New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys has revealed its first year of sailings for debut vessel Explora I, following the completion of the ship’s coin-laying ceremony.

The line has announced an Inaugural Journeys Collection, sailing from May 2023 and featuring the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the US East Coast, Caribbean, South America and Hawaii.

Sailings range from six to 44-night voyages, with Explora I visiting 132 ports in 40 different countries.

Explora Journeys CEO Michael Ungerer said: “This is one more step forward in our development of a truly defining and highly desired, luxury lifestyle brand. It’s another step completed in our go-to-market approach.

“Having launched initially exclusively to travel advisors, we are now delighted to give our guests the option to book their journeys online, should they wish to do so.

“Our ambition is to reflect the desire of today’s and tomorrow’s luxury traveller and their curiosity for remarkable exploration.

“We have created a collection of journeys that offer the perfect blend of celebrated destinations and lesser travelled ports, both seen from a new and original point of view to inspire and excite our curious, discerning guests and the next generation of luxury travellers.”

Explora Journeys’ Explora I destinations

Explora I will visit two destinations that the line claims “have not been visited by cruise ships before” – Kastellorizo, Greece, and Saint Pierre, Martinique.

The ship’s inaugural journey will begin in the Mediterranean in May 2023, visiting ports such as Barcelona, St Tropez, Rome, Istanbul and Athens. Explora I will then sail in Northern Europe.

Ungerer added: “Explora I and our subsequent three ships will allow guests to enjoy a more immersive, authentic experience and a slower pace of travel.

“They are designed to offer refined yet effortless luxury with the opportunity for exploration and transformation.”

Explora I coin ceremony

The line has also celebrated the coin-laying ceremony for its debut vessel, with the first section of the ship lowered into the building dock and two coins placed under the keel.

Ungerer said: “Today marks another major milestone in our journey towards developing a truly defining and highly desired, luxury lifestyle brand.

“Following our initial investment of two billion euros, this demonstrates another positive step forward, and shows that we are on track to offer an ocean experience like no other.”

Explora I will be joined by three other ships, with the second due to launch in spring 2024.