PortMiami welcomed EXPLORA I on its first call marking the ship's debut in South Florida. The ship is the first in a fleet of six for the MSC Group's luxury ocean travel brand.
“We are very proud to introduce our extraordinary new ship, EXPLORA I, to the Magic City,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Miami is a premier destination and an important gateway to the Caribbean for ocean travel and it is a privilege to showcase our new ship and our immersive voyages to this market. “Our team has spared no effort to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver a product that we are thrilled for guests to experience when embarking in South Florida.”
The maritime tradition of exchanging shields to celebrate a ship's first visit to a destination took place on November 3, 2023 in PortMiami. The exchange of shields was attended by the ship's captain, Diego Michelozzi, Michael Ungerer, the executive director of Explora Journeys, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, and Hydi Webb, director and CEO of PortMiami, among others.
“As the cruise industry continues to recover and make a strong comeback, we are grateful for our new partnership with Explora Journeys,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. "Their commitment to providing a world-class passenger experience and a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is critical to keeping PortMiami at the forefront of the cruise industry."
Hydi Webb, director and CEO of PortMiami added: "As we continue to expand our operations and partnerships, we expect growth in cruise activity with Explora Journeys, which will benefit all of our guests."
After its inaugural stop, EXPLORA I set sail from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From November to March, the luxury ship will explore the Caribbean and Central America, calling at ports such as Samaná/Dominican Republic and Bridgetown/Barbados, with stops in Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cartagena, Saint Barthélemy and the Grenadines, among others. , before heading to the west coast of the United States.
"Journeys aboard EXPLORA I aim to transport guests to an 'ocean state of mind' by providing them with best-in-class service, exquisite onboard offerings and immersive destination experiences, authentic to the places the ship serves." boat," Ungerer said. “A harmonious mix of known and hidden gems on the EXPLORA I itinerary will provide our guests with opportunities to savor genuine cultural encounters and a slower pace of travel, leaving them refreshed and inspired.”
EXPLORA I is equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, plug-in connectivity to the shore-based power grid, underwater noise management systems to protect marine life and a wide range of low-cost onboard equipment. energy consumption to optimize engine use to further improve reducing emissions.
EXPLORA I set sail for the first time in July 2023. EXPLORA II will enter service in summer 2024 and operate until April 2025 in the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. EXPLORA III and EXPLORA IV will run on liquefied natural gas and will enter service in 2026 and 2027 respectively. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will run on hydrogen and enter service in 2027 and 2028 respectively.