Explora Journeys staged a triple celebration last week at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente near Genoa, Italy. One ship was delivered, a second had its keel laid, and the first steel was cut for a third.
The events took place as the luxury brand continues to grow towards a total of six ships planned by 2028.
Here are the highlights of last week’s Explora developments:
Explora Journeys officials take delivery of Explora II at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa, Italy. (Photo Credit: Ivan Sarfatti)
EXPLORA II was delivered to become the second ship to join the luxury travel brand of the MSC Group’s $5.2 billion fleet of six vessels. The ship will set sail on her maiden journey on September 16 from Civitavecchia in Italy to Sicily, Malta and Spain.
The 63,900 GT EXPLORA II will operate in the Caribbean Sea in the winter and return to the Mediterranean Sea for summer 2025. The new luxury ship has 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences, six different restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, four swimming pools, and a range of wellness venues.
A keel-laying ceremony for EXPLORA III also took place, when commemorative coins were placed inside the ship as a sign of blessing during construction and good fortune in the future by the LNG-powered vessel’s two godmothers, Verena Koetzle, Global Head of Public Relations for Explora Journeys and Martina Giardina, Public Area Supervisor - Fincantieri Shipyard Sestri Ponente.
Explora Journeys’ third celebration was a steel cutting ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard to start the construction of EXPLORA IV, which will also be fuelled by LNG, and will be completed in early 2027.
EXPLORA V will join the luxury fleet in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in 2028, with a project underway for both to have large fuel cell capacity capable of transforming renewable LNG into hydrogen and significantly reducing emissions.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, said: “The delivery of EXPLORA II represents a significant milestone for Explora Journeys and the MSC Group, in our commitment to set new standards in global luxury travel at sea. This special day also sees us celebrate the coin ceremony for EXPLORA III and the start of construction of EXPLORA IV as we continue to deliver on our commitment to create a fleet of six best-in-class ships offering even more guests a luxury ocean travel experience like no other.”
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