Explora I Makes Maiden Call to Southampton

The port of Southampton welcomed Explora Journeys’ Explora I for the ship’s maiden call at the start of its nine-night voyage around the UK.

A crest exchange took place onboard the ship to celebrate its first visit to the destination. Attendees included the ship’s master Captain Serena Melani; Rebekah Keeler of Associated British Ports Southampton; and Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys.

 “Southampton is one of the UK’s major ports and one of the most significant within Europe, and it was a great pleasure and honour to present our highly anticipated and brand-new ship, Explora I We continue to work meticulously and tirelessly to showcase our new product which fuses innovation and sophisticated design, and our commitment to excellence,” said Ungerer.

Keele added: “We were delighted to welcome Explora I to Southampton which reflects the continued growth of our partnership with the MSC Group. Working with partners who share in our drive for a sustainable future, such as Explora Journeys, will make the ambition a reality and we look forward to welcoming the ship when she has the opportunity to return.”

 For its current voyage, the Explora I sails from Southampton to South Queensferry for Edinburgh, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, Portree in the Isle of Skye, Greencastle in Northern Ireland, Liverpool and Greenock for Glasgow. 

The ship will then spend the fall in North America and then head to the Caribbean Sea for winter. The Explora I will return to Europe in the summer of 2024 for a series of Mediterranean sailings.

NCL UNVEILS NORWEGIAN DAWN’S EX-UK PROGRAMME FOR 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line has released the programme of itineraries for Norwegian Dawn when the ship homeports in Southampton in 2023.

NCL will offer a range of eight to 14-day voyages on Norwegian Dawn from Southampton in 2023, as part of its partnership with Associated British Ports to open a new cruise terminal at the Hampshire port from 2021 onwards.


The 2023 itineraries on Dawn will include a 14-day transatlantic trip from New York to Southampton, departing on 20 April, and a series of 10 and 11-day cruises around the British Isles, as well as voyages to the Baltics and Northern Europe.


Eamonn Ferrin, NCL’s vice president and managing director in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re seeing strong demand for closer to home sailings in 2021 and beyond. Looking ahead, British holidaymakers are excited to explore Europe, with endless destinations to suit all types of travellers.


“At NCL, we will expand our itineraries out of Southampton onboard Norwegian Dawn in 2023 and have some fantastic trips available across the British Isles, the Baltics and Northern Europe. We can’t wait to welcome guests onboard again.”