Explora Journeys celebrates EXPLORA II naming ceremony in Civitavecchia
Explora Journeys has celebrated the naming of the second in its fleet of six luxury ships, EXPLORA II, in Civitavecchia, Italy.
The luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group blends European hospitality and 300 years of maritime heritage, offering guests the chance to experience a unique “Ocean State of Mind,” connecting them with the sea and curated destinations.
The traditional maritime ceremony featured the symbolic cutting of a ribbon to break a bottle on the ship’s bow. The honour was conducted by EXPLORA II‘s godmother, Rosalba Giugni, founder and president of the Marevivo Foundation, a non-partisan environmental conservation organisation committed to the preservation of marine environments, founded in 1985.
Rosalba was chosen for this honour, as a friend and partner of the MSC Foundation, but also as a mark of respect for her 35-year commitment to the protection of the world’s oceans.
The naming ceremony brought together distinguished guests from across the globe, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Antonio Tajani, Admiral Nicola Carlone, ART president Nicola Zaccheo, the president of the Port Authority, Pino Musolino, the Mayor of Civitavecchia, Marco Piendibene and Italian film director, screenwriter and Academy Award winner Giuseppe Tornatore, as well as international journalists, key travel partners, and senior MSC Group representatives, including founder and group chairman, Gianluigi Aponte.
The event was hosted by Italian actress and TV personality Lorella Cuccarini and concluded with a traditional parade of ship officers.
“Naming a new ship is a proud maritime tradition, and tonight’s celebration marks our continued growth as we redefine luxury ocean travel,” MSC Group executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, said. “Our vision began with the contemporary brand MSC Cruises where we developed a premium offer with MSC Yacht Club and from there we identified a further demand for luxury experiences at sea.
“With Explora Journeys we offer an unparalleled value proposition, and a unique offering compared to other types of luxury holiday. By 2028 the Explora Journeys fleet will comprise six ships offering a spirit of luxurious ocean adventure visiting sought-after destinations, where our guests can expect the same high standards and quality service across our fleet, all over the globe.”
EXPLORA II introduces new features to enhance guest’s luxury ocean travel experience, including new retail options, the first Buccellati jewellery boutique at sea and special collaborations and limited editions by Borsalino, Kampos and Massaba for Explora Journeys, exclusively available at the ship’s ‘The Journey’ boutique.
It also features original artwork by Emilio Isgro and Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s ‘Marine Encounters’, an exhibition of his marine photographs showcasing diverse underwater species and ecosystems. The collection was gifted to the MSC Foundation as part of the partnership between the MSC Foundation and ‘Focused on Nature’, reflecting a shared vision to educate and inspire action on the need to preserve marine life and biodiversity.
EXPLORA II’s 7-night maiden voyage includes stops in stunning Sorrento, Lipari, Trapani, Siracusa, and Valletta, ending in Tarragona, Spain.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Three days at The Farm, San Benito: Rediscovering wellness and transformation Filipino Style
If you're planning on letting yourself go over the upcoming silly season, this might be a good idea to begin 2025.
You have just 3 days left to buy your earlybird tickets for the 2024 Women in Travel Awards
There are just three days left to buy your tickets for this year’s Women in Travel Awards. This year’s awards are bigger and better than ever before, featuring a Christian Louboutin giveaway, interactive photo activations, and a Japan cherry blossom experience. The cocktail event is being held on Wednesday 4th December 2024 at Doltone House, […]
Liquid & Larder opens at The EVE Hotel Sydney
So many new bars and new dishes to try and so little time. This summer calls for a Sydney staycation
‘I’ve loved it!’ Club Med’s first Home Based Agent conference a winner across the park
A great week in Bali with Club Med. All we can say is we are looking forward to the next one!
Scoot announces new destinations with services commencing from December 2024
We've been talking destination duplication for an age now, and here is a cheap way to try a new tropical paradise.
Virtuoso unveils the Luxe Report | How the affluent are travelling in 2025
We hope the future of luxury travel has us in it somewhere... actually anywhere will do.
Virgin’s new inflight food and drink fiesta – including margaritas!
Is there a round trip where you can try several menu items in a row? Just asking?
Accor signs 27 new hotels in Asia, brings total to 495
Accor has accelerated its growth in Asia securing 27 hotel signings. The expansion encompasses twelve brands throughout eight countries, from India to South Korea and Japan and brings Accors total in the region to 495. The premium, midscale, and economy (PM&E) segments remain central to the Group’s strategic growth plan. Leading the way are the […]
TravelWorks at the forefront of modern day travel management solutions
Not interested in making the change? North Shore Travel boss Sam Young hasn't looked back since he did!
Volcanic activity grounds Bali-Bound Flights as ash and smoke ‘blankets sky’
Travellers headed to Bali have been forced to put plans on hold as volcanic activity continues on Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Multiple flights to the hotspot have been cancelled with Jetstar and Virgin Australia the most impacted. The volcano, located in Indonesia’s Nusa Tenggara province has experienced multiple eruptions in recent days causing thick black ash […]
Inside Travel Group: The B-Corp Certified adventure specialist putting agents first
Whilst a lot of tour operators claim to be ‘people first’, they don’t all live up to the mantle. A tour provider that does, is Inside Travel Group. Not only is Inside Travel Group, which owns InsideJapan and InsideAsia, one of only 13 B-Corp Certified travel companies in Australia, but it also has a 98 […]
Eurostar celebrates three decades of rail with 30% off flash sale
One percent discount for every year... One can only guess what the sale will be when Eurostar hits 100!
Scenic Hotel Group appoints Brett Inkster as property development manager
Scenic Hotel Group has appointed Brett Inkster to the role of property development manager – Pacific Islands. A respected senior manager within Scenic Hotels for the past 25 years, Inkster has successfully supported initiatives to enhance operational efficiencies and foster strategic growth in leadership roles across the group’s properties in New Zealand and the Pacific […]
ATIA urges immediate action on aviation reforms in Senate Inquiry
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) today appeared before the Senate Committee Inquiry to press for immediate action on critical aviation reforms. The Inquiry is evaluating proposed new laws to implement long-overdue changes to Sydney Airport’s slot-management system aimed at delivering greater reliability, transparency and consumer benefits. These changes represent the most comprehensive reform of […]
Gold Coast to see debut of esteemed Mondrian hotel brand in Australia next year
Beach views, wellness offerings and a dreamy balcony pool. Yep, this one screams Gold Coast!
‘When you wish upon a star’ – Family of 4 rescued by Disney cruise ship
For a brand built upon tales of heroes and princesses, this news story seems all the more fitting.
Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough announces a summer glow-up
It's all happening in WA. If it wasn't so far away we'd have been there a few times this year to see for ourselves.
Qantas announces 72-hour sale to over 60 destinations across Australia
Nothing like a flash sale. Even if you don't have the money or the leave right now, you can still dream!
Qatar Airways continues IRONMAN support with Melbourne race
We were going to participate in the Ironman but sadly we were busy not participating.
Brand USA launches sports-themed famil incentive
This sounds like a pretty cool trip - time to start brushing up on your knowledge of the US.
CATO names Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner as guest speaker at 2024 Christmas Lunch
We imagine Skroo would be a pretty great Christmas lunch guest. Sort of like the uncle who doesn't mince his words.
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort has a new name
Okay spoiler alert for anyone clutching their pearls. The new name isn't that different.
OPINION: Dennis Bunnik – ‘Politicians from both sides have been gorging at the Qantas trough for years’
Dennis certainly has a way with words! An insightful piece from someone who knows the travel industry inside out.
Flight Centre Corporate welcomes REX’s $80m government loan
Flight Centre management are happy about this news. Although not as happy as REX management, we imagine.
To get the most out of France, take the Back-Roads
Just in case you needed more reasons to extend your visit to Europe in 2025, this is it!
CLIA Live tour grows to 8 cities in 2025
Forget Coldplay, this is the kind of tour that gets us TW journos excited!
Bullo River Station partners with Sibella Court for 2026 refurb
If Sibella has anytime leftover after this, our dining room could do with a bit of a spruce up.
REVIEW: Business Class – Sydney to Manila on Philippine Airlines, delivered with Filipino warmth
Hats off to all of the air stewards and stewardesses who manage to stay warm, calm and collected whilst in the air.
WATCH: Club Med successfully wraps inaugural Home Based Agent Conference in Bali
Between the seemingly endless meals at the buffet or Piña coladas by the Zen Pool, we did in fact get some work done!
GALLERY: Intrepid celebrates 35th birthday
We can't tell if it is part of the experience or if there was genuine water on the floor in these pics...
Network 7’s Sam Mac broadcasts his weather live from South Africa
We are just hoping he doesn't end up on one of those blooper reels, not having paid attention to what's behind him.
PONANT grows commercial team with Julie Golding returning
We can't return to our previous employer because we stole all of the staplers and got too drunk at our leaving do.
Intrepid and Lucinda Light launch Daintree travel experience
You can't have the name 'Lucinda Light' and not be a ray of positivity, that would be criminal.
Qatar Airways invites Sydney Swans to Doha to check out high-performance sporting facilities
We know the boys are probably still sweating after their shock GF 2024 loss, but bring on season 2025.
The Curated Plate food and drink festival appoints Peter Kuruvita as creative director
If you want to make your life feel fancier then we recommend trying to lay your food out nicer like the ones in this pic.
Oceanview Helicopters launches Picnic on a Peak on the Sunshine Coast tour
After reading this article we have a deep and serious craving for Chorizo.