By
Rebecca Gibson |
Explora Journeys’ first ship, Explora I, is to be delivered several weeks later than planned to give the brand more time to make further enhancements to the vessel.
Initially set to be delivered during a ceremony at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard in Italy on 6 July, the vessel will now remain at the shipyard for a “few weeks”.
According to a source at MSC Group’s cruise division, the “final fittings, unfortunately, are taking longer than we would have wished for, but the most important factor is getting the vessel right in every respect and to ensure that Explora I will be absolute perfection on day one for her maiden journey, and for all of her subsequent voyages.”
Explora I was due to be christened in Civitavecchia, Italy, on 8 July and MSC Group is yet to confirm a revised date for the event.
“We are extremely sorry for this circumstance, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to the guests who were due to attend the event,” said a spokesperson for the cruise division of MSC Group. “A new date for the delivery ceremony will be communicated as soon as possible.”
It is also unclear whether the vessel will depart on its 15-day maiden voyage will depart from Southampton, UK, on 17 July as planned. The MSC Group source said: “As we don’t yet know exactly when the ship will be delivered to us, there is no precise way to know right now how the inaugural journey may or may not be affected.”