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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before boarding an Explora Journeys ship
If you think cruising means corny entertainment, greasy buffets and lengthy bridge contests, then chances are you haven't experienced Explora Journeys yet. Inspired by the sleek design of private yachts, this new kid on the block wants to inspire those who 'don't do cruises' to give holidays-at-sea a try. This ethos is reflected in the line's choice of terminology, with 'guests' rather than 'passengers', and 'hosts' instead of 'crew'. Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury arm of the MSC Group, sees its ships more as high-end hotels that just happen to be on water, as evidenced by the Buccellati boutiques, marble bathrooms and Emilio Isgrò artwork on board. The brand has also made a deliberate decision to hire staff from a luxury hospitality background wherever possible, so don't be surprised when intuitive employees (there's an impressive ratio of 1.25:1 guest-to-crew) remember your name or your favourite drink. What's more, Explora Journeys is truly all-inclusive, so you don't have to worry about forking out extra for drinks, food, fitness classes, tips or Wi-Fi. In short, the brand has attained its goal of offering all the trappings of the world's leading luxury hotels – a sophisticated aesthetic, first-class service and superlative restaurants and bars – on the high seas. 1. Where does Explora Journeys cruise? Explora I will sail the Mediterranean until November 2025, when she will then reposition to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula for winter 2025-2026. Sister ship, Explora II, will spend summer 2025 in the Mediterranean and winter 2025-2026 in the Eastern Caribbean. Explora III which, as the name suggests, is the third ship in the line's growing fleet, will debut in summer 2026 and offer itineraries throughout northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland before making its way to North America 's east coast. For the winter 2026/27 season, the ship will shift to Miami, where it will embark on a series of Caribbean itineraries. While the line emphasises longer itineraries that visit lesser-known ports, and then stay late/overnight, it has also introduced regular, shorter seven night journeys for those who have limited time. In addition, Explora offers what it terms 'experiences' as opposed to 'excursions'. These include a meeting with an astronaut from Nasa in Florida and a hike along the Tet Paul nature trail in St Lucia to see the island's icons – the Unesco-protected Pitons. 2. Who does Explora Journeys appeal to? New-to-cruise guests who are attracted to the brand for what it is not: blaring night clubs, blingy casinos and petty extra charges. That being said, while the line isn't looking to attract passengers from other cruise lines, it would nonetheless appeal to fans of small ship, luxury cruising offered by the likes of Seabourn, Silversea, and Crystal – as well as those who have stayed in ship-within-a-ship venues on mainstream lines and are looking to try something new. Explora Journeys – as its name alludes – is also a good choice for anyone looking for a little more from their annual leave than merely sitting by a pool all day. Itineraries blend well-known destinations, such as Athens, with lesser-travelled ports, and offer guests the opportunity to feel part of the place they are visiting. Small-group trips are led by local experts who know that the most memorable and magical experiences are often about meeting the community, rather than simply tickling off the blockbuster sights. 3. Explora Journey's fleet Explora Journeys currently has two ships in its fleet with four more – Exploras III, IV V, and VI – slated to follow over the next few years. Explora II (922 passengers) From a distance, the line's newest ship, Explora II, resembles a superyacht (perhaps not a surprise, given that its aquiline profile was crafted by veteran British yacht designer Martin Francis). Step on board, however, and it's like walking into a five-star resort. Expect a glittering white-and-gold, double-height lobby bar with a back-lit drinks wall; the open-air Sky Bar; bespoke artwork by Emilio Isgrò and Yves Dana dotted around the decks; four swimming pools – one with a retractable rooftop; numerous hot tubs; and upmarket shops in the shape of Piaget, Panerai, Cartier and Buccellati. Elsewhere, the cabins are all suites – starting at a spacious 35 square metres for an entry-level Ocean Terrace Suite. This comes equipped with a king size bed, Frette linens, Steiner binoculars, a walk-in dressing area featuring a Dyson hairdryer, marble bathroom with underfloor heating and bespoke Mandala Blue toiletries; plus a separate living area leading to a terrace with a supremely comfortable Manutti daybed. Explora I (922 passengers) The first ship from Explora Journeys is almost identical to its sibling. Four pools are complemented by numerous whirlpools, while extensive workout areas – indoor and out – have Technogym equipment. Spread over 14 decks, you'll find a spacious spa whose inviting thermal areas – including a salt cave, vitality pool and experiential showers – are free to access on port days, as well as extensive workout areas filled with swanky Technogym equipment. The ship has 12 bars and six restaurants: standouts include the pan-Asian Sakura where you can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen, Marble & Co (a smart steakhouse) and Emporium Marketplace – Explora's upmarket take on the buffet. All dining venues are included in the fare, with the exception of Anthology – three Michelin star Italian chef Mauro Uliassi's first restaurant at sea. Entertainment is low-key with a pianist tinkling at a Steinway in the lobby bar, while West End and Broadway veterans perform songs from everyone's favourite musicals and movies in Journeys Lounge. 4. Loyalty scheme In April 2025, Explora Journeys revealed a new loyalty programme. The Explora Club has five tiers and allows guests to earn points that can then be converted into perks such as priority service and access to exclusive events, or used towards future sailings. 5. Access for guests with disabilities The line has fully-accessible suites and, in certain ports, offers accessible destination experiences. Explora Journeys asks that: 'Any guests in need of special services during their journey, or needing to travel with medical apparatus, including wheelchairs, motorised scooters or oxygen therapy [...] please notify us in writing prior to final payment becoming due.'
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
GNV announces major investments in Morocco during Tangier event
GNV, the MSC Group ferry company, organized a special event in Tangier on May 27, to present its new vessel, GNV Orion, and announce significant future investments in Morocco, the company's second-largest market after Italy. The GNV Orion, which departed from the GSI shipyard in Canton, China, on April 30, made a symbolic stopover in Tangier before heading to Italy for final preparations ahead of its late June service launch. The timing coincides with the upcoming Operation Marhaba 2025 (June 5 - September 15). The event brought together institutional representatives, key partners, including Banque Populaire du Maroc, and local media. GNV CEO Matteo Catani attended alongside the company's Moroccan partner, Mohammed Kabbaj. Catani announced the company's fleet expansion plan, adding eight new vessels between 2025 and 2030. The first two LNG-powered ships, GNV Virgo and GNV Aurora, will enter service by year-end with over 50% CO₂ reduction. Four additional vessels expected from 2028 will accommodate up to 2,500 passengers. Infrastructure limitations at Moroccan ports, including Tangier Med's 200-meter length restriction, currently prevent the deployment of these larger vessels. GNV transported approximately 455,000 passengers on Moroccan routes in 2024.
Telegraph
19-03-2025
- Telegraph
This fledgling cruise line wants to become the world's ‘number one luxury brand'
'How many weeks are you onboard for?' It was my first evening on board, and already the third time I'd been asked. This time it was Torren, a well-dressed Danish guest, posing the apparently common question. He and his wife, Suzanne, were enjoying their second week on Explora II, he told me – while Elise, a solo traveller from Toronto, had booked to stay onboard for a further fortnight after our cruise from Barbados to Puerto Rico concluded. Meanwhile, Elena and Thomas, a late 30-something couple, told me they were 'just doing a week for now,' as they'd left their young son with his grandparents. Clearly, Explora Journeys – the new ultra-luxury arm of the MSC Group, founded by Italian shipping family Aponte Vago – has won a legion of fans since its inception in 2021, something evidenced both by my onboard encounters, and the slew of awards the brand has scooped up. Keen to see if it lived up to the hype, I joined Explora II (the line's unimaginatively named second ship, launched in 2023), for four nights – a number that garnered sympathetic expressions from Torren, Thomas, Elena, and Elise – as she sailed a weeklong Caribbean voyage. Despite the 922-passenger ship's bland name – Explora III, Explora IV, Explora V, and Explora VI are slated to follow over the next few years – she looks, it must be said, anything but. Explora 11's exterior is an elegant navy, and from a distance, the vessel resembles a superyacht (perhaps not a surprise, given that its aquiline profile was crafted by veteran British yacht designer Martin Francis). Step onboard, however, and it's like walking into a five-star resort. There's a glittering white-and-gold, double-height Lobby Bar with a back-lit drinks wall; open air Sky bar; bespoke artwork by Emilio Isgrò and Yves Dana dotted around the decks; four Insta-worthy swimming pools – one with a retractable rooftop; numerous hot tubs; and upmarket shops in the shape of Piaget, Panerai, Cartier and Buccallati. Elsewhere, the cabins are all suites – starting at a spacious 35 sq m for an entry-level 'ocean terrace suite', the category I opted for. Enormous – almost as large as my south London flat – despite the entry-level badge, with a king size bed, Frette linens, Steiner binoculars, a walk-in dressing area featuring a powerful Dyson hairdryer, marble bathroom with underfloor heating and bespoke Mandala Blue toiletries; and a separate living area leading to a terrace, complete with supremely comfortable Manutti daybed. Guests who successfully manage to leave their neutral-hued suites (a challenge in itself) can opt to detox in the spa – where a 60-minute intensive muscle release massage (£194) saw the knots in my neck expertly worked out by Gineesh's nimble hands – or extensive workout areas filled with swanky Technogym equipment, before retoxing in the ship's 12 bars and six restaurants. Over a coffee in Crema Cafe – the heart of Explora II that's invariably packed with guests gossiping, tucking into freshly baked cakes, and tapping away on laptops – general manager, Marco van Belleghem, proudly informed me that 'the feedback from the guests for our food has been unbelievable. 'We get so many positive comments. Unlike other cruise lines, we only have individual restaurants, each with their own identity and all included in the fare.' The most casual dining venue is Emporium Marketplace – an upmarket buffet which became my go-to spot for lunch (think salads, stone-baked pizzas and every kind of pasta imaginable). Marble & Co, meanwhile, is the ship's smart steakhouse (lobster and Black Angus beef on tap, so to speak), while the menu at Med Yacht Club has a Mediterranean flavour, and French-inspired Fil Rouge serves dishes such as fish soup and prawn risotto. The pan-Asian Sakura, however, was the stand-out. Here I sat at the sushi counter with a fellow solo traveller, Susan from Wisconsin, and grazed on plump gyoza and a tender, crunchy seaweed salad – while watching the chefs at work in the open kitchen. There's an extra charge (£118) for 'elevated Italian fine-dining' restaurant Anthology, which I wasn't willing to pay. However the newly retired Susan, who took herself 'as a treat', raved about the service, and the seven course Italian menu which included a radicchio risotto she claimed was 'superior to anything I've eaten in a top London or New York hotel.' Susan – like Torontonians Andrea and Paul and so many other guests I spoke to – was new to cruising, and attracted to Explora II for what it is not: blaring night clubs, blingy casinos, and petty extra charges (even tips are included). Instead these guests – educated, well-travelled and appreciative of fine living – relished the low-key evening entertainment (a pianist tinkled at a Steinway in the lobby bar, while West End veteran Zoe Tyler received a standing ovation in Journeys Lounge), sense of space and impressive ratio of 1.25:1 guest-to-crew (or 'hosts', as Explora calls them). Van Belleghem positively beamed when I relayed all this to him over coffee. 'We're not trying to attract passengers from other cruise lines,' explained the affable Dutchman – who spent 16 years working for Holland America and also enjoyed a stint on land in the Netherlands at a small hotel chain. 'Our owners, the Aponte Vago family, have created a very unique product. I mean, Explora II doesn't even feel like a ship, does it? We are completely different from any other cruise line.' Arguably none more so than MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys' big (MSC World America will be able to accommodate a whopping 6,762 passengers when it launches in April), bold and bling-tastic older sister. 'Absolutely,' he agreed. 'But where Explora Journeys differs is that we're not just another luxury cruise line: we're one that's here to transform the way people think about cruising.' One of the ways the brand is trying to do this is by focusing on experiential travel – Explora uses the word 'experiences' rather than 'excursions' – visiting lesser-known ports, and then staying longer. 'On our last cruise, we called at the ABC islands. In Aruba and Bonaire, we stayed until 9pm; and in Curaçao we were there until 11pm,' shared Van Belleghem. 'We want our guests to experience the various destinations we go to.' In St Lucia, I signed up for Explora's 'Scenic west coast hike with a chocolate tasting' experience (£100): a hike along the Tet Paul nature trail to see the island's icons – the Unesco-protected Pitons, a pair of pointy peaks on the south-west coast – with charismatic local guide, Vina, followed by a tree-to-bar tour that took us through the whole process of cacao production (from grafting a tree to tasting the pulp and roasting the beans to make a bar). In Bequia, I opted to explore independently and followed the path from Port Elizabeth to Lower Bay – a beautiful stretch of pale gold sand that I had almost entirely to myself. But it wasn't all smooth sailing – there were small wrinkles, amongst them that my suite was serviced once a day rather than the promised twice, and that I had to leave a note requesting the shower gel dispenser be refilled. First-world problems, I know, but if Explora wants to fulfill its aim of becoming – as Van Belleghem told me – 'the number one luxury brand in the world', then these are issues that will need to be ironed out. Fix them and – judging from the hive of activity I observed at the future cruise desk – the line's future looks as bright as the Caribbean sun. Essentials Kaye Holland was a guest of Explora Journeys (0800 031 8935), which offers a Bridgetown to San Juan sailing from £3,200 per person, including an ocean terrace suite, drinks, meals, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Excludes flights.
Zawya
13-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's Al-Wazir, MSC Group discuss new investments to strengthen transport, logistics
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir met with Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Group, to explore new investment opportunities in Egypt's transport and logistics sectors. The discussions align with Egypt's strategy to modernize ports, enhance transit trade, and expand public-private partnerships to solidify the country's role as a regional logistics hub. At the outset of the meeting, Minister Al-Wazir praised the ongoing collaboration with MSC, the world's largest shipping line, on key transport projects, including the dry port and logistics zone in 10th of Ramadan City and the development of the Tahya Misr 2 multipurpose terminal at Dock 100 in Dekheila Port. He reiterated Egypt's openness to global partnerships, highlighting the country's favorable investment climate and extensive opportunities in transport, dry ports, and logistics. MSC CEO Soren Toft expressed the company's strong interest in deepening its partnership with Egypt, citing the country's significant advancements in transport infrastructure. Both sides agreed to intensify discussions between technical teams to establish a framework for further collaboration and drive progress in logistics and freight operations. Following the talks, Minister Al-Wazir attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport—affiliated with the Ministry of Transport—and Switzerland-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA. The agreement aims to explore potential cooperation in managing and operating seaports, dry ports, railway freight networks, and logistics hubs. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Al-Wazir emphasized that this partnership with one of the world's leading transport and logistics companies supports the Ministry's strategy to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030 goals. He highlighted Egypt's efforts to develop an integrated transport network that reduces trade costs, enhances supply chain efficiency, and strengthens the national economy. 'Our goal is not just to build modern ports but to create a comprehensive logistics system that positions Egypt as a global leader in maritime transport and transit trade,' Al-Wazir stated. 'Strategic partnerships with global leaders like MSC bring world-class expertise and services that enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian ports and reinforce our role in global supply chains.' The Minister reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to fostering strong ties with international companies, leveraging its geographic advantage to become a key hub for transport and logistics in the region.
Daily News Egypt
13-03-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Al-Wazir, MSC Group discuss new investments to strengthen transport, logistics
Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir met with Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Group, to explore new investment opportunities in Egypt's transport and logistics sectors. The discussions align with Egypt's strategy to modernize ports, enhance transit trade, and expand public-private partnerships to solidify the country's role as a regional logistics hub. At the outset of the meeting, Minister Al-Wazir praised the ongoing collaboration with MSC, the world's largest shipping line, on key transport projects, including the dry port and logistics zone in 10th of Ramadan City and the development of the Tahya Misr 2 multipurpose terminal at Dock 100 in Dekheila Port. He reiterated Egypt's openness to global partnerships, highlighting the country's favorable investment climate and extensive opportunities in transport, dry ports, and logistics. MSC CEO Soren Toft expressed the company's strong interest in deepening its partnership with Egypt, citing the country's significant advancements in transport infrastructure. Both sides agreed to intensify discussions between technical teams to establish a framework for further collaboration and drive progress in logistics and freight operations. Following the talks, Minister Al-Wazir attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport—affiliated with the Ministry of Transport—and Switzerland-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA. The agreement aims to explore potential cooperation in managing and operating seaports, dry ports, railway freight networks, and logistics hubs. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Al-Wazir emphasized that this partnership with one of the world's leading transport and logistics companies supports the Ministry's strategy to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030 goals. He highlighted Egypt's efforts to develop an integrated transport network that reduces trade costs, enhances supply chain efficiency, and strengthens the national economy. 'Our goal is not just to build modern ports but to create a comprehensive logistics system that positions Egypt as a global leader in maritime transport and transit trade,' Al-Wazir stated. 'Strategic partnerships with global leaders like MSC bring world-class expertise and services that enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian ports and reinforce our role in global supply chains.' The Minister reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to fostering strong ties with international companies, leveraging its geographic advantage to become a key hub for transport and logistics in the region.
