MSC Cruises Named Official Main Partner of Tudor Pro Cycling

Posted on 4 July, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises Named Official Main Partner of Tudor Pro Cycling

MSC Cruises has partnered with Tudor Pro Cycling to become its official main partner through the 2027 season, including a debut at the 2025 Tour de France, which starts on July 5.

The partnership was unveiled today ahead of the Tour de France Official Team Presentation in Lille.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman at MSC Cruises, said: “We are proud to partner with the Tudor Pro Cycling team as official main partner at the start of this exciting new chapter for the team as they are participating for the first time in the world’s biggest cycling event.”

“We look forward to supporting the team as they race across the world, introducing our brand to a new global audience that follows this exciting international sport. Team sports, such as this, reflect our commitment to delivering outstanding experiences driven by teamwork, excellence and passion,” added Vago.

Raphael Meyer, CEO of Tudor Pro Cycling: “We are honoured and excited to welcome MSC Cruises as our new main partner of Tudor Pro Cycling. Their support comes at a truly historic moment for our team, as we prepare to compete in our very first Tour de France.”

“This milestone marks a bold new chapter in our journey, and we are thrilled to have MSC Cruises on board with us. Together, we share a commitment to excellence, innovation, and pushing boundaries, values that will drive us forward both on and off the road,” added Meyer.

MSC Cruises said in a press release that the company will have visibility across the Tudor Pro Cycling team’s kit, with branding featured on rider jerseys as well as on team vehicles, including support cars and team buses.

Audiences will see the new branding for the first time at the 2025 Tour de France.

MSC Cruises added that the move is its first involvement in the world of professional cycling.

MSC said the partnership reflects a shared national heritage and a focus on high operational standards.

Explora Journeys Evolves Loyalty Program

Posted on 4 July, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Explora Journeys Evolves Loyalty Program

Following the launch of Explora Club in April 2025, Explora Journeys has announced the second phase of the brand`s exclusive loyalty program.

The company said that Explora Club Members can now enjoy benefits and privileges while on board and view their points balance and loyalty status via their My Explora Account on explorajourneys.com.

Every night sailed onboard, eligible onboard purchases and Destination Experience bookings now contribute to earning points, unlocking an expanding collection of exclusive privileges and benefits with every journey.

For those yet to join, Explora Journeys invites guests to enrol so they can begin enjoying privileges including bespoke onboard events, value savings, surprise gifts, and elevated services designed to make every journey uniquely personal, the company said in a statement.

The brand also said it is expanding its Explora Club Status Match to include guests of Oceania Cruises, bringing the program to a total of 11 brands.

This enhancement is a direct response to guest feedback, driven by strong demand for Oceania’s inclusion. Travellers holding status with any of the eligible programs can match to the equivalent Explora Club level by providing proof of status, unlocking curated benefits from their very first journey.

Explora Club offers a seamless and intuitive, five-level structure – Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond – with each level unveiling a collection of benefits, from priority access and bespoke events to personalised gifts and exclusive savings.

Explora Club Member Benefits Include:

Thoughtful touches such as birthday gifts (Silver onwards) and special turndown service surprises (Gold onwards).
Exclusive savings and rewards, including member offers (Classic onwards), future journey savings (Silver onwards), Journey Experience Credit (Platinum onwards), and a complimentary journey for two (Diamond).
Pre-journey privileges like early access to new journeys, a dedicated online members area (Classic onwards), priority assistance (Silver onwards), private transfers and suite upgrades (Diamond).
Exclusive hosted events, from cocktail receptions with ship leadership (Silver onwards) to curated President Journeys and Chef’s Kitchen experiences (Diamond).
Enhanced onboard services include complimentary laundry (Gold onwards), a bridge tour (Platinum onwards), and personal shopping advice (Diamond).

Viking Names Vesta in Croatia

Posted on 2 July, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Viking Names Vesta in Croatia

Viking named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta, with a traditional ceremony in Split, Croatia, over the weekend. The vessel was recently delivered from Fincantieri to Viking.

Serving as ceremonial godmother of the Viking Vesta was the Norwegian journalist Lene Tangevald-Jensen, according to a press release.

The Viking Vesta will now continue her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

“As we celebrate 10 years of ocean voyages in 2025, we are pleased to welcome the new Viking Vesta to our award-winning fleet of elegant sister ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking.

“We are also very grateful to Lene for serving as godmother. In addition to her personal and professional accomplishments, Lene embodies the values that are very important to me and to Viking—she is kind, honest, hardworking and, of course, curious. I am proud to count her as a friend and a valued member of the extended Viking family.”

In keeping with the naming tradition, during the ceremony, Lene used a Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull.

Guests also enjoyed performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold.