by Geoffrey Ravoire, Travel and Marketing Director

The story started over 80 years ago in Sorrento, Italy, with Gianluigi Aponte, a Neapolitan ferry captain who, together with his Swiss sweetheart, a passenger on one of his crossings, went on to create MSC, a global shipping operation, and the world's largest privately-owned cruise company. This Swiss-Italian seafaring family is now fulfilling their life-long dream by launching Explora Journeys, an exquisite, modern luxury cruise experience unlike any other.

When invited to join Explora Journeys’ Advisory Board, I immediately accepted because I knew the family, and the team they assembled, would push the boundaries of traditional cruising. Explora Journeys is transforming ocean travel through a synergy of chic ships and immersive itineraries that allow you to discover further, travel deeper, and linger a little longer at each destination. These are enriching holidays for the cosmopolitan traveler who wants to create connections that last long beyond the cruise itself.

On sailings between seven and 44 nights, you are invited to venture on and off the beaten path. Explora Journeys promises exclusive access far beyond the classic luxury cruise experience. Imagine treading the cobbled streets of Europe's hallowed capitals and exploring the ancient Acropolis in Athens; navigating the crystalline cool of the Norwegian fjords and sailing in the shadows of Svalbard's soaring cliffs, or savoring French chic in St Barths, lolling beneath Hawaiian waterfalls, and soaking up the sun-kissed shores of Brazil's buzzing Buzios.  

Designed in partnership with the world's foremost superyacht specialists and harnessing cutting-edge maritime technology, the first ship in Explora Journeys' fleet sets sail in May 2023, with five more vessels to follow by 2028. European elegance permeates every detail, while floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces in every suite offer sweeping ocean views with enviable space and privacy. The eleven onboard culinary experiences promise something for every palate and provide the perfect scene for long, languorous lunches and vibrant evenings.

A firm believer in eco-travel, I admire how the founding family is as passionate about preserving the sea as they are about exploring it. On top of no single-use plastic on board or ashore, the fleet will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies to help protect marine life and optimize engine use to further reduce emissions.

I invite you to become part of the Explora Journeys seafaring community by joining its maiden voyage in May 2023. This Mediterranean exploration begins in Barcelona – the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, Joan Miro's birthplace, and home to many of Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudi's most extraordinary works. Next, set sail for the Cote d'Azur just as the early-summer sun starts to cool. The first stop in Saint-Tropez allows guests to savor the glamour of the French Riviera or journey further by private charter to enjoy the cultural cachet of old-quarter Cannes or F. Scott Fitzgerald's Cap d'Antibes, before sailing onwards to Calvi in Corsica, an island known for its craggy mountain beauty and French-Italian charm. Next, wander amidst the endless wonders of Ancient Rome, followed two days later by a change of scenery as the ship docks in Fiskardo, a vibrant fishing village with a bustling waterfront and Venetian architecture on the northern-most tip of Captain Corelli's Kefalonia, the most significant and most mesmerizing of the Ionian islands. Two days in Istanbul allows guests to embed themselves in its intoxicating mix of European and Asian influences before celebrating the journey's end with a climb to the colonnaded hilltop citadel of the Acropolis in Athens. Each sailing is scattered with a few nights at sea, ensuring you can enjoy the elegant and spacious ocean suites, penthouses, residences, the eleven onboard culinary experiences, in-suite dining, and a stunning array of stylish places to unwind.

We, at Huffman Travel, look forward to introducing you to EXPLORA I's maiden journey from Barcelona to Athens or one of the other seven Inaugural Journeys.