EXPLORA I COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL SEA TRIALS

Geneva, Switzerland, 13 April - Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle hospitality brand of the MSC Group, today announced that EXPLORA I has successfully completed her sea trials. This will be the first of a fleet of up to six luxury ships to be built for Explora Journeys by Fincantieri in Italy, one of the finest shipbuilders in the world.

Following the successful sea trials, EXPLORA I will now undergo final preparations before embarking on her maiden journey in July 2023. Explora Journeys will offer today’s discerning luxury traveller an opportunity to experience a truly transformative and purposeful ocean travel experience, reflecting both the essence of each destination visited as well as the brand’s cosmopolitan and vibrant European luxury.

Construction of the 63,900 GT vessel began on 10 June 2021 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The naming ceremony for EXPLORA I will take place in Civitavecchia near Rome, Italy on 8 July, followed by her maiden journey departing on 17 July from Southampton, UK for a 15-night sailing into Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys said “Our vision and purpose from day one has been to create an ocean travel experience like no other and we are thrilled that the first of our ground-breaking new class of ships, EXPLORA I will start sailing in July 2023. The sea trials are a critical part of the process, and we're pleased that EXPLORA I passed with flying colours. Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a ship that offers the perfect combination of luxury, adventure, and sustainability, and we can't wait to share it with our guests."

EXPLORA I Highlights

Thoughtfully designed to stimulate the senses and reflect the brand’s philosophy of creating an ‘Ocean State of Mind’, the European family roots and sense of style informs an intuitive appreciation of design and luxury, which Explora Journeys embodies through its modern, cosmopolitan, boutique hotel vibe:

·       A total of 14 decks offering 16,000 sqm (178,680 sq ft) total public space, offering unrivalled space and privacy with one of the highest guest-to-space ratios in the luxury ocean category at 18.4 sqm (198 sq ft)

·       461 Ocean front ‘Homes at Sea’ with an average size of 42 sqm (452 sq ft): 1 Owner’s Residence, 22 Ocean Residences, 67 Ocean Penthouses, 301 Ocean Terrace Suites, 70 Ocean Grand Terrace Suites

·       A choice of 11 culinary experiences, 6 unique restaurants, 12 bars and lounges

·       248 metres long, 32 metres wide, 56 m height above water line

·       Ocean Wellness offering 1000 sqm (10,764 sq ft) of indoor and outdoor wellness and fitness facilities, 9 treatment rooms, 1 beauty salon

·       Unique entertainment concept offering ongoing entertainment across all lounges and bars

·       3 outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool, 64 private cabanas

·       1:1.25 Host to Guest ratio

EXPLORA I Environmental Supporting Technologies

As part of the MSC Group, Explora Journeys is committed to building ships for tomorrow, utilising today’s latest technologies and being ready to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available.

·       Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) System: Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 per cent.

·       Advanced wastewater treatment system: Complies with the most stringent standards on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) MEPC 227(64) Resolution - the so-called ‘Baltic Standard’

·       Ballast water treatment system: US Coast Guard Approved with UV treatment to prevent the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention

·       Shore-to-ship power connectivity: Allows the ship to minimise engine use at ports where shore-to-ship power infrastructure is available

·       State-of-the-art recycling and solid waste management: Comprehensive systems to reduce, recycle and reuse all waste aspects on board

·       RINA Dolphin certified underwater noise reduction with hull and engine room designs that minimises acoustic sound impact, reducing their potential effects on marine fauna, most particularly on marine mammals in the surrounding waters.

·       Innovative hull design and optimised hydrodynamics - minimises resistance through the water

·       Trim optimisation - a software application to monitor and optimise trim, the ship’s stability, in real-time. This technology supports ship officers to keep the vessel’s trim optimised to reduce fuel consumption and optimise performance

·       Anti-fouling paint - hulls are coated with special environmentally friendly paints which impede the growth of barnacles, algae and marine organisms in order to reduce drag significantly.

·       Smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) - Automated energy recovery loops that redistribute heat and cold to reduce demand

·       LED lighting - high-efficiency appliances controlled by smart management systems to enhance further energy saving