Explora Journeys fleet celebrated 3 major milestones in one day

Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, celebrated three major milestones for its fleet of ships in one day. On Monday, 14 July 2025, the new EXPLORA III was launched at the Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, along with the coin ceremony of EXPLORA IV and the steel cutting of EXPLORA V.

These events, rooted in a long maritime tradition, represent not only advancements in shipbuilding, but also Explora Journeys' commitment to luxury, innovation and responsible travel, according to a company statement. Construction of the fleet, planned to be six ships by 2028, is progressing on schedule. The EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II ships are already operating at high occupancy, demonstrating strong demand for their unique travel experiences. EXPLORA III, IV and V will join the fleet in the coming years, and EXPLORA VI will complete the fleet in 2028.

Explora Journeys' President, Anna Nash, expressed her pride in the current achievements, "Today marks a significant milestone as we celebrate three ships that are emblematic of our ambition to redefine luxury ocean travel. This triple celebration is the result of a strong collaboration with Fincantieri and the unwavering support of the Aponte-Vago family. We are not just building ships, we are creating a legacy that will deliver transformational experiences for generations to come."

Caroline Cooney-Hurrell, who is in charge of customer care at Explora Journeys, and Franca Parisi from Fincantieri, Head of Quality and Performance Improvement, were the godmothers of the ship at the EXPLORA IV ceremony. The €3.5 billion investment in the construction of these ships confirms Explora Journeys' long-standing commitment to innovation in ocean travel and support for the Italian shipping industry.

A sustainable future for ocean travel

Explora Journeys has been committed to sustainability since its inception in 2021, which is reflected in equipping ships with the latest environmental technologies. These include the capacity to connect to the shore power grid to eliminate emissions while in port, and sophisticated underwater noise management systems to protect marine life. From EXPLORA III onwards, the ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the option of renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. In addition, EXPLORA V and VI will bring further innovations with fuel cells that will allow LNG to be converted into hydrogen, significantly reducing emissions in ports.

Explora Journeys is bringing a new vision of ocean travel where luxury, sustainability and unforgettable experiences combine to connect guests with the ocean and the world around them.

Source:Explora Journeys