MSC Foundation And Focused On Nature Bring An Exclusively Curated Exhibition Of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s Photography Of Marine Life To Guests On Board Explora Ii

Geneva, Switzerland, 3 October 2024 – Explora Journeys is proud to announce the launch of an exclusive exhibition of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s marine photography, titled Marine Encounters, now available for guests aboard the brand's newly launched second ship, EXPLORA II. The exhibition, located in the ship’s Galleria d’Arte, offers a stunning visual journey into the wonders of marine life through the lens and storytelling of Prince Hussain.

This collection of 28 limited-edition photographs on display for an initial period of six months has been gifted to the MSC Foundation by acclaimed photographer and conservationist, Prince Hussain Aga Khan, reflecting a collaboration underpinned by a shared dedication to environmental conservation, education and public awareness-raising. 

On 14 September, Explora Journeys President Anna Nash, MSC Foundation Executive Director Daniela Picco, and Prince Hussain Aga Khan, came together to officially open the exhibition. The gifted collection is available for purchase, with proceeds going to support the MSC Foundation, as part of a joint commitment to marine conservation.

The trilateral collaboration also represents a fortified bridge across oceans with the MSC Foundation connecting Explora guests to ocean education advocates through Prince Hussain’s art and offers an opportunity for guests to support scholarships at the University of The Bahamas, complementing the contributions already made by the Foundation to launch the first scholarship. 

“I’m very grateful and blessed to be showing my work in this beautiful space on board Explora II. My mission is to show people what’s out there – the diversity, beauty, fascinating behaviour, intelligence – to try to make them fall in love with fauna, flora and habitats,” said Prince Hussain Aga Khan, Photographer and Founder of Focused on Nature. “At the very least encourage them to care but also highlight the terrible decline, the threats, and some of the solutions and changes we can make in our own behaviours.”

This unveiling was part of the broader Naming Ceremony festivities for EXPLORA II, the second ship to join the luxury travel brand of the MSC Group’s fleet of six ships. She set sail on her maiden journey on 16 September from Civitavecchia in Italy to Spain, Sicily and Malta, with the exhibition on display in the Galleria d’Arte for an initial period of six months.

Anna Nash, President Explora Journeys said: "For over 30 years, Prince Hussain Aga Khan's photography has fostered a profound appreciation for nature and has influenced how we interact with our natural resources. Our partnership with the MSC Foundation and Focused on Nature embodies a unified vision for environmental awareness and education. By leveraging our global presence at sea, this inaugural collaboration with Explora Journeys is designed to inspire action in preserving marine life and advancing marine science."

A walk through Marine Encounters takes cruise guests on a journey from coral reefs to the deep ocean, focusing on the importance of coral protection, ending at the MSC Foundation Area, a space dedicated to MSC Foundation's awareness-raising and education activities on board and the 7^th hub on MSC Cruises vessels with Foundation Representatives dedicated to fostering environmental awareness among guests of all ages. EXPLORA II guests can connect with and donate to programmes that are making a tangible difference worldwide.  Purchasing one of Prince Hussain Aga Khan's limited-edition prints from the Marine Encounters exhibition will directly fund a scholarship for one semester of studies for a student enrolled in marine science at the University of The Bahamas.

“We are incredibly honoured to partner with an exceptional artist and ocean ambassador, Prince Hussain Aga Khan, to showcase his exceptional photography on Explora II. This exhibition gives cruise guests a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of our oceans through art while also being inspired by Prince Hussain’s unwavering dedication to marine conservation and his powerful advocacy for their protection,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation. “By giving the guests a chance to support our common cause, we are also building connections to our partner, the University of The Bahamas, to concretely support education in marine science for the next generation of ocean champions.”