Explora Journeys to focus on ‘exclusive encounters’ for Explora I shore ex programme
Explora Journeys has revealed details of its inaugural set of shore excursions for Explora I, the first of up to six ships to join its fleet.
The luxury cruise line will offer eight individual sailings as part of its Northern European programme, “showcasing a balanced blend of well-known destinations and lesser-known, rarely visited ports”, a statement said, such as Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Ísafjörður, Iceland.
Excursions will be tailored to small, intimate groups, from two to 25 guests, with an “emphasis on exclusive, off-the-beaten-path encounters and focused on a slower pace of travel”, Explora said.
In Norway, guests will be able to join a guided Nordic walking tour and board a Viking ship for a journey to an 18th century fishing village.
Meanwhile, in Denmark the cruise line will offer a kayaking tour of Copenhagen, while in the Faroe Islands experiences such as open-air yoga sessions or a hike to the floating lake in Leitisvatn will be available.
Elsewhere, a helicopter flight will take guests over volcanic craters in Reykjavik, and a forest hike and meditation session will take place in Goteborg, Sweden.
Other experiences will also be available in the Netherlands, as well as in the UK, including VIP access to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a private visit to a Scottish whisky distillery.
Explora Journeys planning ‘unique immersion’
Explora Journeys head of itinerary planning and destination experiences Sacha Rougier said: “When creating our experiences, we first need to understand the very essence of each destination and then focus on unique ways to offer our guests the chance to immerse themselves into the local culture, taste authentic food and discover truly hidden gems.
“Our selected tour operators have been handpicked and quickly realised that we at Explora Journeys want to clearly differentiate ourselves, by offering our guests an extremely wide range of experiences that go to the root of each destination.”
Explora I will be officially named on 8 July 2023 in Civitavecchia, before heading to Southampton to depart for its maiden cruise on 17 July.
Explora also recently held the coin ceremony for its second ship, Explora II.
The vessel is due to launch in 2024. Between August of next year and April 2025, Explora II will sail in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and Africa, calling at a total of 82 ports in 26 countries.
