The first of six ships planned for the fleet of Explora Journeys has been named in a ceremony in New York.
Marine biologist and oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle acted as godmother for Explora I at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
The MSC Group’s luxury brand’s Explora I entered service in July in northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic to New York with visits en route to Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
It is the first of six ships constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in a deal valued at €3.5 billion.
MSC Group cruise division execution chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said “We are looking to attract a wider group of discerning travellers who have experienced the finest luxury land-based resorts but seek more value, more authenticity, and a deeper connection to the world.
“Explora Journeys is the answer by giving you a way to discover off the beaten track destinations by sea, all whilst enjoying some of the best real estate in the world.
“With a further five ships joining the fleet in the next five years, we are committed to delivering the same unique experience on board, wherever you are in the world.”
The ship will spend the autumn in North America, the winter in the Caribbean and spring on the US west coast and Hawaii before returning to Europe in summer 2024 for a series of sailings in the Mediterranean.
Explora II is set to enter service next summer, sailing in the Mediterranean and Middle East until April 2025.
Explora III and IV will both be powered by liquefied natural gas and enter service in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
The fifth and sixth ships in the series are due to join in 2027 and 2028 including state-of-the-art energy efficiency measures and be capable of using alternative fuels such as bio and synthetic gas.
These two ships will pursue the use of liquid hydrogen with fuel cells for their hotel operations while docked in ports to eliminate carbon emissions with the engines switched off.