What better way to christen a luxury ship than with champagne toasts, VIP guests, and... a sizzling scene on the high seas? On September 15, 2024, all eyes were on Civitavecchia as the luxury ship Explora II set sail on its maiden voyage, but it wasn’t just the elegant speeches or the gleaming new ship that had people talking. The star of the day ended up being a couple who decided to make the most of their ocean-view balcony—in broad daylight and in full view of everyone at the dock.

As the ribbon was cut and the champagne flowed, the couple aboard Explora II raised more than just a toast. Onlookers from the pier, instead of admiring the ship were captivated by an entirely different kind of scene—one that quickly found its way onto social media, going viral almost as fast as the ship could sail. Their public display was impossible to miss, leaving spectators wide-eyed—and quick to start filming. 

MSC, the parent company of Explora Journeys, released a diplomatic statement acknowledging the incident, stating that they were "aware of the situation" and evaluating possible actions to be taken against the couple, who were confirmed to be cabin pass holders. For now, the company seems to be letting the viral moment sail away with the waves.

Despite the viral sideshow, the Explora II didn’t miss a beat. It set off for its seven-night Mediterranean voyage as planned, visiting Sorrento, Lipari, Trapani, Syracuse, Valletta, and finally Tarragona in Spain.