By
Laura Hyde |
Explora Journeys’ Explora I has made its maiden call to the British Virgin Islands in a visit to Virgin Gorda.
A traditional plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard on 21 November 2023 while the ship was anchored near Virgin Gorda, which is the third largest of the British Virgin Islands. The ceremony was attended by Captain Diego Michelozzi and representatives from the British Virgin Islands Port Authority and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, along with local ship agent Island Shipping Trading.
According to the BVIPA, the ceremony “not only symbolised the seamless integration of luxury and responsibility within the MSC Cruises group, but also marked the introduction of Explora I to the territory”.
Explora I is sailing a 10-night one-way itinerary from PortMiami in Florida to Bridgetown, Barbados. The ship is offering a series of Caribbean cruises during the winter season, after which it will reposition to Hawaii and the US West Coast in spring 2024 before returning to the Mediterranean for the summer.
The ship, the first in a fleet of six for the new cruise brand, which is owned by MSC Cruises, will be joined by Explora II in summer 2024. Explora III and Explora IV will follow in 2026, and Explora V and Explora VI in 2027 and 2028 respectively. All six ships will be built and delivered by Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri.