The Aponte family, which owns MSC Group, achieved a long-held ambition in July 2023, debuting Explora I, the first boutique ship for its new luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys.
“Our executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, started with a blank piece of paper and a vision of redefining the luxury ocean travel experience,” says Achille Staiano, chief commercial officer of Explora Journeys. “For the family, the true meaning of luxury is experiencing new things and making the very best of the most precious gift any of us has: time. We wanted to bring vibrant and cosmopolitan yet relaxed European luxury to the world’s oceans.”
One of the brand’s main goals was to build small ships capable of calling at destinations that cannot be accessed by larger vessels. “However, luxury is not about being small, it’s about being authentic,” says Staiano. “We also wanted ships that were large enough to offer a wide choice of amenities and unrivalled space, but remain intimate, private and exclusive. And we decided early on that our guest profile would not be that of a typical luxury cruise passenger.”
Spanning 14 decks, Explora I has more than 2,500 square metres of outdoor public spaces, including three pools, a promenade deck with whirlpools, and poolside dining venues and bars. Other highlights include a 1,000-square-metre wellness and fitness complex, six restaurants, indoor bars and lounges, a pool with a retractable roof, an art gallery, a casino, a boutique retail space, and 461 expansive ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and private sun terraces. The ship also has one of the highest guest-to-space ratios in the luxury category.
“Our ship was built in partnership with some of the world’s foremost superyacht and hospitality designers, and has an abundance of fantastic restaurants, holistic spa and fitness areas, and great spaces for vibrant entertainment,” says Staiano. “It is much more like a floating boutique hotel than a traditional cruise ship. Guests can immerse themselves in cosmopolitan European luxury with generous value, while enjoying the finest comfort and privacy at sea and waking up to a new view every day.”
The spacious suites onboard Explora Journeys’ ships are designed to provide guests with all the comforts they are used to at home
Since its maiden journey from Danish capital Copenhagen, Explora I has carried thousands of travellers to both renowned and lesser-known destinations. It will be joined by a sister, Explora II, in September 2024.
“We’ve recorded incredibly high levels of satisfaction from guests who have sailed with us so far,” says Staiano. “Explora II will also offer exceptional service, gourmet dining and outstanding destination options, creating a luxurious and memorable ocean travel experience unlike any other.”
Paying attention to every little detail is a key element of Explora Journeys’ luxury promise, particularly onboard the vessels.
“We want our guests to be pampered and experience the very best service they could ever imagine, while always feeling like they are in the comfort of their own home,” says Koray Savas, vice president of hotel operations at Explora Journeys. “Our brand is built around the concept of achieving the ‘ocean state of mind’, so we give people time to connect with the ocean, themselves, their travel companions, fellow guests, and the places and communities they visit. It really is purposeful and transformational travel.”
Explora Journeys’ onshore teams and onboard hosts are integral to delivering the exceptional luxury guest experience, says Savas. “Their dedication and expertise ensure that every aspect of our guests’ journeys is seamless, personalised and memorable, from the moment they begin planning their voyage to long after they disembark.”
Onshore teams play a crucial role in pre-journey planning, providing personalised concierge services, assisting guests with travel arrangements, pre-cruise accommodation, itinerary planning and more. Meanwhile, onboard hosts provide a warm welcome from the moment guests step on the ship, says Savas.
“Our hosts are trained to anticipate and respond to the individual needs of every guest, whether it’s arranging a private dinner, organising a special celebration, or providing tailored activity recommendations,” he explains. “The food and beverage teams deliver an extraordinary culinary experience characterised by exceptional quality and personalised service, while our spa and wellness teams offer bespoke programmes to help travellers relax and rejuvenate. We also offer expert-led lectures, workshops and cultural performances to enhance understanding and enjoyment of the destinations visited.”
Post-cruise, the onshore teams gather feedback and assist with future travel planning. “This ongoing relationship helps us continually refine our services and maintain a strong connection with our customers,” explains Savas.
Such feedback also helps Explora Journeys to enhance its itineraries, some of which were designed with the help of Vago.
“It’s very important to listen to guests and we did this particularly with the itinerary planning for Explora I,” says Staiano. “Time is precious, so we wanted to make our journeys more accessible. Now, we have shorter journeys starting from seven nights that can be combined into 14- and 21-night sailings without repeating ports. They all use easily accessible turnaround ports.”
Designed to offer “ultimate flexibility”, the itineraries include longer port stays with “unconventional” arrival and departure times, allowing people to make the most of destinations. “We want to open up luxury cruising to a new demographic of guests who may never have considered a holiday at sea, including multigenerational families,” says Staiano.
Explora Journeys considers several factors when choosing ports for its itineraries, including their cultural and scenic appeal and the availability of exclusive experiences.
“Explora Journeys’ guests have a particular affinity for destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences,” says Savas. “Smaller ports and off-the-beaten-path locations, which are often inaccessible to larger cruise ships, are especially popular. While we do not have traditional homeports, we focus on strategic locations and turnaround ports with easy road, rail and air access to our ships.”
Both the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are among the most sought-after regions for Explora Journeys’ guests. Explora II, for example, will embark on an inaugural voyage to Tarragona in Spain, Sorrento in Italy, the Sicilian ports of Lipari, Trapani and Syracuse, and Valletta in Malta after its christening. It will then remain in the West Mediterranean until the end of the European summer season, visiting countries such as Italy, Malta, Spain, Portugal, and Tunisia and Morocco in North Africa. The ship then will sail in the Caribbean and North, Central and South America.
“The Mediterranean, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and stunning landscapes, offers a variety of charming small ports such as Portofino in Italy, Kotor in Montenegro, and Santorini in Greece,” says Savas. “The Caribbean attracts guests with its vibrant culture, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Destinations like St. Barts, Antigua and the British Virgin Islands offer intimate and exclusive experiences that larger ships simply cannot provide.”
Explora Journeys has “carefully crafted” onshore experiences that will fully immerse guests in the nature, culture, history and gastronomy of the destinations they visit. Tailored to intimate groups of between two and 25 people, some of the experiences include truffle hunting in Rovinj, Croatia; visiting a family-owned vineyard in Mykonos, Greece; exploring the centuries-old monasteries perched atop the Meteora cliffs in Volos, Greece; and taking a guided bicycle tour with a private picnic in Livorno, Italy. Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, guests can dive at Jacques Cousteau Reserve in Guadeloupe, board a U-boat in Curaçao, embark on an eco-adventure in the St. Kitts rainforest, or take a cooking class in Barbados.
“Our guests are seeking travel that goes beyond mere sightseeing; they desire transformative and authentic experiences that allow them to connect deeply with the places they visit,” says Savas. “We combine luxurious comfort with the thrill of discovery, making each journey not just a holiday, but a truly transformative adventure.”
Over the next four years, the brand will expand its fleet to accommodate more guests and further expand its choice of itineraries. The LNG-powered Explora III and Explora IV will debut in 2026 and 2027 respectively, while Explora V and Explora VI will set sail in 2027 and 2028. The latter vessels will have LNG engines and hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
“We are committed to a long-term vision and the size of our fleet demonstrates that we’re here for the long run,” says Staiano. “Our fleet development plan covers the next four years, and we aim to fine-tune and enhance each newbuild with further improvements.
“We’re still a relative newcomer to luxury ocean travel and there is so much more that we can, and will, do in the future with the aim of being the best, not the biggest. It’s quality rather than quantity that counts.”
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.