Explora Journeys celebrates three important milestones in the construction of its luxury fleet
c: Explora Journey
Explora Journeys , the MSC Group's luxury lifestyle brand, continues to redefine the future of ocean travel.
Today, a significant step along this path was celebrated at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente. Three key milestones marked the next chapter in the development of the rapidly growing fleet:
- the floating out of EXPLORA III,
- the coin ceremony for EXPLORA IV and
- steel cutting for EXPLORA V
Rooted in maritime tradition, these moments represent more than just advances in construction – they reflect Explora Journeys' unwavering commitment to refined luxury, purposeful travel, and innovative shipbuilding.
The fleet—expected to comprise a total of six ships by 2028—is expanding as planned. EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II are already welcoming guests to a new kind of ultra-elegant cruise and are operating at near full capacity, reflecting the positive response to the brand's offerings. EXPLORA III will join the fleet in 2026, followed by EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V in 2027, and EXPLORA VI in 2028.
Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, commented: "Today marks a proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we celebrate three remarkable ships—each a symbol of our commitment to redefining ultra-elegant ocean travel. This triple achievement reflects the strength of our vision and the power of collaboration between our team, our partners at Fincantieri, and the unwavering support of the Aponte-Vago family. Guided by our values of care, respect, and excellence, we aren't just building ships—we are creating a legacy of transformative travel that will endure for generations to come."
Caroline Cooney-Hurrell, Customer Journey Strategist at Explora Journeys, was honored as the EXPLORA IV Coin Ceremony Patron in recognition of her tireless efforts and dedication to the brand over the past five years. Caroline played a key role in establishing the Explora Experience Centre and ensuring exceptional service and support for Explora Journeys guests. From the Fincantieri team, Franca Parisi, Head of Quality and Performance Improvement, proudly served as the ceremony patron.
The €3.5 billion investment in Explora Journeys' fleet of six ships – all built by Fincantieri – represents a long-term commitment not only to redefining sea travel but also to the Italian shipbuilding industry.
A new vision for sea travel
Explora Journeys was born from a bold vision: to reinvent the luxury cruise experience. In just two years since the launch of EXPLORA I, the brand has become a new benchmark in the industry and is recognized by discerning guests worldwide. The combination of carefully curated itineraries, immersive cultural experiences, elegantly relaxed onboard design, and exceptional service has redefined travel at sea.
With each new ship that enters service, Explora Journeys continues to pursue its purpose: to offer transformative travel experiences that connect guests to the sea, themselves and the world around them in sustainable, elevated and deeply meaningful ways.
Sustainability commitment
All vessels are equipped with advanced environmental technologies, including shore power connections to reduce emissions in port and sophisticated underwater noise management systems to protect marine life. A comprehensive range of energy-efficient onboard systems also ensures optimal engine performance and reduced fuel consumption.
Starting with EXPLORA III, the four newest vessels will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel that offers significant emissions reductions compared to conventional marine fuels. These vessels are also ready to deploy renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. EXPLORA V and VI go even further, offering the option of using next-generation fuel cell technology that can convert LNG into hydrogen to significantly reduce emissions in ports.