Explora I sails Copenhagen maiden voyage after preview port call in Portsmouth

Explora Journey’s first cruise ship Explora I called in Portsmouth, UK this weekend ahead of her repositioning to Copenhagen, from which she’ll sail her maiden voyage to Iceland.

The 63,900 ton luxury cruise ship visited Portsmouth International Port, where port officials and local politicians and media were welcomed aboard.

On August 1st, Explora I then sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark on her first passenger voyage, a 7-night sailing to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member responsible for the port, said: “Our attractive harbour makes it easy for us to attract cruise brands to the city and we’re delighted that Explora 1 has experienced such a unique arrival and departure.”

“We’re ideally placed to welcome small to medium sized, luxury, boutique ships, and the port’s striking new sustainable terminal extension will go further to complement this range of ships when it opens later in the summer,” he added.

Explora 1 is the first cruise ship for Explora Journeys, a new luxury cruise line belonging to the MSC Group, which also operates its flagship MSC Cruises brand.

During the cruise, passengers will get to see beautiful landmarks such as Lerwick, on the Shetland Islands, and Kirkwall, Orkney.

Explora I is the first of six sister ships, due for delivery between 2023 and 2028. Each of the ships features a thermal area, two VIP double spa suites, beauty salon, fitness area, and an Owner’s Suite spread over 280sqm (3,014 sqft) with a living room, bedroom, ensuite and a 125sqm outdoor terrace, where guests will find an infinity whirlpool and a dining table for eight guests.

There are also 18 bars and restaurants onboard, including a panoramic lounge at the top of the ship, and several pool areas, such as a weather-protected indoor pool, an aft ‘chill out’ pool at the stern of the ship, and a panoramic adults-only pool.

Explora I will cruise in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, South America and Hawaii during her maiden season.

While Explora I will spend her maiden cruise season sailing Europe and North America, in 2024 and 2025 she’ll sail two separate 9-night roundtrip cruises out of Saudi Arabia.