Exploris One Reportedly Sold at Auction for 4.5 Million Euros

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Exploris One Reportedly Sold at Auction for 4.5 Million Euros

The Exploris One was reportedly sold at an auction that took place in Nantes, France, on January 30, 2026.

According to Ouest France’s Le Marin, the ship was sold for 4.5 million euros, excluding mandatory legal fees.

The bid was considerably below the starting price of seven million euros set by the court, the French newspaper stated.

While the buyer’s name was not officially disclosed, Le Marin said that it is an “existing company that aims to put the ship back into expedition service.”

Originally built in the late 1980s, the Exploris One was designed for exploration cruises in remote and polar regions.

With a capacity for 132 guests, the 6,132-ton vessel was last in service for France-based Exploris Expeditions & Cruises.

Out of service since September 2025, the ship was auctioned as part of the liquidation of the company, which ceased operations in November 2025.

Interested parties were able to place bids for the expedition vessel online via Interencheres, a France-based marketplace for auctions.

According to the website, the sale was subject to a 14 percent premium in court proceedings, in addition to legal fees.

Bidders were also able to arrange visits onboard the vessel, which is currently laid up at the port of Caen in Northern France.

Built at the Rauma-Repola shipyard in Finland, the Exploris One sailed for a range of cruise lines over its 37-year career.

Before being acquired by Exploris in 2023, the ship spent over a decade operating for Silversea as the Silver Explorer and the Prince Albert II.

Other brands that operated cruises onboard the vessel include Society Expeditions, Sally Line, Delfin Risteilyt, Baltic Link and more.

Before being auctioned, the Exploris One was scheduled to undergo a statutory drydock at a shipyard in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

MSC Cruises to Add Yacht Club to Two More Ships

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MSC Cruises to Add Yacht Club to Two More Ships

MSC Cruises is bringing its MSC Yacht Club to two additional ships, the MSC Musica and the MSC Orchestra, according to a press release.

The expansion marks the completion of the MSC Yacht Club refurbishment for the entire Musica class.

The MSC Musica will receive the upgrade later in 2026, ahead of the South American season, followed by the MSC Orchestra in the first quarter of 2027 ahead of its season in the Mediterranean from Bari, Italy.

Once complete, all four ships in the Musica class, the MSC Poesia, the MSC Magnifica, the MSC Musica and the MSC Orchestra will feature the MSC Yacht Club.

The MSC Yacht Club is designed as a ship within a ship concept, featuring spacious and elegant suites, 24-hour butler and dedicated concierge service, as well as exclusive private venues including a restaurant, lounge and sundeck.

Guests of the MSC Yacht Club benefit from personalized services.

This includes daily in-suite indulgences such as fresh fruits, macarons and chocolates, and a complimentary bottle of premium spirits.

Guests can take advantage of unpacking and packing services, private shopping appointments in the onboard boutiques outside regular opening hours, and more.

Guests will also receive MED by MSC, the cruise line’s exclusive collection of organic bath amenities crafted for MSC Yacht Club guests.

With the addition of the MSC Musica and the MSC Orchestra, the MSC Yacht Club will be available across 19 ships fleetwide.

The MSC Musica will sail in South America from November 2026 through April 2027, offering cruises to Brazilian destinations and eight-night to nine-night holiday sailings to Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este over Christmas and New Year.

The season concludes with a 16-night transatlantic crossing departing Santos on April 1, 2027, to Genoa.

The MSC Orchestra will begin sailing with the new MSC Yacht Club from Bari, Italy, from March 13 to April 24, 2027, exploring Turkey’s destinations, including Izmir and Istanbul, with calls at Piraeus and Corfu, Greece.

MSC Cruises to Upgrade Ocean Cay with Extended Pier

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MSC Cruises to Upgrade Ocean Cay with Extended Pier

MSC Cruises has announced upgrades to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.

The island will receive new facilities to enhance the guest experience and an extended pier to accommodate two ships calling simultaneously, due for completion in late 2027.

Ocean Cay opened in late 2019 and became a guest-favorite destination on MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries.

The cruise line transformed the former industrial site into a private island destination.

Guests visiting the island from late 2027 can expect new restaurants and bars, a dedicated adults-only beach, a fully equipped family lagoon and more cabanas available to rent.

Four new dining experiences will be added to the island, bringing the total to seven venues.

A signature specialty restaurant will be added alongside new buffets and food market options.

Seakers Cove Family Beach will receive an upgrade with new experiences, including a kids’ playground, a splashpad and a ropes course with water elements. The area will also feature ping-pong and foosball.

Paradise Sands, an exclusive retreat for adults, will allow adults to relax by day before the space then transforms into a spot to sip cocktails and let loose at sunset.

The new MSC Foundation Shifting Perspective Experience will invite guests to explore marine conservation through hands-on experiences, from coral restoration to interactive exploration of ocean ecosystems.

Ocean Cay was designated a Hope Spot by Mission Blue in 2023, recognized as an area of key importance in supporting biodiversity and safeguarding sea life.

Construction work has begun on extending the pier to accommodate two ships.

Currently, one vessel can dock directly at Ocean Cay, but the pier extension will allow two ships to dock simultaneously.

Work continues on developing a second private island destination adjacent to Ocean Cay.

This island, known internally as Little Cay, will offer pristine beaches and luxury facilities.