Big Explora Journeys News: Naming Ceremony, Keel Laying & Steel Cutting!

Explora Journeys invited me, as one of their top-selling travel advisors and someone who has been involved with the development of the product since the beginning, to the Naming Ceremony of Explora II in Civitavecchia, Italy, on September 15-16, 2024.

Catching up with the Explora Journeys owners and executives, including its new President, Anna Nash, who most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at the ultra-luxury brand Aman, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s global commercial strategies and brand expansion, is first on my agenda.

Why? With Anna and Chris Austin, a true legend in the luxury hotelier world and Explora Journeys’ North America President, as top executives on the sales side of things, Explora Journeys has more than a vision of blending ultra-luxury resort and ship experiences; it has the talent to elevate it even further than it already is. (This is not hype!) There have to be some great conversations along with the celebration.  And with that, there have to be some confidential tidbits that will (hopefully) spill. (I won’t tell you if it happens! Lol)

I don’t expect too much to be different in Explora II from what you have seen from my three journeys on Explora I this past year (including my recent fourteen-day journey from Venice to Athens to Istanbul). Why? Because Explora I was actually delayed a bit in order to modify some of her layout so she would be consistent with sister, Explora II. 

That said, you know there are a few new things:

• Explora II’s Journeys Lounge, the Casino, and Fil Rouge restaurant have refreshed colors and materials while maintaining their original layouts.
• The Explora Lounge, Crema Café, and Atoll Pool have all been enhanced with new designs and furniture to create more space for guests.
• The Anthology restaurant has been redesigned to highlight its exceptional Italian fine dining.
• The Ocean Wellness Spa has a refined new concept with updated decor and materials throughout, and Australian spa brand Subtle Energies has been added.
• Bespoke Unopiu outdoor furniture has been added to the Helios Pool & Bar to elevate the outdoor ocean experience.

Oh, and while Explora II will not have the only Rolex shop at see (Explora I does!), she will feature the first at sea Buccellati jewelry boutique.

Not to worry; I will explain more and provide photos after I get on board.

The Naming Ceremony is only one of three exciting things happening with Explora Journeys this week.

We will also be celebrating the Keel Laying for Explora III, which will sail in 2026. This is especially exciting because she will be operated using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) rather than the less environmentally friendly marine fuels…even with all the advanced technology that Explora Journeys in Explora I and II to minimize its effects to the greatest extent possible. Even more exciting, the LNG technology is a pathway to bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, but let’s not get bogged down in the nerdy stuff that gets me excited. Just know it is a big step in the right direction.

Of note, Explora II, like Explora I, has a “Dolphin” notation, meaning it is designed to, and does, have reduced underwater noise impact in environmentally sensitive areas and is certified Polar C, for safe navigation in polar waters. (Arctic journeys – not expeditions – are coming!)

Oh, but there is more. We are also celebrating the steel-cutting for Explora IV, which will be very similar to Explora III (similar to how Explora I and II are). She will be setting sail in early 2027. (Explora V and VI will follow later in 2027 and 2028.)

It is going to be a busy, but informative and enjoyable, couple of days! 

Stay tuned for more!