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Explora Journeys Celebrates Naming Ceremony and Official Launch of Explora II
17.09.2024 - 21:11 / travelpulse.com / Explora Journeys / Laurie Baratti / Pierfrancesco Vago
Explora Journeys has officially celebrated the naming ceremony of its latest luxury ship, Explora II, at the port of Civitavecchia, Italy, near Rome. The event marked another significant milestone for the MSC Group’s luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand, following the ship’s official delivery just days ago.
Explora II is the second of six vessels in the fleet and was christened by godmother Rosalba Giugni, a distinguished marine environmentalist and founder of the Marevivo Foundation, who was honored for her lifelong commitment to ocean conservation.
The time-honored maritime ceremony was hosted by Italian actress Lorella Cuccarini, featured a symbolic ribbon-cutting and the breaking of a bottle on the ship’s bow, both of which were presided over by Explora II’s godmother, Rosalba Giugni, a distinguished marine environmentalist, and founder and president of the Marevivo Foundation.
The naming ceremony was attended by prominent figures from around the world, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani; Admiral Nicola Carlone; ART President Nicola Zaccheo; the President of the Port Authority, Pino Musolino; the Mayor of Civitavecchia, Marco Piendibene; and Italian film director, screenwriter and Academy Award winner, Giuseppe Tornatore. They were joined by MSC Group representatives, key travel partners and members of the international media.
Explora Journeys' Explora II is officially christened. (Photo Credit: Explora Journeys)
The event concluded with a traditional parade of the ship’s officers and was followed by further evening festivities, including a gala dinner, a performance by English pop singer Tony Hadley and a spectacular drone show that told the tale of Explora Journeys as a brand, and featured a stunning representation of the Explora Journeys logo and Mandala.
“Naming a new ship is a proud maritime tradition, and tonight’s celebration marks our continued growth as we redefine luxury ocean travel,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group. “Our vision began with the contemporary brand MSC Cruises where we developed a premium offer with MSC Yacht Club and from there we identified a further demand for luxury experiences at sea. With Explora Journeys we offer an unparalleled value proposition and a unique offering compared to other types of luxury holiday. By 2028 the Explora Journeys fleet will comprise six ships offering a spirit of luxurious ocean adventure visiting sought-after destinations, where our guests can expect the same high standards and quality service across our fleet, all over the globe.”
Following the naming ceremony, Explora II embarked on its maiden seven-night voyage, with ports of call in
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