EXPLORA JOURNEYS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH ‘CURRENTS OF CONNECTION’ IN THE CARIBBEAN
With the festive season glimmering on the horizon, Explora Journeys has unveiled its inspiration for enriching, sun-kissed Caribbean journeys aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II this year-end. Each Journey will be imbued with the personal, unhurried and time-rich spirit that defines Currents of Connection. This powerful motif will flow through every aspect of the seasonal experiences curated by MSC Group’s ultra-elegant ocean travel brand this Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, while making the most of every moment in between.
Inspired by the ocean currents that link distant shores and carry each of our exceptional ships forward, there is no better or more symbolic way to see out the old and welcome in the new this holiday season. Blending timeless traditions with fresh perspectives and moments of discovery, Currents of Connection invites families, couples, and solo guests of all ages to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with loved ones, with themselves, and with the wider world.
While exploring the Caribbean’s most enchanting destinations, guests will celebrate aboard their seasonally decorated ocean home. Days will unspool with exquisite festive feasts and gala dinners, delightful rituals like the crafting of gingerbread houses, and ocean-inspired wellness experiences focusing on gratitude and intention setting. Ushered in by mesmerizing sunsets, long warm evenings will promise live music, mixology masterclasses and holiday movie nights beneath the stars – all interspersed with unforgettable moments at sea and ashore.
EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II’s festive itineraries range from seven to 17 nights in duration, with destination ports including Charlotte Amalie, the charming capital of St. Thomas. Here, morning swims in turquoise Magen’s Bay segue into market browsing and afternoons exploring historical landmarks. At Terre-de-Haut (Les Saintes, Guadeloupe), a picture-perfect village of bougainvillea-lined lanes and pastel houses awaits, while in Bridgetown (Barbados), vibrant street life and colonial architecture blend with a rich rum heritage and laid-back beach culture. Boulangeries line leafy boulevards in Fort-de-France (Martinique), and in Basseterre (St. Kitts and Nevis), guests can wander through Georgian streets or opt for volcano hikes and reef kayaking. Every port offers its own unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural heritage.
Whether anchored in San Juan for a dazzling display of fireworks or raising a glass mid-ocean, every destination will become part of a unique story, woven into the season’s joy. With Explora Journeys, the holidays are never a countdown: they’re a quiet unfolding – of presence, peace, and discovery – instilling the sought-after Ocean State of Mind.
At every destination, Explora Journeys provides inspiring opportunities for guests to discover authentic cultural, historic and culinary delights.
Thanksgiving
• EXPLORA I – Thursday November 27 – Friday December 5 (eight nights)
Miami to San Juan, via Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), Terre-de-Haut (Les Saintes, Guadeloupe), Bridgetown (Barbados), Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Basseterre (St. Kitts and Nevis)
• EXPLORA II – Tuesday November 11 – Friday November 28 (17 nights)
Barcelona (Spain) to Miami, via Tangier (Morocco), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), six nights at sea crossing the Atlantic, Bridgetown (Barbados), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda) and Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Christmas
• EXPLORA I – Sunday December 21 – Monday December 29 (eight nights)
Bridgetown (Barbados) to Miami, via Scarborough (Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago), Fort-de-France (Martinique), St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda), Philipsburg (Sint Maarten) and Road Town (Tortola, British Virgin Islands)
• EXPLORA II – Monday December 22 – Monday December 29 (seven nights)
Miami to San Juan, via Ocean Cay (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), Spanish Town (Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands) and Marigot (Saint Martin, French West Indies)
New Year’s Eve
• EXPLORA I – Monday December 29 – Tuesday January 6 (eight nights)
Miami to San Juan, via Jost Van Dyke (British Virgin Islands), Deshaies (Guadeloupe), Bridgetown (Barbados), Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Basseterre (St. Kitts and Nevis), with New Year’s Eve fireworks over San Juan (Puerto Rico)
• EXPLORA II – Monday December 29 – Monday January 5 (seven nights)
San Juan (Puerto Rico) to Miami, via Road Bay (Anguilla), Cruz Bay (St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) and Key West (Florida, USA), with New Year’s Eve fireworks over San Juan (Puerto Rico)
About Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is the privately-owned luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created at the heart of Swiss luxury hospitality. The brand stems from the long-held vision to redefine the ocean experience for a new generation of discerning luxury travellers, drawing on the Aponte family`s 300 years of maritime heritage. The brand’s aspiration is to create a unique ‘Ocean State of Mind’ by connecting guests with the sea, with themselves, and like-minded others, while remarkable itineraries blend renowned destinations with lesser-travelled ports, for a journey that inspires discovery in all its forms.
A fleet of six luxury ships will be launched from 2023 to 2028, starting with EXPLORA I’s delivery that took place on July 24, 2023. Explora Journeys introduces a new style of transformative ocean travel. EXPLORA I and II offer 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be ‘Homes at Sea’ for guests, all with sweeping ocean views, private terrace, a choice of eleven distinct culinary experiences across six vibrant restaurants plus in-suite dining, Chef’s Kitchen, twelve bars and lounges (eight indoor and four outdoor), four swimming pools, extensive outdoor decks with 64 private cabanas, wellness facilities, and refined entertainment. Inspired by the company`s European heritage, Explora Journeys will provide guests with an immersive ocean experience and respectful and intuitive hospitality.
EXPLORA II was delivered on September 12, 2024. EXPLORA III will come into service in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027 with both ships being LNG-powered. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will enter service in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
To learn more about Explora Journeys, visit explorajourneys.com.
Featured Experiences
