Explora Journeys today celebrated two maritime milestones at builder Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa in Italy with the float out of the Explora II and the steel cutting of Explora III
The new Explora II will enter service in summer 2024 and spend her first season operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the company said in a press release, as construction of the ship began in October 2021 at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia yard in Naples, Italy where the ship’s keel was laid in May 2022.
The Explora III will launch in the summer of 2026 and be the first of Explora Journeys’ four luxury vessels to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest maritime fuel available at a scale that plays a key role towards the decarbonization of international shipping.
Construction of the Explora IV, also powered by LNG, will start next year with a completion date of early 2027.
The double ceremony today was witnessed by Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, of Explora Journeys, Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and General Manager and the Mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci.
Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, of Explora Journeys, said, “The double event today marks another major step forward on our mission to redefine ocean travel for today’s discerning luxury travellers. Following the successful launch of Explora I and the incredibly positive feedback from the first guests, travel advisors and media, who had a chance to experience the Ocean State of Mind, the story continues, and we are now beyond thrilled to witness the next important construction milestones for both Explora II and our first LNG powered ship Explora III. We are proud that our four ships are built by Fincantieri, further underlining our commitment to Italy.”
The Norwegian Viva is readying to enter revenue service for Norwegian Cruise Line.
During its first year in service, the newbuild is set to offer a series of cruises in the Mediterranean, in addition to a trans-Atlantic crossing to North America and different itineraries in the Caribbean.
Cruise Industry News highlights some of the itineraries of the ship’s inaugural season.
Maiden Cruise Date: August 10, 2023 Length: Nine nights Homeports: Trieste (Italy) to Lisbon (Portugal) Complete Itinerary: Split (Croatia); Salerno, Civitavecchia and Livorno (Italy); Cannes (France); and Ibiza (Spain)
After leaving the building-dock in Italy, the Norwegian Viva is set to offer a maiden cruise that sails between the Eastern and the Western Mediterranean.
The one-way itinerary departs from Trieste and visits several destinations in Italy, France and Spain before arriving in Lisbon. In addition to the Portuguese capital city, the nine-night cruise is highlighted by visits to Salerno, on Italy’s Southern Coast, and to Cannes, in the French Riviera.
Greek Islands and Italy Date: September 13, 2023 Length: Ten nights Homeports: Piraeus (Greece) to Civitavecchia (Italy) Complete Itinerary: Istanbul (Turkey); Santorini, Mykonos and Katakolon (Greece); Catania, Naples and Livorno (Italy); and Villefranche (France)
Viva’s program in the Mediterranean also includes several cruises to the Greek Islands and Italy. This ten-night itinerary sets sail in mid-September and features visits to some of the most popular destinations in the region, including Mykonos, Santorini, Naples and Istanbul.
Sailing one way between Piraeus and Civitavecchia, the cruise also pays visits to less usual ports of call, including Catania and Villefranche.
Adriatic and Sicily Date: October 10, 2023 Length: Nine nights Homeports: Civitavecchia to Trieste (Italy) Complete Itinerary: Naples, Palermo and Messina (Italy); Valletta (Malta); Corfu (Greece); Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar (Croatia)
In October, the Norwegian Viva sails to the Aegean, the Adriatic and Ionian seas with this nine-night cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean.
After departing from Civitavecchia, the port for the Italian capital city Rome, the vessel is scheduled to visit Naples, Palermo and Messina, in Italy; as well as Valletta, in Malta; Corfu, in Greece; and Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar, in Croatia.
First Transatlantic Crossing Date: November 16, 2023 Length: 11 nights Homeports: Lisbon (Portugal) to Miami (United States) Complete Itinerary: Ponta Delgada (Azores); St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands); and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)
After completing its maiden season in Europe, the Norwegian Viva offers an 11-night repositioning cruise to North America.
Sailing between Lisbon and Miami, the transatlantic crossing features visits to three ports in Portugal, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic: Ponta Delgada, St. Thomas and Puerto Plata. The cruise also includes a total of eight full days at sea.
Southern Caribbean Date: December 15, 2023 Length: Seven nights Homeport: San Juan (Puerto Rico) Complete Itinerary: Tortola (British Virgin Islands); St. John’s (Antigua); Castries (St. Lucia); Bridgetown (Barbados); Philipsburg (St. Maarten); and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)
After a few itineraries departing from Miami, the Norwegian Viva is set to arrive at its winter homeport in December. Sailing from Puerto Rico during the entire 2023-24 season, the vessel is scheduled to offer a series of seven- to nine-night cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.
The first cruise from San Juan, for instance, sails for seven-night and features visits to Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados. St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
Completing Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2023 lineup in Europe, the Norwegian Getaway is kicking off its summer program in the region today.
Sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the 2014-built vessel is set to offer a series of nine- to 16-night itineraries departing from different ports.
The first cruise of the season, for instance, sails from Lisbon, Portugal, to Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city Rome.
Cruising in the Western Mediterranean, the nine-night itinerary includes visits to a total of seven destinations in Spain, France and Italy, such as Málaga, Ibiza, Barcelona, Villefranche and Livorno.
Continuing its season, the ship offers an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary on June 24. Also sailing one-way, the nine-night voyage sails from Civitavecchia to Italy’s Trieste after visits to ports in Italy, Sicily, Greece and Croatia.
Between late July and October, the Norwegian Getaway is also set to offer itineraries in Northern and Western Europe.
On September 15, for instance, the 4,000-guest ship offers a 16-night cruise to the British Islands and Iceland.
Sailing roundtrip from England’s Southampton, the itinerary also features visits to Western European destinations, including France’s Le Havre, Germany’s Hamburg and Belgium’s Zeebrugge.
Following additional itineraries in the region, the Getaway is set to return to North America on November 4. On that day, the ship wraps up a 13-night transatlantic crossing that sails between Southampton and New York City.
In addition to the Norwegian Getaway, eight Norwegian Cruise Line ships are set to operate in Europe in 2023.
The local program stretches through December and features the company’s two newest vessels – the 2022-built Norwegian Prima and the 2023-built Norwegian Viva.
Other vessels sailing in Europe this year include the Norwegian Breakaway, the Norwegian Epic, the Norwegian Dawn, the Norwegian Star, the Norwegian Jade and the Norwegian Gem.
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