MSC Explora 1

The 2023-built MSC Explora 1 cruise ship (officially “Explora I”) is the first in a series of six MSC EXPLORA-class expedition vessels, followed by fleetmates Explora 2 (2024), Explora 3 (2026), Explora 4 (2027), Explora 5 (2027), and Explora 6 (2028). These vessels are owned by the MSC Group and operated as a separate fleet under MSC’s luxury travel brand EXPLORA JOURNEYS.

The vessel (IMO 9869875) is Malta-flagged (MMSI 256389000) and registered in Valletta. Delivery was delayed three times in 2023—initially from March to May, and twice in July.

History – construction and ownership

MSC Cruises (MSC Crociere) is headquartered in Genoa and Naples. Established in 1960, MSC Crociere is a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company—the world’s second-largest container shipping company and the world’s largest privately owned cruise operator.

By annual passenger volumes, MSC ranks as the world’s third-largest cruise shipowner, following only Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group.

MSC’s EXPLORA-class ships offer extensive indoor public spaces, more than 2,500 m2 (~27,000 ft2) of outdoor deck areas, a spacious Sundeck with 64 private cabanas, three outdoor swimming pools (two aft, one forward), and a midship pool covered by a retractable glass roof (featuring a two-deck sunbathing area and large LED screen). Several Jacuzzies (indoor and outdoor), multiple sundecks with poolside dining and lounging, nine dining venues (restaurants and food bars), and 24-hour in-suite dining complete the ship’s luxury offerings.

Explora I features a state-of-the-art wellness complex exceeding 700 m2 (~7,500 ft2), comprising an indoor-outdoor Spa (with nine treatment rooms, Thermal Suites, and Beauty Salon) and a Fitness Centre (270+ m2 / 2,900+ ft2) equipped with modern training systems and a dedicated Fitness Studio. The two-lane Running Track encircles the Deck 12 sunbathing area.

The passenger-to-crew ratio of 1.25 ensures a high level of personalized service.

Of the total ~16,600 m2 (~179,000 ft2) of passenger-accessible areas, approximately 6,250 m2 (~67,300 ft2) is outdoor space—equating to about 6.5 m2 (70 ft2) per guest.

For more information on EXPLORA-class vessels, visit the ship’s Wiki section.

Decks and cabins

All MSC Explora I staterooms (461 total) are outside-facing, feature private balconies, and belong to Suite categories. Each is fitted with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening onto a step-out terrace. Standard accommodations (OCEAN TERRACE SUITES) measure 35–39 m2 / 375–420 ft2, including 28 m2 (300 ft2) interior space and 7–11 m2 (75–120 ft2) balcony. The largest accommodation is the OWNER’S RESIDENCE (280 m2 / 3,015 ft2), comprising 155 m2 (1,670 ft2) interior space and a 125 m2 (1,345 ft2) aft-facing wraparound terrace.

Cabin categories include: Owner’s Residence (1), Ocean Residences (22), Ocean Penthouses (67), and Ocean Suites (371). The ship also offers 82 interconnecting suites (Family Suites) designed for families and small groups.

Complimentary “MSC Yacht Club” 24-hour butler service is provided to all Ocean Residences and Ocean Penthouses, including packing/unpacking, laundry assistance, room service, itinerary and transportation planning, special event arrangements, and reservation support (onboard and ashore).

The vessel has 13 decks, of which 11 are accessible to passengers and five contain staterooms.

Explora Journeys fares include accommodations, dining at nine venues plus 24-hour room service, unlimited beverages (fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks), complimentary in-suite mini-bar, Spa and Fitness access, gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, welcome gifts (flowers, chocolates, Champagne), premium shuttle services (port-to-downtown), 24-hour concierge, twice-daily housekeeping (with turndown), and shoeshine service.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All public areas (restaurants, lounges, bars) feature floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views. Sundecks are wind-protected by wraparound glass walls, furnished with premium outdoor furniture (three-seat sofas, padded loungers, double daybeds, deckchairs), and decorated with large living plants.

The all-inclusive dining concept offers flexible meal times and gourmet dishes prepared with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients.

The ship includes 18 food and beverage venues: 10 dining options (six restaurants plus Chef’s Kitchen) and 12 bars and lounges (eight indoor, four outdoor). Wine selections vary according to the itinerary, with certified sommeliers available for boutique labels and wine pairings.

Restaurants:

• Anthology (Deck 4 midship, international cuisine; menus curated in collaboration with visiting celebrity chefs and Explora Journeys’ Head Chef Franck Garanger)
• Sakura (Deck 5 aft-portside; Pan-Asian dining—Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian—with sake sommelier and Asian beverages)
• Marble & Co. Grill (Deck 5 midship; upscale steakhouse featuring sustainably sourced beef and a wine cellar)
• Med Yacht Club (Deck 4 midship-portside; Mediterranean specialties from France, Spain, Italy, Greece; regional wines and cocktails; fresh juices)
• Emporium Marketplace (Deck 11 aft; all-day buffet with 18 cooking stations including sushi, seafood, rotisserie, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, charcuterie, cheeses, bakery; beverage stations)
• Fil Rouge (Deck 5 midship-portside; French cuisine and French-inspired international dishes; dessert cart and curated wine selections)
• Chef’s Kitchen & Private Dining Room (Deck 11 forward-starboard; 12-seat venue, surcharge applies)

In-suite dining is available 24 hours.

Bars and lounges:

• Lobby Bar (Deck 4 midship)
• Malt Whiskey Bar (Deck 11 forward-portside; smoking terrace, walk-in humidor, rare whiskies)
• Journeys Lounge (Deck 4 forward; enrichment programming and entertainment)
• Explora Lounge (Deck 11 forward; 270-degree views, Afternoon Tea, light meals)
• Gelateria & Creperie (Deck 11 midship-starboard; gourmet ice creams, crepes, specialty coffees)
• Crema Café (Deck 5 midship-starboard; barista-made coffees, fresh juices, pastries, desserts)
• Astern Lounge (Deck 5 aft; live music, DJ entertainment)
• Astern Pool & Bar (Deck 5 aft; poolside drinks and evening entertainment)
• Sky Bar on 14 (Deck 14 aft; outdoor lounge)
• Atoll Pool & Bar (Deck 10 aft)
• Helios Pool & Bar (Deck 12 forward; adults-only)

Deck 11 contains the Children’s Area (indoor playground), located adjacent to the Chef’s Kitchen.

The Conservatory Pool & Bar (Deck 11 midship) features a retractable glass roof and transforms into an outdoor-style cinema in the evenings.

Deck 3 houses the Aft Marina Deck (watersports platform) with Marina Lounge & Bar, two Tender Areas (port and starboard), and the forward-starboard Infirmary/Medical Centre.

Deck 4 includes the Forward Lounge (large stage, amphitheater seating), Casino, Lobby Hall (Reception and Destination Experiences), duty-free Boutiques, and two restaurants (Mediterranean-style portside, International-style starboard) served by an adjacent Galley.

Notable onboard retail includes the first at-sea Rolex Boutique (launched June 2023) and the “Watch and Jewelry Shop” (introduced July 2023), offering Cartier, Panerai, and Piaget.

Deck 5 features the indoor-outdoor Spa (nine treatment rooms, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon), Concept Restaurant, Coffee Lounge, Steakhouse, Art Gallery (with auctions), MSC Foundation venue, Pan-Asian Restaurant, Aft Lounge & Bar, and the Lower Aft Plunge Pool & Lounge.

Deck 6 forward is reserved for crew, housing crew cabins, Messhall (dining room and lounge), and a bow-facing crew sundeck with Jacuzzi.

Deck 11 (Lido Deck) also accommodates the Fitness Centre (Gym and Fitness Studio), the indoor pool with retractable roof, Gelateria & Creperie, the All-Day Dining Restaurant, and the Upper Aft Pool & Lounge.

Deck 12 offers the Forward Pool & Lounge (adults only) and the two-lane Running Track.

Deck 14 aft includes the Panorama Lounge & Bar (with whirlpool and sunbathing areas) and the Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, football, tennis). Midship are the Funnels and the retractable glass-roof structure.

Journey Together Gatherings (family program)

Introduced in May 2023, the “Journey Together Gatherings” program targets multigenerational families and features a dedicated youth space (Nautilus Club for kids and teens), themed family experiences ashore, and complimentary transfers.

The Nautilus Club offers supervised activities for ages 6–17, including interactive gaming (PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox), sports tournaments, workshops, and games. It features its own heated pools and a Sports Court.

Each Explora ship includes 82 interconnecting suites across three categories (Ocean Suite, Ocean Penthouse, Ocean Residence). In these family accommodations, one minor guest (under 18) sails free. Infants and toddlers (6–23 months) sail free, while children aged 2–17 sail at 50% off.

Itineraries

Explora I’s itinerary program is built around 7-night voyages in Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, Iceland), featuring lesser-visited ports, extended stays, and numerous overnights to allow for immersive shore experiences.

Signature inaugural-season destinations include Bordeaux, Saint-Tropez, Reykjavik, the Lofoten Islands, and Eastern Mediterranean ports such as Kastellorizo and Bozcaada.

The “Inaugural Journeys Collection” (2023) was announced in February 2022, with deployment across Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, UK, Iceland, Greenland), North America (Canada, East Coast USA, Hawaii), the Caribbean, and South America.

Voyages vary from 6 to 44 nights, visiting 132 ports in 40 countries.

• MEDITERRANEAN (May–June 2023): Barcelona, St Tropez, Calvi, Civitavecchia-Rome, Fiskardo, Istanbul, Piraeus-Athens, Patmos, Bodrum, Kastellorizo, Santorini, Mykonos, Gozo, Ibiza, Malaga, Cadiz-Sevilla, Portimao, Lisbon, Oporto, St Jean-de-Luz, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo, Honfleur
• NORTHERN EUROPE/BALTIC (July–August 2023): Southampton, Lofoten Islands, Norwegian Fjords (Kristiansand, Hellesylt, Alesund, Molde, Trondheim, Narvik, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes-Gravdal, Bronnoysund, Flam, Bergen, Stavanger), Skagen, Copenhagen, Ronne, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg, Stockholm, Visby, Riga, Klaipeda, Gdansk, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge-Bruges
• UK–ENGLAND & SCOTLAND (August 2023): Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Oban, Liverpool, Glasgow, Fort William, Portree, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Thorshavn, Reykjavik
• ICELAND & GREENLAND TRANSATLANTIC (September 2023)
• USA & CANADA (September–October 2023): Roundtrip from New York City
• CARIBBEAN (November 2023): Miami, Key West, Virgin Gorda, Deshaies, Falmouth, San Juan, Gustavia, Basseterre, Samana, Ocean Cay, and others
• SOUTH AMERICA, USA WEST COAST, HAWAII, ALASKA (January–April 2024)

In June 2022, MSC announced Explora I’s Alaska 2024 program (May 6–August 28), including:

• 11-night “Remote Wrangell & Spectacular Sitka” inaugural Alaska sailing
• 11-night “Sailing the Whale’s Highway”
• 10-night “Journey of the Glaciers” (Inside Passage)

Explora I’s 2024–2025 winter program (September–April) opened for booking in February 2023 and features 23 voyages visiting 73 destinations (including the Brazilian Amazon) across 24 countries, plus two extended itineraries:

• 28-night “Grand Journey to Amazonia & Tropical Isles” (roundtrip Miami)
• 32-night “Grand Transatlantic Odyssey” (Miami to Lisbon)

Maiden Voyage (2023)

Bookings for Explora I’s inaugural season opened in January 2022.

In October 2022, the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from May 31 (11-night Barcelona–Piraeus) to July 17, 2023 (from Southampton). Due to delivery delays, 12 voyages—10 of them in the Mediterranean—were canceled. Further delays in July pushed the Maiden Voyage to August 1.

The brand launched with the 14-night “Extended Journey of Scottish Isles, Danish Cities, and Icelandic Fjords,” roundtrip from Copenhagen, departing August 1, 2023.

The canceled Southampton–Copenhagen itinerary (Jul 17–Aug 1) is available in the ship's Wiki. The 15-night “Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle” included visits to 12 ports in four countries.