Today, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, MSC Group's Cruises Division celebrated the float out of EXPLORA I, the first of four luxury cruise ships that will eventually comprise the fleet of its new all-inclusive luxury brand, Explora Journeys.
Construction on EXPLORA I began back in June 2021 and the vessel is scheduled to enter service at the end of May 2023. Production of the new brand's second ship, EXPLORA II, then began in October 2021 and she is expected to be finished for delivery by Summer 2024. Two additional sister ships are planned to round out the fleet in 2025 and 2026, both of which will also be built by Fincantieri.
Today's float-out ceremony was attended by Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago; and Fincantieri Chairman, Claudio Graziano; and Fincantieri CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero, among others.
At its launch, EXPLORA I will weigh in at 63,900 gross tons, comprised of 14 decks, and featuring 461 of the largest guest suites and residences at sea, all of them with oceanfront balconies or terraces. It will also boat about 27,000 feet of outdoor space, three outdoor pools with 64 cabanas and a fourth pool with a retractable glass ceiling.
The vessel will also feature nine dining options, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, a casino, art gallery, retail outlets, and an indoor/outdoor spa and fitness area with treatment rooms, fitness equipment, classes and personal training will all be part of the onboard offering; and the guest-to-host ratio will be 1.25 to 1 to ensure the delivery of superior service.
The new Explora Journeys brand aims to create a new category in luxury lifestyle travel, catering to the next generation of discerning luxury travelers with a broad range of new guest experiences and activities, incredible amenities and generous public spaces, and highly innovative design. Its entire fleet will come equipped with the latest and most advanced maritime technologies to support the environment and sustainability.
Construction of the EXPLORA I and her three sister ships was commissioned to Fincantieri by the MSC Group in 2018 and, given that the total order for all four units is worth more than €2 billion (US$2.16 billion), production is continuing at a rapid pace.
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