At present within the ultimate section of development on the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the brand new Explora II is scheduled to enter service in September.
A sister to the Explora I, the 922-guest vessel would be the second ship for the brand new luxurious model from MSC: Explora Journeys.
Cruise Trade Information takes a more in-depth have a look at a number of the highlights of the inaugural deployment of the Explora II and its itineraries.
Inaugural Cruise
Date: September 16, 2024
Size: 7 nights
Homeports: Civitavecchia (Italy) to Tarragona (Spain)
Itinerary: Sorrento, Lipari, Trapani and Syracuse (Italy); Valletta (Italy)
After a development delay, the Explora II is about to enter service on September 16, 2024. For its maiden voyage, the upscale ship is providing a seven-night itinerary within the Western Mediterranean.
The one-way cruise sails from Civitavecchia to Tarragona and options visits to locations in Italy, Spain and Malta. With a particular concentrate on locations in Sicily, the itinerary options stops in Lipari, Trapani, Syracuse, Sorrento and Valletta.
“Italian Piazzas to Tunisian Souks”
Date: September 30, 2024
Size: 6 nights
Homeports: Civitavecchia (Italy) to Barcelona (Spain)
Itinerary: Sorrento and Palermo (Italy); Tunis (Tunisia); and Mahon/Minorca (Spain)
Persevering with its maiden season within the Western Mediterranean, the Explora II provides a six-night cruise to Italy, Spain and Tunisia in late September.
Named “A Journey from Italian Piazzas to Tunisian Souks,” the itinerary sails between Civitavecchia and Barcelona and options visits to uncommon ports of name within the area, corresponding to Sorrento, Tunis and Port Mahón (Minorca).
“A Journey of Iberian Marvel and Moroccan Mystic”
Date: October 6, 2024
Size: 10 nights
Homeport: Barcelona (Spain)
Itinerary: Málaga and Ibiza (Spain); Gibraltar (UK); Tangier (Morocco); Lisbon and Portimão (Portugal)
In October, the Explora II can be set to supply itineraries that includes locations within the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean.
One of many longer cruises being provided by the ship throughout the summer season, this ten-night cruise sails roundtrip from Barcelona and consists of six locations throughout Spain, the UK, Morocco and Portugal. The itinerary is highlighted by off-the-beaten-path ports of name, corresponding to Ibiza, Tangier and Portimão.
Spain and Morocco
Date: October 16, 2024
Size: 9 nights
Homeport: Barcelona (Spain)
Itinerary: Motril, Puerto Banús and Cádiz (Spain); Casablanca (Morocco)
Whereas its sister ship, Explora I, sails within the Japanese Mediterranean, the Explora II continues to function within the Western Mediterranean throughout its maiden season.
In mid-October, the 64,000-ton vessel provides a nine-night cruise within the area that additionally options ports of name within the Atlantic. Crusing roundtrip from Barcelona, the itinerary consists of lesser-visited cruise ports, corresponding to Puerto Banús and Motril.
First Trans-Atlantic Crossing
Date: November 5, 2024
Size: 17 nights
Homeports: Barcelona (Spain) to Miami (United States)
Itinerary: Funchal (Portugal); Bridgetown (Barbados); Fort de France (Martinique); Castries (St. Lucia); St. John’s (Antigua); and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
The Explora II completes its maiden season with a 17-night repositioning cruise from Spain to the USA. Crossing the Atlantic for the primary time, the vessel sails fromBarcelona to Miami.
The itinerary additionally consists of visits to 6 locations, together with Funchal, in Portugal’s Madeira Island, Bridgetown, in Barbados, and St. John’s, in Antigua.