MSC Explora II profile
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MSC Explora Journeys
MSC EXPLORA II PROFILE |
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SUMMARY
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MSC Explora II (sometimes referred to as MSC Explorer 2) is a relatively large luxury cruise ship compared to the ships of other luxury lines. She seeks to offer a sophisticated cruise experience with intimate settings, upscale accommodations and personalized service.
Privately-owned Mediterranean Shipping Company (“MSC”) became a power-house in the cruise industry in a relatively short space of time. Its subsidiary MSC Cruises is well-known to cruise travelers for its mass-market mega-ships. In 2023, with the entry into service of MSC Explora 1, MSC entered into the luxury market with a second cruise brand MSC Explora Journeys. This new line is slated to have five more ships by 2028. MSC Explora II is the second ship in this series. She has none of the shock and awe features of her mega-ship cousins. Rather, she seeks to impress with an environment similar to an up-market boutique hotel and with hospitality. She has a passenger to crew ratio of 1.25 to 1, which is quite good. All of the accommodations on MSC Explora II are designated “suites”. There are no inside or oceanview cabins. The suites are not uniform but rather come in a variety of sizes and with differing features such as butler support in certain categoroes. However, all suites have balconies and such things as heated bathroom floors, wireless charging stations, and refillable water bottles. Included in the fare are most drinks, gratuities, wifi and in-port shuttle services. Most dining venues are also included. There is no main dining room. Rather, MSC Explora II has six restaurants each offering a different experience. These include a pan-asian venue, a European steakhouse, a Mediteranean restaurant, a French-inspired eatery and an extra-tariff venue that offers a journey into Italian cuisine. Instead of a traditional cruise ship buffet restaurant, MSC Explora II has the Emporium Marketplace where the food is often cooked to order at the station. It also has a raw bar. There are no waterslides, go carts or ropes courses. Instead, MSC Explora II has five swimming pools and five whirlpools. There is a spa and a wellness area. The emphasis is on relaxed sophistication. Similarly, the entertainment is not designed to be over-powering. Rather, quality in an intimate setting is the goal. There are 12 bars and lounges. Passengers on MSC Explora II are an international mix with Europeans and North Americans predominating. English is the primary language. MSC Journeys reaches out to families with facilties and activities for children. However, there are usually not very many children aboard. Although sometimes referred to as an expedition ship, MSC Explora II is more likely to be seen in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, rather than the Antarctic. However, due to her size, she is able to visit ports that mass-market mega-ships cannot |
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ESSENTIAL STATISTICS
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THE BASICS
CLASS: MSC Explora BUILDER: Fincantieri ENTERED SERVICE: August 2024 LINE: MSC Explora Journeys Registered: Malta SIZE TONNAGE: 63,900 g.r.t. LENGTH: 814 feet. BEAM: 105 feet. DRAFT: 24 feet. SPEED: 18 knots 20.2 max PROPULSION: conventional shafts THRUSTERS: 3 bow 2 stern POWER PLANT: Diesel electric PEOPLE CAPACITY: 922 -1473 passengers CREW: 640 OFFICERS: International |
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DECK PLANS
(courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys)
Profile and review - MSC Explora Journeys - MSC Explora II