In Pictures: New luxury cruise liner Explora I stops in Donegal on maiden voyage

Foyle Port welcomed brand new cruise ship Explora I to Lough Foyle on her first ever visit to the island of Ireland.

The luxury liner stopped off in Inishowen on Thursday. 

The Explora I was built and delivered by Fincantieri in the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy and is owned by Explora Journeys, a new luxury division of MSC Cruises.

The cutting-edge ship has been designed with sustainability in mind and is the pinnacle of luxury travel. For two people at £1,000 per night, guests can enjoy a stay in one of the 461 ocean-front suites, optional butler service, all-inclusive access to the ship’s nine restaurants, unlimited beverages, and access to the state-of-the-art spa and wellness centre.

Explora I embarked from Copenhagen, Denmark on her maiden voyage on August 1 on a 14-night journey through seven destinations including a two-night stay in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The ship visited Lough Foyle on Thursday as part of her inaugural UK and Ireland voyage. To mark the occasion, delegates from Failte Ireland, Donegal County Council, Go Visit Inishowen, Visit Derry, Hamilton Shipping and Foyle Port exchanged plaques with the ship’s Captain Serena Melani, a long standing maritime tradition.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Martin Harley said: “I am delighted to welcome this luxury cruise ship Explora I to Donegal today on its inaugural visit.  

“Donegal and the North West region provides a unique experience for the passengers and crew, many of whom are visiting Ireland for the first time.  

“Showcasing Donegal and the North West region’s natural, unspoilt beauty will pay dividends in the future and we look forward to many of today’s visitors returning to our region in the years ahead.

”I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this visit of Explora I such a great success and hope it will be the first of many.”

Foyle Port’s Harbour Master, Captain Bill McCann said it was ‘an absolute honou’r to welcome the guests and crew of the extraordinary ship on her first visit to the island.

“We believe the north west is a cruise destination with an unrivalled offering,” he said. 

“Guests can visit incredible locations of natural outstanding beauty including the Inishowen Peninsula, UNESCO World Heritage site the Giant’s Causeway and Glenveagh National Park. Visitors also spend the day discovering the sights of Derry-Londonderry and Greencastle village.

“We are thrilled cruise visits to the region doubled in 2023; of 17 ships, seven of these have been inaugural calls, showing the growth of cruise tourism to the North West.”

Many guests and crew spent time in Greencastle on Thursday.

Trisha Kealy of Kealy’s Seafood restaurant in Greencastle said: "We are delighted cruise visits continue to increase and anchor in Lough Foyle. They are hugely beneficial and help showcase Greencastle and the surrounding area. 

“Many thanks to all those involved for making the North West a great tourist destination."

This week the Port will host six cruise ships, two of which will visit on Saturday. Azamara Journey and Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky will come alongside in the commercial Port at Lisahally. Two cruise ships in one day will be another first for the Port.

By the end of the 2023 cruise season, Foyle Port will have welcomed over 14,000 passengers and crew with visitor nationalities ranging from the US, Australia, France, Brazil, Israel and Germany to name a few.