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August 18, 2022

Aboard EXPLORA I, destinations will not be the only discoveries. Explora Journeys introduces its complete culinary and beverage offerings.

Explora Journeys began as a Love Story.

He was a young Neapolitan ship’s captain. She was girl from Switzerland and his passenger. Together, Gianluigi Aponte and Rafaela Diamant Pinas were unstoppable.  At just 30 years of age, the young Italian and his Swiss-Israeli bride went on to make maritime history.  Carrying on a 300-year-old Aponte family tradition of seamanship, the couple started with just one small vessel in 1970, they went on to create the largest privately-owned cruise line in the world.  MSC Cruises counts 16 ships in a fleet that will be expanded to 25 ships by the year 2027. And the whole Aponte family will be at their helm. Gianluigi stepped up to become Chairman as his son, Diego, and daughter, Alexa Aponte Vago were elevated to CEO and CFO of MSC.  And now, the family is about to create an entirely new cruise line. Explora Journeys will launch EXPLORA I and set sail in May 2023.

The first of 6 ships, Explora I will represent MSC’s entry into luxury cruising.

The 64,000-ton ship will boast 461 Ocean Suites, Ocean Penthouses, Ocean Residences and a single Owner’s Residence.  There isn’t an inside cabin in sight.  And there isn’t a single suite without what Explora Journeys has christened “Sun Terraces”, generally known as balconies on lesser vessels. All of these sea view accommodations are created to embrace what the Aponte family calls “the Ocean State of Mind”. Quote: “The oceans connect you with yourself, people, and the places around you. It relaxes you and creates an energy that inspires inner and outer discovery, broadens horizons and triggers new connections”. There probably isn’t a cruiser alive who wouldn’t agree. And among those discoveries will be a wealth of opportunities to savor the world’s great cuisines and its wines and spirits.

Explora Journeys unveils its ambitious new Culinary and Beverage Options

EXPLORA I will feature no fewer than 18 places aboard to explore the world through its food and drink without setting a foot ashore. And with two exceptions, every dining option aboard requires no additional charges.  They are all-inclusive and open to every passenger on board.

Guests will find 6 distinctive restaurants as well as 24 hour in-suite dining.  These venues will celebrate 11 different culinary experiences. 12 bars will introduce passengers to EXPLORA I’s Mixologists and sommeliers will guide guests in selecting regional wines native to where the ship sails. And there will be some surprises. British Chardonnay anyone?  (For special occasions, an extremely deluxe selection of wines, spirits and liqueurs will include an additional fee).

How Explora I will explore the world’s great cuisines.

Franck Garanger, Culinary Head of Explora Journey explains “we see it as a way for our guests to taste it too, actively discovering new cuisines and experiences. Our team…is set to deliver refined dining experiences that embrace authenticity and sustainability. We ensure each guest leaves with memories of their culinary journey onboard being the finest at sea.”  To keep that promise, each restaurant on board offers a distinctive experience.  What unites all of them is their introduction to global cooking, the excellence of their ingredients, and the locally sourcing of them by the ship’s culinary masters. EXPLORA I will even bring local chefs aboard. And here they are.

The setting for guest chefs to showcase their specialties is Anthology. These chefs are hand-picked to reflect the cuisine of Explora’s destinations. And of course, Anthology’s wine lists will be specially selected not only to complement the guest chef’s cooking but also the regional wines from each port of call.  With indoor seating for 48 and outdoor seating for 22, Anthology requires what Explora calls “an exclusive experience fee”. At this writing this was 100 Euros per person.  Guests can also delve deeper with the guest chef at the ocean-front Chef’s Kitchen for an unannounced fee. Limited to 12 guests, Chef’s Kitchen will offer cooking classes whatever their skill levels.  Classes are often paired with shore excursions to local markets and vineyards. That’s it for the fee-added options. Every other restaurant is all-inclusive.  Emporium Marketplace is the ship’s all-day dining option.

All 18 cooking stations reflect the world’s great culinary traditions. And all day, these offerings evolve. From pizza to sushi, fresh seafood and grilled, roasted and slow cooked meats, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed indoors and out, and on your schedule. Fil Rouge (Red Thread in English) is Explora’s haven of French cuisine. “Red Thread” means the food here is not confined just to French classics. Instead, it’s a salute to the role French cooking has taken in so many of the world’s great dishes.  With seating for 222, the room is designed for intimacy.  Leisurely dining is encouraged here. It’s easy to linger while sipping superb wines from Old World and New. And don’t leave before the dessert cart arrives with its elegant table service. Sakura’s means “Cherry Blossom” in Japanese. And Japanese food is just one of the cuisines served here.  The ocean-view restaurant and Sushi Bar has Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and, of course, Japanese specialties on its expansive menu. Open for both lunch and dinner, there’s even a sommelier to guide your choice of Sakis.

Marble & Co. Grill takes its name from the marbling in the world’s finest beef. This is classic steakhouse with a European accent. It takes its meat every seriously and even boasts its own dry ager.  Big bold wines make up a substantial part of its wine list. Sun streams into Med Yacht Club, MSC’s ode to its home in the Mediterranean. Captured on Explora I is the sophistication beachside restaurants in Greece, Spain, Italy, France and North Africa.  Here among other Mediterranean-inflected specialties, you’ll find an emphasis on plant-based, wholesome ingredients and vegetarian items here. This relaxed and convivial setting is open both lunch and dinner.

Finally, there’s In-Suite Dining 24 hours a day. The menu features a sampling of almost every venue on the ship. Dining in their suites or on their ‘sun terraces’, guests can enjoy superb food and service without ever leaving their home away from home.

EXPLORA I’s Inaugural Season features 40 Itineraries from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. For complete information click here: www.explorajourneys.com

Don’t miss more updates, news and reviews of Explora Journeys on Cruising Journal with photos, videos and cruises on offer!

Monte Mathews

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