Explora Journeys launches operations with exclusive partner for Cyprus, Century Travel Group (pics)

Explora Journeys, together with its exclusive partner for Cyprus, Century Travel Group, launched the start of its operations in Cyprus in the presence of Government, Municipalities, Public Sector leaders, Members of Parliament, innovative leaders, and organisations from the private and academic sectors, and media.

To celebrate the launch of operations in Cyprus, Explora Journeys threw an exclusive launch party at Pralina Experience in Nicosia, inviting guests to explore the 2023—2025 Voyage Collection aboard Explora Journeys.

(Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Cyprus Oren Anolik, Vicky Lewis COO of Century Travel Group, Daniel Essex CEO of Century Travel Group, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President Marina Hadjimanolis are pictured above)

Explora Journeys is the personification of ‘a dream come true’. The brand represents the ambition and long-held dream of the MSC Group and the Aponte family to create a transformative luxury ocean travel experience and brand that redefines the luxury cruise category.

Founded on more than 300 years of maritime history, Explora Journeys will redefine everything you think you know about luxury cruising. Launching in Summer 2023, this truly unique brand seamlessly combines immersive, destination-led discovery with an onboard experience that takes cues from the world’s finest hotels.

(Suzanne Kochen Director of Sales for Explora Journeys, Daniel Essex CEO of Century Travel Group, Vicky Lewis COO of Century Travel Group are pictured above)

Explora Journeys’ flagship, EXPLORA I, is the first of six ships, with new vessels set to follow in 2024, 2025, and 2026. The ships will be identical and offer 461 ocean-facing suites, nine restaurants, and best-in-class wellness facilities for no more than 922 guests.

Explora Journeys will visit the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, and the Caribbean.

During her statement, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Marina Hadjimanolis, stated that “We would like to congratulate Explora Journeys for its entry into the cruising market. The Cyprus Government places considerable emphasis on this part of the travel market. We are seeing an increase in the size of the cruising market in Cyprus with more cruise ships visiting Limassol port, as well as other ports in Cyprus. As the Shipping Deputy Ministry we stand by this sector as we continue to see it evolve over the next few years considerably.”

(Vicky Lewis, Yiota Damianou, Pericles Roussounides, Marina Philippidou – Theocharous, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President Marina Hadjimanolis, Mayor of Strovolos Municipality Andreas Papacharalambous are pictured above)

Opening the event, Daniel Essex, CEO of Century Travel Group, stated that, “With the launch of Explora Journeys we celebrate life. After a 3-year, unprecedented pandemic, it is time to remind ourselves that it is in our human nature to actively seek out experiences that bring us happiness. The ultra-luxury cruise market is growing significantly. Customers want to travel further and for longer but in luxurious surroundings. It is clear that the post-pandemic world has left people eager to explore the places they have been longing to visit.”

Essex added that, “Century Travel Group marks fifteen years of successful operations in the provision of cruises and holidays worldwide from Cyprus, and is proud to be the preferred partner for Cyprus for all the leading cruise lines, including the exceptional new partnership with Explora Journeys as exclusive partner for Cyprus.”

Suzanne Kochen, Head of Sales for Explora Journeys, stated that, “Explora Journeys is a brand new European lifestyle brand, the ambition and long-held dream of the MSC Group and the Aponte family. We are bringing a new kind of travelling to the cruising industry together with Century Travel, our exclusive partner in Cyprus. We are very excited to be bringing EXPLORA JOURNEYS to visit Cyprus next year. In the meantime, we will be promoting different journeys all around the world where we put cruising into a different way of travelling; an exclusive way of travelling in an exclusive resort bringing you to new destinations.”

(Suzanne Kochen is pictured above)

Explora Journeys’ Inaugural Journeys Collection is now open for bookings through Century Travel by emailing support@cruise.com.cy by visiting www.cruise.com.cy or by calling 80004242.