19 new itineraries and shore excursion programmes has led to impressive success in recent years. “Passenger numbers almost doubled year-on-year in 2023, with the brand’s 22 ships taking more than four million guests on 385 itineraries to 102 countries,” says Vago. MSC Group has recorded similar success with its luxury brand Explora Journeys, which debuted its first boutique ship in July 2023. “Creating a luxury cruise line has long been a dream for me and my family,” says Vago. “MSC Cruises offers the premium MSC Yacht Club experience, which is very popular, so it felt like a natural evolution to create a dedicated luxury brand that offers an elevated experience but the same great value for money.” Explora I is small enough to visit both well-known and off-the-beatentrack destinations, and offers a range of amenities. “We have a fantastic luxury small ship offering spacious suites, pools, outdoor seating areas, bars, authentic fine dining experiences, a spa and spaces to relax, as well as hosts providing personalised services,” says Vago. “In addition, we have flexible itineraries with easily accessible turnaround ports, and exclusive shore excursions are designed to fully immerse our guests in the culture, nature and history of the destinations they visit. Many of these are influenced by the personal travel experiences of me and my family.” These onboard and onshore experiences are designed to help guests achieve what Explora Journeys calls an ocean state of mind. “One of life’s real luxuries is the ability to spend quality time doing something you enjoy – whether that’s by yourself or with your friends and family, or newfound travel companions,” says Vago. “Explora Journeys enables guests to do just that and we now aim to bring this luxury cruising experience to more travellers, focusing first on the European and North American source markets.” Explora Journeys will expand the fleet, with Explora II debuting in September 2024, followed by the LNG-powered Explora III and Explora IV in 2026 and 2027 respectively, and Explora V and Explora VI in 2027 and 2028. The latter vessels will both have next-generation LNG engines and fuel cells. “MSC Group is committed to making the Explora Journeys fleet environmentally sustainable, so the ships will feature many of the technologies and solutions that are helping MSC Cruises to increase energy-efficiency and lower emissions,” says Vago. To ensure the ongoing success of both Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises in 2024 and beyond, Vago says his team will continue to prioritise attention to detail, hard work, professionalism and a dedication to delivering high-quality travel experiences. “We’re a family-owned company led by a hands-on management team with decades of shipping experience and the ability to turn progressive ideas into reality,” says Vago. ”We don’t need to satisfy external shareholders, so we can make quick decisions and invest in whatever we believe will be best for the business and our people in the long term. We’ll continue to push design, engineering and technical boundaries to make meaningful, measurable changes that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.” Of course, we will do this all while delivering the best possible onboard and destination experiences for our guests.” KEYNOTE Guests sailing on MSC World America will be able to board the Jaw Drop @ The Spiral slide in The Harbour on the top deck and descend 11 decks to the World Promenade Photos: MSC Cruises
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