Explora Journeys celebrates EXPLORA II naming ceremony in Civitavecchia

  • EXPLORAII_5
  • EXPLORAII_1
  • EXPLORAII_2
  • EXPLORAII_3
  • default
  • LorellaCuccarini_CreditIvanSarfatti
  • LorellaCuccarini_SerenaMelani_RosalbaGiugni_PierfrancescoVago_CreditIvanSarfatti
  • RibbonCutting_Exhibition_CreditIvanSarfatti
1 / 8
Edited by Travel Weekly


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.

Lorella Cuccarini, Serena Melani, Rosalba Giugni, and Pierfrancesco Vago.

Lorella Cuccarini, Serena Melani, Rosalba Giugni and Pierfrancesco Vago.

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.

Explora Journeys ribbon cutting exhibition.

Explora Journeys ribbon cutting exhibition.

“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

  • News
  • Women In Travel

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, […]

  • Hotels

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 […]

  • Aviation
  • Destinations

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 […]

  • Partner Content

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 […]

  • Appointments
  • Hotels

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 […]

  • Breaking News

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 […]