Owner: Explora Journey/Gruppo Msc
Exterior and interior design: Ufficio di progettazione Msc, Ufficio Fincantieri, De Jorio Yacht & Design, NenMar
Furnishings: Molteni&C, Manutti, B&B, Knoll
Lighting: Astep
Linen: Frette
Chandelier: Preciosa
Photos: courtesy of Explora Journey
Discover the world far from the crowds, cradled by the waves and coddled with the five-star services of Italy’s first luxury cruise ship. Explora I, a 250-meter superyacht with a blue and white profile, is the first of six ships being built by 2028 by Explora Journeys: the MSC Group’s luxury brand that is sailing – literally – against the current when looking at the standards of traditional companies. Koray Savas, Vice President of Hotel Operations, expressed this philosophy: “Anyone traveling with us can experience the magic of our destinations with unequaled luxury and amenities… with a crew to guest ratio of 1:1.25 (600 crew members for just over 900 passengers, Ed.), we offer a personalized experience for every passenger on board.”
The 461 suites on the Explora I have floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and terraces with private sun decks to keep the sea in view. The sophisticated design of the interiors is matched by the outdoor decks, which include elegant poolside cabanas, cream-colored chairs, and sofas styled by the biggest names Italian design.
The ship features countless iconic brands, from Manutti to Molteni&C sofas and armchairs, Astep and Preciosa lighting, Frette bathrobes in the bathrooms in Calacatta marble, complete with walk-in showers and heated floors. Several interior design firms contributed to this jewel of the sea, from De Jorio for the overall project to the London studio NenMar, which designed the suite details.
“The design reflects the philosophy of the ship’s conception: to bring to life an Ocean State of Mind, the sea as a style of life, using furnishings in calm colors such as beige, earth tones, light gray, to best interpret the concept of contemporary luxury,” said NenMar’s creative director, Elena Maresca.
While the cabins, from suites and penthouses to residences (with separate day-night areas) feature gray and taupe palettes, the common areas over the ship’s 14 decks suggest many different moods. The Japanese restaurant, Sakura, plays with shades of red and pink, with a cascade of flowers from the ceiling, surrounding the tables in front of the restaurant’s show kitchen.
Dark, elegant nuances accentuate the Marble Grill on Deck Five, where you can also find the art gallery, the dark brown Crema Cafè (the color of the beans on view in glass showcases, ground as needed) and transparent balconies overlooking the dramatic, nearly seven-meter-tall Lobby Bar, paired with a chandelier that emulates a spectacular cascade of light.
Outdoors, on the decks, you’ll find a jogging trail, athletic field, hot tubs, and pools, including one with a retractable glass roof, to be used any time of year and in any kind of weather. And finally, careful attention has been given to sustainability: from certified B-Corp products to anti-fouling paint on the hull that does not affect the sea, from its Rina Dolphin classification for underwater noise reduction to a state-of-the-art solid waste disposal system.
The upcoming Explora ships (the first of which will be in the water in September) will have even greater advantages: the first two will sail with liquefied natural gas, and the others with low-emission hydrogen, capable of producing clean energy. The environment will appreciate the effort.
