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If guests are feeling hungry between meals, they can grab a snack and Illy espresso from Crema Café or head to the Gelateria & Creperie by the Conservatory pool to satisfy a sweet tooth. Rather than having a main show, Explora Journeys leans into more of a cabaret concept. While the ship has a gorgeous theater -- unlike many ships, it has a bar -- don't expect full production shows with a troupe of singers and dancers. The Thermal Suite on Explora I boasts a finnish sauna, a steam room, a thalassotherapy pool, several showers, a snow sink to cool off, heated loungers and a full salt room.
Explora Journeys Has Five Exceptional Restaurants Included Within the Fare
The third-largest cruise brand in the world, European cruise line MSC, announced its plans to move into the ultra-luxury market in 2018 and in the years since brought Explora Journeys from ideation to realty. The new arm of the business brings a completely new identity to both the MSC family and the medium cruise category, harkening its design, ethos, and service style more akin to a superyacht or boutique resort, than what is expected for a cruise ship. Explora Journeys has plans to launch five other Explora ships in the next four years.
Explora I Has Four Upscale Pools - and Gorgeous Infinity Whirlpools
Explora I's delivery date was last pushed back from July 6th to July 24th (2023). The vessel was officially delivered from Fincantieri Monfalcone to MSC on July 20th. The ceremony was attended by Gianluigi Aponte (MSC Group's Founder and Chairman), Pierfrancesco Vago, Zoe Africa Vago (ship's godmother), Michael Ungerer (Explora Journeys), Pierroberto Folgiero (Fincantieri).
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Almost everything is included, save shore excursions, airfare and a first-at-sea specialty restaurant that features a rotating cast of Michelin-starred chefs. With cruising experiencing growth on all levels, it's perhaps not surprising that the environment is ripe for a new all-inclusive luxury cruise line. However, the naming ceremony was postponed and held on October 12th (2023) at NYC's Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
It is RINA DOLPHIN certified to reduce underwater noise and lessen the impact on marine mammals and can use shore power in port to avoid any emissions while berthed. It has also been designed to adapt to alternative energy-saving solutions when they become available. But while Explora shares some seafaring DNA with its sister brand, its new ships will be something entirely above and beyond, the company says.
Review of Explora Journeys' New 'Explora I' Cruise Ship - AFAR - AFAR Media
Review of Explora Journeys' New 'Explora I' Cruise Ship - AFAR.
Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The hydrogen powers a 6-MW/megawatt fuel cell to produce all the electricity needed for the onboard hotel operations. With Explora 5 (2027) and Explora 6 (2028), MSC's Explora Journeys investment totaled EUR 3,5 billion. Explora 1 and 2 are fitted with marine diesel engines running on LSFO (low sulfur fuel oil), Explora 3 and 4 are with LNG engines while Explora 5 and 6 are with LNG engines and hydrogen powerplants (fuel cell technology). All boats are RINA-certified (by RINA DOLPHIN) for reducing underwater noise and vibrations. By MSC's sustainable policies, single-use plastics are not used both on the ships and ashore.
All sundecks are wind-protected (via a wraparound glass wall), furnished with premium patio furniture (3-seater sofas, padded loungers, double daybeds, deckchairs) and decorated with large living plants. MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is a passenger shipping company headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) - the world's 2nd largest containership company. Itineraries will feature longer stays and overnights in ports to provide passengers with plenty of time to explore ashore. Ft. spa has nine treatment rooms and a thermal area complete with saunas, steam rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, and even a Himalayan salt cave.
Explora I has nine dining options, in addition to five bars and lounges. According to Gelineau, the idea was not to have one main restaurant but rather a collection of distinct dining outlets, each with its own concept. The ship's only extra-fee restaurant, Anthology, has a first-at-sea concept featuring rotating menus from MIchelin-starred chefs. On our sailing, San Francisco-based chef Claude Le Tohic had prepared the menu; previous guest chefs have included Emma Bengtsson from New York's Aquavit and Mario Uliassi from Italy.
Explora II, launching in summer 2024, will be identical to the prototype, while Explora III and Explora IV will see some small changes (the latter two ships will be LNG powered, for example). EXPLORA I completes her sea trials with flying colours, a critical process ahead of final preparations for her maiden journey in July 2023. Explore the evolution of a luxury vessel, from its inception at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, to its grand delivery, marking a significant chapter in maritime history. Of the 461 suites on Explora I, 10 are wheelchair accessible, located on decks 8, 9 and 10.
The handful of kids on our sailing tended to gravitate to Nautilus Club or the Conservatory Pool and ate with parents, typically at Emporium Marketplace. With no library onboard, the best options for quiet reading spots are Explora Lounge, Crema Cafe, the Astern Lounge or the sundeck area of Deck 12, under the shade of a cabana. Every all-inclusive Journey is a promise of diverse culinary riches, self rejuvenation through Ocean Wellness and enriching entertainment. Re-imagining entertainment and enrichment, with thoughtful, personalised experiences. For Explora Journeys, sustainability is not only about reducing emissions and energy consumption but also about inclusivity and making sure that the ship doesn’t have a harmful impact on the ports it visits. Inclusivity is especially important to Captain Serena Melani, who told me that 50 percent of the staff working on the bridge with her are female.
But they are usually crowded, with pieces by Thomas Kinkade, Peter Max and other mass-market artists. A gorgeous Steinway piano anchors the top of the lobby (and there's another in the ship's Explora Lounge). Explora Journeys has a partnership with the legendary piano company and often has guest artists onboard (known as "luminaries") who specialize in the delicate instrument. Each Explora ship has a total of 82 interconnecting staterooms (designed for families with children) in three categories - Ocean Suite, Ocean Penthouse, and Ocean Residence.
There are regular meet ups for solo travelers, known as the Solivagant Society. We were impressed by Explora Journeys’ Prism programme, which includes gatherings and activities for the LGBTQIA + passengers with a social event held on the first or second day of every sailing. Towards the end of each sailing, there is also a Prism cocktail party. Stay informed and inspired – join our newsletter for the latest offers and destinations. A “hop-on-hop-off” system is not currently in place, but guests can combine multiple journeys, creating extended itineraries.
The most notable of which is Anthology, which brings in guest chefs to create a quarterly tasting menu. During my journey, Michelin three-starred Ristorante Uliassi, located in Ancona, Italy, created an 8-course menu focusing on Adriatic seafood—the pasta with an infusion of fig leaves was exceptional. However, each dining establishment I tried left me satisfied, including the surprisingly excellent all-day dining venue Emporium Marketplace, which had made-to-order wood-fired pizza and an indulgent raw bar.
Foodies might appreciate the opportunity to taste Uliassi’s cuisine, without needing to schlep to Senigallia on the Adriatic coast. Right now, the three-Michelin-star Italian chef Mauro Uliassi of Restaurante Uliassi, Italy, is at the helm. Those wanting to dine here will need to dig deep as the fee is €190 per person (approximately $205) and an additional €75 ($81) for paired wines, making it a contender for one of the most expensive restaurants at sea.
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