A night of celebration as Explora II named in Civitavecchia

‘We bring a new luxury concept to guests, many of whom have never before had an ocean travel experience,’ said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises. 

‘We began with our contemporary brand, MSC Cruises, which is now truly global, and we identified the demand for the luxury segment. 

‘We met this demand with our premium ship within a ship concept, the famous and very successful MSC Yacht Club.' Yet, 'creating a new brand dedicated to a luxury at sea experience was obviously for us a natural progression.’ 

Vago said the Explora ships are designed to be 'classic, timeless, the epitome of a European elegance, but also vibrant and contemporary-cosmopolitan.’ 

The strength of the brand, he added, lies in the family-owned MSC Group behind it. 

‘Naming a new ship is a proud maritime tradition, and tonight’s celebration marks our continued growth as we redefine luxury ocean travel,' he remarked. 

'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.’

Rosalba Giugni

The traditional maritime ceremony featured the symbolic cutting of a ribbon to break a bottle on the ship’s bow. This honour was conducted by Giugni, founder and president of the Marevivo Foundation, a non-partisan environmental conservation organisation committed to the preservation of marine environments.

Related:Fincantieri delivers Explora II to Explora Journeys

Commenting on the decision to make Giugni godmother of the ship, the executive chairman remarked, ‘Foremost, Rosalba is a friend. She's also a great partner to the MSC Foundation through her position as the founder and president of environmental conservation organisation, Marevivo. 

‘We asked Rosalba to be Explora II's godmother, to honour her incredible 35 years committed to the blue planet and to celebrate the values that we share.’ 

A stronger Italy

During his speech, Vago said he ‘would like to see a stronger Italy’ and emphasised the need for EU Emissions Trading Scheme revenues to be reinvested to support decarbonisation efforts. Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and MD, Fincantieri, which built Explora II and Explora I, also took to the Journeys Lounge stage on deck four to express the importance of the shipbuilding industry in Italy. 'We need to attract Italian talent to this industry,’ he asserted. 

Antonio Tajani, Italy’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, discussed trade in Italy, praised the Aponte family which founded MSC, and the work of Fincantieri. 

Mayor of Civitavecchia Marco Piendibene said the Aponte family have been 'deeply invested' in the city and spoke of the ‘huge innovation that the Aponte family is bringing forward.’ 

Senior MSC Group representatives, including founder and group chairman, Gianluigi Aponte, also attended the festivities, along with admiral Nicola Carlone, ART president Nicola Zaccheo, president of the Port Authority Pino Musolino, plus international journalists and key travel partners. 

Entertainment

To mark the naming of Explora II was entertainment by English singer Tony Hadley, who sang Spandau Ballet favourites ‘True’ and ‘Through the Barricades,’ while actress and singer Kerry Ellis sang ‘Never Enough’ from hit musical, The Greatest Showman. 

An interview followed with movie director, screenwriter and academy award winner Giuseppe Tornatore with event host Lorella Cuccarini, an Italian actress and TV personality. Tornatore recounted his experiences working with with the late Italian composer Ennio Morricone, responsible for some of the most iconic compositions of modern cinema. An orchestra performed some of Morricone’s creations in a tribute to the celebrated musician. 

A traditional parade of ship officers additionally featured.

A gala dinner from Franck Garanger, Explora Journeys’ head of culinary, was served before the final showstopper of the night, a drone show over water featuring the mandala and the Explora Journeys logo.

The Explora fleet

Last week, Explora Journeys celebrated the keel laying of Explora III and the steel cutting of Explora IV at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, near Genoa, Italy. Explora III, set for delivery in 2026, will be the first of four liquefied natural gas-powered ships in the Explora Journeys fleet, followed by Explora IV and Explora V in 2027 and Explora VI in 2028.

Explora II’s seven-night maiden journey, starting today, will include stops in Sorrento, Lipari, Trapani, Siracusa, Italy and Valletta, Malta ending in Tarragona, Spain.

Explora II and Explora I will reposition to the Caribbean for the winter season. Highlights include Gustavia in St. Barts, Oranjestad in Aruba, and St. John’s in Antigua.

In the summer of 2025, Explora II will sail in the Western Mediterranean visiting ports such as Barcelona in Spain, St. Tropez in France, Monte Carlo and Porto Cervo in Italy.