43 COVER STORY 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-beatenpath 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 soughtafter 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 ecoadventure 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 longterm 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.” “ We want to open luxury cruising up to a new demographic of guests” Achille Staiano Explora Journeys takes guests to renowned destinations like Istanbul in Turkey (pictured) and lesser-known ports of call Photo: Explora Journeys
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=