A new nautical tradition

Rooted in a centuries-old maritime tradition, the Aponte family has transformed the art of ocean travel with the establishment of the first new luxury cruise line at sea in many years. From Gianluigi Aponte’s early days as a ferry captain navigating the Mediterranean, to the creation of MSC Group, the family’s vision has always been guided by a deep respect for the sea and a commitment to excellence. Today, under the stewardship of Gianluigi and his children, Diego and Alexa, the family brings the same meticulous care to Explora Journeys, their groundbreaking luxury lifestyle cruise brand. 

Explora Journeys is more than a fleet of ships – it is a thoughtfully curated world at sea, where heritage meets contemporary elegance. 

Every voyage reflects the family’s philosophy of immersive experiences, refined comfort and environmental stewardship. With Explora, the Aponte family invites discerning travellers to embark on journeys that celebrate both the timeless allure of the ocean and the quietly confident craftsmanship of a family who has lived and loved the sea for generations.

They have even created their own glossary of nautical terms: they don’t offer cruises, but rather ‘journeys’; onboard staff are not crew, but ‘hosts’; and shore excursions have become ‘destination experiences’. They don’t even call themselves a cruise line: it’s Explora Journeys.

On a journey from Rome to Barcelona, their philosophy reveals itself in real terms. Entitled ‘A Journey of Volcanic Vistas and Catalonian Culture’ Explora II  travels from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona via Naples, Trapani (Sicily), La Goulette (Tunisia), Carloforte (Sardinia) to Valencia and disembarking in Barcelona. 

From the very first contact, the attention to detail is obvious. There is no queue, but rather a seamless transition to the onboard suite via the Explora Lounge where staff dispense welcome glasses of champagne. This ship has 461 ocean-facing suites – all beautifully appointed and spacious, more like ocean-front homes with furnished balconies. 

Space – especially on a ship, is a luxury which Explora II has in spades. With berthing for just over 900 guests, Explora II and her sister ship Explora offer more space per passenger for the size of the ship, with plans for two more ships under construction to have guest capacity reduced even further. On this particular journey, we are just 790 – with a ratio of guests to hosts of 1.25:1, it is one of the highest at sea.

The suites too are nothing short of spectacular – vast, elegant and ingeniously designed. An entrance corridor leads to a king-size bedroom separated by sleek Japanese-style doors, opening onto a chic lounge with a marble dining table for those who prefer to entertain ‘at home’. This Premier Penthouse Suite also features a walk-in dressing room, complete with make-up desk, adjacent to a marble bathroom with a generous-sized glass-panelled shower recess. With Frette robes, Dyson hairdryer and Mandala Blue toiletries, every detail whispers luxury, while wireless charging pads beside the bed add a thoughtful, modern touch. In the lounge, a plush corner sofa, curated library, Illy espresso machine, chilled rosé, and even a TechnoGym kit await. Wrapped in a palette of mocha, cream, and chocolate, the décor feels deliciously sophisticated.

Aboard Explora II, every public space exudes a serene, contemporary European glamour. Soft neutrals, tactile natural stone and perfectly placed mood lighting set the tone, while sweeping layouts blur the lines between indoors and the open sea. From art-curated lounges to sophisticated bars and sun-drenched pool terraces, each area is impeccably designed to elevate the journey into an elegant lifestyle at sea.

Dining aboard Explora II is a global culinary journey across six distinct restaurants, each with its own irresistible personality. All require bookings but Anthology, the ship’s crown jewel, is the only restaurant with a surcharge. It delivers haute cuisine artistry with tasting menus by Culinary Director Franck Garanger – think scallop cannelloni with black truffle or Mediterranean seabass with coffee and tonka bean. 

Sakura dazzles with Pan-Asian flair, while Marble & Co. Grill redefines the classic steakhouse with dry-aged cuts and Oscietra-topped potatoes. Med Yacht Club channels coastal Mediterranean charm, Fil Rouge seduces with modern French finesse, while all-day Emporium Marketplace celebrates the world’s flavours at live cooking stations.

Service aboard Explora II is exceptional - polished, intuitive and deeply personal. Many of the crew hail from the world’s finest five-star hotels such as the St. Regis and Mandarin Oriental, bringing with them an effortless sense of discretion and grace. From remembering your morning espresso order as well as your name to anticipating your evening preferences, every interaction is personalised. 

By partnering with aspirational global companies such as Steinway and Sons, Rolex, Moet & Chandon, Illy coffee, Davidoff cigars, Dyson and more, their small fleet of ultra-luxury ships offers travellers bespoke experiences and an intimate sophisticated world at sea. 

For example, Explora I is the only ship in the world with an actual Rolex boutique on board. It is not a concession, but rather Rolex has designed its own store specifically for Explora I where they offer a certain number of watches – including limited editions – each day. The store receives a message each day from head office in Geneva advising which models they are permitted to sell that day.

Unlike the infernal waiting list known only to feel to Rolex aficionados, on board Explora I, you can walk into the store in the morning and wear your Rolex to dinner that evening. Explora ships also have dedicated Cartier, Panerai and Piaget boutiques on board.

Away from the on board luxuries, the trips ashore, or  ‘destination experiences’ as they are called offer the same level of attention to detail and ensure the comfort of the guest whether they be wandering the ancient ruins of Pompeii, exploring the vibrant souks in the medina in Tunis or soaking up Valencia’s Mediterranean charm as is the case on this particular journey.

It’s an holistic approach to the whole concept of ocean travel and one which the Aponte family are actively seeking to elevate and indeed redefine.

As Captain Pietro Sinisi says of Explora Journeys: “It’s a long-held dream cherished by the Aponte family – a dream that aspired to redefine luxury cruising, offering transformative ocean journeys to the most discerning travellers.”