MSC Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle hospitality brand under the MSC Group, has announced that the sea trials for their first ship, Explora 1, have been successfully completed.
This marks the first of potentially up to six units to be built for Explora Journeys by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
With the sea trials deemed successful, Explora I will now undergo final preparations before embarking on her maiden journey in July 2023. Explora Journeys aims to provide discerning luxury travelers with a transformative and purposeful ocean travel experience, reflecting the essence of each destination visited and the cosmopolitan and vibrant European luxury brand.
The construction of Explora 1, which has a gross tonnage of 63,900, began on June 10th, 2021, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The naming ceremony for Explora I is scheduled to take place in Civitavecchia-Rome Italy on July 8th, followed by its maiden voyage departing from Southampton, UK on July 17th for a 15-night sailing to Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle, ending in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Michael Ungerer (Explora Journeys' CEO) said their vision and purpose from day one had been to create an ocean travel experience like no other and they were thrilled that the first of their ground-breaking new class of ships, Explora 1 would start sailing in July 2023.
"The sea trials are a critical part of the process, and we’re pleased that EXPLORA I passed with flying colours. Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a ship that offers the perfect combination of luxury, adventure, and sustainability, and we can’t wait to share it with our guests.”