The first ship of the luxury brand of MSC will set sail in July 2023.
Explora Journeys unveiled details for its first journey: Explora I, the first of six ships, will sail on July 17, 2023 from Southampton, UK. The luxury brand of MSC´s cruise division will debut with a 15-night journey to Northern Europe, with calls to 12 ports in four countries – the trip entitled A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle.
Explora I from Southampton will call at Zeebrugge, Belgium, and in Norway at Geiranger, Trondheim, Molde, Leknes, Brønnøysund, Flåm, Bergen and Stavanger, before sailing on to Denmark with visits to Skagen and Copenhagen.
Details about the ship’s journey and its destinations have been released, with a first stop in Zeebrugge where guests can head off to enjoy medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, canals and the pristine gardens of nearby Bruges. From Zeebrugge, they will journey northwards along Norway’s western coastline, where the Atlantic meets the Arctic, stopping first at Geiranger, at the head of the Geirangerfjord, a true example of a small traditional Nordic village. Trondheim was the Viking capital of Norway until 1217, and its port dates back to 997, while Molde is ringed by 222 soaring, snow-capped peaks, and boasts some of the best shops and cafés in the country. Leknes is on Vestvågøya, one of Norway’s six Lofoten Islands in the Arctic Circle: warmed by the Gulf Stream, it boasts tropical beaches, horse riding, and sea eagles. Brønnøysund has a mountain with a huge hole visibly punched through it, along with a bustling marina and sensational hiking trails.
Skagen, Denmark’s most northerly point, is where the Baltic meets the North Sea; its art heritage is a legacy of the many painters who have been seduced by Skagen’s translucent light. In addition, its fabulous seafood, architecture, and the vast migrating dune at Råbjerg Mile make Skagen a must-see for tourists to the region. The ship will finally arrive in Copenhagen on August 1.
