On November 21, 2023, the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA), in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) and local ship agent Island Shipping Trading Co. Ltd., commemorated the inaugural arrival of the Explora 1 with a special plaque exchange ceremony. This noteworthy event took place while the ship was anchored near Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, with Captain Diego Michelozzi. The ceremony not only symbolized the seamless integration of luxury and responsibility within the MSC Cruises group but also marked the introduction of Explora 1, a privately owned luxury travel brand operating under the name of MSC Explora Journeys, to the Territory.