Explora Journeys Celebrates Three Key Ship Milestones
Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand under the MSC Group, recently celebrated three significant achievements at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa, Italy. The events included the delivery of Explora II, the keel-laying of Explora III, and the start of construction for Explora IV, highlighting the company’s ambitious growth plans to launch five new ships by 2028.
The newest addition to the fleet, Explora II, was officially delivered today. This state-of-the-art vessel, weighing 63,900 gross tons, features 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses, and residences. Onboard amenities include six restaurants, 12 bars, four pools, and several wellness facilities. Explora II will set sail on its maiden voyage on September 16 from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, with stops in Sicily, Malta, and Spain. After its inaugural Mediterranean season, the ship will head to the Caribbean for winter before returning to the Mediterranean for the summer of 2025.
A ceremonial maritime event marked the delivery of Explora II, attended by MSC Group’s Cruise Division Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, ship’s godmother Stefania Vago, Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta, and Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero. The event also saw representatives from MSC’s construction team and shipyard workers in attendance.
The keel-laying ceremony for Explora III was another highlight, with commemorative coins placed within the ship’s structure to bring good fortune. The ceremony was conducted by the ship’s godmothers—Verena Koetzle, Global Head of Public Relations for Explora Journeys, and Martina Giardina, Public Area Supervisor at Fincantieri Shipyard Sestri Ponente. Expected to commence operations in 2026, Explora III will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a step toward more sustainable maritime technology.
The third milestone celebrated was the steel-cutting ceremony for Explora IV, marking the start of its construction. Scheduled for completion in early 2027, this vessel will also utilize LNG as part of Explora Journeys’ commitment to greener technologies. Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce Explora V and Explora VI in 2027 and 2028, respectively. These ships will incorporate large fuel cell technology to convert renewable LNG into hydrogen, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MSC Group’s Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division, Pierfrancesco Vago, emphasized the importance of these milestones. “The delivery of Explora II represents a significant achievement for Explora Journeys and the MSC Group. This event, alongside the coin ceremony for Explora III and the commencement of Explora IV’s construction, underscores our commitment to setting new standards in global luxury travel and expanding our fleet with state-of-the-art vessels,” Vago stated.