Explora Journeys has revealed details of the maiden voyage for its first of six ships, Explora I, which will set sail in July next year.
The brand will make its debut with a 15-night inaugural journey to northern Europe, with calls to 12 ports.
Explora I will leave Southampton on 17 July 2023 on its first voyage, entitled A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle.
The ship will call at Zeebrugge before proceeding to Norway, where it will visit Geiranger, Trondheim, Molde, Leknes, Bronnoysund, Flam, Bergen and Stavanger. It then sails to Denmark, with visits to Skagen and Copenhagen.
Michael Ungerer, the chief executive, said: “Our vision and purpose from day one has been to create a travel and ocean experience like no other, and we are thrilled that our ground-breaking new class of ship, Explora I, will introduce guests during her maiden journey to some of the most breath-taking destinations in northern Europe while enjoying the finest luxury hospitality at sea.”
Mein Shiff 3 entering the River Mersey Liverpool, photo credit Spacejunkie2 (flickr)
With its entire seven-ship fleet in service, TUI Cruises has a global footprint for the winter 2022-2023 cruise season.
While most of the fleet is set to offer traditional fly-cruises in the Caribbean and the Canaries, the brand will also offer itineraries in other parts of the world, such as Northern Europe and the Middle East.
Another highlight of the season is the return to Asia, with voyages visiting both the Far East and Southeast Asia onboard the Mein Schiff 5.
Cruise Industry News looked into the company’s full program or the upcoming winter season. Here’s the breakdown:
Caribbean
Mein Schiff 1 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,900 guests Built: 2018 Homeports: La Romana (Dominican Republic) and Montego Bay (Jamaica) Length: 14 nights Itineraries: Caribbean and Central America visiting Jamaica, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia Sailing Season: October 28 to March 31
Mein Schiff 2 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,900 guests Built: 2019 Homeports: La Romana (Dominican Republic) and Bridgetown (Barbados) Length: 14 nights Itineraries: Eastern and Southern Caribbean with visits to St. Maarten, Tortola, St. John’s, Martinique, St. Vincent and more Sailing Season: November 4 to April 7
Canaries, Madeira and Azores
Mein Schiff 4 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,500 guests Built: 2015 Homeport: Gran Canaria (Spain) Length: Seven nights Itineraries: Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco visiting La Gomera, Tenerife, Arrecife, Funchal, Agadir and more Sailing Season: October 30 to March 26
Mein Schiff Herz Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 1,850 guests Built: 1997 Homeport: Tenerife (Spain) Length: Seven nights Itineraries: Azores and Cape Verde, in addition to Canaries and Madeira Sailing Season: November 10 to April 6
Northern Europe and Roundtrip Cruises from Germany
Mein Schiff 3 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,500 guests Built: 2014 Homeport: Bremerhaven (Germany) Length: Four to 35 nights Itineraries: 26- to 35-night cruises to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Azores and the Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Germany, in addition to four- to 14-night itineraries in Northern Europe Sailing Season: November 1 to April 23
Southeast Asia and the Far East
Mein Schiff 5 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,500 guests Built: 2016 Homeports: Singapore and Hong Kong Length: 14 nights Itineraries: Southeast Asia visiting Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in December, January and February, in addition to Far East cruises to China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in March and April Sailing Season: December 7 to April 26
Middle East
Mein Schiff 6 Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,534 guests Built: 2017 Homeport: Dubai (United Arab Emirates) Length: Seven nights Itineraries: United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman including overnight stays in Dubai and visits to Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Khasab and more Sailing Season: October 29 to March 18
Twenty years ago, the Carnival Legend arrived in New York City for its debut in the United States.
The first of two cruise ships that entered service for Carnival Cruise Line in 2002, the Spirit-Class vessel docked in a stateside port for the first time on September 22, 2022.
On that day, the Legend concluded a 15-night transatlantic crossing before kicking off its first cruise to Canada and New England.
The 11-night voyage included visits to Boston, Portland, Quebec City, Sydney and Halifax before returning to New York City.
As part of its inaugural program, the Legend offered additional itineraries departing from New York City as well as cruises departing from Philadelphia and Baltimore in October.
The 2,100-guest vessel then arrived in Fort Lauderdale – the homeport for its first winter season in the Caribbean – in November.
Prior to its arrival in the United States, the Legend became the first Carnival ship to offer cruises in Europe.
Soon after being delivered from Kvaerner Masa-Yards in August, the ship sailed two different cruises to Northern Europe and the Baltic.
Continuing Carnival’s Spirit Class, the Legend followed the 2001-built Carnival Spirit and the 2001-built Carnival Pride. A fourth vessel in the series, the Carnival Miracle, entered service in 2004.
Designed with a multi-deck atrium, a glass-enclosed pool deck and a large number of cabins with private balconies, the ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2014.
The multi-million-dollar renovation included the additions of the Green Thunder, one of the steepest and fastest waterslides at sea; the tropics-inspired RedFrog Pub; and a full-service sushi restaurant called Bonsai Sushi.
Currently sailing from Baltimore, the Legend last saw a drydock in 2021. At the time, it received Carnival’s new livery, as well as general maintenance and upkeep.
In addition to the Carnival Legend, the Carnival Conquest also debuted in 2002.
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