Impressions from the christening in Civitavecchia

Explora Journey’s second luxury cruise ship, the Explora II, has been christened and is on her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean. Cruisetricks.de was there live at the christening ceremony in Civitavecchia, Italy, and brought back pictures, insights and impressions from two days full of celebrations, emotions and traditions.

What will be remembered from the christening ceremony for the Explora II on September 15, 2024 will be the elegant, celebratory atmosphere that is typical of almost every ship christening, a fine gala dinner by the top French chef and “Head of Culinary” at Explora Journeys, Franck Garanger, and the show highlights: performances by Tony Hadley, former frontman of Spandau Ballet, and an impressive drone show in the night sky above the port of Civitavecchia.Explore II in Civitavecchia

Always present at all official events on the christening days is the first female captain of the Explora II, Serena Melani. She is one of the few women to captain a cruise ship. She had already commissioned the Explora I last year.

Serena Melani, Captain of Explora II with Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys

And for a few weeks now, Explora Journeys has also had a woman in its top management: the new president Anna Nash, who moved from the luxury hotel brand Aman to Explora Journeys.

Superstition, traditions and a large bottle of Ferrari Spumante

A ship christening is associated with all kinds of traditions and a good portion of seafaring superstition, which contribute to the special atmosphere of a christening day. (You can find more on the subject of superstition in seafaring in an interview I conducted with a shipbuilder in Finland a few years ago.)

This is particularly pronounced at MSC and thus also at Explora Journeys, a shipping company officially Swiss but actually with a southern Italian influence through and through. The superstitions range from sprinkling hot Arrabiata spice on the decks (to drive away evil spirits) to a variety of things that you don’t do on board, or don’t bring or wear, from umbrellas to pink shirts. It is often not entirely clear which part of this superstition is more of a myth and which is actively practiced.

Dressed up for the christening: Explora II in the port of Civitvechia on the day of the christening

The decisive moment of a ship christening is always the champagne bottle (or in the case of the Explora II: a fine Italian Ferrari spumante) that smashes against the side of the ship, strictly speaking: on the starboard side near the bow, directly below the name. Traditionally, the godmother throws the bottle, hanging from a rope, against the ship. In modern times, some kind of release mechanism is used for this.

The moment after the Ferrari bottle burst under the Explora II lettering on the fuselagePierfrancesco Vago, Diego Aponte, Lorella Cuccarini, Rosalba Giugni, Antonio Tajani, Gianluigi Aponte, Serena MelaniPierfrancesco Vago, Rosalba Giugni, Serena MelaniCaptain Serena Melani, Taufpatin Rosalba Giugni, Executive Chairman MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago

At the christening of the Explora II, the godmother, Rosalba Giugni, stood on the stage in the Explora Lounge and symbolically cut a blue ribbon, while outside on the pier the daughter of Gianluca Aponte, the magnate of the MSC shipping empire, Alexa Aponte-Vago, simultaneously cut the ribbon that allowed the giant Ferrari bottle to float over the side of the ship.

Die Taufpatin der Explora II: Rosalba Giugni

The godmother of the Explora II, Rosalba Giugni, born in Naples and raised in Rome, is a well-known environmental activist in Italy. Almost 40 years ago, the now 79-year-old founded the environmental protection association Marevivo, which she still heads today. Marevivo now has over 30,000 members and is committed to protecting the oceans in a pragmatic and constructive way.

Taufpatin Rosalba Giugni

In Italy, for example, the organization has achieved a ban on microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics and a ban on catching sea cucumbers, and continues to launch mass movements to collect garbage in river mouths, for example. Since 2019, Marevivo has also been working in partnership with the MSC Foundation. Marevivo’s headquarters in Rome are on a houseboat on the Tiber near Piazza del Popolo.

Also part of a ceremonial ship christening: many speeches

The inevitable part of a christening ceremony are the speeches: everyone who plays an important role in the construction or operation of the cruise ship should be given the honor of saying a few words. At MSC and also at Explora Journeys, this is essentially done in Italian – and if you only realize during the event that there were headphones for an English translation, you just listen to the speeches in Italian without understanding much of the content…

Moderated by Italian actress, dancer and TV celebrity Lorella Cuccarini, the following spoke at the christening of the Explora II: Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman MSC Cruises; Marco Piendibene, Mayor of Civitavecchia; Pierroberto Folgieri, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri; Antonio Tajani, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Moderator Lorella CuccariniPierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman MSC CruisesMarco Piendibene, Mayor of CivitavecchiaPierroberto Folgieri, CEO and Managing Director of FincantieriPresenter Lorella Cuccarini with Oscar winner and film director Giuseppe TornatoreTribute to Ennio MorriconeAntonio Tajani, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime MinisterDaniela Picco, Lorella Cuccarini, Rosalba Giugni

In connection with a musical tribute in honor of Ennio Morricone, who died in 2020, presenter Lorella Cuccarini spoke with Oscar winner and film director Giuseppe Tornatore. With godmother Rosalba Giugni, Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation, presented the collaboration between the MSC Foundation and the godmother’s environmental protection organization.

And the Cruise Director of the Explora II introduced Anna Nash, the new President of Explora Journeys.Anna Nash, President Explora Journeys

The culinary conclusion of the christening day on the Explora II is the gala dinner created by Franck Garanger …

Gala dinner for the christening of the Explora IIBluefin Tuna Belly O-ToroWatercolor Risotto, Red Shrimp from Mazara del Vallo72-Hour Slow Braised BLack Angus Beef Short RibBronte Pistachio Pearl

… followed by the modern version of fireworks: an impressive drone show in the night sky above the port of Civitavecchia.Drone show over the port of CivitavecchiaDrone show over the port of CivitavecchiaDrone show over the port of CivitavecchiaDrone show over the port of Civitavecchia

He made a brief appearance during the christening ceremony in the Journeys Lounge of the Explora II, and then again in the evening with a few more songs that ensured a happy and exuberant atmosphere after the gala dinner: the former frontman of Spandau Ballet Tony Hadley, now 64 years old, has lost none of his charm and vocal power.

Live entertainment at the lobby bar of the Explora II after the christeningEntertainment after the christening in the Journeys Lounge of the Explora IiTony Hadley in der Journeys Lounge der Explora IITony Hadley in der Journeys Lounge der Explora IITony Hadley in der Journeys Lounge der Explora IITony Hadley in der Journeys Lounge der Explora IITony Hadley in der Journeys Lounge der Explora II

Maiden voyage of Explora II in the Mediterranean

The day after the christening, the Explora II set off on its seven-day maiden voyage from Civitavecchia, stopping in Sorrento, Lipari, Trapani, Syracuse, Valletta and Tarragona.

Explore II in Civitavecchia

After that, she will initially sail routes in the western Mediterranean with less frequently visited ports such as Portofino, Porto Cervo, Saint-Tropez, Calvi, Mahon and Monte Carlo as well as to Morocco and Portugal. At the end of October, Explora II will then move to the Caribbean with routes between Miami and Barbados or Martinique, New Orleans or Puerto Rico, for example. She will return to Europe at the end of March 2025.