The start of the summer season in Greece for the luxury cruise company Explora Journeys of the MSC group was marked by the itinerary that began on Monday, April 28, with the cruise ship Explora I from the port of Piraeus, with destination the Greek islands and the coast of Turkey.
EXPLORA I, the first cruise ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, which has been sailing since 2023 and was designed in the brand’s philosophy to create a unique “Ocean State of Mind”, begins the season in Greece with the itinerary “A Journey Of Myths, Mountains & Magnificent Ruins”, which with homeport in Piraeus, will make calls in the coming days to Mykonos, Rhodes, Marmaris, Bodrum, Samos and Istanbul.
The ship, 248 meters long and 63,900 tons, has a capacity of 900 guests and 650 crew passengers and features 461 suites with ocean views, including 1 Owner’s Residence, 22 Ocean Residences, 67 Ocean Penthouses, and 371 Ocean Suites, among which many are friendly for guests of different generations. The Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace suites are among the largest in the category and start at 35 sq m. and 39 sq m. respectively.
The ship also features 3 heated outdoor pools, one of which is exclusively for adults, and 1 heated indoor pool, and offers 11 distinct dining experiences, luxury shopping options, and destination experiences with an emphasis on local talent, craftsmanship, culture, gastronomy, and traditions.
Facilities include a spacious spa area, nine treatment rooms for wellness and spa treatments, two VIP double spa suites with private facilities, including an outdoor area, a beauty salon, a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, and wellness experiences for relaxation and rejuvenation.
EXPLORA I will sail the wider region until November 2025, offering unique luxury voyages designed for discerning travelers seeking deeper cultural experiences and high-quality onboard services.
Among its Eastern Mediterranean itineraries are:
• A 7-night voyage from Piraeus to Fusina (Venice), with stops in Corfu, Dubrovnik and the picturesque port town of Rovinj (June 7–14, 2025).
• A 14-night round-trip voyage from Piraeus to explore the Aegean and beyond, including visits to Mykonos, Istanbul, and lesser-known “gems” throughout the region (June 21 – July 5, 2025).
The company is expected to launch five more ships by 2028. EXPLORA I was delivered on July 24, 2023, followed by EXPLORA II on September 12, 2024. EXPLORA III will launch in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027, both of which will be powered by LNG. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will launch in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Last week, MSC Cruises celebrated the start of its summer season in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean with a special event for the cruise community, held on board MSC Armonia in the port of Piraeus. The company also celebrated its successful inaugural winter season in Greece, as 2025 marks the first year that MSC Cruises offers year-round sailings to the region.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
