, MSC World Europa, can hold more than 6,700 passengers.

Aside from a few ‘minor tweaks’, Antonio Paradiso, managing director at MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys UK & Ireland, said guests can expect it will be almost identical to the original vessel, with Explora II featuring the same hardware and design as its predecessor.

Scheduled to set sail from Barcelona this August, agents can book Explora II on a variety of seven- 14- or 21-night itineraries. Paradiso said he hopes that, after the ‘high satisfaction’ of guests on Explora I, clients will be excited to experience a new itinerary on its latest vessel. 

Future proofing 

The cruise line is also working on adopting newer technologies (such as hydrogen-powered fuel cells) on its later ships Explora III and Explora IV, which are scheduled to launch in 2026 and 2027 respectively. Explora’s fifth and sixth ships have already been ordered too, bringing the company’s investment in their fleet to €3.5 billion. 

This investment is all part of the business’s long term plan to tap into a lesser explored demographic – high-spending travellers who have never cruised before.

“Ultimately, Explora Journeys is a luxury boutique hotel at sea,” Paradiso told TTG Luxury. “Our goal is to attract luxury travellers, who would have otherwise had holidays on land.” By exporting the quality ingredients of the world’s best hotels onto its fleet, Explora Journeys hopes to convert cruise sceptics with fine tastes to the joys of holidaying at sea. 

Key to this is delivering the standard of hospitality luxury travellers have come to expect on land, which he said Explora Journeys was able to do, given the line prides itself on its ‘amazing’ staff, many of whom joined the team with experience working in five star hotels. The cruise line also ensures service remains attentive with its investment in staff numbers, which, at a ratio of 1 host per every 1.25 guests, is one of the highest in the industry. 

Paradiso is also keen to use the fact that Explora Journeys spends more time spent at each destination than many other cruise lines. Rather than docking for a few hours, the ship is moored for entire days or longer at each port to give passengers more opportunities to soak up the area. 

“We spend more time in each destination to make sure guests are fully embracing the culture and environment of the area,” Paradiso said and added that the cruise’s ‘excursions’ are thoughtfully organised to create more authentic experiences. 

“We spotlight the local talent – craftsmanship, gastronomy and tradition. We develop tailor-made activities hand-in-hand with the local community,” he said. “At the same time we work closely with selected tour operators who pride themselves on bringing the guests to the root of the destination.”

Paradiso also says that the ‘icing on the cake’ of Explora Journeys is its 11 culinary experiences, the most famous of which is its Anthology restaurant. The ‘one of a kind’ eatery is currently headed by Michelin star chef Emma Bengtsson, who took over the role from Mauro Uliassi in October.

Explora Journeys has also announced its third guest chef for Anthology will be Claude Le Tohic, chef-partner of the fine dining O’ by Claude Le Tohic in San Francisco.

Guests can expect a menu inspired by modern French cuisine from the Michelin-starred restauranteur, with Cannelloni of Scallop and his signature A5 Japanese Wagyu vegetables bouquet with black garlic condiment just two of the dishes available to order. 

As for the brand’s future in the UK, Paradiso believes that the potential to grow sales of Explora Journeys here is ‘huge.’

“Last year, 500 travel agents from the UK came on Explora I,” he added. “The fam trips are still continuing – we have a robust delegation coming from the UK again this year. The best way to understand what Explora is to come on board.”